Aberrant: Cognizant Chimera - Cognizant Chimera - The Early Years...

[Heritage]

David doesn't seem too affected by Martha's 'rough' treatment...

"Well, I suppose it would be rude not to join ya now...  So, have you guys figured anything out about this 'Aeon Society'? I mean, what exactly is their agenda?"

Glad to see she didn't hurt David (and making a mental note to wrestle him as soon as possible ::devil), Martha gestures vaguely with a buffalo wing.

My source says they've been around since the 20s. They do lots of investigatin' into 'unusual cases', whatever the hell that means. They also do some kind of charitable volunteer work, too, like a cross between the Peace Corps and Sherlock Holmes, if that makes any sense. But mostly the investigatin' stuff.

"Oh, hey, my agent is setting up some meetings with some folks that want to do a 'made for TV' movie about the whole bank incident. Any of you guys interested in showbiz?"

Martha just looks at him in disbelief.

Uh, yeah! That would totally kick ass! Like Jackie Chan, man!

Martha politely holds up her hand.

Mr. Jenkins? Does the Aeon Society have any problem with us makin' millions by sellin' out to The Man? 'Cause that might be kinda cool.

[Prince of Boredom]

My source says they've been around since the 20s. They do lots of investigatin' into 'unusual cases', whatever the hell that means. They also do some kind of charitable volunteer work, too, like a cross between the Peace Corps and Sherlock Holmes, if that makes any sense. But mostly the investigatin' stuff.

"Huh, so are they some government agency or just guys with lots of money?"

Martha just looks at him in disbelief.

Uh, yeah! That would totally kick ass! Like Jackie Chan, man!

Not entirely sure if she's serious or not, David reaches in his wallet and hands her a business card...

"Well, I assume you don't have an agent, so give mine a call and let him know you're interested... (he looks around the table) Anyone else?"

[Bahamut810]

My source says they've been around since the 20s. They do lots of investigatin' into 'unusual cases', whatever the hell that means. They also do some kind of charitable volunteer work, too, like a cross between the Peace Corps and Sherlock Holmes, if that makes any sense. But mostly the investigatin' stuff.

Cid shrugs. "Neat enough"

"Huh, so are they some government agency or just guys with lots of money?"

"Hopefully some of both."

"Well, I assume you don't have an agent, so give mine a call and let him know you're interested... (he looks around the table) Anyone else?"

"Sure. The more people see me the better. " And he takes a card.

[Alex Green]

"Oh, hey, my agent is setting up some meetings with some folks that want to do a 'made for TV' movie about the whole bank incident.  Any of you guys interested in showbiz?"

Matt responds, "Ah... No. After that bit at the bank and the house, I'm tempted to wear a mask in the future for this kind of stuff."

[Heritage]

"Huh, so are they some government agency or just guys with lots of money?"

Martha shakes her head.

Naw, they ain't 'gov'ment' types - strictly old fogies with deep pockets. I think my guy said they've aided governments in the past, though.

She gleefully takes the card from David and kisses it before tucking it into her jacket pocket.

Money, money, money!

Matt responds, "Ah... No. After that bit at the bank and the house, I'm tempted to wear a mask in the future for this kind of stuff."

This comment does seem to give Martha pause - she pulls out the card, scrutinizes it carefully, then slips it back in her pocket. Her expression remains thoughtful.

[Asbjørn]

The door at the front of the dining car is opened and a big black man enters, head bowed a little to avoid bumping the doorframe. He's wearing black pants and a black t-shirt with a picture of a diamond on his chest.

Making his way down the corridor he stops to shake hands with Jenkins, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder before he continues to a free seat and sits down.

Nodding to Martha and 'the gang', he says

"Just checking the weather forecast." ::wink ::cool

[ezekiel]

The door to the diner car slams open

"Heeeeeeerrrrrre's Johnny!"

There, arms spread wide open in an overly theatrical fashion, is the handsome (no mega-app, just plain cute), dreaded, maniacally grinning, Lance Albright. ::devil

Quickly scanning the train car he starts humming a tune and walks towards the group, grabbing an olive off a tray on the way and chucking it in his mouth.

"I'm sure you've all missed me as much as I've missed you! How have you been?! Oh...don't get angry Dawg, I promisse I'll behave."

Setting his eyes on Martha Lance suddenly clasps his heart and breaks breaks in song (with a pretty darn amazing singing voice too)

" ::violin Marthaa my dear, though AAAYYE spend my day in converSAYtioonn pleazzz! Martha myyyy ::violin - he breaks from song - g-g-gassp oh my oh myyy Martha. There's something different about you! I can't put my finger on it, but if you let me, I can try" ::inlove ::wink

Sitting down before the shock sets in Lance just keeps talking as if nothing happened

"So, what's to be the topic of the day? We're to form the Justice League? More bank robbers to maim?"

[phoenix]

While Lance is serenading Martha, the door opens once more to admit Eddie and Virginia, who grin and raise an eyebrow, respectively, at the theatrical man. As he finishes, Eddie claps for several seconds before receiving a punch in the arm from his better half.

"So, what's to be the topic of the day? We're to form the Justice League? More bank robbers to maim?"

Eddie shrugs, taking a seat at roughly the same time as Lance.

"Well personally, I'm just here to perfect my ability to use my powers."

[Nullifier]

Sitting at a table in a corner of the car, Gabriel just listens and watches, his perfect memory recording everything for future refference and dissection. A small fortune in sushi rests on a large platter, obviously taken from the buffet, sits on the table in front of him. Ocassionally, he picks up a pair of chopsticks, selects a piece, and pops it in his mouth. As he watches the proceedings, Gabriel's eyes seem to dart around, coming to rest on particular faces only for a moment before moving onto other things like windows, doors, etc. He gaze does a full sweep of the cabin every thirty seconds or so, never resting or pausing, even as he eats the sushi, seeming to select the piece he wants from memory rather than sight.

[phoenix]

Eddie draws up a chair next to Gabriel amiably.

"Hey, what's up? You look a little on edge, uh - Gabriel, right? Something bothering you?"

He grabs a tortilla, and starts to prepare a burrito with various fillings from throughout the buffet, to the amusement of himself and anyone who pays that close attention to him.

[Nullifier]

Eddie draws up a chair next to Gabriel amiably.

"Hey, what's up? You look a little on edge, uh - Gabriel, right? Something bothering you?"

Not bothering to glance at his new seating companion, being aware of him from his constant scanning of the room, Gabrel replies in a quiet voice, "Shouldn't you be on edge after what happened the last time, Eddie? Lots of things are bothering me, not the least of which being the intentions of our hosts." Sighing, Gabriel pops another piece of sushi in his mouth and chews it for several moments before swallowing and continuing quietly, "I think I may have a lead on the person who may have been responsible for the attack on Diamond Dawg's place, although I still haven't figured out what the motive could have been. No matter, I'll figure it out eventually I'm sure." The whole time, Gabriel's eyes continue their circuit around the room.

[Obsidian Shade]

Andric was sitting in the train too. As the last time he did not say anything unless someone asked him to. He did not seemed to be interested in the Aeon Society or the others.

[Alex Green]

"So, what's to be the topic of the day? We're to form the Justice League? More bank robbers to maim?"

Matt replies, "You think they mean to form us into a team, tomorrow or whenever?"

[Archer21]

"More bank robbers to maim?"

At Lance's sneering last comment, a low growl carries across the dining car, accompanied by a soft glow coming from the same source: Jimmy.

Sunglasses concealing his catlike eyes, the vicious stare being directed at Lance is almost palpable. A pulsing nimbus surrounds Jimmy, colors flickering to different shades of white. Sometimes tinged with yellow, sometimes a more bluish tinge, the glow pulsates in a regular rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.

[Prince of Boredom]

Sunglasses concealing his catlike eyes, the vicious stare being directed at Lance is almost palpable. A pulsing nimbus surrounds Jimmy, colors flickering to different shades of white. Sometimes tinged with yellow, sometimes a more bluish tinge, the glow pulsates in a regular rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.

"Ok, let's all calm down and be sociable. I'm sure he was just bein' stupid is all..."

"Although, you know, maybe forming our own... organization may not be a bad thing. I'm all for helping out the average guy, and they'll definately need with all of us new 'novas'. Besides, we could get some great publicity, maybe sponsorship deals, and help out the little guy at the same time. I'm sure between a few of us we could front some money, maybe get an office building or something and medical insurance and the like... Whaddya think?"

[Ayre el KaBeer]

"More bank robbers to maim?"

Burnard chimes in from the darkest corner he could find "They weren't that bad off, I don't think. How is everyone by the way?"

[brilyn]

Bill pops open the door to the carraige, and strides into the room, seemingly pretty happy.

"Howdy campers, how we all doing today?"

[Nullifier]

A pulsing nimbus surrounds Jimmy, colors flickering to different shades of white. Sometimes tinged with yellow, sometimes a more bluish tinge, the glow pulsates in a regular rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.

Gabriel's eyes stop their wandering for a moment and narrow as they come to rest on Jimmy. Cold, flickering blue flames suddenly appear around his body, even as his gaze moves on around the room.

[Looking at Jimmy with Quantum Attunement, and activating FF. ::bigsmile ]

[Bahamut810]

Cid just eats and politley answers people when he is asked things. Eating is too much of a distraction right now...

[ezekiel]

At Lance's sneering last comment, a low growl carries across the dining car, accompanied by a soft glow coming from the same source: Jimmy.

Sunglasses concealing his catlike eyes, the vicious stare being directed at Lance is almost palpable. A pulsing nimbus surrounds Jimmy, colors flickering to different shades of white. Sometimes tinged with yellow, sometimes a more bluish tinge, the glow pulsates in a regular rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.

Lance meets his stare and grins impishly

"What's the matter Jimmy-boy? Feeling pangs of guilt? No one else seems to feel...indisposed by my commentsss..."

"Ok, let's all calm down and be sociable. I'm sure he was just bein' stupid is all..."

"Yess, let's...you're scaring the ladies."

Lance nods his head towards Gabriel

Although, you know, maybe forming our own... organization may not be a bad thing. I'm all for helping out the average guy, and they'll definately need with all of us new 'novas'. Besides, we could get some great publicity, maybe sponsorship deals, and help out the little guy at the same time. I'm sure between a few of us we could front some money, maybe get an office building or something and medical insurance and the like... Whaddya think?"

"I don't want publicity and sponsors...virtue is its own reward."

Lance grins at Jimmy again... ::devilangel

[Nullifier]

"Yess, let's...you're scaring the ladies."

Lance nods his head towards Gabriel

Gabriel smiles brightly and speaks calmly, even as he continues to look around the room, "We should all be scared. Seems to me like we're all walking disasters waiting to happen. I have the right to protect myself, and the flames are cold so they won't hurt anything. Besides, they're rather nice looking, don't you think?"

Taking a piece of sushi with his chopsticks and popping it into his mouth, he thinks to himself, *Don't these people have any idea how dangerous all this is? No, I suppose not*

[ezekiel]

Gabriel smiles brightly and speaks calmly, even as he continues to look around the room, "We should all be scared. Seems to me like we're all walking disasters waiting to happen. I have the right to protect myself, and the flames are cold so they won't hurt anything. Besides, they're rather nice looking, don't you think?"

"Should we? This train isn't going to Auschwitz, Gabe, and I don't intend to be afraid of hypotheticals...at least you're right. You don't look bad, for a paranoid."

Lance looks to the host, Aaron Jenkins

"Where is this train going? Who are you, what do you do and what do you propose?"

[Nullifier]

"Should we? This train isn't going to Auschwitz, Gabe, and I don't intend to be afraid of hypotheticals...at least you're right. You don't look bad, for a paranoid."

Gabriel's smile evaporates at this, and he looks for a moment as if he's about to say something, instead he shrugs, leans back, and pops another piece of sushi into his mouth, chewing it slowly and ruminating, *Maybe he's right and I'm being paranoid. Still, it's not like I don't have good reason* As he thinks this, Gabriel's gaze lingers on Andric's face for slight moment longer than usual before moving on.

[Obsidian Shade]

As he thinks this, Gabriel's gaze lingers on Andric's face for slight moment longer than usual before moving on.

Andric folded his arms in front of his chest and glanced around. His attempt to appear dark and dangerouse was a little bit risible. But he was a nova and not a baseline as he had demonstrated before. Even if he looked somewhat normal, he could be a very bad guy. A very silent bad guy. ::rolleyes

[Heritage]

Matt replies, "You think they mean to form us into a team, tomorrow or whenever?"

(OOC - You horrible, horrible person ::devil)

Martha seems genuinely happy to see everyone (except Andric, whom she looks at quizically), and greets them warmly - however, her eyes narrow just a tad when Lance enters the room.

Hey there, Lance - y'know, I'd say I was glad to se ya, but then I'd be a big fat liar.

At Lance's sneering last comment, a low growl carries across the dining car, accompanied by a soft glow coming from the same source: Jimmy.

Sunglasses concealing his catlike eyes, the vicious stare being directed at Lance is almost palpable. A pulsing nimbus surrounds Jimmy, colors flickering to different shades of white. Sometimes tinged with yellow, sometimes a more bluish tinge, the glow pulsates in a regular rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.

Martha rubs her eyes and sighs.

Can't we at least wait 'til the lava shows up before we start destroyin' stuff and killin' each other? There's folks on this train that don't wanna die, many of them in this car. If every time someone we don't like shows up, we start glowin' and goin' all tense, we ain't gonna survive the next two weeks, much less the rest of our lives.

(OOC-activating Soothe more or less unconciously)

"Ok, let's all calm down and be sociable. I'm sure he was just bein' stupid is all..."

"Although, you know, maybe forming our own... organization may not be a bad thing. I'm all for helping out the average guy, and they'll definately need with all of us new 'novas'. Besides, we could get some great publicity, maybe sponsorship deals, and help out the little guy at the same time. I'm sure between a few of us we could front some money, maybe get an office building or something and medical insurance and the like... Whaddya think?"

Martha snorts and shakes her head.

We'll see - if we all get off this train alive.

[malkboy]

[At The TV Studio - 2 weeks ago]

The female reporter looks at Michael's glowing eyes with a sad expression across her face, "If that's the way it's got to be, then you best go. I can't afford to lose my job right now, I'm sorry."

[Aeon Meeting - Dining Car]

The dining car warms having slowly filled with guests and wait staff. As everyone looks around they recognize that the majority of the people here are in fact, the same people that showed up for Dawg's meeting. However, there are a few new faces in the crowd.

Sitting againist an outside wall is a man, with long dirty blonde hair, who sits and stares out the window at the passing cornfields as he slowly eats his dinner despite the conversation around him. Near to him is an Oriental woman, dressed in a black leather catsuit, watches Aaron with an eye of suspicion even as the shadows of the dining cart slowly warp themselves towards her.

The host voice sounds up over the noise in the car, "In fact that is somewhat of an accurate description of what we are. We do what is needed to be done, when it needs to be done. And we address the issues that need to be addressed, but that other people might be less than willing to jump into."

Mr. Jenkins? Does the Aeon Society have any problem with us makin' millions by sellin' out to The Man? 'Cause that might be kinda cool.

After a momentary chuckle, Aaron says, "You can sell out all you want, just remember you're volunteering for this project."

Making his way down the corridor he stops to shake hands with Jenkins, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder before he continues to a free seat and sits down.

...

"Just checking the weather forecast."  

Grinning at the sports entertainment star, "I'm happy to say that it seems to be a negligible chance of lava falling. Since nobody knows exactly where this meeting is it hopefully will be more secure. It was a great idea that you had; however, it is unfortunate to think that these great powers are not all falling in the hands of responsible people."

"So, what's to be the topic of the day? We're to form the Justice League? More bank robbers to maim?"

The entire wait staff and even Aaron Jenkin seems taken back by the harsh and abrupt entrance from Lance, as well as the curious reaction from Jimmy.

Aaron listens quiestly for a moment to speak, "We're not planning to turn you into a team at all. Well at least not yet, though that may happen in the future. Right now the goal is to figure out how and why all of you changed. Most of the information we needed actually got gathered on the phone, but with the chance of crank callers it was decided that the exams would best be done in person at a secured facility."

Gabriel smiles brightly and speaks calmly, even as he continues to look around the room, "We should all be scared. Seems to me like we're all walking disasters waiting to happen. I have the right to protect myself, and the flames are cold so they won't hurt anything. Besides, they're rather nice looking, don't you think?"

A few of the stewards on the dining car rapidly approach Gabriel with fire extinguishers in thier hands. Having been prepared for the possibility of a fire, they quickly work in unison in thier attempt to put out the flames on Gabriel. Aaron waves them off a moment later, 'You might want to hold off on the flames until we're off the train. Some of us are a bit nervous about certain problems, like burning up in a horrible fire.'

"Where is this train going? Who are you, what do you do and what do you propose?"

Aaron looks to Lance, "Well, if you hadn't been late you'd know I am the host of this meeting and my name is Aaron Jenkins. As for what I do, I'm an Administrative Specialist for the Aeon Society, as well as an unofficial liason for the Society to the United Nations. You'll find out the rest fairly as soon as dinner is over."

Can't we at least wait 'til the lava shows up before we start destroyin' stuff and killin' each other? There's folks on this train that don't wanna die, many of them in this car. If every time someone we don't like shows up, we start glowin' and goin' all tense, we ain't gonna survive the next two weeks, much less the rest of our lives.

...

We'll see - if we all get off this train alive.

Aaron smiles at Martha, "Well spoken, Ms. Cross. Let's all think about the future for a few moments before we take abrupt and irreversible actions."

The rear door of the dining cart slides open, a stunningly curvacious redhead sliding in with her arm intertwined with that of average guy, before it comes to a close behind them. Quickly both of them have gotten some food and are sitting down to dine as the man suddenly speaks up, a sarcastic tone in his voice as he eyes Gabriel, "Look dear, if it isn't the lovely couple from on top of the parking garage. I wasn't aware the judge, jury, and executioner was going to be here."

[ezekiel]

Hey there, Lance - y'know, I'd say I was glad to se ya, but then I'd be a big fat liar.

"Well then I'm happy that you're not. I wouldn't want your looks to fade on my account."

Aaron looks to Lance, "Well, if you hadn't been late you'd know I am the host of this meeting and my name is Aaron Jenkins. As for what I do, I'm an Administrative Specialist for the Aeon Society, as well as an unofficial liason for the Society to the United Nations. You'll find out the rest fairly as soon as dinner is over."

"How can I be late if I'm on the train? I just took a whizz on my way over. We don't all live right next to the train station, you know? By the way, I love your politician's answer...told us what you do without telling us anything about what you do, clever." ::rolleyes

We'll see - if we all get off this train alive.

"Aww, and I thought you were an optimist! - Lance breaks in song again, oblivious to the odd stares - ::violin Here's a little song I wrote (well, Bobby actually) I hope you like it note for note, Don't worry, be happy! In every life we have some traw-bel, but when you worry you make it daw-bel, so Don't worry...be happy! Wooohooohooowoohoo ::violin "

[Heritage]

"Aww, and I thought you were an optimist! - Lance breaks in song again, oblivious to the odd stares -  Here's a little song I wrote (well, Bobby actually) I hope you like it note for note, Don't worry, be happy! In every life we have some traw-bel, but when you worry you make it daw-bel, so Don't worry...be happy! Wooohooohooowoohoo  "

Martha looks with alarm from Lance, to the waiters, to Jenkins, and finally back to Lance. She shakes her head to clear it.

What the hell was that?

She points to Jenkins.

Did you just join in on the chorus?

[phoenix]

"Howdy campers, how we all doing today?"

Eddie looks up and waves amiably.

"Pretty well! Yourself?"

At Lance's sneering last comment, a low growl carries across the dining car, accompanied by a soft glow coming from the same source: Jimmy.

Sunglasses concealing his catlike eyes, the vicious stare being directed at Lance is almost palpable. A pulsing nimbus surrounds Jimmy, colors flickering to different shades of white. Sometimes tinged with yellow, sometimes a more bluish tinge, the glow pulsates in a regular rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.

Eddie stands up. "Hey, calm down, okay? There's been no cause for that. Hey, can you even help it?" Having stood, he goes back over to the buffet to prepare himself a second burrito.

"Hey, these are good!"

'You might want to hold off on the flames until we're off the train. Some of us are a bit nervous about certain problems, like burning up in a horrible fire.'

"For example." Eddie nods in a "pretty much" type of manner.

"But don't worry, they're pretty safe. Run your hand through 'em, they're cool."

"Look dear, if it isn't the lovely couple from on top of the parking garage. I wasn't aware the judge, jury, and executioner was going to be here."

Eddie grins and gives a cool little half-wave, snaking his other arm around Virginia in a very obvious way and winking.

Did you just join in on the chorus?

Eddie, despite having sat stoically through the song itself, bursts out laughing at that.

"Maaybe.." ::laugh

[Bahamut810]

Cid starts to look a bit tired at all this.

"Guys...come on. Let just consider this neutral ground for now. No arguments untill after this entire shin-dig is over, ok?"

[ProfPotts]

"If that's the way it's got to be, then you best go. I can't afford to lose my job right now, I'm sorry."

Michael shrugs, a slightly confused look on his face,

"If you didn't want an interview, & aren't attracted to me, then I fail to see why you asked me here in the first place. Let's face it, this has just been a collosal waste of time for both of us. That said, it seems like I've more important things to be doing right now. Goodbye." ::confused

With that the (rather frustrated) winged man leaps from the window & soars into the night sky.

[Nullifier]

A few of the stewards on the dining car rapidly approach Gabriel with fire extinguishers in thier hands. Having been prepared for the possibility of a fire, they quickly work in unison in thier attempt to put out the flames on Gabriel. Aaron waves them off a moment later, 'You might want to hold off on the flames until we're off the train. Some of us are a bit nervous about certain problems, like burning up in a horrible fire.'

Raising an eyebrow, Gabriel looks around at the stewards with extinguishers, then back at Aaron, and chuckles, "Do you have any senory difficulties as well? Did you just not hear me say the flames were cold? Do you see anything I've been touching burting into flames? Do you feel waves of heat rolling off me?" After popping another piece of sushi in his mouth and swallowing it, Gabriel shakes his head and chuckles again, speaking over Aaron, even as he's addressing the others, "You obviously haven't been doing your homework, that's for sure. You've got a gay peeping tom, or a spook or something," Gabriel nods over at Andric, "here, not to mention..."

The rear door of the dining cart slides open, a stunningly curvacious redhead sliding in with her arm intertwined with that of average guy, before it comes to a close behind them. Quickly both of them have gotten some food and are sitting down to dine as the man suddenly speaks up, a sarcastic tone in his voice as he eyes Gabriel, "Look dear, if it isn't the lovely couple from on top of the parking garage. I wasn't aware the judge, jury, and executioner was going to be here."

Laughing again he picks up, "...not to mention, apparently, the two novas I found in the parking garage which I traced the lava that landed on Diamond Dawg's house to. So, now that you've introduced yourself, why don't you just get on with it and stop wasting our time already?"

[Alex Green]

[Aeon Meeting - Dining Car]

...After a momentary chuckle, Aaron says, "You can sell out all you want, just remember you're volunteering for this project."

Matt responds, “Our project is a train to nowhere? Or will we stop somewhere to do the tests?”

[Archer21]

Can't we at least wait 'til the lava shows up before we start destroyin' stuff and killin' each other? There's folks on this train that don't wanna die, many of them in this car. If every time someone we don't like shows up, we start glowin' and goin' all tense, we ain't gonna survive the next two weeks, much less the rest of our lives.

With an almost flutter, the glow around Jimmy winks out. Sitting up straight, he looks around the car carefully without moving his head. Starting to form an apology, the words stick in his throat as his gaze passes Lance. *Nothin' to be sorry about Jimbo, just keep your cool. Don't need things to end up like last night.*

With the beginnings of concern about his sudden fits of temper, Jimmy forces himself to relax and listen to what else is being said.

Sorting through what he's hearing, he focuses on the conversation in this room.

[Asbjørn]

Grinning at the sports entertainment star, "I'm happy to say that it seems to be a negligible chance of lava falling.  Since nobody knows exactly where this meeting is it hopefully will be more secure. It was a great idea that you had; however, it is unfortunate to think that these great powers are not all falling in the hands of responsible people."

In a not-so-low voice Dog mumbles

"Well, I think we might as well get used to not being secure. There's no way you can protect this meeting and still have an open house. Just hope your insurance is paid up, cause I'll bet you just about anything there's gonna be violence and harsh words before we all part."

"Although, you know, maybe forming our own... organization may not be a bad thing. I'm all for helping out the average guy, and they'll definately need with all of us new 'novas'. Besides, we could get some great publicity, maybe sponsorship deals, and help out the little guy at the same time. I'm sure between a few of us we could front some money, maybe get an office building or something and medical insurance and the like... Whaddya think?"

Dog smiles and says

"I got all those things covered already, man. ::wink And it's not a bad idea. People need heroes, you know..."

Aaron listens quiestly for a moment to speak, "We're not planning to turn you into a team at all.  Well at least not yet, thou that may happen in the future.  Right now the goal is to figure out how and why all of you changed.  Most of the information we needed actually got gathered on the phone, but with the chance of crank callers it was decided that the exams would best be done in person at a secured facility."

"Well that might be your goal, but I'm guessing most of us are more interested in figuring out a way to live with the changes than understanding why it happened. Hell, most of us probably won't understand it anyway..."

Can't we at least wait 'til the lava shows up before we start destroyin' stuff and killin' each other? There's folks on this train that don't wanna die, many of them in this car. If every time someone we don't like shows up, we start glowin' and goin' all tense, we ain't gonna survive the next two weeks, much less the rest of our lives.

Aaron smiles at Martha, "Well spoken, Ms. Cross.  Let's all think about the future for a few moments before we take abrupt and irreversible actions."

Dog nods at Martha's words.

"That's what I'm talking about. Y'all don't see me getting pissed off and kicking ass, do you? Let's all just chill and hear what the man has to say."

The rear door of the dining cart slides open, a stunningly curvacious redhead sliding in with her arm intertwined with that of average guy, before it comes to a close behind them.  Quickly both of them have gotten some food and are sitting down to dine as the man suddenly speaks up, a sarcastic tone in his voice as he eyes Gabriel, "Look dear, if it isn't the lovely couple from on top of the parking garage.  I wasn't aware the judge, jury, and executioner was going to be here."

Seeing the two newcomers, Dog quickly glances over at Gabriel with a questioning look on his face.

Laughing again he picks up, "...not to mention, apparently, the two novas I found in the parking garage which I traced the lava that landed on Diamond Dawg's house to. So, now that you've introduced yourself, why don't you just get on with it and stop wasting our time already?"

The boxer's eyes darken a bit at the pair's arrival, and for a moment it looks like he's about to get up. He calms down again, however, and instead smiles and gestures for the two to sit down in the free seats near him.

[brilyn]

Bill sits to one side obvserving the goings on with quiet amusement, chowing down on whatever's to hand. ::biggrin

[froggie]

"Look dear, if it isn't the lovely couple from on top of the parking garage.  I wasn't aware the judge, jury, and executioner was going to be here."

Heather turns her head with a scornful look to her husband and mutters something to him softly. She sighs and walks to the buffett. There she helps herself to a dainty meal that would starve a supermodel and fixes a huge plate for her husband.

 

The boxer's eyes darken a bit at the pair's arrival, and for a moment it looks like he's about to get up. He calms down again, however, and instead smiles and gestures for the two to sit down in the free seats near him.

Heather looks quickly between Dawg and her hubby, with scornful looks at both.

Shall we not just be civilized and listen to what the man has to say? If after all is said and done then, perhaps, you two can go to some isolated corn field in the middle of Nebraska and we can all sit back, enjoy the fight and the popcorn that it is bound to pop up. Hell, get some media coverage and we'll make a buck or two! But for the moment, can't we all at least pretend to just get along?

Xander tries to lead Heather to the seats offered by Dawg, but she tugs him gently away leading him to the other side of the car. She sits down and quickly eats what there is on her plate and looks and acts as through she is still starving, yet does not want the world to know she is one of those, "nova" creatures.

[ProfPotts]

The door to the dining car opens (yet again) as a rather flustered usher tries to hurry a trio of people through - obviously mindful that he's bringing them in late. The trio however, don't seem bothered at all, & are laughing & joking with each other as they enter.

The central figure is instantly recognisable - Michael Warlock is again clad in tight leather trousers with heavy boots, & sports studded leather bands on his wrists. As before tattoos of angelic symbols ripple across his torso as his sculpted muscles flex, & rings through his nipples & navel are visible.

The winged man's right arm is around the waist of an attractive, long-limbed, young black woman who he's holding close. The woman is wearing tight-fitting hipster jeans, trainers, & a leather bikini top, as well as round steel-rimmed dark glasses. Her hair is cropped close to her head, & she sports several visible piercings - a bar in her navel as well as several rings in each ear, one through her left eyebrow, & another through the centre of her lower lip. A black tattoo is barely visible on her smooth brown skin - a pair of bat-wings, one each side of her navel.

Warlock's other arm is around the waist of a petite blond young lady, also attractive, & also held close. The blond is wearing a white linen summer-dress & white shoes with very high heels, as well as a studded white leather collar around her neck, with a large ring set into the front of it, & matching cuffs (also with rings) on each wrist. Her long blonde hair is up in a high pony tail.

It seems to take the trio a few moments to even notice the car is occupied, but then the winged man's solid green eyes scan the room & he grins at the assembled group,

"We late? Sorry about that guys - something... ah... 'popped up', so to speak... It's been a while since Kat was on a train after all, & it'd be a shame to let the opportunity go to waste..." ::wink ::devil

Michael kisses first his black companion, then the blond girl, then again adresses the room,

"Where are my manners? Everybody, this is Kat: my girl friend, better half, & sometime Mistress."

Warlock & the black woman exchange a passionate kiss.

"And this," Mike turns to the white girl, "is our pet, Syn. She's a bit of a handful, but we're getting her trained."

The winged man exchanges a passionate kiss with the petite blond.

Heading further into the car Michael takes a seat, & draws Kat down to sit on his lap. At a slight gesture from the winged man Syn heads over to the buffet to collect a plate of food, then returns & kneels next to the couple (who are already making out again). Kat takes the plate of food on her lap, & she & Mike take a few bites from it, occassionally feeding their kneeling 'pet' by hand.

Glancing up Mike comments,

"Oh, don't let us interupt you..." ::sly ::devil

[Heritage]

"Where are my manners? Everybody, this is Kat: my girl friend, better half, & sometime Mistress."

Warlock & the black woman exchange a passionate kiss.

"And this," Mike turns to the white girl, "is our pet, Syn. She's a bit of a handful, but we're getting her trained."

The winged man exchanges a passionate kiss with the petite blond.

Martha arches an eyebrow at Michael's grand entrance. She still doesn't know what to make of him; witty, charming and intelligent, yet capable of dropping an admittedly violent man from several stories up. And his truly alarming way with the ladies, from which no one was safe.

*I should probably give him another chance - after all, I don't know what words were exchanged between him and his captive before he let go. Or did he? Maybe the psycho pulled himself free.*

With a shrug and a grimace, she gets up from her seat and saunters over to where Michael's holding court, as it were; she seems to have some trouble finding the right words, then just gives up and holds out her hand.

Hey.

She tips her hat to his women.

Nice to me ya, Kat...and, uh, pet.

[Alex Green]

"Where are my manners? Everybody, this is Kat: my girl friend, better half, & sometime Mistress."

Warlock & the black woman exchange a passionate kiss.

"And this," Mike turns to the white girl, "is our pet, Syn. She's a bit of a handful, but we're getting her trained."

The winged man exchanges a passionate kiss with the petite blond.

Matt has no idea what to make of this. He is in equal parts, envious, amused, outraged, and indifferent. Part of him wonders how much of an act all this is, and whether Mike's women were like this before his eyes turned green. Mostly Matt decides that if Mike wants to be outrageous and draw the fire of the easily outraged, this seems marginally to Matt's own benefit. *Better him than me.*

Matt nods to the trio and says "Charmed".