While the villains are away...

[thalassino]

Seems like crime has taken a step up from just purse-snatching or someone stealing forty cakes when no one was looking. Those with a great sense of hearing or who happen to be at the wrong place at the right time will find that the good people of Vatheon are in danger. It's up to anyone who is willing to help to work together to save the day!




-Carol-

[In the lower district there were these warehouses lining along the barrier’s wall. One of them had a large neon sign with the words “Villains are here” flashing in lights. Anyone investigating the outside of the building will hear someone yelling for help.

Even if it’s obviously a trap, a hero must do their duty. And maybe clues about the real location of the nest of villains could be found.

The warehouse has been converted to a giant fun house with Indiana Jone’s Raiders of the Last Ark type traps. Getting help with navigating through this maze of traps and nurse themed goons would definitely be a good idea.

At the end of the maze, should people succeed, they will find Carol.]





-Hostage Hotel-

[A message will flash across the Starfish communicator asking for help.]

Help. At the Hotel they have guns

[Any messages sent in response will not be answered.

Seems that the city’s hotel has been taken over. The police are making a barrier and trying to negotiate, without any luck, with the crooks. They have the hotel owners and a their guests hostage on the top floor. They are armed, and very dangerous. Their demands include an escape route and a suitcase full of money.

Are you there to save the day or just get the scoop? Work together with the police or other heroes to save the day.]




-Like a bandit-

[There seems to be a burglar committing a string of crimes. They stole a rather large diamond from the jewelry store, money from the casino, and snatched a vase from an auction house. Thy only thing was a picture or a riddle for the scene of the next crime. The police are refusing to release the previous clues, but a reporter has managed to get a picture of the new message.]

What has branches and leaves and no bark?




-Anonymous Voice-

[A voice can be heard over everyone's communicator in the morning.]

There are twenty bombs hidden all over the city’s park. They will go off in a half hour. Find them before someone gets hurt.

[The caller might be using a synthesizer to disguise their voice, but locating them shouldn’t be a priority yet. Get those bombs out of the park before time runs out. Super speed or getting help would be beneficial for the ducks. Think of the ducks please.]



[They may also wind up stumbling or following a goon back to the actual secret base to listen in on a meeting at their own risk. Good luck!

((If you are open to being threadjacked, then please put Open in your subject line. If you have an idea already and want to play it out with a particular group of people, then please put Closed in your subject. Thank you.

Have fun playing out the scenarios, and feel free to drop a note in the subject line if Carol or the hotel owners are needed or if you believe characters may have solved the riddle! The location of the bombs is random and characters are encouraged to locate and defuse them on their own.))

Comments

[flared]

[Axel's about to just shrug it off and go look and see if he can find any healing potions or something in the cabinet when suddenly... there's a Saix on his shoulder. Well... at least he's somewhat used to this by now.]

... H-heh. Well, it looks like you managed to get most of the stuff out of your hair by now anyway.

[croceamors]

At least I got it done before you tried losing the apartment to a mass fire.

[Just a friendly jab- or as friendly as Saix can manage it. He's still working on how to make a proper friendly tone, so he's not sure if he's doing it right.]

My scalp still feels weird...

[flared]

[It's not very friendly... but, again, he's used to this. After a beat,]

... Let me help you, ok?

[croceamors]

I thought you had some aversion to seeing me naked?

[flared]

[Axel sighs heavily, hands on his hips.]

Are you gonna let me help you or not?

[croceamors]

I don't mind, I'm just saying.

...Should I change this to a bath, then? The water is getting everywhere because we don't have a shower curtain.

[flared]

[... Oh. Right. Axel doesn't particularly like that it's splashing all over the place either. So with a nod he just... does it himself, reaching over to turn off the shower head and let the water run from the tap.]

It'll be a bit, but sure.

[Then with a laugh,]

Heh. Maybe I won't get to patrol at all today after all.

[croceamors]

[Saix goes to make sure that the tub is plugged up, too. No point in running the tap if it's just going to go down the drain.]

You've just been waiting for an excuse to not go.

[flared]

[While the water fills up Axel seats himself on the floor where it's the least wet.]

Mm. Maybe.

[What's this? No excuse this time? It certainly seems that way. When Axel first discovered his powers, he was a young boy, labelled a delinquent by most and picked on by others because he was so different and could barely focus on anything in class. The day he realized he could set things on fire was the day he burned down the schoolhouse... and ended up severely injuring several people, even nearly killing the boys who had picked on him in the hallway that afternoon... the boys who thought it would be funny if they dragged him by his ankles and tossed him head first into the school swimming pool.

Since then he's learned to rein in his powers and keep himself from accidentally harming someone else, but the journey hadn't been easy.

He just wants to do something right for once. He wants to make people see him as a hero, as a good guy... as a human just like everyone else. To be remembered for all that would be everything he ever wanted.]

I guess I've just been tired lately... taking care of Phoenix.

[Another excuse.]

[croceamors]

[Saix slides down until he's sitting crosslegged in the tub. He doesn't really... understand what Axel's gone through, only that there's something about his powers that seems to displease him sometimes, in a strange quiet way that he doesn't usually show in public. Saix doesn't really know what to do, besides lean against the inside of the tub so that he can reach over to lay his fingers on his arm.]

I could take care of him. I don't think animals despise me.

[You never know, being inhuman makes some of them act weird.]

[flared]

They don't. I'm pretty sure about that.

[It's weird. Phoenix doesn't usually warm up to just anyone either. When Axel first found Phoenix, he had been unruly and feisty, unwilling to come near him even when he clearly meant him no harm. Axel had learned how to earn the chocobo's trust by using his powers, something which drew the creature to him for some reason or another.]

I bet you'd make a good sidekick for him.

[he says, smirking over his shoulder.]

[croceamors]

No. I don't care if it's a joke.

[He's seen the kind of crap sidekicks go through, he is not interested.]

[flared]

[Snort]

Lighten up, buddy.

[And since the water seems to be at a pretty decent level he reaches down and splashes at Saix a little.]

[croceamors]

In your dreams.

[And now your dreams will get to include a naked Saix, so have fun with that Axel. He hunches his shoulders up with a huff at being splashed, before grabbing that weird... ball on a rope thing they have in the shower to throw at his face.]

[flared]

[By ball on a rope, you don't mean your penis, right. Axel blocks with a laugh before he reaches over to pick up the shampoo and lather up his hands.]

You know, I think you were wrong about what you said earlier. You really must be a child.

[And here he goes, trying to wash out the last bits of messy goop in your hair. THIS IS WHAT REAL SUPERHERO WORK LOOKS LIKE.]

[croceamors]

Says the person looking for excuse to skip any actual work.

Mrrrr.

[That last sound is in response to Axel's fingers digging into his scalp, and Saix just hunches his shoulders and bows his head. This is a new and weird experience.]

[flared]

[Just for that he's going to tug on Saix's hair a little bit.]

What was that? Couldn't quite hear you.

[croceamors]

Mmrrr..

[Yep, just more of that weird noise and hunching. Maybe it's Saix-speak for 'fuck you, asshole'.]

[flared]

[Scrub scrub scrub... there. That might just be all of it washed out. Axel rinses his hands off in the tub quickly--not a fan of water that much for reasons, see--then pats Saix on the head.]

There. That wasn't so bad, right?

[Sure, he might have crud on him too, but that can wait.]

[croceamors]

[Saix just gives a slight nod while rubbing at the top of his head slightly.]

..I suppose so. Do I do you, now?

[flared]

[Nice choice of words there.]

Huh? Oh.

[Axel looks down then shakes his head.]

I think I'll be able to handle this myself.

[croceamors]

[Well, you know, if you want him to do you, he can do that too...]

Alright. [He unplugs the drain so that they can fill the tub with cleaner water.] Give me a towel, then.

[flared]

[Darling, we aren't in a yaoi superhero comic. Not yet anyway.]

Here.

[Standing up, he reaches for a clean towel and hands it over. Now get out of there before you get all raisin-y.]

[croceamors]

[Hopefully Axel doesn't mind seeing more of Saix's nads or is quick to look away, because Saix goes to stand up for the towel and tends to his hair first. Priorities.]

Can I watch the television?

[He still feels he should ask these sort of things.]

[flared]

[It's not like he sees much of anything because he's got his back turned now to unzip the back of his suit. It hurts, but slowly pulls his arms out... and just won't take off the rest just yet.]

Sure. Just put on that thing I left for you on the counter.

[Oh, but before Saix can leave,]

Oh, and, uh- You don't have to ask.