Log:Fractionalization

2020/06/04 	 Bran Imouto Linda Phantom Union Wild Thing Felix Heather Olympia Riptide

1

Phantom has sent out an invite via HeroNet, texted, DMs, etc, to any teen heroes to meet up at Takaga Mansion. Address included and a time, 5pm. He's sitting in an upholstered chair in the living room area that has a few other chairs and sofas, and a central coffee table. There's a few comm units set atop it. He browses his phone while he waits.

Riptide arrives a little bit late. Traffic, and teleportation powers do not mix. Fortunately Phantom put an address so he can find it! He's never been before. Seriously, he didn't get to go on the field trip before.

Of course, Heather is listed and public. She got the message on her Q-Watch and showed up early-ish. Her small car pulled into the driveay and she hopped out.

So she comes in, carrying a heavy cooler full of sodas in one hand, and a bag of sub sandwiches in the other, "Who's hungry?!" she calls out as she steps inside.

Phantom raises a brow as Heather enters and waves her over. "In here. I wasn't intending this to be a party, but I can't say no to food," he grins.

"I was taught that it was rude to show up with food, and -not- offer to share. So I made sure to bring enough since... per usual, I'm starving." offers Heather as she sets down the cooler and then opens the bag to lay it on a table and reaches in to grab a footlong sub. "So, what's up?" she asks before she takes a big bite.

Linda arrives early for the meeting; and gets to it late. She gets delayed on the final leg by the collection of cars in the garages. So she hurries in and before even saying hello she blurting out excitedly, "Did you know there's a Bugatti Veyron in the garage?"

Union steps out of the elevator, toweling her hair. She's wearing a white bikini with blue and red stars. She catches Linda's remark and answers, "Is that the one next to the Tucker?" (Anyone paying attention might note she's missing a navel)

Phantom smiles. "I'm interested in taking the Delorean for a spin, but...not gonna happen." And more than just because the cars aren't theirs.

Phantom is paying attention because he's a guy and finds the bikini very distracting, except he doesn't have to stare to get distracted. His attention seems to be on Linda. "I picked up some extra comm earpieces from Steinberg tower, in case someone didn't get one. They're donated and have a special frequency just for teens. It's...mostly encrypted. But the owner -is- on the comms, so watch what you say."

Linda slimes, "That was thoughtful. I got one after it was mentioned. Went to Quinn Tower. But Heather, I think, doesn't have one."

"I -do- have a Q-watch with an earbud linked to it." offers Heather with a shrug. She glances over towards Union and says, "Nice suit." Absently before turning and shrugging, "I could program the frequency in. Or if you all prefer, I -could- use the donated device. Just..." She shrugs.

Riptide shrugs, "If that's not enough, I can probably anonymously order a lot of pizza or something." He hums, looking carefully at some of the decorations. A small smile on his face as he looks at a lot of them before he moves over to sit down, notably in a good conversation spot rather than antagonistic or the like.

The mention of new teens has Riptide looking over to Phantom, "Have you ran across an Olympia before?" He does look curious about that one.

"I sent her an invite, too," Phantom says to Riptide. "And the kid that almost got grabbed by Next Gen. Bran. He helped out in a situation or two. He's the reason I decided to call out to all the heroes our age."

Union sits down, her bikini changing to her usual red, white, and star-spangled blue unitard. "I've met someone calling herself Overgirl, also."

Phantom says, "Overgirl? Never heard of her. Can someone text her?"

Union says, "I didn't get the chance to swap contact info."

Linda says, "That's something we should talk about."

Riptide hums, "The swapping contact info?"

Linda nods.

Phantom nods. "That's part of what this meeting is about. It's also about working together and being organized."

Riptide smiles, "Well, I'm open to suggestions there. Union and I have been trying for a while on that one. I'm just having trouble figuring out how to setup some sort of accounts or the like for resources."

Inclining her head as she chews and swallows her massive bite of sandwich... Heather finishes the swallow before she speaks up, "Speaking of which. Someone told me we were organizing two separate teams. That seems odd. If we're all using this place as a base of operations, and working together..." she shrugs, "If we stay in contact, what does it matter -which- school we're attending? Half of my friends -are- at Bayside."

But a pause happens before she adds, "I mean, I'm not saying you guys shouldn't organize how ever you like. I don't really want to limit myself to only working with a couple of you all."

"What accounts? What resources? You don't need that to work together and have each other's backs," Phantom says.

Phantom corrects Heather, "I'm already on a team that exists. Has existed for a bit. You guys are the ones who aren't coordinating. Someone gave me the idea of trying to help -you- guys get on the same page. Starting with how to get ahold of each other."

Bran does show up at the mansion. He's still a bit tentative on the way in, but he manages to given the group meeting in the living room. "Uh...hey there."

Riptide considers on that one. "Hm... what sort of ideas did you have there? And resources are something I'm trying to setup for those of us that have trouble with our costumes and damage to them, not to mention ways of getting around and other such things. As far as working together otherwise, I'm all for it. We do have the comms, but we can't exactly use them in class so easily."

Phantom smiles and raises a fist to dap Bran. "Thanks for joining. Didn't feel right doing this without you," he says. "There's soda. Heather brought 'em. And food."

Nodding, Heather shrugs, "Like I said, I'm not against the idea of organizing and making sure everyone knows how to reach each other. Yep." That said, she takes another bite and thinks as she chews. But then as Bran enters, she perks up and smiles while lifting a hand, "Heya! Hope roast beef is good!" she announces. "We were just discussing coordination and communications for split teams!"

Phantom mutters, "Split teams would require you to be organized and -have- a team." He grabs himself a Mr. Pepper Esquire soda. "I'm more thinking an alliance. Or a...hmm...coalition. For all the teen heroes."

Wild Thing comes to the front door by leaps and bounds and rings the doorbell.

There's the sound of a throat being quietly cleared. Then a young girl's voice is heard, "Excuse me. May I join your meeting or do you wish me to shut off the security in the Great Room?"

Union says, "The more the merrier!"

Felix wanders in tinkering into the living room from deeper in the mansion. When he hears the doorbell, he changes course without looking up from the innards of the PDA he diong something to towards the front door.

Union says, "Can you manifest visually?"

Imouto says, "I cannot. There is no capability to do that in the mansion."

Union says, "An oversight, I'm sure. Can you use the vidscreen?"

"You can do that? Shut off security, please. I think it'll make some people more comfortable," Phantom says.

Riptide looks around at that, then to the others before he hears the doorbell, "Uh... who's outside?" He looks to Phantom, "So, what ideas do you have to get this off the ground? And... I admit I'm curious about your team. All of you seem to have a lot of time working together."

Felix murmurs as he steps out towards the front door, "Oh so not arid. I'll work on it.:

"That's not weird or anything." mutters Heather in response to the Imuoto thingamagoober. But she shrugs to Phantom and adds, "An association of teen heroes sounds awesome actually. Not a formalized team so much as... allies who help out where and when they can."

But that said, she takes another bite as... still hungry, duh.

Bran nods, "Thanks." He goes to grab some soda and some food before he takes a seat again.

Imouto sounds a bit saddened as she replies, "I will do that in five seconds. Please remember to tell me to restore security from another location before leaving."

Riptide looks a bit confused, "Who's the voice? An AI or something?"

Phantom motions to the room at large. "This is it. You want it off the ground, it's taken off. You talk about resources and stuff, but we've got powers! We don't even need a mansion or resources, or credit cards."

Union says, "Wait...Does that mean you can't stay if security is disables?"

Phantom says, "Those aren't the things that make someone a hero."

Wild Thing waits on the doorstep. . o o ( Should I try the door or...? )

Phantom feels a pang of guilt at Imouto's sadness. "Before you shut down, can you open the front door for our guest?"

Narrowing her eyes, Heather looks to Riptide, "No. Powers don't make a hero. A hero is someone who does what is needed to help others. Powers just make that easier." she states. But when Phantom says that and nothing happens, she gets up and says, "I'll get the door." as she heads that way.

Felix opens the door. "Hello, come on in."

Bran furrows his brow. "I think 'security' meant that the AI was participating? Given that we're here, I think that's okay, right?"

Wild Thing says, "Hey. Glad it's the right place - I was beginning to wonder!"

Union says, "I thought it was OK for her to stay."

Wild Thing enters, looking around, and follows the voices.

Bran gets up from his seat and heads into another room. On hte way he says, "It was worded as an either/or." He gets into another room, and he says, "You can participate in the meeting. If that means leaving hte security on, turn it back on."

Noticing that Felix got the door, Heather stops halfway there. "Oh. So why -did- we disable security?" she asks. "It is not like we are worried that our base is doing anything against us."

Riptide looks considerate, then nods, "Well, that's pretty easy. Being a hero's not something I'm questioning. Far as I know, we've all stepped into that line of fire more than a few times."

"Because it records us and some people may have wanted their privacy if they were going to give away secret identities," Phantom says. "So just keep in mind you're being recorded."

Wild Thing bounds into the room. "What's this about security?"

Bran waits for a response from the house. If he doesnt' get one, he tries another room...and hten another. Until there IS a response.

Felix heads back to the great room, living room, whatever realtores call them these days. On the way, he says to the air apparently, "Immuto-san? If someone else comes to the front door, if they're on the list of teens, can you let tell them to come in?"

Imouto answers Bran, "Thank you." A few seconds later in the Great Room a quiet click is heard followed by "Security re-enabled."

"Oh right. Costumes." offers Heather as if she had totally forgotten that thing. She opens the holo-interface of her Q-Watch to control the nanoclothing, and selects the 'costume' she chose. Of course... it's not like it's protective, or concealing of her identity, or really of anything else. But it looks cool and that's what matters, right?

(https://tinyurl.com/yd36nom5)

Phantom sips his drink, his attention to Felix before looking at the others. "So...it seems at least we're agreed on an alliance. We all get to use this mansion, so we got the resources Riptide's so concerned about. Someone suggested a name for the alliance. Like a legion of something. Legion of Valor? Legion of the Brave? Legion of Champions? I dunno. That's up to a vote. But really, the important thing isn't all that material stuff. It's what's in your heart, and it's trust."

Bran walks back into the Great Room and takes a seat again. He catches Heather's comment about costumes, "I don't have one yet. Not sure what I'll come up with."

Wild Thing says, "Oh - what's this about costumes? Because I really need one!"

Linda says, "That fabricator thingie in the basement makes costumes, doesn't it?"

Union says, "Probably. We should check if there's a manual."

Once she is in her 'uniform'... Heather spreads her arms out to her sides and does a quick turn. As if modeling. Duh. "So, whatcha guys think?" she asks.

Linda mutters, "Dressmaker run out of material?" very quietly.

Phantom clears his throat a bit at the risque costume. "It's...nice," he tries to sound like he's not oogling.

Bran also stares a bit as Heather changes outfits. He nearly drops his food, but manages to catch it before it hits the floor.

Felix murmurs as he sits down near, but not too near, Phantom. "There is, a manual that is. It is even fairly detailed. A plentiful supply of raw materials for non-special material outfits."

He glances up at Linda's comment at the holo Heather put up. He tilts his head to one side for a moment then says, "Yeah, that could be made. Be pretty quick to do so."

Wild Thing grins, hearing Linda's comment. Not that she's wearing much either.

Riptide shrugs, then thumbs at Wild Thing, "One of the reasons I wanted to see on resources." He chuckles, then looks to Phantom, "As far as a name or the like, I'd just..." He pauses, looks at Heather, then shakes his head, "Looks good." Then he glances over at Union before he looks to Phantom, "... I'd seriously just leave that up to the media or whatever. The resources are mostly because we tend to be the last ones to know of something happening, or the first ones and we're in a bad position. Like that thing that just waltzed into CHHS the other day."

Wild Thing says, "Hm? Something I missed?"

Union says, "Big, invisible, and (once we *could* see it) UGHly."

Glancing to Wild Thing, Heather shrugs. She doesn't really think it's a big deal. After all, she's posed in much more revealing outfits in magazines. "So, should I try something else or does this work?" she asks.

Linda nods, "Big invisible lizard thing wanted to eat a teacher. No major deal. Whoever thought to setting the water sprinkers off has a good head though."

Phantom picks at the tab on his soda and tries to regain his focus after Heather's fashion show. "You want the the grownup media to tell YOUR story?" he asks Riptide, sounding disapproving.

Wild Thing says, "huh. How'd i miss that?"

Wild Thing says, "Anyone have any ideas about a costume for me? I mean, not only isn't this really a costume but it's pretty much falling apart!"

Phantom rubs the back of his head and glances towards Felix.

Felix turns his attention back to the innards of the PDA he's working on. "It's a good outfit. And really, it's whatever you're comfortable wearing," he murmurs. He then looks up at Phantom. "Yes?"

Bran does manage to answer Heather, "No...no. That's...good. Stick with that."

Not that she is against bragging, but Heather just shrugs as she looks to Linda, "Well, since I ruined the fake teacher's plan to use smoke to reveal it, I thought I should fix it by setting off the sprinklers. Sorta making up for my own mistake."

But then she looks to Wild Thing and inclines her head, "Why don't you and I do some snooping at fashion sites after this, eh?"

Wild Thing says, "The main thing is to go with the wild-thing image, of course. But it's be good to have a way to keep my identity secret other than relying on my hair!"

Riptide shrugs at Phantom, "Yes and no. Sometimes it comes up with good things." He considers a little, then looks to Phantom, "You know, I hate to ask this but I am curious now. How and when did your team form? I mean, it's like you all have been working together a lot from the little I've seen."

Linda frowns, "Is that relevant, Riptide? It's also rather probing."

Looking to Riptide, Heather sighs softly and looks to Phantom. "Okay. I for one would love to hear your ideas and suggestions. You -do- seem to know what you're doing. I'm not a soldier. I'm not even a great student. I'm just a model who got powers. So, I'm happy to listen to what you have to say."

Linda adds, "The question you should be asking, maybe, is why aren't we woeking together more than just being in the sane place sometimes."

"We've all known each other, on and off, since we were little pups. But only been around each other a lot for the last year or two. And we all go to the same school which helps." He points a thumb at Phantom as he turns back his eyes back to the partially disaseembled PDA in his lap. "My mom works for Phantiom's dad, well, as a consultant but he's a bit client."

Phantom scans the room a bit. "How many of you have played sports? Or been on any sort of team? Cheer? Tall Flags? Band?"

Phantom says, "Show of hands."

Union raises her hand.

Linda puts her hand up.

Riptide shrugs, looking to Linda, "Yes and no." He considers, "Team sports or just sports in general?"

Bran puts his hand up as well.

Lifting a hand, Heather wobbles it a bit, "I -used- to be on the cheer squad. But... yeah. I get whatcher sayin'."

Wild Thing says, "Just in phys ed."

Felix raises a hand then remarks mildly, "Does gymnastics count?"

Phantom puts his hand up. "Sports where you had to work with others."

Felix definelty puts his hand back down...and use it to steady the PDA as he takes out a chip in it.

Phantom wobbles his hands and grins. "Felix, this isn't for you. You already understand teams."

Union lowers her hand.

Riptide hums, "I'm probably the only one who hasn't, unless track and field counts somewhere in there. I know swimming doesn't."

Bran shrugs, "I played soccer when I was younger."

Phantom reads the room. "So...just Linda and Bran?"

"I think track -and- swimming count. Relays are relays and those are team events." offers Heather, "At least I think they are."

[To Linda] Wild Thing says, "That reminds me - there's something I want to talk to you about..."

Linda nods to Wild Thing, "After this?" Then to Phantom, "I'm in a band. We work together as a team or things don't work."

Wild Thing says, "Well, actually, I guess I could ask all of you without giving too much away - but sorry, go on, Phantom."

Wild Thing thinks. o O (I wonder if teamwork in RPGs counts?)

Phantom lowers his hand. "Well that figures," he murmurs as he realizes the lack of team spirit, and how Linda and Bran were the only ones seeming on board. "Right, a band. You got to practice. Harmonize, right? Stay on the beat? If you all are doing your own thing, you just get noise."

Linda grins, "Or Jazz. Sane thing."

"Oh, I just meant I am not on a team -now-. I totally get you on coordination. Trust me.. have you ever -watched- a cheer squad, more to the point, a competition squad work? They are a well oiled machine. I just couldn't maintain that and my other career." says Heather with a shake of her head. "But I'm rambling. I'll just say that I am totally with you so far Phantom."

Riptide shakes his head, looking at Heather, but the others beat him to it as far as the team work thing. "A lot of us are just more loners than that, but we do tend to make some good suggestions here and there. It's probably why I prefer someone like Union leads. She's more suited for it than I am. I'll just brute force my way through the problem."

Phantom chuckles at Linda's comment. He looks to Heather and nods. "Well, we won't be drilling to be that buttoned up. But being able to agree and coordinate or take direction is key. The comms will help a lot with that. You all don't want a name for your association and want some nups to label you? That's fine. You should consider a team captain and co-captain at least for when shit hits the fan. I'd usually say do things by vote, which is how my team does it, but I think for now, you all need some leads."

Union looks at Riptide, startled to hear that.

Wild Thing says, "Hey, I've been pushing for a team because I *know* it takes pracice and junk to work well together."

Union says, "Riptide and I entered the Best of the Best as Team Nova, with Crimson/Cerulean."

Felix listens quietly as he reaches into a bandolier pouch and takes out a small box that when opened holds a number of computer chips. He sorts through them as he either listend or ignores what's being said. Hard to tell with that completely face covering mask of his. But he does not from time to time, so probably listening.

Phantom sips his soda. "So you all say you've been pushing for a team. You've been waiting for what, more money and sponsors?"

Bran points to the communicators on the table, "So...are those meant to help with coordinating?"

Phantom nods. "Yeah. Take one. At the very least you can call for help or backup when you see it. We've been using them for a while," he says of the comms on the table.

Shaking her head, "So yes. We need to communicate, and coordinate." says Heather. She lifts a brow and looks to Riptide, "So, you -prefer- to work on your own? I can't make you -want- to team up. But that's entirely your call. I think we -should- name the team if we're making one. But..." She looks to Phantom then and doesn't really -speak-... just it looks like she wants to say something but isn't.

Linda asks Phantom, "Are those any different to the one I got from Quinn Tpower. This one has Starguard, a channel I was told is a general teens talk channel, and three spare channels not being used yet."

Outside, invisible, Olympia fidgets. She wants to go in there, where she saw the other teenagers go, but she doesn't want to just appear... and, well, simply knocking on the door seems -- wierd. Eventually, though, she simply appears in front of the door... and knocks, or rings the bell, or whatever.

Felix murmurs, "It a closed signal using point-to-point encryp...You know, I'll simplify; they're private, you can have a couple of convos at the same time, and no one can hack them."

Phantom looks to Heather. "Go ahead. What's on your mind?" he says receptively. He looks to Linda. "I have no idea. Felix may know them better."

A young girl's voice tells Olympia, "The door is unlocked. Come in and follow the voices. Welcome to Takaga Mansion."

Grimacing, Heather shakes her head, "I... well... shit." she mutters as the doorbells rings. Saved by the bell! She nods and turns to head towards the front door.

Wild Thing says, "Waiting for someone to take the lead, I guess. And, no anxing, but maybe your team has made it kind of harder. I mean, you're sort of with the rest of us but - I feel kind of sidebarred a lot, you know? I guess maybe we thought we might all be one team when you got to know us better. Or not. But that kind of made it harder to get a second team together."

Olympia hesitates, but reaches to pull open the door and step in, closing it behind herself. Following the voices, the black-and-yellow clad woman enters the room where the others are having the meeting.

Bran nods and takes one of hte communicators. "Thanks. This'll help a lot."

Riptide looks thoughtful, then looks to Union and Linda. "More like... a leader is what we've been waiting for? I know I'm good on my own, and I know Union and Linda are, but well..." He shrugs, "I know I'm not a leader. I'll back people up, play human shield, or whatever else is needed. But lead? I'm not one of those who does it unless I'm behind a desk. And I'm going to have enough of that in a few years."

Union says, "Some of you already know this, but I can form a mental link to people - up to seven - that allow telepathic communication and enhanced situational awareness. It's much more useful when people join in, of course."

Phantom nods thoughtfully at Wild Thing's suggestion. "I hear you. I don't exactly see how we're holding you guys back. We're not tripping you up. I'm trying to help here. If you all don't want to work together, maybe some of you can form your own team. Code Dark won't get involved if you think it's hurting you."

Wild Thing says, "Like I said, not complaining. Just you asked a reason and i thought that was part of it."

Phantom raises a hand over the crowd to greet Olympia. He's standing by the table with the comms on it.

Wild Thing says, "But yeah, no leader is the big problem. I'd be no good. I guess you've noticed how I react before I even think!"

"Okay, so I do have this question. Some of you only recently realized my team existed. How did that restrain you all from doing your own thing?" Phantom propositions.

Pausing at the entryway to the big room everyone's in. Her eyes pause on Heather, who's near the doorway, and then move farther into the room to pause first on Linda, then on others. Leaning towards Heather, just a bit, she asks, "What'd I miss?"

Phantom smiles to Wild Thing. "As for sidebarring? I never realized. I've been in fights alongside all of you. You were all running around doing your own thing. I do recall you taking the lead against that incubus guy at that big house and charging in."

Linda shrugs, "It's partially an entry barrier thing, Phantom. I wanted to be no a team. Now I am. Starguard Gamma. Could I be on another team. Yes. But only if the benefits are equal to the time and effort it will take to make a team work. That's mostly training and knowing what each other can do. So there's no wasteful overlap or confusion."

Pausing halfway to the front door, Heather seems a bit stymied. But hearing Phantom's question then, she turns his way, "To be honest, I assumed that all of us were simply a team as a whole. I was excited about that, and was a bit disappointed when I was told that we were doing two -separate- teams. That's what I was trying to say earlier. It's nothing against anyone here, but I seriously didn't -want- to split us all up into two teams. I just had no idea there were a small previously established team and then the rest of us hanging around on the fringes."

That said, Heather reaches a hand for Olympia's shoulder, "Glad you made it by the way, sandwiches and sodas over there on the table." she says with a half-smirk.

Phantom nods to Linda. "I'd say Starguard would have way more benefits than any team you all could form. Maybe the answer is you all join up too? You'd have government backing, resources, mentors."

Wild Thing nods: Heather put it better than she did.

Bran blinks. "Me? Join Starguard?" He laughs out loud. "No. That's not happening." He shakes his head and sips his drink.

Union says, "Are they open to non-citizens?"

Phantom grins at Bran. "Yeah, that'd be a no for me and everyone on my team."

Wild Thing says, "No from me too."

Riptide shakes his head, "Add me as well. As far as an actual identity, Riptide is just a name and form I wear."

Felix murmurs softly, "Can I provide a bit of background to you all to try to explain some shick?"

Phantom looks to Felix to give him the floor.

Nodding in reply to Heather's words, Olympia doesn't go to the drinks and snacks. She speaks up to say, "Does Starguard even take kids? Other than, like GG here, I guess. GG... are you a special case, or -does- Starguard take kids on their team?"

Linda nods as she hears what's being said. "There's the answer to your suggestion of everyone joining. For me it's not an issue. But some here, people I hope will become close friends, won't want to."

"Yeah. I didn't think Minors could be employed in... what is technically, combat roles as government employees." offers Heather, "How'd you manage that Linda?" she asks.

Linda laughs, "You're kidding, right. The best agents Starguard Gamma ever had were CHHS student at the time. I'm not a special case other than being a combat capable meta. That's true for most here."

Phantom rolls his shoulder. "I'm not exactly certain about a government agency that uses child soldiers."

"They'd make you give 'em your real name though, right?", Olympia asks of Linda. "... 'cause I ain't about letting just anyone know who I am. That's way too dangerous." She crosses her arms, still standing over near the doorway.

"No. Not kidding. I'm not eighteen yet. As such, I cannot legally enter into a contract, or be deployed as active duty military. That's not legal is all." says Heather. But then she looks to Olympia and nods, "Yeah. That too, for some folks that's a concern. So... let's just talk about what we -are- doing, not what they -might- do, eh?"

Linda turns to Olympia, "I honestly don't know about that. My name and indentity are known so for me it's not an issue."

Wild Thing says, "Pos! so, what are we doing/"

Bran shrugs and looks to Phantom, "How do you all feel about just making your smaller team...larger?"

At Bran's question of Phantom, Olympia speaks up. "Well... him and his team don't know some of us to trust us enough to -be- on that team with them. And for the rest of us, we don't know -them-, neither. Like... who's their team leader? Do they even have one?" She takes a few steps into the room, finally. "There's a lot that goes into making a team or adding people to one, y'know."

Felix states bluntly, "Does any of that matter right now? We're not talking about being part of SG or UE or USA or any other group." He stands as he continues. "We're talking about forming an alliance among the teen metaheroes here in CB. We've got this mansion and all its tech. We've got the support, indriect, of the Steinberg Foundation. All we need to do is just put our own shick aside and work together."

"Code Dark, we work well together cause we've know each other on an off for years and been through some shick together. It's a matter of trust and yeah, in time, we'll probably let people know who we are out of costume. But, that a side issue."

He points at the comms. "Being part of an alliance of teens makes it less likely shicks like Next Generation or the Knights of Genetic Purity or DEMON can take one of us our or turn us. We're strong toghether than apart."

Phantom nods along with Felix. Looking to Bran, he answers, "I put it to a vote to the team. It got voted down. I abstained."

Union says, "And only two of you are here."

Pointing at Olympia, Heather nods, "What she said. We can't just walk up and say, "Hi, you don't know me well. But I want you to trust me with your life."... she shakes her head, "As much as I might like working with you, I wouldn't presume that. But... I -would- like to begin the process of getting to know you all, and for you to all get to know one another and me."

Union says, "I agree that we're stronger together. That's why I've been trying to get a team together."

"And to be clear, by 'us', I mean all the teens in this room and any who might want to join in the future, not just Code Dark," He points to himself. "I don;t lead the team. In combat, we tend to follow T..Phantom or if he's not around Kid Tengu. Cause they're good at coordinating. I tend to handle tech and magic cause that's what I'm shick good at. Blink moves us around and handles the fast ones. Kid Tengu and Blockbuster are our heavy hitters. And Phantom takes people out his own way. We still got secrets from each others." He then responds to Union. "YEah, only two of us are here cause the others have other shick to do. We don;t live in costume. We've got lives outside of them, but they trust us to look afte them."

"Well... a team -would- be stronger together than everyone as an individual. S'the whole point of a team", Olympia says as she recrosses her arms over her chest. "But... who're these Next Generation and Knight of whatever folks y'all just menioned?", she asks, lifting one hand to wave it in front of herself, palm up, in a clearly questioning gesture.

Wild Thing says, "I don't care if we call junk a team or not. So say we're a coalition. We still want to do things like practicing together and other junk like a team does, right, so our coalition can work better?"

Riptide smiles a little, "He's got a point." The teen looks considerate, then nods. He looks at Phantom and Felix, "Actually... I'd rather put this out now. I would rather Code Dark stick with us." He looks to the others, then considers. "Does this mansion have a training room or such? My first time here."

Wild Thing says, "Or if Code Dark won't play ball like that, maybe we can have two teams in a looser coalition? I dunno."

Union says, "Work out team maneuvers and tactics, like in football?" She turns to Olympia, "Next Generation are a bunch of scientists who like to experiment on metas. They've been kidnapping people lately, including attempts on Bran and Heather here."

Olympia nods in reply to Union's question. "Exactly like in football. Or basketball... or any other team contact sport, all based on the things each member of the team can and can't do, what they're good at, and that kinda thing", she says. "... and if people're trying to kidnap kids, maybe this team or coalition thing, whatever you wanna call it, is a good idea, even if we do keep some secrets from each other", she adds, hands falling to her hips as she speaks.

Felix sits back down and runs his face through his mask. He then murmurs, "And the Knights of Genetic Purity?...Never mind about them.. They're from an alt. Not here."

"Next Generation." offers Heather to Olympia. "Short version... villain group. Heavily focused on genetic engineering and powers from such beings. They kinda accidentally gave me my powers and now they want me for whatever reason. But I'm not the only one."

That said, she looks back to the others, "Code Dark?" she asks. "Am I missing something? What -is- code dark?"

Not hearing Felix, Union continues, "And the Knights of Genetic Purity? Never heard of them, but they sound like a Nazi offshoot."

Bran sighs quietly and finishes off his food. He remains quiet, just listening to the conversation.

Olympia asides to Heather, "...they better not be talking about me..."

Phantom raises a brow at Wild Thing saying stuff about Code Dark. "Won't play ball when we came here to try and help facilitate a larger team? Okay. Let's call it that. You're all here. Make your own team. Go. If you're in trouble, use those comms and we'll still come to help," he points to the spare earbuds on the table. He slides a hand in his pocket and looks to Felix, then nods leading with his chin towards the door.

Wild Thing says, "I think that's their team, unless I missnagged."

Wild Thing says, "What the shick? You accuse us of not being team players, won't let anyone on your team and then take off in a huff when I say we'll have to make a team without you then, but allied?"

Blinking, Heather shakes her head, "I said I -wanted- to be a part of a larger... what did I say wrong?" she asks, totally lost now, and feeling something she is not used to. Rejection.

Bran shrugs, "She wasn't wrong, Phantom. If your team doesnt' want new people, that's fine. < Bleep >, I expected it. But don't get pissed off about people taking note of it."

Riptide sighs, then shakes his head, "I understand why. Fine, let's start the easy way." He looks at the others, "Who's free this weekend?" He considers, then looks to Phantom and Felix, "I'm asking you and your team as well. Like you said, we need to know what we can do. That means all of us. Your team included."

Wild Thing sticks up a hand. "I can do this weekend."

Bran nods to Riptide, "I can try. But I also have a job. I can't promise I'll be able to make it."

Union raises her hand as well.

Wild Thing watches Phantom like a cat ready to pounce.

"Well... this sure ain't the start of any kinda teamwork...", Olympia says, though quietly. Gesturing at Riptide, she adds in a louder voice for all to easily hear, "He's got the right of it. Y'all wanna try and help keep other kids safe from these bad guys? Then you gotta be willing to work together regular-like", she says, then gestures at Union, "... and figure out 'team plays' like she brought up", she adds, "... and then puts her hands on her hips again as she concludes, "... and that includes a couple of folks being designated 'shot callers' whenever there's a group of us together. But every one of us hasta be on board with it, or it ain't gonna work from the start. And, most important, no one thinks they're better than anyone else... individually or as a group."

Felix looks at Phantom then Wild Thing. "Can the two of you jsut stop? First of all, listen to each other. That's actually someting all of us need to do better." He runs a hand over his face. "let me sort out the threads."

He points two fingers at Union. "Knights of Genetic Purity are from an alt Earth. Not this one. So not a problem here, Shouldnt have mentioned them."

He then looks over at Phantom. "Stop protecting us from words, that's my job. Yours is to lead the team."

His attention then turns to Wild Thing. "We're more than a team, Wild Thing. We are a family by choice. Our parents are all the worst kinds of shick. We depend on each other. So, yes, we're not open to bringing others into our family. Doesn't mean we don't want to help and make friends among the other teen metas."

"Any other questions? And yes, I'm free this weekend to get together as I'm no longer doing weekened suspension."

Linda looks at Felix, "You're letting things slip out. I hope it was intentional?"

Wild Thing looked your way.

Phantom hasn't moved yet, but his attention returns to Bran. "I'm not pissed off at that. But I am bothered at all the excuses I'm hearing, including implying Code Dark existing as one of a list of reasons for a failure for the rest of you to accomplish something," he says, nodding to the group at the talk of excuses. "I came here because of the talk we had to try and present a solution. But I'm really getting a read that everyone wants to fight it." He frowns a bit at Olympia. "Well, thank you for repeating what I already pitched earlier before you got here. Sorry to say it got shot down." Felix's comments to him gets him to smile a bit. He lets him take the lead from there.

Wild Thing holds up her hands. "Pos, it's ok, I snag it! That's just what I was saying. It's black-and-mysterious here who lost it!"

Looking at Phantom, Olympia cross her arms in front of herself, again. "Well... that's kinda stupid. If there ain't teamwork, we might as well just all be on our own, then." She then turns to look at Wild Thing, her arms uncrossing and slowly lowering to her sides, though she says nothing. After a moment, she reaches out and picks up one of the comms on the table, before turning to walk back to where she started -- near the doorway.

Shaking her head, Heather looks to the others, then to Felix, and then to Phantom, "What part of... I want to make this work, makes you think I don't want this larger alliance idea to work?" she asks. And now she strides forward, hands on hips as she stops and says to Phantom, "I think you need to cool it. Cool off and take a breath. Why don't we all come back here this weekend and give it a shot? And everyone else?" She turns to face the room as a whole. "He is right about a part of this. We need to stop blaming folks. We need to stop giving reasons why we can't do a thing. Myself included. What we need to do is make this work, not make sure it doesn't."

Union says, "One bright spot in all this - I think this is the largest group to respond to any call for teen heroes I've seen."

Wild Thing nods to Heather. "Pos. I guess I should have done more. I'm just - No. No excuses."

Riptide shrugs, "If not this one, name another day." He says towards Bran.

Riptide looks around the room, "Here's the thing. Phantom's right on one point. We don't know each other. The most we do know is what you see here and then what you've read on the news. Keep what secrets you want. But this weekend, I want us to show up here or at Steel's Gym and show what we can really do."

Riptide looks over at Linda, "And I have a request for you, actually."

Moving over to where Heather is, after stowing the comm she picked up in the pouch at the small of her back, Olympia quietly asks of the blonde, "Steel's Gym...?"

Wild Thing says, "The gym is good if we're showing what we can do!"

Felix puts away the computer chips and then the partially disassembled PDA into his backpack. He slowly stands then looks over at Phantom as he murmurs, "Let's go, Phantom. I'm done with them making accusations at you."

He looks at the rest of the teens present save for Bran. "I'll let Imuoto-san inform you if any of us will be around this weekend. I'm not going to allow my family to attacked verbally or emotionally,by any of you."

"Metagym in Bridgend." mutters Heather to Olympia, "You'll love it. Got holographic opponents to fight, tractor beam augmented weight sets. Configurable walls and such. It's great!" She says before looking to Riptide, then Phantom and then Felix. "I think we should start to learn about each other. Definitely." She opens her mouth to say more, and then just gawks at Felix, "What accusations? Are you sure you are hearing the same voices that I'm hearing?" she asks, looking about the room. "Seriously, nobody's accusing anyone of anything here. I suggested that he cool off, let flared tempers wane a bit. And now you're taking it a step further and acting like we insulted you?"

She crosses her arms under her bustline and just leans her head back a bit, "Seriously, I think you need to step back and start over, because you're seeing a wholly different group here than I am. I -want- this to work. I'm busting my ass to try to make it work. Phantom suggested a large scale coalition and alliance. I -love- that idea. I think it's a fantastic way to handle things. So what makes you try to tear all of that down... now?"

Bran furrows his brow at Felix's reaction, "So you're going to overreact too, huh? Don't let the door hit you on the way out, I guess." He pauses, "Let me make one thing clear: She..." He points at Wild Thing "...wasn't accusing you all of not wanting to help. She said you didn't want to 'play ball like that', meaning...letting peopel join your team. Which you stated yourself, agreeing with her, despite Phantom getting pissed off at it! Don't get pissed off when people repeat what you say! And if you're going to get pissed at THAT, then you need to take a step back."

Wild Thing says, "If you don't want to be attacked then don't start fights! No one accused *anyone* until Phantom said he was going to go for no reason. No blame, no anx, nothing! And then he lost it!"

Felix just leaves without or without Phantom. He doesn't respond to any of you

Bran flips off Felix's back when he doesn't bother to respond.

"It's almost like he -wants- this to fail, and is doing his best to..." Heather starts, and then her eyes go wide, "Wait a sec..." Then she grins, "Oh, sneaky. I love it! Unite us by making us all angry at him, or them.. make -us- come together if at least to spite them. I love it. Awesome plan."

That said, she turns to the others and grins, "So, what do you say? Shall we? Shall we show them that we -can- rise to the challenge?"

Union sighs and looks at Phantom, "Can we make this work?"

Wild Thing growls, "Of course we should form a team. And not because of any impaired Snootside trick. If that's what it was."

Union says, "Hey, no call for that. They're not like that."

Riptide raises his voice, "Enough."

He looks over at Union, "I don't think we have much of a choice. It's try with what we have or watch it fall flat in the field."

Frowning, he looks around, "This weekend. Steel's Gym."

He looks over at Linda, "If you get a chance, ask Starguard for scenarioes we can run through. The tougher the better."

Looking over at Union, Riptide nods, "I'll be at the usual place when you're ready, but I think I need to go cool off as well." With that, he disappears in a swirl of sea blue energy.

 Linda says, "Felix, I missed the moment when I insulted or accused any of you or your team of anything. Perhaps you can remind me while it's still fresh?"

Olympia reaches behind herself and pulls out the comm, to put it back down on the table. "If he's gonna be like that, this whole 'team' thing's already shot down", she says, glancing at Felix as he just up and leaves. "Y'all need my help, I'll give it... but all it takes is one negative player to ruin a team's ability to BE a team. That'll make the team even weaker than the sum of the individuals. He's definitely not acting like someone *I* think I can trust. I'll be on a team... but not with him, Heather. You start a team, and we can talk."

Bran says to Olympia, much more calmly now, "Felix is with CodeDark. They didnt' want to be on a team with us. So...that isn't an issue. He wasn't going to be on a team with the non-CD people. At least not yet."

"Hold up Ro-lympia." says Heather, grimacing at her slip. "Take that comm back. We'll set up our own frequency. Either way, I think we can make a positive thing out of this. We don't need their help. We'll be just fine without'em." she says as she steps over towards Bran. "Thanks for showing up by the way." she tells him. "Oh, so Code Dark is their team name?" She wrinkles up her nose, "That's not a great name. We need a better one."

Olympia glances at Bran, eyeballing him for a good few seconds, then over at Heather... then picks the comm back up to put back into her pouch.

Union says, "Team Nova isn't the greatest either..."

Linda says, "First you need a team. Not seeing it. Especially if you plan to waltz in and take over after Union and Riptide have been doing the grunt work."

Wild Thing takes deep breaths, trying to calm down. She knows she made things worse there. But given what she *felt* like doing when Phantom lost it, she was showing a lot of restraint!

 Felix says, "I apologies for including you then in my statement, miss. It was too broad apparently. (His tone is surprisingly calm)"

"Take over? Who's taking over?" asks Heather. She looks towards Union and Riptide and nods, "I didn't mean to act like I was doing this regardless of what you've done. If I sounded that way, then I apologize. You've been trying to work this out, and I think that's great. I didn't like the idea of us having to split into two teams but..." She gestures to the door.

"I've just been proven wrong. I do that now and then, get things wrong." And she smirks, "I -am- a blonde." And then she looks to Linda and nods, "Please forgive any frustration I may have caused -you- too Linda. And not just because I don't want to get punched by you." She offers a smile then and steps towards Wild Thing, "I still want to help you with your costume. So, what say we all come together and just... agree that we -are- a team? Not -my- team. Just -a- team. Trust me... I'm not leadership material, and I don't want to take over."

Wild Thing says, "... I guess the question is, does *anyone* want to take the lead? Cos that's what we need."

Bran pulls the communicator out of his ear as he hears Felix speak. But he does put it in his pocket. He's fairly subtle about it. "Are any of us good at like...tactics and the like? They'd be the best choice to call the shots in the field, whoever they are."

Olympia speaks up, "I know how to put together plays and work as part of a team, 'cause I'm an athlete. I can help with that part, making the plays, calling shots and stuff. I ain't studied tactics and stuff, though... just sports and that kinda thing."

Linda says, "How about you table the team idea for now until you all know each other better. For now have a, what word was used earlier, ah, an alliance. Can still train with each other. Turn up together. These comms will help. See how thing develop."

Wild Thing says, "Not me. See bad guy. pounce on bad guy."

Union says, "Some of you may disagree with me, but I think Felix was right about one thing. Phantom is a leader."

Shaking her head, Heather shrugs, "Best I do is to lose at games like Warcraft thirty seven." she states with a smirk. But she looks to the others, "I mean I can be -a- team face." Then she pauses and looks to Union, "You said that you ..." She starts, before Union speaks and she inclines her head, "What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?"

Wild Thing nods to Linda. "I said that too! The main thing is we learn to work as a team, even if we don't call ourselves a team yet."

Bran shrugs and looks to Union. "Phantom isn't with us, though. So we need someone else." He then nods slowly. "So...fine. We just get to know each other better first. See what happens."

Wild Thing says, "Maybe we'll find out who makes the best leader as we do that!"

"That's a good way to do it", Olympia says with a nod of her head.

"Okay. So, does anyone.." A growling stomach sound issues from Heather as she starts to speak.. and she absently reaches out to grab another of the sub sandwiches she brought with. Even as she keeps speaking, "..want to get a workout? Practice?" she asks before taking a bite.

Bran looks toward Heather, "Right now? I thought that's what people were planning for the weekend."

"Sure. But I had no plans, and just thought maybe someone might want to give it a shot, even in a small group." suggests Heather. "Plus, I actually enjoy working out."

Wild Thing says, "Speaking of workouts... I still have my question I've been wanting to ask..."

"I... guess I could", Olympia replies.

Wild Thing says, "I was going to ask Linda, but maybe it makes more sense to ask people with secret identities..."

Union says, "Sure. We need to discover each others strengths."

Wild Thing says, "The thing is... well, it's about being on sports teams in school when you have meta-powers. I mean, is it cheating? is there a way to do it without it being cheating? is it too risky?"

Lifting her brows, Heather was about to speak up, before Wild Thing mentioned it was more for the Secret ID crowd. So she clams up, takes another bite, and chews instead of speaking.

"If you can turn 'em off... just don't use your powers", Olympia says, right away. "Honestly, most of us are probably still stronger and faster and healthier and whatever than most normal folks, but at least you wouldn't be cheating. If you -can't- turn 'em off, and you're always stronger and faster... probably better to just step away and sit out, 'cause it's really hard to NOT do what you CAN do."

"Well, I suppose that depends on what the powers are and how you use'em. I mean... having the power to move things with your mind doesn't make you a better runner, right?" asks Heather. But she shrugs, "Yeah. If you -can- turn them off, awesome. But there's a reason I didn't go out for sports beyond my being busy with my modeling. I can lift six tons. It's not like that would be fair if I Were to .. spike a volleyball or something."

Union says, "I know that Victory wasn't allowed to participate in college."

Wild Thing says, "The thing is, i'm under a lot of pressure to join to be too good, but...."
 * something*. Because people have noticed I'm really good in Phys Ed. i try not

Union says, "Chess team?"

Olympia nods. "Just tell 'em you're not interested. It's your choice. If you do wanna, though, just remember your secret and do what you gotta do to protect it", she says to Wild Thing.

Union says, "I don't have that problem, because I don't have any powers when I'm not Union."

Linda nods, "Yes. Or any activity that takes time and isn't using your powers. Then you have a perfectly good reason, lack of time, for not doing what you are being pressured into."

Union says, "Or Archery"

Wild Thing says, "That's part of the problem. I *do* like exercise and junk now. And I guess it would be a good way to make new friends and stuff, but..."

Bran shrugs, "I'm the wrong person to ask, I think. I mean...my powers aren't really physical. I can try to not use them? But if I say...got knocked unconscious on a football field, I might knock out both teams in an instant. Probably all the more reason for me to not play contact sports."

Olympia remain silent, now, as others start talking about what they can and can't do and want or don't want to do. She does, finally, head for the table with the drinks and snacks on it, though.

Olympia remain silent, now, as others start talking about what they can and can't do and want or don't want to do. She does, finally, head for the table with the drinks and snacks on it, though.

"Make up some health problem that would make you unable to play?" suggests Heather. "I mean sure, it's lying, but... it's to protect yourself -and- them, right?" she asks, lifting her brows, "Oh wait, I promised to help you with costume stuff after the meeting. I should do that rather than make folks work out, shouldn't I?" she asks Wild Thing.

Wild Thing decides to risk giving a bit more away about herself. "It's also kind of hard for me to pretend i'm not into sports and stuff when I'm so obviously in shape. And, um, didn't used to be."

[To Heather] Wild Thing says, "Pos, the costume thing was another thing I really wanted to talk about today!"

Union says, "There are other reasons why people get in shape."

"Can you NOT be strong, when you wanna be, or is that always 'on' for you?", Olympia asks, as she picks up a little sandwich, taking a bite after her words are out.

Wild Thing says, "Well, I can avoid using all my strength, obviously. Bit it's not like I can turn my powers off in any way."

Phantom has listened calmly throughout, and is just rather tired of the flared tempers. He tries to calm Felix over their mindlink, even as Heather insults Summer's suggested team name for Code Dark. He'll have to smooth that over with Summer now, too. He finishes his soda, then flattens the can with both hands and slides it in his pocket to recycle later. Now he has to decide family over these strangers. That's not even a choice. "Yeah. I guess I'm not with you," he echoes Bran, sounding a little down that his efforts to organize have gone down in flames. But then he realizes it still got them to start talking and planning, even if it's out of spite in some way. "I better go check on Felix." He takes off his comm and sets it down on the table, and walks away calmly.

"... but it's hard to NOT use what you got", Olympia says. Her tone makes it a statement, not a question. "Are you lots faster than a normal person, too?" She glances over at Phantom as he walks away, but it's nothing like the look, and doesn't carry the same body language, she gave at Felix when -he- left.

Linda grabs the comm unit and hurries after Phantom. Holding it of she tells him, "You'll want this. At some point."

Wild Thing says, "Yeah. I don't know how fast I can run exactly. But it's got to be over 60."

Olympia chews another bite of her sandwich as she ponders. "How about jumping?", she questions, before popping the rest of the little sandwich into her mouth.

Wild Thing says, "long jump? About 25 yards."

Wild Thing says, "ANd I can lift over a ton and a half."

Nodding her head, Olympia says, "Well... that's like way more than the world record. Can you swim better than normal, too?"

Wild Thing grins. "Yeah. That was s surprise. Not sure how fast, but I actually kind of hydroplane..."

At least Heather has the grace to look abashed when she realizes Phantom hadn't in fact left before she started on her attempt to unite the others here by saying bad stuff about the departing folks.

But something finally occurs to her and she turns to regard Union. "So, you were trying to form a team, but already named it?" she asks.

Phantom halts when Linda comes after him. He's hesitant to take it back. "I don't really know about that," he says, just sounding disappointed as he turns his head back to the great hall.

"I'm talking -in- the water, not -on- it", Olympia says to Wild Thing, grinning.

Wild Thing says, "Pretty fast still, but not as fast."

Bran doesn't seem to have the same level of anger toward Phantom that he did toward Felix. He gets up as well, getting to the doorway to the hallway. He just calls after Phantom, "Take the communicator. Just because we're not on your team, that doesnt' mean we can't be in communication. This isn't all or nothing. Take it."

Linda continues holding out the comm unit, "You don't have tp like someone to vome to their help if they really need it, or tp join them for a while to help stop a deadly threat."

"I guess we'd hafta time you swimming a fifty, or something, and compare to known records", Olympia suggests. "It might be one sport where you can compete with non-metas on their level. Heck... maybe even just -diving-... or maybe golf?"

Union says, "Like I said before, Riptide - he was still going by Thunder then - and Crimson, Cerulean, and I entered the Best of the Best competition, and they require a team name. So we came up with Team Nova."

Wild Thing says, "Huh. I guess diving would be easier to *fake* not being too good at, at least. I mean, I'm not going to do more turns that I mean to... I suppose that goes for gymnastics, too."

"Gymnastics'd be harder to hide superhuman agility with, that diving. Golf's more about how accurately you can hit the ball, not how hard... and it's not a contact sport, either...", Olympia says, then tilts her head a bit to one side and asks, "... -does- the school have a golf team?"

Wild Thing shugs. "Not that i know, but maybe?

Olympia suggests, "Well... check that out, and diving. Non-contact, both of 'em, and both of 'em relying on stuff that's probably a lil bit easier to hide or fake...?"

Phantom sighs and accepts the comm, but slips it in his pocket. "I was hoping to form a larger team that everyone chose. The team name Code Dark was suggested by one of our members, and she liked it so much, we took it on to make her happy. Because we love her. Maybe I hoped too much that we could all grow to trust each other the way my fam does," he says, downhearted about the situation. "Family comes first. And you guys need a leader you choose. A name you choose. Not ours. I organized this meetup, and I still stand by what I said. We'll help anyone in trouble if they're in danger."

Wild Thing nods. "Thanks - i hadn't thought about diving! Maybe that's a good answer."

Glancing over, Heather realizes that she has spent pretty much her whole time at CHHS messing up and then apologizing. She really honestly didn't realize Phantom hadn't left when she spouted off her rhetoric. She hangs her head then and goes to grab one more sandwich before she aims for the door out, "Hey guys. You all figure that out. I'm gonna go see if I can screw up anything else today."

"If there's archery, that might be something to look at, too... someone else mentioned it before, and it's not a bad idea, either", Olympia says. "Anything that's non-contact or individual-skill, or both, would be a good fit, I think."

Wild Thing nods. "And might be somethig that's really a challenge!"

Union says, "If you decide to try screwing up Next Generation, let us know, I think we'd all want in on that."

Bran nods to Phantom and Linda. "And that might still happen in time. We might have a combined team eventually. Once people can trust each other more." He gives Phantom a wave, "Seeya around." He then heads back into the room where the food is, and he grabs some more of it.

Linda nods, "I'll help anyone in danger, Phantom. So will they. I think Code Dark is a cool name. As to them teaming up, can't see it happening. Hope it does but, well, I have Starguard Gamma. Team mates I respect and look up to."

Wild Thing overhears what Phantom says. "Excuse me," she says to Olympia then goes over to Phantom. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise that you were hoping for a single team too. And so I - well, I have a temper. Seems to come with the powers. I didn't mean to - you know...."

On her way out, Heather -attempts- to fix -something-. "Look." she says towards Phantom, "I know that I don't have an endless amount of do-overs. I wasn't trying to upset you, or mess with your people. I was just... trying to get these folks to come together, and a common enemy is a classic way to do that. If you can't forgive me, I understand. But you have my apology either way. It was uncalled for and I really need to think before I speak. I don't wish you any ill will. I -wanted- to be a part of your overreaching larger alliance." A pause, "I still think it's a good idea. I just don't really want to work with the other guy who just left earlier."

Olympia, for her part, stays by the snack table, where she picks up a glass and fills it with punch for herself. Being as Bran's there, too, she says to him, "Cool 'do, dude."

Phantom nods to Linda and smiles. "Well, as I said...Starguard has mentors. Resources. Maybe they can mentor you to leadership." He looks to Wild Thing, still offering a smile. "I get it. We're really just a tight chosen family who call ourselves Code Dark. Some call that a team. If we called ourselves anything else or worked with anyone else, we'd still be family first. It's...hard to explain without getting personal. I wanted a team for everyone, with a name the group chose and leaders they wanted. Not just joining under our flag and having to follow my lead."

Since it seems that almost everyone else has something to say to Phantom, Union chases after him as well. "Hey."

Bran runs a hand through his hair and chuckles. He says to Olympia, "Thanks. I uh...probably am gonna have to wear a hat or something if I'm going to like...fight villains or whatever. I kind of stand out, looking like this."

Wild Thing nods. "I snag it. Are we dozy?"

Phantom's smile and tone saddens. "But...maybe there's not really a way to make something for everyone. Hopefully you all can figure that out." He looks to Heather and nods. "We have a common enemy. Next Generation. He's gone for you and Bran. I was hoping to get a united front and a plan to teach them they're about to bite off more than they can chew. Mess with one, you mess with us all. Sorry it didn't work out."

Phantom nods to Wild Thing. "Dozy," he confirms.

Olympia nods to Bran. "Yeah. Yeah, you do", she agrees. "You could wear a hood... or a full cowl or something, I guess?", she offers as ideas.

Bran looks at his clothing, "Some armor might be good, too. Both uh...outings I've had went...well, not great."

Union says to Phantom, "I meant what I said, you know. To that CLOWN guy at the jewelry store."

"I'd actually love that." mutters Heather softly to Phantom. "I wish it'd worked out but..." She shrugs, "I'd still help if you ever needed it. I don't want you to hate me, though I wager your friend already does. And do me a favor. Don't tell your family member that I stupidly insulted her choice of team names? That was wrong of me."

"I can't help you there", Olympia says. Patting at a sleeve of her costume, she says, "This might look armored, but it really isn't. I don't need it to be."

Phantom chuckles kindly. "I don't hate you," he says to Heather. "Felix is fine. I'll talk to him. Sometimes he thinks I need protecting. And he's very protective," he shrugs, leaving out that Felix's plan worked a bit, even if he had to play the bad guy. He rubs the back of his head. "I'm afraid they already know...but I don't think they'll take it too hard." His head turns to Union. "I appreciated that. Thankfully the shrinking thing only lasted about 20 minutes. Didn't even hurt."

Bran nods. "I...suspect I can come up with something armor-wise. Not sure. But I should cover up a least a little. That's the first step."

"Oh, hey... Heather was telling the other girl (she never got Wild Thing's nomme de plume, after all) that she could help with a costume. Maybe she can help you with one, too?", Olympia suggests, before popping a little pretzel stick into her mouth.

Wild Thing says, "i don't want armour myself - I think it would slow me down too much. Even clothes mean I can't feel so much easily."

"Okay then." says Heather at the fact that Phantom doesn't hate her. "Okay. So.." she looks back to Wilf Thing, "So, do you want to look at some costume ideas online?"

Wild Thing says, "Let's do that!"

Eyes flickering past Wild Thing towards Olympia, "You too. If you guys want, I could add you to my Q-Tech account and buy you the Q-Tech Variable Clothing devices?" she asks, trying to helpful to potential friends and / or teammates.

Union asks Phantom, "Wanna go get a soda or something?"

"... Q-what, now?", Olympia questions.

"Maybe, but I got to check on Felix first," Phantom replies to Union. "Make sure he's good. Maybe smooth things over." That won't be hard, considering.

Wild Thing says, "That's generous of you, but - well, it sounds far too generous!"

Smirking a bit, Heather just reaches to her wrist and activates a control. Then her black leather costume becomes a teeshirt and bluejeans, "You know. Q-Tech Smart Clothing." she says. "Coming?" she asks with a grin as she turns t ohead out the door.

Olympia quickly downs the rest of her drink, then turns as if to follow after Heather... and vanishes in mid-step.

Wild Thing says, "Coming!"

Olympia leaves Takaga Mansion and enters Colonial Heights.

Union says, "Ok. Gimme a call."

Bran checks the time. "I should get to work, anyway." He gives a wave to those remaining. "I'll try to make it this weekend. We'll see. I might be able to find out my schedule today.

Phantom makes a point to check his phone, then pockets it. "Okay, Felix is fine, if you or anyone else wants to do soda or whateves."

Bran snorts at the idea of meeting up with Felix. Instead he just gives a wave and heads out the door. "Gotta go."

Phantom gives Bran a look as he leaves, raising a hand to wave goodbye and thinking the snort was about himself. He looks to Union as his hand lowers. "Felix won't be joining. He's got things to do."

Bran leaves Takaga Mansion and enters Colonial Heights.

Riptide reappears outside of themansion, looking thoughtfully up at it, but staying a respectful distance back. He doesn't want to intrude, after all, especially as he had to leave because of all the arguing and that he knew he might make it worse.

Union steps out through the door on Phantom's arm, "...I turned around and there he was, Victory himself, large as life and twice as handsome. I took a step back, and tripped over a cat I hadn't seen before and went right down on my butt!"

Phantom nods along as he patiently listens. "That sounds like some terrible luck. Are you, like, an homage to him?"

She laughs at the memory, "So Victory helps me to my feet, and the cat tells me to watch my step. And that was my first time at Steele's Gym."

Riptide is apparently lost in thought, not saying anything as he looks up at the mansion. In fact, he doesn't seem to be all there fully from the way his eyes are closed.

Union says, "Well, he's the greatest, isn't he? And when this," she gestures at herself, "first happened, I could see his poster on the wall behind me in the mirror. I wanted to be like him - brave and strong. I still do."

Phantom's eyes grow wide. "Wat?" he responds to the talking cat comment. "Twice as handsome as life? He sounds...dreamy," he replies with an amused smile. "There are posters of him...?"

Riptide opens his eyes, looking over, "Hm? Oh, hey, Union, Phantom." He announces, raising an eyebrow as he notes Union going on about Victory. "She doing the Victory thing?"

Phantom snaps his fingers. "Wait, isn't he the guy that 'Starguard's Ass' meme is about?"

Phantom is pretty sure Felix has that blown up to poster-size posted in his bunk.

Union says, "I'm not the one who started that."

Union says, "And yes, there are. I hear he give his share of the sales to charity."

Phantom smiles a bit. "You're not the one...? That seems like an odd thing to assert if you weren't."

Union says, "Well I didn't."

Union thinks. o O (But it is my wallpaper on my computer.)

Phantom looks to Riptide. "Is this a thing?" he asks.

Riptide snorts, "Just wait. It'll get worse. Makes me feel inferior and I've got a body builder physique in this form."

Phantom makes a note that Riptide said this form. "Why would it...? Oh, you two...?" he implies something and points between the two of them.

Union says, "Soda, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember," Phantom chuckles.

Riptide raises an eyebrow, "Team mates, remember? Well, about as close as we can get... oh, I did want to say one thing, Phantom?"

Phantom nods. "Yeah?"

Riptide smiles, "Thank you. For stopping me from a lot of rash decisions these past few times."

Phantom blinks a few times in surprise. That wasn't at all what he was expecting, so it takes him a moment before he smile and responds, "Yeah, sure, man. Sorry if I come down harsh, but I don't want people getting in trouble with the cops."

Union says, "Like I said, he's a leader." She grins slyly and adds, "Almost as good as Victory."

Riptide shrugs, "He is. I admit I was questioning myself a bit, too, these past few weeks, too. In any case, I should probably go bug someone to show me around. Maybe Imouto, I guess? I'm curious what all this place has myself. I didn't get the first tour."

Phantom rubs the back of his head. "Not good enough, though," he sighs. "Maybe I can learn some things from this Victory guy if he's approachable."

Union says, "Well, nobody's perfect." She opens her mouth to say more, but closes it after a glance at Riptide."

Riptide shakes his head, "Phantom, you're fine as you are. Keep doing what you're doing and just learn from any mistakes. That's the best you can do. In any case, I need to get going. I got an overseas call coming in... plus something I'm working on to contribute to this whole team coalition thing, if nothing else to keep us from teleporting around so much."

"Except Victory?" Phantom grins as Union closes her mouth.

Union blushes, "You read my mind."

Phantom grins at that, then nods to Riptide. "Well, we'll all keep trying. Take care of yourself," he holds out a closed first for a fist bump.