Connor's Grandmother Session 6

Travellers - Saving Connor's Grandmother 2019/02/02 	 Radical Ramona Timewarp Amelia Dreamgirl Moonshadow Natasha Elizabeth Wolfgang

6

Traveler's Team Base
The 28th floor of Steinberg Tower is the Traveler's team base. Tonight it's the location of a celebration party. The central area has been cleared for dancing. Music is being provided by two groups, a live six member dance band and a troupe of Japanese Taiko drummers, who take turns performing. Even with the dance area cleared there's plenty of room left for tables and chairs as well as a food bar serving a wide range of snacks that includes foods from several alternate earths and also a sushi chef. Drinks are not absent with both hard and soft beverages available.

Amelia is in the 28th floor lobby where the stairs and elevator emerge waiting to greet the guests as they arrive.

Natasha, alas doesn't arrive via the lobby. She's flown straight to the 28th floor and is looking for an open window or such.

Amelia catches sight of Natasha flying outside and opens a short distance portal in the air outside the sealed windows of the air conditioned tower for Natasha to enter the lobby.

Natasha enters through portal. Fun! Oh. Looks like no one else is here yet.

Connor shows up right on time. He smiles as he sees Amelia, "Thanks again for hosting." Timewarp, too, is exactly on time. It's a point of pride for her.

Moonshadow, having arrived early, steps in from one of the side rooms. She smiles when she sees Natasha, and bows to her.

Amelia grins as Tali arrives just moments after Natasha flies in through the portal, "And I didn't have a stopwatch in hand," she jokes.

Natasha lands on a table and returns the bow.

Amelia greets Connor with a brief hug, "Hi, Connor. Ramona accepted the invite. She's resting after the flight in the guest bedroom if you want to go greet her."

Natasha looks about, and decides something is missing. She starts exhaling balloons!

Connor smiles. "Thanks, Amelia." He heads off in the direction indicated to go find Ramona.

Tali says, "Are lots of people coming?"

Moonshadow smiles and nods to Connor.

Ramona is in an easy chair in the guest room. She smiles and stands when Connor enters. "Connor, so good to see you again." She does the grandmother cheek kiss. "Did you rob a bank? Private chartered flight, limo service?" she asks with a smile.

Wade arrives shortly after Connor disappears. He's also dressed casually, figured that as a public figure, he doesn't need the costume. He waves to Amelia as he spots her.

Amelia says, "To be honest I don't know. I invited everyone who was with us back in 2018. And also gave an open invitation to all the Capes in the city."

Connor waves to Moonshadow as he heads down the hall, and when he gets to Ramona, he gives her a hug. "I just have friends who are...very wealthy, grandma."

Tali says, "Let's hope some show! I'd love to meet some new ros!"

Ramona smiles, "So it seems. Come, lets go join the crowd. I'm eager to meet the others of your team who were there in Princeton, Connor."

Connor nods. "I expect you may recognize a couple of them. Amelia, your host, was the one in the pit with you, for example." He walks with Ramona back out to where the others are.

Amelia greets Wade at the door, "Hi. Glad you were able to come. Do you know Tali and Laurel?"

Wade nods and smiles, "I...think I've seen Laurel at the coffee shop, at least. If I remember right. I...am not sure I've met Tali." Ramona nods to Connor, "Is she the mage you mentioned when you visited me in New York?"

Amelia does the introductions, "Wade, this is Tali. Tali, Wade Lockwood. Also known as Victory."

Tali says, "It's no good asking me. I never remember if I've met anyone yet! I'm also know as Timewarp."

Someone comes in from the dimensional gate room. He's a stocky powerful man wearing obviously armored jacket and combat pants. When Amelia catches sight of him she waves him over, "Wolfgang, glad you could make it. Laurel, here's someone I'd like you to meet. Wolfgang Clawes."

Connor nods to Ramona, "Exactly. That's her. You'll likely also recognize Tali and Moonshadow." He motions to each in turn.

Wade smiles and nods to Tali, "It's nice to meet you."

Moonshadow nods. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Clawes."

Tali smiles to Wade. "Uh-huh! I mean - you too!"

Wade laughs. "Time powers, I take it? Based on the name?"

Ramona nods and goes over to the gathering, "I've waited fifty years to be able to thank you. It gives me great pleasure to be able to finally do so."

Moonshadow says, "It was our pleasure, Ma'am."

Amelia grins, "Laurel, Mr Clawes has a lot in common with you." She leans in and whispers to Laurel, "Wolfgang is a werewolf."

Tali says, "Uh-huh! Mostly I'm a speedster in practice, but I can travel through time too."

There's a slightly late arrival. A youngish red haired woman. Some will recognise her. Elizabeth Victoria Moriarty.

Tali says, "Oh, Elizabeth! You made it!"

Connor looks over in Elizabeth's direction. He smiles and waves, though he's unsure when in this timeline this moment is for her. He tries to guess, based on how old she looks.

Elizabeth nods, "Indeed. Mr Wells forwarded your most gracious invitation to me to attend this celebration."

Wade looks over at the new arrival and smiles, though he has no idea who she is. But this is something he's used to, having to attend various campaign functions for his father.

Ramona looks at the new arrival, "That's the woman who saved me at the Campus, isn't it?" she asks. Fifty years is a long time.

Tali says, "That's right. This is Elizabeth Moriarty."

Connor nods to Ramona, "Exactly right. And the one who got me the message about the situation."

Moonshadow says to Amelia, "That's right, you told be there was a family in town, back when we first met." She turns to Wolfgang, "My mother was a werewolf also."

Natasha finally decides there are enough balloons. People are in for a surprise when they get to the main room. Ramona glances at Connor, recalling what he told her about Elizabeth. She smiles and says, "I'm so glad to have this opportunity to meet you again, Ms Moriarty. I asked Radical to pass on my thanks. I hope he did so." Amelia chuckles, "There is, Laurel. But Wolfgang is not one of that family. He's from an alternate earth." she tells Laurel.

Dreamgirl turns up a little late. She's wearing a form some will have seen before: brown hair, 5'4", with a very curvy figure that she draws attention to by belting her sweater around her narrow waist.

Wolfgang gives Laurel a smile, "I'm delighted to meet you, Laurel."

Connor leans over to speak quietly to Ramona, "This is literally the first time I've seen her since then. I haven't had a chance to tell her directly until now."

Natasha chases balloons round the floor! The game is to try not to pop them, which is tricky (and so fun) because of all the sharp bits she has. The Japanese drummers start work, the beat of large drums pounding out in fast tempo.

Dreamgirl wonders if she's recognised. She goes over and identifies herself to Amelia.

Amelia suggests, "Lets move into the main area. That's where the food and drinks are." Amelia does recognise Dreamgirl as it's a look she's seen before, and gives DG a hug if it's allowed.

Dreamgirl hugs Amelia. "Thanks for inviting me!"

Amelia tells DG, "You're always welcome here."

Connor smiles to Elizabeth, "I haven't had the chance to thank you directly. Thank you...very much. I owe you now."

Tali vanishes as soon as the food and drinks are mentioned. :) Elizabeth works her way through the crowd near the entry to Connor and Ramona, "Hello, Mrs Duran. Conner, good to see you again."

Dreamgirl heads toward Wade. "Hi Wade!" Elizabeth shakes her head, "It was my pleasure, Connor. There's no owing involved. You've done the same and more for me."

Wade waves to Dreamgirl. He takes a moment to guess who this is...as he doesn't recognize her. But he smiles anyway, "Hey there, miss...."

Tali is unsurprisingly first to the food!

Connor grins, "Well, I did you a favor, for sure. But...perhaps what you're remembering me as having done, I haven't done yet?"

Dreamgirl grins. "You have seen me like this before, Wade. I'm Dreamgirl. Or Desiree, if you prefer."

Elizabeth smiles, considers the date, "Will do..." she corrects herself.

Wade snaps his fingers, "Of course. Thank you. I do remember this look for you before, now that you mention it."

A balloon pops loudly, revealing a slightly stunned dragon beneath it.

Dreamgirl grins. "I can always change the look if you don't like it. Though that comes with its own complications."

Tali jumps and turns toward the sound. "Natasha! Hey! Look how small you are!"

Amelia excuses herself briefly, and goes to the snacks table. There she quickly infuses a bowl of strawberry icecream with mana for Natasha's consumption.

Wade chuckles. "Ah...no. No, thank you. That would...definitely make things complicated."

Natasha looks at Tali, head aslant. Wondering why this strange human would say that.

Connor smiles and nods to Elizabeth, "See? I owe you." He pauses a moment and then says, in a more serious tone, "Was it ever known why that...robot was sent back?"

Dreamgirl says, "Yeah - I'm always a bit uncertain about parties. I seldom leave as the same person I arrive as!"

Tali bends down to talk to the dragon. "Sorry, you won't remember me! But I've met you before - far in the future. I'm a time traveller!

Moonshadow excuses herself and vists the food and drink area. Elizabeth nods, "Yes. To stop your son being born, Connor. And that's all I'm allowed to say at this date."

Natasha looks dubiously at the human. Still, stranger things happen she knows. She waves politely. The she catches the smell of magic ice cream. Yum! She flies up to the table!

[To Wade] Dreamgirl says, "How are things with you?"

Moonshadow bows to Natasha again as they both arrive at the table. "Greetings, wise one."

Wolfgang follows Laurel.

Connor takes a deep breath. "My son?" He smiles slightly. "Seems like a complicated way to go about that."

The wise one has her snout deep into delicious ice cream. But she gives a little wave.

Wade says to Dreamgirl, "I'm doing pretty well. Mostly keeping busy with Starguard work. Though it's been mostly quiet since the entire Overlord situation. Mind you...I'm not complaining about that." He then adds, "But it does mean that Star Girl has been out on the west coast, helping out with training."

Tali has appeared near Connor again. "Not really. Targeting distant ancestors works as well as anything."

Connor rubs his chin, "I had assumed that it was more related to Ramona herself, rather than me. Like...the work she did over her lifetime."

Dreamgirl says, "Oh. Yeah, I'd noticed she wasn't about. Are you two still - or again - or - you know what I mean?"

Elizabeth points out, "Complicated, but also obscure. It nearly slipped past us. It had already killed before we realised what was happening." She sighs, "As I mentioned in Milan, our primary task is preserve the future as we know it. Not to change it even if we think the change would be for the better."

Tali says, "They could be trying to cause multiple birds not to have existed with one stone, I guess."

Wade nods to Dreamgirl and smiles, "As far as I know...yeah. How about you? Ever find the perfect 'someone'?"

Dreamgirl smiles wryly. "Hard to do that when I keep being other people's perfect someone."

Connor manages to piece together a bit of Elizabeth's personal timeline with that comment. So, after Milan. Before or after New Jersey? Hard to say at this point. He nods. "Can you say at least who sent the thing? I know you're not supposed to mention anything about my future."

Wade chuckles. "True, true." He then smirks, "You and Chen would make an interesting team."

Tali says, "There's that too - the more obscure the harder to prevent it. May be worth the energy of going that much further back int time."

Dreamgirl shrugs. "I think someone suggested a shapechangers' team at some point."

Elizabeth looks regretful as she shakes her head, "I'd best not. I've probably overstepped what I should has said as it is. There's sufficient fragility around your group's activities as it is. For example, my grandfather's paper on finite differences. You're credited in the references."

Natasha is a little embarrassed moments later, with her face covered in ice cream. She learnt when she was very small not just to plunge headfirst into ice cream. But *magical* ice cream is impossible to resist!

Connor raises a brow, "That's...huh. I didn't know that. I also don't have it on my C.V." He thinks about it for a moment, "I suspect it would be sloughed off as an ancestor of mine." Amelia grins and far reaches for a small facecloth. She waves to Natasha and holds the cloth up."

Natasha flies over and lands on Amelia's shoulder!

Tali grins. "I always kind of hope that my lousy memory means I won't mess up the past too much. If I say something about the future there's a good chance it's wrong anyway."

Wade says to Dreamgirl, "It might blow people's minds, though. You become a 'perfect person' for someone, and then Chen could copy that form. I'm not sure if that's good or bad, though. Woudl it make it more difficult to influence people?"

Elizabeth nods, "The reference is to an obscure American professor of mathamatics. You never specificed a university and there were two Dr Duran's at American universities at that date. It's assumed one of those two was the individual."

Moonshadow fills a plate with various finger foods and pours herself a drink. She turns and almost runs right into Wolfgang. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."

Dreamgirl grins. "I'm usually quite capable of blowing minds by myself. Especially if I try."

Amelia wipes Natasha 's face and neck. "Messy eater." she tells Natasha with a grin.

Connor smiles to Elizabeth, "It worked out then. More or less. Though...I admit, you have a point. We need to be cautious."

Wolfgang smiles, "Normally a useful trait in my line of work." he says.

Natasha looks thoroughly embarrassed. Magical ice cream is cheating! One can't be expected to eat neatly when faced with such.

Amelia scritches Natasha behind her ears.

Moonshadow says, "And what is your line of work, sneaking up on young girls?"

Amelia whispers in Natasha's ears, "I did much the same when I was young."

Wolfgang chuckles, "Only petty ones. I'm a troubleshooter for Doc Raven. Any trouble, I shoot it."

Tali grins to Amelia. "Keep feeding her well. She has a *lot* of growing to do."

[To Dreamgirl] Wade grins, "That's true." He gets something to drink, and then says, "What have you been doing to keep busy as of late?"

Moonshadow says, "I had a friend once who got a job as a troubleshooter. He asked if he could bring his crossbow to work."

Elizabeth looks over to the cleared area as the drummers stop and the dance band fills the air with music, "Do you dance at this time, Connor?" she asks.

Dreamgirl says, "Keeping busy isn't hard. Keeping any sort of consistent life is. About the only time I've stayed as the same person for more than a day or two was with this guy on his yacht in the Mediterranean - and that was really because I sort of got lost in the persona, and there weren't a lot of other people about. I'm not sure it's even practical to have an actual life of my own, if you see what I mean."

Wolfgang slips a hand under his jacket and draws out a large calibre automatic. He ejects the mag and clears the action before offering it to Laurel. "I've used a crossbow before but this is my friend when I need one."

Connor smiles. "I...well, not very often. But no time like the present, right?" He takes Elizabeth's hand and moves over to the dance floor.

Wade glances over to Wolfgang as he notices the weapon drawn. But he returns his attention to Dreamgirl. "Are you able to maintain a home of your own? Or do you tend to crash with various people?"

Moonshadow laughs. "My friend worked in an office."

Wolfgang laughs, "Ah. Not the same type of troubleshooter."

Dreamgirl says, "I tried, but I can't. I haven't really been able to maintain an income regular enough to do it, so yeah, I'm pretty much in a permanent state of crash. Well - I have a sort of relationship with Christian - that's the guy who gives me this form. He's understanding about my difficulties - cooler about it than most guys would be. So I'm there a fair bit. Though I wonder if I'm taking advantage of him, really...."

Elizabeth's dancing is excellent but somewhat formal. Might even say old fashioned. But she's clearly enjoying dancing with Connor.

Tali heads to the dance floor too. Even if she's just dancing by herself, at least for now.

Wolfgang takes the pistol back. He inserts the mag and cycles the action to load a round before slipping it into his shoulder holster.

Connor does the best he can, but he's not exactly 'leading'. He does a reasonable job of following Elizabeth's cues, at least.

Natasha hops down to the floor, and plays a new game: pounce on the balloons! Which soon becomes pounce-on-ballons-in-time-to-music, adding a percussion line.

Elizabeth grins at the end of the first dance, "You'll get better." she tells Connor, slightly flushed from the dance and perhaps not realising just how much that simple statement might be giving away.

Wade says to Dreamgirl, "I can understand the concern. But if he's happy with the situation? I think that's okay, right?"

Connor smiles and leans in a bit closer to say quietly to Elizabeth, "I'll practice. I'll be better next time. Just make sure you're around for a next time."

Dreamgirl says, "I'm sure he'd be happier if I didn't keep disappearing on him! But yeah, he seems happy, mostly."

Tali is pretty good at dancing, though the style of it is a bit hard to describe. She seems to be mixing up a wide range of dances - from various time periods - as the mood takes her.

Elizabeth leans in closer as well, "I think you can count on that, Connor."

Natasha ;'s game gets harder as fewer balloons are left. Hard to get to one to pop it at the right time!

Connor goes to give Elizabeth a kiss, assuming she'll let him. He's otherwise mostly oblivious to what's going on around them.

[To Dreamgirl] Wade takes a sip of his drink, "Does he understand what your power does, exactly?"

Elizabeth allows the kiss.

Natasha chooses this moment to dash past Connor, knocking against his legs, trying to get another balloon!

Dreamgirl says, "Oh, yes. I told him pretty much straight away. Well - as much as I understand it!"

Amelia scoops small quantities of icecream into dishes and mana charges it so Natasha can eat neatly.

Tali starts doing a dance which would appear, to the naked eye, to involve teleporting.

Connor is struck by Natasha, and manages to catch himself. "This is why I don't have pets around my house at the moment. Magic always requires precision."

Wade nods to Dreamgirl, "Then I think it's fine. I mean, you've been honest with him."

Natasha stops and glares up at Connor. Did he just imply she was a pet?!

Dreamgirl laughs. "I could hardly be otherwise. I met him when I had very little control over my power...."

Wade says, "So, you have more control now?""

Dreamgirl grins. "Yeah. As in, more than none."

Wolfgang tells Laurel, "I'm not much of a dancer but if you don't mind your toes being troden on..." Elizabeth looks down at Natasha, "Are you really Natasha?" she asks the small dragon.

Moonshadow grins, "I suppose I should start learning sometime. And don't worry about my toes. These boots are tougher than they look."

Connor nods. "That's Natasha. I'm guessing you know her at another size? Perhaps much larger?"

Natasha is distracted from her annoyance at Connor. She pulls herself up to her full height, wings displayed, then bows.

[To Dreamgirl] Wade chuckles. "Well, you seemed to have plenty of control last time I saw you." Wolfgang cheerfully leads Moonshadow out onto the dance floor. And true to his word he isn't tecnically a good dancer but a excellent natural dexterity and co-ordination makes up for that lack.

Wade says, "More or less. Like you could target a particular person."

Elizabeth nods, "Yes. Much larger. She's so small at the moment."

Natasha tries to make herself look bigger.

Moonshadow is also quite dextrous, and knows a little about early 21st century dances.

Connor smiles slightly, "How large was she when you saw her last?"

Dreamgirl says, "Right. I couldn't do that, then, at all. Early on, I was pretty much changing at random."

Moonshadow says to Wolfgang, "So who is Doc Raven, and why does he need a troubleshooter?" Elizabeth recalls the last chonological time she saw Natasha, "About 30yds from snout to tail." she tells Connor.

Tali appears suddenly by Natasha. "Don't be in too much of a hurry to grow up, Natasha. I can see you're having fun now! Leave being serious for the nups."

Connor lets out a low whistle. "Quite large."

[To Dreamgirl] Wade says, "Do you still sometimes find yourself changing form without intending to?"

Dreamgirl says, "Yes. The trick never to concentrate *too* much on anyone, but if I get startled, say, then I slip. If not for that I *could* have something of a normal life...."

Wolfgang explains to Moonshadow, "Doc Raven is a mage on my earth. He's, well, Amelia says he's like a hero team leader. Except our earth is a lot harsher than here as far as I can tell. I'm one of his team, along with Valerie, the hacker, and Zig and Zag the street sams."

Natasha tilts her head at Tali, grins, and exhales a snowball in her face.

Tali is struck, having been taken totally off guard. She giggles. "That's the spirit!"

Moonshadow says, "I think I met him once, right here."

Natasha goes to partake of more ice cream!

Moonshadow says, "Conner? Would you honor me?"

Connor raises a brow. "In what sense are you referring? A dance? If so...then...yes. I'd happily dance with you."

Moonshadow giggles, "Yes I mean a dance. I think we both need the practice."

Connor chuckles. "Sure." He's fairly formal about how he dances with Moonshadow, but relatively light on his feet for someone who doesn't do it very often.

The music slows down, and Moonshadow moves closer.

Connor takes a deep breath, and slowly pulls away. "We're going to need to have a talk, Moonshadow. But not here and now. Another time." He looks a bit awkward. "I should go. I'm sorry."

Moonshadow steps back. "You didn't do anything wrong, Dr. Duran. I'm the one who should be sorry. I knew better, seeing you with her..."

Connor takes a deep breath. "It's more than that." He takes a long moment to think about the situation, "I'm your professor. This is wrong on a couple of levels. I just can't. I'm sorry." He gives a short wave. "We'll have a longer discussion about this anther time, after I've had time to collect my thoughts." And he steps away, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.

Connor catches himself. Instead he walks over toward his grandmother. Perhaps she'll have some words of wisdom for him.