Faded Powers (CirclMaster & Valerian)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Valerian on 28-05-2008, 16:04:18</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>28-05-2008, 16:04:18</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div>Menaces to Society!&nbsp; A Special Report only in the Daily Bugle!&nbsp; Featuring the dark truth about Spider-Man, the Punisher, Chimera, and many others... Also: The Disappearance of the Beast: Publicity Stunt, Tragedy, or Blessing in Disguise?</div><br>The headlines screamed from the scrolling marquee above Emma's head as she walked along the sidewalk.&nbsp; After the first glance, she'd frowned and ignored them utterly, but there was still that nagging sense of <em>something</em> wrong in that direction, and she had to resist the urge to look again, hoping it might have miraculously changed.&nbsp; Not that she expected anything else from the <em>Bugle</em>, but this was especially aggravating.&nbsp; She'd never wanted to be adored like the Fantastic Four or the Avengers, but being actively hated wasn't what she'd hoped for, either.<br><br>At least she knew she was doing some good, even if no one else did.&nbsp; And that was exactly what she was trying to accomplish now, though probably not in a way that Captain America would approve of, even if he had loosened up a little lately.&nbsp; But it worked for her, and all she could do was use the abilities she had the best way she knew how.<br><br>She was currently in one of her generic disguises, an average-looking youngish dark-haired man blending neatly into the crowd.&nbsp; Her quarry was up ahead, about five yards away, heading back to work after lunch.&nbsp; She'd been watching him for a day or two now, and she was still trying to figure out the best way to approach him.&nbsp; All she knew was that it would have to be soon, and she'd only get one shot at this.<br><br>He stepped into the building and she followed, once again relieved that the security here was pretty lax.&nbsp; She could work around nearly any security system, of course, but she wasn't going to complain about anything that made her life easier.<br><br>Once on the right floor, in a quiet spot, she morphed into one of his co-workers, who was currently trapped in a long lunch meeting, she'd learned, and therefore made an excellent cover.&nbsp; It didn't hurt that said co-worker was also a pretty young woman, someone he seemed to get along with.&nbsp; She'd have to at least start sounding him out a little, finding out exactly what he knew or had guessed, and then try introducing him to the whole crisis little by little.&nbsp; Bad as things were, it still might not be too late.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>29-05-2008, 05:48:27</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Market's down again, I'm gonna have angry phone calls out the ass.&nbsp; Not that I have any control over the stock market.&nbsp; Not that they can understand that...</em><br><br>David hurried back from lunch, not particularly eager to get into the office.&nbsp; Still, better to face the bosses before the market closed, while there was still hope of a late rally.&nbsp; Being a junior executive at a brokerage firm didn't have many perks, but it was the only way to get his foot in the door and hope to make some real money later.&nbsp; <em>Besides, I'll take anything to get my mind off the weirdness lately...</em><br><br>As he sat down in his cubicle, he was practically relieved to see Shirley not far behind.&nbsp; Cute, Chinese, with some common interests, he had developed something of a crush on her.&nbsp; He had been spending the past few weeks trying to send out subtle signals to her, hoping to get her interested in him; he couldn't really tell if it was working, but it was a diversion from his work and saved him the embarrassment of asking her out directly and getting rejected.&nbsp; He gave her a wave and a smile, not wanting to be more forward than that.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>29-05-2008, 16:42:45</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Emma returned the smile, but instead of waving, beckoned him over to her.&nbsp; She had little doubt he'd obey, well aware of how interested he seemed to be in this girl Shirley.&nbsp; Making sure no one was paying any particular attention to them, she slowly led him over to a small conference room that no one was using at the moment.<br><br>"What do you think of all these disappearances?" she whispered breathlessly as soon as he was close enough, trying to hit just the right mix of alarm and fascination.&nbsp; "Every time I turn around there's another one.&nbsp; I can't help but think it's all part of something even bigger, you know?&nbsp; And something should really be done to stop it."&nbsp; Now she studied his reactions closely, trying to decide how much he knew about his own inadvertant part in all this.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>29-05-2008, 17:01:10</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Disappearances?"&nbsp; David had to quickly run through half a dozen stocks in his head before he realized she wasn't talking about work.&nbsp; "Oh, you mean those mutants and all?&nbsp; I don't know much about it, but I doubt it's some secret government internment or anything like that...."&nbsp; His mind turned to remembering previous conversations with Shirley; he didn't recall her ever taking note of this sort of current events, or having such an odd tone...&nbsp; He couldn't decide if 'frantic' or 'insistent' was a better term for it.<br><br>"I didn't know you were interested in mutant politics.&nbsp; Do you have a relative like that or something?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>29-05-2008, 17:45:05</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"No, not so far as I know."&nbsp; Emma dialled down the worry a little -- she was good at sensing others' reactions, thanks to many long years of practice at jumping into other peoples' lives, and suspected that he was surprised at her level of concern.&nbsp; "At first I didn't think much of it, you know?&nbsp; It's hard enough to keep track of all those costumes anyway.&nbsp; But it keeps going on, and it's only getting worse, it seems.&nbsp; And it occurred to me last night..."<br><br>She trailed off, leaning closer and speaking very quietly.&nbsp; "What if there are people out there who have powers but keep quiet about it?&nbsp; They're not running around robbing banks or fighting bad guys, they're just getting on with their lives.&nbsp; What if they start disappearing, too?&nbsp; That doesn't seem quite fair somehow."&nbsp; She made sure to get nice and close -- the more distracted he was by that, the less likely he was to analyze what she was saying too much.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>29-05-2008, 17:50:40</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				David took a step back, looking concerned and confused.&nbsp; "Is something wrong, Shirley?&nbsp; Are you saying you have powers, or you're a mutant, or something?&nbsp; I mean, I don't mind if you are, but... you're acting kinda strange..."&nbsp; Actually he thought she was acting very strange, but he didn't think it'd be smart to be that direct.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>29-05-2008, 20:12:17</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				She cursed inwardly, trying to decide if he was playing dumb or if he really had no idea.&nbsp; Either way, she had to salvage something from this conversation.<br><br>"Well, picture it.&nbsp; You wake up one morning, wishing that it was sunny, and suddenly it is.&nbsp; Or you can't reach the remote, but it somehow flies into your hand.&nbsp; You've got these powers, only you wish you didn't, and you don't know what to do."&nbsp; She moved closer again, but very slowly this time, keeping her voice low and soothing, almost hypnotic.&nbsp; "Most people would just pretend they didn't have them, don't you think?&nbsp; They'd go on just as if nothing had changed."&nbsp; Her eyes held his gaze, trying to catch every flicker in his eyes.&nbsp; "What would you do?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>29-05-2008, 21:03:29</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Something was going on, and David definitely didn't like it.&nbsp; Having weird things happen in his mind was one thing, but this was weirdness happening for real.<br><br>"Seriously, what's going on?&nbsp; You're not acting like yourself, Shirley."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>30-05-2008, 03:40:51</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Emma was ready to scream out of sheer frustration, but managed to keep calm.&nbsp; This had to work.<br><br>"Maybe I'm not myself," she whispered, leaning still closer, letting him feel her breath on his ear.&nbsp; "Maybe you're dreaming all this.&nbsp; Do you ever dream like this, David?&nbsp; Do you ever feel other people's thoughts in your head, images of things you can't see with your eyes?&nbsp; Tell me, David."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>30-05-2008, 06:26:24</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The feeling of breath against his ear made David realize his personal space was being violated again which, coupled with what she was saying, made him very unsettled.&nbsp; He reflexively grabbed her by the arm and pushed her back a half step.&nbsp; "What the..."&nbsp; As his mind raced, his tone went from confused to angry.&nbsp; "Who the hell are you?&nbsp; How do you know all this?&nbsp; Are you the one putting this shit in my head?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>30-05-2008, 16:17:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				His anger startled her for a moment, but it was also a relief.&nbsp; She let him push her around, smiling faintly even though he was hurting her arm.&nbsp; "I'm your dream come true," she said, still soothingly.&nbsp; "And I know a lot of things.&nbsp; I know you're nervous, and confused.&nbsp; Tell me what's in your head, David.&nbsp; I can help you.&nbsp; Let me help you."&nbsp; She was starting to feel a little guilty, but there was so little time, she had no choice but to push, and push hard.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>30-05-2008, 17:16:15</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Her response just made David angrier, and his grip on her arm tightened.&nbsp; "No.&nbsp; You tell me who you are, what you did to Shirley, and why the fuck I shouldn't call the police right now."&nbsp; He was already under a lot of stress from work, with the weird mind tricks adding onto that; he did not appreciate this strange Shirley impostor fucking with his head on top of it all.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>30-05-2008, 18:09:10</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Now Emma was getting angry, but she forced herself not to lash out.&nbsp; At least not physically.&nbsp; "I did absolutely nothing to Shirley.&nbsp; She's in a meeting somewhere, and in a lot more danger of getting bored out of her mind than anything else," she said tightly.&nbsp; "Go ahead and call the police if it makes you feel better, but they're not going to be able to help you sort through all the crap in your head.&nbsp; They'll probably arrest you, throw you in a looney bin, or hand you over to the government if you try telling them about what's been happening to you.&nbsp; You've got powers, and you have to face up to that... and soon, or we'll both end up dead or worse."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>30-05-2008, 19:00:19</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Gritting his teeth, David pushed the woman back another half step before reluctantly releasing her arm.&nbsp; She was right, and he knew that, but he was still angry and bitter about her deception.&nbsp; "You still haven't even told me who you are, or why I should listen to you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>30-05-2008, 20:11:09</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Again she let him push her, now just glad to be out of his airspace.&nbsp; This might have been fun, if he hadn't gotten so defensive.<br><br>"Why?&nbsp; Isn't trying to save your life and a lot of other people's lives enough reason?" she asked, unable to keep all the bitterness from her voice.&nbsp; She was used to the average person assuming the worst of her, but somehow it always hurt more when it came from someone with powers, even if he was completely new to them.<br><br>"Look.&nbsp; A lot of people like us have vanished, more than the media wants to let on, heroes and villains both.&nbsp; And a lot of people are trying to find out what's going on and why, before we're all gone.&nbsp; The working theory is that they don't die, but they do end up someplace where normal telepaths can't tack them.&nbsp; That's where you come in.&nbsp; We think you <em>can</em> track them."&nbsp; She met his gaze throughout, trying to will him to believe her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>01-06-2008, 04:25:41</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				David listened silently, his anger slowly fading into frustration, but his frustration was enough to keep him unhappy with this woman.<br><br>"You still haven't told me who you are."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>01-06-2008, 08:01:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Emma sighed.&nbsp; This was the part she'd been dreading all along.&nbsp; "Chimera," she said, shifting back to her usual hero look -- a blue and grey outfit, colors swirling together hypnotically.&nbsp; She waited for the next burst of anger, fully expecting him to launch into more complaints and accuse her of as many terrible things as he could think of.&nbsp; That was what usually happened, though it never got any easier to deal with.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>02-06-2008, 05:45:13</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				David snorted a bit; he knew she'd turn into some costumed superhero form, but knowing it and actually watching this person go from looking like Shirley to looking like a complete stranger were two very different things.&nbsp; He felt beaten down, by his job, by his apparent powers fucking with his head, and now with this 'Chimera' fucking with his head...<br><br>"I'm taking the rest of the day off..."<br><br>Brushing past Chimera, he left the conference room and headed for the elevator to go home.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-06-2008, 21:27:18</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Behind him, Emma rolled her eyes.&nbsp; For a second she'd thought, just maybe... but it was stupid to get her hopes up, and she'd assumed it would take at least two meetings to get him calm enough to talk to her.&nbsp; Shifting back into her very useful Shirley disguise, she made her way slowly to the elevators, giving him his space for now, though she fully intended for him to find her waiting on his doorstep when he got home.<br><br>Meanwhile, David had headed straight for the subway, his usual route home.&nbsp; As he waited impatiently on the platform, he heard something off to the side, in the shadows to the side -- or perhaps sensed would be a better word, since it wasn't a sound so much as a hint of movement, displaced air alerting him to it.&nbsp; When he glanced over that way, he saw movement as well, though there was nothing normal about it.&nbsp; It seemed as though the shadow in the corner had come to life, and was gently beckoning him towards it...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>04-06-2008, 05:42:47</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				When he noticed the shadow beckoning him over, he sighed heavily.&nbsp; He desperately wanted to believe it was just a trick of the light, but he knew it was either that power in his head or another super trying to get his attention, and whichever it was, it wouldn't go away.&nbsp; That was what he wanted most at that moment: to get away from all this, to go back to just being David and not having to deal with all this shit.&nbsp; But it wasn't going to go away, unfortunately.&nbsp; And so, with a sigh, he approached the shadowy whatever-it-was.<br><br>"This had better not take long, I have a train to catch..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>04-06-2008, 15:25:59</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				A soft, throaty chuckle sounded from the shadow, and then there was a woman standing there, her hair and costume as black as the deepest shadow.&nbsp; Her skin seemed to have a faintly greyish tone to it, though that might have been an illusion thanks to the dark shapes that still swirled around her.<br><br>"Someone's had a rough day," she said, studying David appraisingly.&nbsp; "Too bad... but maybe I can help you with that."&nbsp; She smiled sweetly, moving slightly closer, letting him get a good look at the shapely curves beneath the spandex.&nbsp; "Let me guess -- someone's been pestering you about your powers.&nbsp; Everyone wants you on their side, and you're being pulled in all sorts of directions.&nbsp; But I can help you with that, too.&nbsp; I can even get you home in the blink of an eye, if you miss your train."<br><br>A shadow moved to stroke his arm, lightly, a strange but sensual caress.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>06-06-2008, 21:59:56</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He took in the view of the woman's curves with an appreciative glance, but he was still tired and in poor spirits.<br><br>"So, first the stick, now the carrot?&nbsp; Let me guess, you can pick a side for me, keep me safe and comfortable, even sex me up if I want, if only I sign my life over to whatever the fuck you all want me to do.&nbsp; Somewhere in that ballpark, right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>09-06-2008, 04:27:35</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman laughed quietly.&nbsp; "Who's been beating you with a stick?&nbsp; Poor thing.&nbsp; No one I know, I'm sure.&nbsp; Someone very silly, anyway, because I imagine it's quite dangerous to be on your bad side."&nbsp; The shadows curled gently around him, stroking his arms and back very lightly.&nbsp; "As for what I want you to do, well... someone with power like yours can do whatever he wants, especially now.&nbsp; Once the current problem is solved, why, then you can do anything.&nbsp; Satisfy your every whim."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>11-06-2008, 05:55:06</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				David was certainly liking this attention better than the last cryptic super, but this girl was still being just as cryptic.<br><br>"I guess vague promises are better than vague threats, but I'm still getting nothing but vague answers.&nbsp; Last time I checked, weird mental images didn't equal godlike power, or whatever you think it is will let me satisfy my every whim.&nbsp; But right now my whim is to go home, so I'll satisfy that."<br><br>Turning away, he went back to the lit portion of the platform to board the subway train.&nbsp; Which fortunately was actually there, or his little mini-speech there would have had a pretty awkward ending.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>12-06-2008, 21:39:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				For an instant, a dark look flashed over the woman's face.&nbsp; But the next moment, she was gone, vanished back into the shadows she'd come from.<br><br>The ride home was uneventful, or rather no more eventful than usual on a crowded, big-city subway car.&nbsp; He arrived home in decent time, relieved to see his own front door come into view around the corner -- and then he saw what else was around the corner.<br><br>Chimera was there, standing almost shyly in the doorway, half-hidden.&nbsp; She was still in her costume, but it was now the same color and texture as the wall and door behind her, offering a certain amount of camouflage.&nbsp; When she saw David, though, she reverted to her usual look, the colors wavering quickly back, and stepped forward, just slightly.&nbsp; "Truce?" she asked hopefully.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>13-06-2008, 05:48:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				David took the opportunity on the train to try to collect his thoughts.&nbsp; He still didn't understand his powers, but somehow or another word had apparently gotten out.&nbsp; And they'd apparently been watching him for some time now; they knew where he worked, how he traveled, who he talked to...<br><br>It was rapidly becoming clear to him that he wouldn't be able to put them off or avoid them.&nbsp; As much as he didn't want to shake things up in his life, his life was already shook up, and he was going to have to face these powers of his in order to maintain control over his own destiny.&nbsp; Hopefully before these other supers came after him again.<br><br>Of course, once he saw that impostor-woman in front of his door, that hope was gone.&nbsp; Still, he had to assert some sort of control or he'd leave himself open to being manipulated or subjugated by forces he didn't understand.&nbsp; So, with a sigh, he moved up to the door and unlocked it.<br><br>"I need a cup of coffee.&nbsp; I'd say it'll take me about five minutes to brew one and then drink it.&nbsp; You've got a truce until then to explain who you are and what you want."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>13-06-2008, 18:00:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Fair enough," Emma said instantly, sighing quietly in relief.&nbsp; She was still ticked off at how things had gone, but still didn't think that had been all her fault.&nbsp; But this would probably be her last chance, so she had to try, and had to try to keep her frustration in check.<br><br>She followed him inside, hesitating only a moment before starting to speak.&nbsp; Better not to waste a moment of her five minutes.&nbsp; "The thing is, the situation is getting completely out of control.&nbsp; We're all freaked out."&nbsp; That was as close as she could get to an apology.&nbsp; She wasn't good at those.<br><br>"I'm not one of the super-genius types, but they're all working on this mess, and they're not getting very far yet.&nbsp; All they can say for sure is that there doesn't seem to be any pattern to the disappearances, neither technology nor the most powerful telepaths out there can track anyone once they vanish, and they're speeding up.<br><br>"While they were searching, one of the 'paths found you.&nbsp; He thinks you can track the missing people.&nbsp; Maybe if we find out where they're going, we can get them back, or at least stop more from ending up there.&nbsp; Not many people believe that theory, or you'd probably have twelve people hanging around here right now, all wanting to talk to you," she added wryly.<br><br>"I admit I have a selfish motive, obviously, but I do want to help everyone else, too.&nbsp; Who knows, maybe once everyone with any extra abilities is gone, something will come after everyone who's left.&nbsp; I know all this is weird and confusing and scary, but don't you want to at least find out if you can help?"&nbsp; She was tempted to keep going, decided that might be considered badgering, and shut up, looking at him hopefully.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>15-06-2008, 08:13:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				David did his best to seem nonchalant about the whole thing, making and drinking his coffee as she spoke.&nbsp; Of course, he took in every word, his mind rapidly trying to process what was going on.&nbsp; <em>We're all freaked out, she says.&nbsp; Is she with the same group as the shadow-woman on the subway platform?&nbsp; Is there even some official group or is this just in-group favoritism?&nbsp; There must be some official group, if she's working in concert with some telepaths.&nbsp; And if this belief that I can help is a minority opinion, is that good or bad for me?</em><br><br>He tossed back the last of the coffee as she finished. <em>I still need time to sort this out, and sort out my powers.</em>&nbsp; "Time's up...&nbsp; I'll think it over.&nbsp; Come back tomorrow."&nbsp; <em>Better yet, don't.</em><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>16-06-2008, 17:13:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Tomorrow?"&nbsp; She was startled at first, then annoyed again.&nbsp; Hadn't she just explained that things were getting worse all the time?&nbsp; By tomorrow, <em>she</em> might have vanished!<br><br>But she knew from earlier that it was also no good being too demanding; it only made him more stubborn.&nbsp; "Okay, tomorrow.&nbsp; Here, before you go to work," she added, hoping to get things settled as soon as humanly possible.&nbsp; She was tempted to try another disguise, to try and get him off his guard, but resisted the urge.&nbsp; "Here, just a second," she said, suddenly remembering something.&nbsp; She spotted a notepad and pencil, and took hold of both, scribbling down the number for her cell.&nbsp; "In case you want to talk sooner."&nbsp; Then she started heading for the door, trying to keep up her end of the bargain, even though she was hoping he'd change his mind.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Faded Powers (CirclMaster &amp; Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>20-06-2008, 07:29:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He wasn't taking any chances; he watched her to make sure she left.&nbsp; After that, he poured himself another cup of coffee and sat down to think.&nbsp; He mentally ran over what she talked about, but none of it was actually helpful, especially to him.&nbsp; It still came down to having to understand his own powers better, to facing up to what he'd become.<br><br>He stayed up all night, going through several pots of coffee and several near-breakdowns, but by morning he had a better grasp of what he was capable of, and felt ready to face that shifter-woman again.<br><br>If he could stay awake for it, that is.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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