<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: impact;">Before Meeting MacKinnon</span></span></div><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"You can do overwatch or head home."  She informed Scarab with a shrug, her tone somewhat cool as the memory of the psychic violation came back to the forefront of her mind.  "But try to stay out of sight, we don't need to draw attention."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Scarab nodded and hovered for a bit before flying into a nearby alley. After a short amount of time Esther from school came over to Alysia with a wave. She carried herself differently than she did in her superhero disguise, a more relaxed posture and a gaze that looked slightly towards the ground with her hands in her jacket pockets and earbuds connected to her smart phone.<br/><br/>"Fancy meeting you here," Esther said to Alysia as she unhooked one of the earbuds. "Actually, something's been on my mind; I don't want us to get off on the wrong foot, and we'll work better together with trust. After what happened when you let a pair of bugs into your lab without hesitation, I think I should make up for it."<br/><br/>Esther smiled. "Now you know who I am in street wear."<br/><br/>She eagerly accepted Alysia's offer to ride with her, although bristled a bit at the high speed. "Careful girl, I'm not wearing goggles back here!"<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: impact;">Meeting MacKinnon</span></span></div><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Alysia frowned at the state of the door, then shrugged.  If she'd worked for a company that caused a major disaster she'd be laying low too.  She debated her options a moment, then pounded her fist on the door.  If he didn't answer, she did so again with even more force and the shouted words.  "Open up Carl, I know you work for Redshift, I have questions."  Then, after a brief pause.  "I won't hurt you."  </blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>The door opened slightly, revealing a tall redheaded male with a five o'clock shadow. He easily stood a head over Alysia, craning down to look at her cautiously. She could tell by the positioning of his body that he was holding something out of view, a weapon most likely, in the hand not on the doorknob. But the sight of her caused him to smile in relief.<br/><br/>"Ah, Alysia Mars, come in come in!" Carl MacKinnon said as he dropped what was revealed to be a baseball bat and let her in. "And your friend can come in too!"<br/><br/>The apartment was a typical layout for many of its kind: (https://i.imgur.com/ZW2CncA.jpg) a kitchen off to the left, a couch and television to the right, and a pair of doors straight which could only lead to the bedroom and bathrooms. The place was even more cramped than usual, with a bulk pack of toiletries, ready to eat meals, and laundry taking up much of the living area. A camping lantern sat precariously on top of a bundle of Scott towels. Although nothing cutting-edge, Alysia knew enough that such devices were often used by hikers and in power outages for when reliable light sources may not be around for weeks. The television was tuned to a a live broadcast of the the resident football team, the Emerald City Bulldogs competing against the Freedom City Heroes, and the couch was just big enough to hold two people.<br/><br/>"You came at just the right time!" Carl said. "Our guys just turned things around! Here, have a seat, can I fix you something? I have mostly ramen noodles, eggs, and Gatorade, but I can fix a mean batch of sunny-side ups!"<br/><br/>Esther stuttered. "Y-you're very nice, but we just ate. Actually, we were wondering if you could help my friend here."<br/><br/>"Sure thing!" Carl exclaimed as he pulled a chair from the nearby dining table, causing one of the MREs to fall to the floor as he placed it next to the couch. He then sat down on the couch, patting the cushions to his left. "Hey, it isn't every day one of the Mars family pays a visit to an ex-employee of sorts. I'll be happy to tell you what I know, but would you care to watch the games' final moments with me? I haven't exactly had much agreeable company since the...well, you know."<br/><br/>Carl's beaming eyes were practically glued to Alysia ever since she set foot in the apartment, although it was not in the "see you as a threat" kind of look. On the contrary, he seemed quite starstruck.<br/><br/>Esther shrugged if Alysia looked to her. "Well, I don't see the harm..."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Insight DC 15</div><div class="spoiler_body">He's definitely starstruck, but also quite elated and more than a bit nervous.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DC 20</div><div class="spoiler_body">Alysia catches brief moments where Carl tries to check her and Esther out, although only when her head seems to turn or look elsewhere.</div></div></div></div>