Log:An Open Invitation to Teen Metas

2020/04/22 	 Amelia Wild Thing Union Kid Tengu Phantom Riptide Radical

1

The lobby receptionist has instructions to send any costumed teens up to the penthouse of the 30th floor. The penthouse doors are open and musci can be heard from within.

Amelia is flitting from kitchen to great room bringing out snacks and soft drinks.

Invitations for the event were distributed in multiple manners. Paid ads in the CHHS and Bayside Academy school newspapers, HeroNet, and a notices in Past Times coffee shop and Steel's gym.

Wild Thing isn't exactly sure what she's wearing is a costume, exactly. But the receptionist seems to get the idea anyway. She rides up in the elevator as instructed.

Kid Tengu

His heroic armored form is made of up two distinct layers, one a singular black body covering up his more muscular & defined form while the other is an armor plating covering his hands, torso, shoulders, neck & head. (TL;DR picture: https://bit.ly/2VntLyS) The head has a large backwards pointed crest running down the center of his head & his large forearms feature a similar spur. This armor is seemingly chitinous where flexibility is required & more of a bone like material where durability is key (across the shoulders, back, chest, over hands). A red gem sits right over the navel and is seemingly is held in an area reminiscent of the maw of some terrible beast.

Despite the armored head his eyes move fluidly & give away his countenance (a la classic Spidey) with ease. His almond shaped eyes radiate a heavy, menacing glow preventing any details such as iris or pupils from being seen. This bioluminescence is prone to leaving behind an afterglow when he moves quickly.

This light seems to be under his control as when sneaking about or hiding in shadows this light is not visible though his highly reflective eyes may be. Due to being designed to see in near perfect darkness they seem to shine in certain lighting.

Each arrival is greeted by Amelia. Offered a drink, and told to make themselves at home. The choice of music is mostly light rock and rock with a few slightly harder metal numbers.

Riptide arrives pretty reasonably. He's not sure what his only living teacher might have in mind, but is intrigued enough to find out. The super-strong, aquatic teen waits for Union, though, thanking the receptionist as he waits in the lobby for her hopefully.

Curiosity and a general desire to become acquainted with others of like mind brings Mercury to the Steinburg Tower, pausing in the lobby to keep Riptide company during the wait for Union.

Amelia greets the first arrival, Wild Thing. "Welcome to my home. I'm Amelia, your host for this evening."

Wild Thing rather curiously stands upright to meet Amelia, all politely, then resumes her crouch and starts poking around the place, exploring! Still new to sharpened senses, she's keen to check out every odd sound, smell or touch.

Wild Thing says, "Thanks you - I go by Wild Thing. I was kind of surprised by the invitation though - what's it all about?"

Union arrives and stops short, staring at Amelia. She's only just seen that same face on two other people a few days ago.

Most of the penthouse is open and accessible. One cabinet in the kitchen is locked. The alcoholic drinks cabinet. Amelia isn't so old she's forgetting what teens can be like.

Wild Thing notices the smell of alcohol from the cabinet, naturally. Something she can't check out, though.

Amelia tells Wild Thing, "I'll explain in a while. When everyone who's coming is here. Ah, and here are the next guests. Excuse me while I go greet them. She goes over the Union, Thunder, and Mercury group. "Welcome to my home. I'm Amelia, your host for the evening."

Riptide gives a small bow towards Amelia as he enters, "Greetings, sensei. Thank you for inviting us all."

Union says, "I...er...have we met before?""

Bayside's newest teen sensations arrive a few moments later- Travis & Kid Tengu- who arrive by stairs, emerge on to the penthouse floor and move towards Amelia's front door.

Being from a world overrun & then divided up by super-villains no one can fault them from believing this whole thing was a trap to catch up goodie two-shoes in the midst of 'Unauthorized Metahuman Activiity'- a charge that easily carried a death sentence back home.

They move in relative silence.

<< I feel like we're stepping into a fiery maw. You sure you don't feel a legion of enforcers on the other side of that wall?>> KT asks as he points towards the wall with Amelia's apartment on the other side.

<> He adds to their third who isn't with them physically.

KT looks to Phantom one more time, looking for something he doesn't find. Then he sighs and knocks on the door.

Amelia looks at Union, "Not yet. Of course as one of the Travellers, it's always possible you've met me before I've met you. Time travel can be like that. But as far as I know, we haven't met."

Wild Thing finishes her initial mad tear round checking things out and perches on the back of a chair to meet others as they come in.

Union says, "Because I've seen your face - twice - just a few days ago...elsewhere..."

Union says, "It was you and yet...not?"

"Anyway, make yourselves at home. There's snacks and soft drinks in the great room, and more in the kitchen." Amelia smiles as she sees another pair arriving. "Excuse for, I should greet the new arrivals."

Wild Thing says, "Hey," to people as they come in.

<< I don't sense hostility yet, or enforcers. >> Phantom places a hand on Kid Tengu's shoulder and gives it a squeeze; a warning he's about to go Astral. His astral form separates from his physical body, existing on the astral plane. It walks forward through the wall unseen and looks around, then steps back to reunite with Phantom's body. << None inside. And I didn't sense any attack when I meditated on this gathering. >>

Amelia glances back at Union. "You must tell me about it. If she, they, were jerks, probably a dopple. Some are good folks, I'm told. Not met one yet."

Riptide looks confused, then over to Amelia, "So... wait... you're not the one that was teaching me about sensing magic and all?" He looks very, very confused, then shakes his head as he looks over to Union. "... I swear magic is going to give me a headache one of these days. First the plant lady, now dopplegangers of people?"

Wild Thing grins to Riptide. "Not used to Colonial Bay?" Of course, magic and whatnot is weird to her as well, but as a proud Colonial Bayer she pretends nothing fazes her.

<> KT says after Phantom returns to his body. His demeanor tightens up quickly and is relaxed jsut as quickly when Phantom is whole once more.

In truth part of him isn't sure what he was wishing for- a trap, which would prove his whole outlook right, or somehting civil & good-spirited which would keep him feeling off balance. This whole world seems to have that effect on him- even after days of studying pop culture.

Phantom goes rigid a bit. << There were these watchers on the astral plane, though. They saw me. I've never experience that before. Let's be careful.>>

Amelia walks briskly over to where she can greet Phantom and KT. "Hello and welcome to me home. Come in and make yourselves at home. There's drinks ans snacks in the great room, and a number of other metas of your age already here."

<> KT replies before moving to shake Amelia's hand.

"Hello. Thank you for the invitation." He says cooly but with a strong hint of formality.

Amelia smiles as she shakes KT's hand. "It's a pleasure. I enjoy meeting new heroes."

Wild Thing greet KT with a 'Hey" as well, not recognising him.

Riptide looks over at Wild Thing. "Huh. The girl from the ATM robbery. And I'm used to it. Magic's just one of those things that I'm still getting used to, even if I'm magically empowered." He moves over to take a seat on a couch, removing his sword and leaning it against the couch beside him as he does. "So you got a name or anything?" He motions at Wild Thing. "I go by Riptide. Oh, and I kinda helped out those three kids a bit. I'm still trying to find a way to fund one of their parents' cancer treatment."

Phantom looks like he's made of pure black energy. Only his clothing has shades of gray, and his eyes are pure white with no pupils or irises. His hair is a bit long and coifed on the top, and waves a bit slowly all on its own. He waits for Kid Tengu to introduce himself, then offers his hand. "Pleased to meet you," he says, but there's no movement of a mouth visible.

Amelia shakes Phantom's hand. "Excuse my curiousity but can you eat and drink? Or is there some other form of refreshment I can get you?"

[To Riptide] Wild Thing says, "I'm Wild Thing. Hoped I might meet others I met at the robbery!"

Phantom chuckles. "That's the first time anyone bothered to ask me that. I can," he clarifies.

Union approaches Riptide and Wild Thing, bringing a plate a assorted snacks and a couple of soft drinks. "I'm sorry I missed it. Sounds like quite a show." She offers them the food and drink.

<< Its like being in the twilit zone. If I didn't know better I'd think she actually meant that so /you/ could be comfortable, not so she could prepare for your enslavement or manipulation. Bizarre. Super Bizarre.>> KT says as he moves further into the room. He knows Phantom can generally take care of himself but he stops to wait for his friend- just in case.

He looks around the room sizing everyone up and noting the faces he recognizes- namely Wild Thing.

Wild Thing says, "No need to bring the food round!" Though it doesn't stop her from picking out some particular snacks to devour.

Riptide smiles at Union, taking a soda and some snacks. He looks to Wild Thing, "You're the one that caught the girl, right? Turns out those kids were doing it because one of their moms had a cancer come back, so money was pretty tight. I'm looking into helping out on it here. That, and trying to find something for those kids to do with their powers instead of cause mass panic and nearly run us over with them."

Union says, "I heard about that. Didn't some girl get trampled?"

Union doesn't take any of the snacks for herself.

Wild Thing says, "It is them that has the powers then - it wasn't magic paint or something? I know it was beginning to look like that."

Amelia moves into the great room and lowers the music volume. "Hello, and welcome to all of you. I have a speech prepared. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know it's a short one. In case you're wondering why this event, why the invitations to it, name name is Amelia Steinberg. Yes, the same Steinberg as the Tower is named for. I was a teen hero myself at one time. It was both the best of days and the worse of days. Yes, I totally ripped that off Dickens. I made friendships that endure to this day. I hope this party can be start of similar friendships for some of you. I also remember going without lunches because my lunch money was spend on things needed to do the hero activites. That I can, and will be willing, to help with. As some may know, I'm quite well off. I intend,if you premit, to help fund your heroic efforts. No strings attached. That's my speech. Thanks for listening, and now get on with enjoying yourselves."

Phantom tries not to chuckle at Kid Tengu's comments. << That...may be the case. Like I said, I don't sense any maliciousness from her. >> He loses his view of Amelia as Kid Tengu moves away, but he can still sense her move. He turns around to join Kid Tengu.

Riptide shrugs, "I don't know for sure. One definitely had magic that I could sense, but it was before I managed to learn a lot about my senses. I'll need to track the kid down." He pauses to listen to Amelia's speech, then seems to consider as he looks at Amelia, then to Union. He looks over at Kid Tengu and Phantom, "Hey! You can stop standing in the corner. Come on over and have a seat."

Wild Thing says, 'This one if you like!" - and jumps off the back to leave it clear.

Wild Thing is rather curious in the approach to her food. Of each item, she takes a sniff, then a small nibble, which she savours slowly. Then she downs the rest of it voraciously.

Amelia goes over to Radical, "Hi. Glad you could make it. So, what did you think of my little speech. Made the right kind of impression do you think?"

Radical steps inside and waves to Amelia. "Hey there. I'm not sure if you did, to be honest."

Amelia nods, "I never was any good with speech writing. Or speaking for that matter. So how would you have done it, Radical?"

Wild Thing overhears Amelia talking to Radical and lopes over. "I think maybe people are thinking it's just a bit weird. Not often nups throw parties for us!"

Kid Tengu listens to Amelia as she manages to hit him with a One-Two combo he has no idea how to counter. Free food, drinks, networking 'Lunch Money'? Its more than he can easily believe. Like watching a butterfly pull an 18-wheeler.

Luckily for him his current form doesn't really have a mouth so there's nothing to hang agape.

<> He replies, still trying to find the 'ah-ha' but the term 'no strings attached' transverses their respective origin dimensions so that's certainly making things harder.

KT winces at the invitation for Phantom and he to join the others but they did come here to get the low down. It wouldn't do them much good to be wallflowers.

He nods. "Arid- thanks for the warm welcome." He says to WT & Riptide as he moves towards them, only pausing long enough for Phantom to come along.

<< If this chair turns into a restraining device I'm going to punch you. Fair warning.>> KT adds before heading toward the seat.

He snags a couple of drinks along the way, turning back to hand one to Phantom.

Wild Thing adds, "Not that I'm complaining," and bounds back to join the newcomers. "Hi! I'm Wild Thing."

Amelia smiles, turns to Radical, "nups. That takes me back a ways. I think teens never realise that us 'nups' were teens ourselves at one time."

<< Well. I'm not saying she's doing it for re-education as far as I can tell with a surface read, but I could go deeper. >> Phantom holds out his hand to accept the drink. <> He sips the drink and turns his head Radical's way. "Who's, ah, that one?" he asks.

Union speaks up, "I am called Union. I hope to have the chance to work together with you, as I have with Riptide."

Riptide hums, then looks at Phantom and Kid Tengu carefully. "Ease up, you two. We're all pretty friendly. I'm Riptide." He smiles, "I don't think I've ever seen you two before?"

Radical chuckles and says to Amelia, "I have no idea what a 'nups' is." He waves to the group, "I go by 'Radical'. And yes...I've already heard the joke you have in your head now. I'm also an instructor for many things. Magic is one of those things."

Wild Thing says, "Huh. Another magic one..."

KT opens his drink and moves to sit down. <> He teases before nodding to WT, Union & Riptide.

"Oh- yeah. Sorry. This is my first 'meta-party'" KT admits with a self-effacing tone. "I"m Kid Tengu, friends call me KT- this is my - umm, partner. Phantom." He says as he indicates the figure he came with.

He flops down in the seat and takes a tentative sip of his drink.

Wild Thing says, "My first meta-party too!"

Mercury rejoins the congregation, moving as though sliding on a plane of liquified metal that never strays far from where she stands. "A first for many of us perhaps," she utters. "Mercury, I am, as mercury, I am akin. Minus the toxicity."

Riptide considers, then looks to Union before he looks to the others, "I think it's a first for a lot of us. I used to go by Thunder if it helps any. Seriously, maybe we should keep doing this? It's a bit nice to see we're not just a few kids trying to be heroes, but that there's others out there."

Wild Thing grins. "Maybe we could even form a team! There have been teen teams before in Colonial Bay."

Amelia lowers her voice a little, expecting the music and chatter will made eavesdropping impossible, "Radical, be on the lookout. The hero called Union said she saw a couple of people with my face. There may be dopples around."

Phantom pops the tab on his soda and brings his drink to where a mouth should be, sniffing at it delicately. << No almond scent. That's promising.>> He takes a small sip. << You're going to let me see my own face (how kind) as you punch me?>> He raises a hand in greeting as KT introduces him.

Radical raises a brow and looks to Amelia, Well, I did see Magpie recently. Probably the same trip."

Mercury motions to indicate Riptide and Union. "There is interest in forming a team exclusively made of teens. Means of contact was simply lacking before."

KT's eyes betray the smile obscured by the rest of this form's design. "Well that's a relief." He says, visibly loosening up a bit- using his shapeshifting abilities as subtly as he can to sell the whole package.

He considers this a good time for high-fives all around but is interrupted by WT suggesting a massive crossover. He isn't ready for that kind of commitment.

His arms stay tucked close to his body.

<> KT replies before making kissy sounds over their mind space.

"I wouldn't be adverse to meeting up." He says finally, not wanting to sound against socializing- but he's not one to trust easily so that is off the table for now.

Union

Union stands tall, about 5' 8", with short, unruly, blonde hair, blue eyes, fair, freckled complexion, dimples, and a friendly, open expression. She is quite lovely (+2 Striking Appearance), but more of a Mary Ann than a Ginger. She usually wears a unitard which shows off her toned, athletic body. The unitard is divided into three sections, below the hips it is dark blue with white stars, and above it is divided along a line from the left hip to the right shoulder, white on the left, and red on the right. She also wears calf-high boots, red on the left foot and white on the right.

Wild Thing grins. "That's good, since you're here now!"

Amelia looks at Radical, "Magpie, huh? What was she up to this time?"

Radical shrugs, "Nearly got herself killed framed for a murder. And then as she was being freed, tried to steal something." He shakes his head.

Riptide looks considerate, "Once a month sound good far as meeting? And yeah, we're trying to form a team. Mostly because well... we're teenagers, and this sort of thing is pretty neat. Plus, having people to watch your back whenever you're about to be hit by a giant robot or someone's about to flame broil you is also good"

Radical nods toward Union, "She was there, too."

Phantom keeps quiet and sips his drink. << Excuse me? That's not fun for me, either. What on Earth do you think my type is?>> He gives a quiet nod at the mention of a team. << I don't know if we should mention we already have a family. Or 'team', if that's what they call that here. >>

[To Riptide] Wild Thing says, "Plus. doing stuff with others is more fun! Mostly."

Amelia asks Radical, "Are you SURE it was a frame? I don't know about Magpie but certainly wouldn't put it past Predator or Tyrant to kill."

Wild Thing gets the sense KT doesn't think much of the team idea. "No presh, you know? I just said that spur. DOesn't mean everyone has to team up!"

"Team up...against what, exactly?" Phantom finally speaks up in his echoing voice.

Mercury remains quiet through this portion of the talk, keeping her distance from the notion.

Wild Thing says, "Vils, of course! And other bad stuff. It's what heroes do, right?"

Radical nods to Amelia, "It was a frame job, for sure. The culprit was found." He then looks aorund and says to Amelia, "Is this all of hte local teen metas? You invited everyone to your home?"

<> KT says continuing to tease until the teaming is mentioned.

<> KT says in that 'of course I am the greatest- I was raised by a suervillian' tone of his.

"I just think it may be a bit early for getting official. I don't mean to put your idea down." KT says to Riptide. "Some backup would be nice though." He adds, conceding at least a bit to keep their lines of communciation open.

"If you say so, Wild Thing." He replies with a nod, sounding uncertain of the viability of banding together like that.

Amelia looks over the gathered teens, "This is all the ones who showed up. I sent invites by various means to as many as I could."

"I have my doubts as to this being the entirety of those aged in teens and meta," Mercury muses. "There are those wary of being known. Those hiding for their own reasons. Those who have no faith in others."

Wild Thing tilts her head. "You are ros. right?" It occurs to her sudenly that she's never heard of these two, and given they seem to be doubtful about the whole hero business...

Mercury offers to Wild Thing, "Best to not ask questions such as that. Not everyone wears one or the other. If they are or are not, does it truly matter?"

Riptide raises an eyebrow, looking at Phantom, "You've not been doing this long, have you? I've been doing this.... like half a year. I've faced so far some sort of giant robot, the whole alternate Porter thing, an undead zombie thing that was animated by some magic user, and gone to different dimensions. Seriously I even helped on some dimension thing and nearly got trampled by other dimensions." Riptide looks quite serious when he says that.

He looks to Kid Tengu, "Hey, the offer's pretty open. There was even talk about having teams for the different schools or something going on." The muscle bound teen shrugs before taking a sip of his soda. "But what I meant was at least meeting up somewhere every once in a while. Compare notes, ask for help on things we're working on. See if we can figure stuff out that we couldn't alone."

Wild Thing shrugs to Mercury. "I guess it doesn't matter if they call themselves that. But whether they're on the right side - that matters!"

Phantom chuckles in amusement at Riptide. "Ah, there it is. I was waiting for someone to flex."

"Barring demonstration otherwise, in my perspective, they are on the right side," Mercury offers with a nod. "And even then, I would not feel condemnation is an answer.

Wild Thing says, "Hey, I was just asking. Just came to me spur that anyone could have turned up to this party."

"I apologize for sounding judgemental," Mercury offers with a bob of her head.

KT looks at Wild Thing with surprise. He replies easily though bys aying, "That's the plan anyway. But labels aren't really my thing. You will know me well enough by my deeds." He nods to Wild Thing and turns towards Riptide.

"That I would not be adverse too. Some notes on how to accomplish our goals & compare our efforts with others would be very useful." KT says in a much more agreeable tone. "I can only speak for myself, but once a month doesn't sound like too much to commit to."

He turns back to the others. "I thank you for your... faith." He says before turning to Phantom and giving him a knowing look. <> He asks over their mind link.

He cuts back to Wild Thing, "It is wise to be wary nonetheless. You never know when someone might be plotting to stab you in the back. Best to plan for it."

"The city's population is in the millions," Mercury muses. "I would be unable to plan for such a mangitude of back-stabbing."

Wild Thing grins. "I don't know!" And does a flip, landing in a place where if someone were stabbing her in the back she'd now be behind them, punching out into their imaginary back.

<< Like you said. Faith.>> Phantom's psychic message is smooth and relaxed. << I just want to make sure these others are trustworthy before relying on them in a fight. >>

Riptide rolls his eyes, "That's not flexing. It's actually true." He comments towards Phantom. Then he looks to KT. "Thanks? But yeah, once a month, and if we can find some others to come around, be a bit cool, too. I'm sure there's a few that have powers and might enjoy seeing others like them around?" He seems to consider, then gets a grin as he looks over at Amelia, "Hey, can we get a picture that can be posted on the HeroNet or the like of all of us? I mean, might help to get others to come out and meet us."

Amelia mentions to Radical, "Almost time to move the gathering. The BBQ and Kalua pua?a should be ready for eating by now over on KiWi-357."

Amelia nods, "Easy enough. Assuming eveyone wants to be in a photo?"

Phantom sips quietly. "I can already see you're going to be a problem," he replies in neutral tones to Riptide. "Starting off with a backhanded comment and boasting is a total flex move. Then rolling your eyes when called on it? I've got you clocked."

Union says, "We can acheive more working together than we can working separately."

Wild Thing says, "I guess a photo is fine."

KT holds his hands up. "I would prefer /not/ to be photographed." He says aloofly. "But you all go ahead. Enjoy your recognition. I refer to move freely wherever possible."

He takes another sip of his soda instead.

Radical nods to Amelia, "Ah, I see. Heading there, I take it?"

[To Kid Tengu] Wild Thing says, "The idea isn't exactly to be recognised. It's advertising!"

Amelia nods to Radical, "After the photo I think." Pulling out her PDA, "If you want to be in the photo gather around by the chairs. If you'd rather not be in it, shift off the the side."

[To Phantom] Riptide says, "Uh-huh. Sure. I was just saying what I've experienced so far. Whether you believe it or not, that's your problem."

Wild Thing crouches in front of the chairs. "This good? Or am I too low?"

Union says, "The giant robot - that was when we first met, right? When we saved the dragon?"

Phantom hears the comments on advertising and decides to follow Kid Tengu's lead and steps aside to be excluded. << Without even knowing what foes are out there, they want to advertise to them? I don't get it. >> He replies in a zen tone to Riptide, "Oh, I believe you're not lying. But I know you're trying to use it as bragging rights to play alpha dog over me. I don't play that game."

KT leaps straight up into the air and clings to the ceiling, well out of the way of any camera's POV.

<> KT says to Phantom over their Mind Link.

Amelia takes a couple of photos, chimps them. "All good. If you want a copy just hold your PDASs up."

Wild Thing adjusts her hair to make sure her face is well-hidden, and adopts a feral pose.

Radical watches the few that avoid being photographed and just makes a mental note to remember faces.

Wild Thing says, "I'd like one, but I don't have my PDA here."

KT produces a PDA nonetheless so he can have the photo as well. THey are here for intel after all.

Union stands up straight for the photo, hands on her hips.

Phantom replies to KT << It's more than he led with the public declaration assuming I'm unskilled, then trying to position himself as an authority with that list. His delivery blows.>>

Amelia says, "Switch to IR data transfer mode. Download should take about eighteen seconds."

Union holds up her PDA. "That robot-guy got away, so he's still out there somewhere."

To Wild Thing she says, "You should be able to download from HeroNet after one of the teens here posts to that."

Wild Thing says, "Thanks."

Amelia sends the photos to receptive PDAs. Then announces, "Time to move venue. There's a BBQ and Kalua pua'a ready to eat on a nice semi-tropical beach. Follow me please."

Wild Thing says, "On a beach? For real?"

Amelia nods, "Yes. For real. A beach.

Riptide shakes his head looking at Phantom, "I'm not the whole 'alpha dog' type. Shoot, I'm the last one you want as leader at all. I don't have the head for tactics, and I'm probably the first that'll tell you that I can handle most stuff by running into it head first. Ask Union."

He quirks an eyebrow, "What's a Kalua pua'a?" He asks as he gets up to follow. Then grins, "A beach might be fun. I've not had a good swim in a while. How long can we stay out?"

KT chuckles from his perch on the ceiling as if someone said something funny.

He cuts eyes towards Phantom and then to Amelia when she speaks of moving venues. His heart rate quickens.

The first rule of meeting up with someone you don't knwo is /never/ go to a secondary location. ESPECIALLY in a strange universe!

Wild Thing says, "You didn't say it was a beach party... Might have dressed differently."

Union says, "It may not matter, she said something to me earlier about being a time-traveller I think?"

Wild Thing thinks. o O (I guess the idea is people are in costume. I should probably get a real one....)

Amelia grins, "That's one of the advantages of this beach. Time passes faster there, so ten hours on the beach is just one hour back here. Which came in incredibly handy when I had school assignments edging close to the deadline for handing them in."

Wild Thing says, "Where are we going, Undermoon? I read it works kind of like that there...."

Riptide whistles at that. "That is very handy. Is the portal open all the time here?"

Amelia shakes her head. "Not Undermoon. I wouldn't hear a word spoken against them. The Fae are wonderful people. Stuck up, arrogant, opinionated, but wonderful people." She chuckles, "No. It's an alternate Earth. I call it KiWi-357, because the climate is like New Zealand and it was the 357th Earth I visited."

Phantom shares Kid Tengu's discomfort. << I know. I'm not so sure either. Especially with the rest of the gang not here. >>

Wild Thing says, "Arid! Let's get going, then!"

Radical nods. "If there's a problem, I can get people back as well. I can cross dimensional barriers."

Amelia says, "The lagoon is great for swimming. There's swim costumes and masks over there for you to use. Stay in the lagoon though. Out in the deeper water there are mega-sharks who would not believe.""

Wild Thing says, "Ooh. How mega?"

Amelia says, "150ft long. Those are the little one."

Radical nods slowly, glancing toward Phantom and Tengu before turning to Amelia, "You might want to rethink the venture to the other Earth. I'm not convinced everyone is comfortable with it. Which I kind of understand, if they don't know you."

Wild Thing thinks. o O (Ok. That sounds scary, even with powers...)

Riptide looks over at Amelia, whistling a bit. "Really? Can I go out there? I want to see one. I've not even seen a whale before up close. Sharks don't even get that big here."

Amelia looks a little disappointed. But nods. "Okay. How about Hawaii?"

Union notices that some seem reluctant. "I have never heard anything bad said of Ms. Steinberg, not by any of the heroes I've met here in Colonial Bay. I believe she is trustworthy."

Phantom sips on his soda and shares with KT, << I think we'll blow our cover if we don't go.>>

<< I'll go over first. If I don't get vaporized- then you can follow I guess. If I do get vaporized- tell the gang we're even. You all saved me. I died. Even.>> KT drops down from teh ceiling and manuevers himself to stand near Phantom.

He snaps his head towards the mention of Hawaii. He knows its far- but the world they had, well Hawaii wasn't half so intact after the villians started slicing the world up.

<< I don't like that much more- but its.. .Hawaii. Ha-Wai-II! We've got to go.>> KT says- his mental tune totally turned around.

Riptide looks considerate, then to Amelia, "How are you getting the BBQ and Kal-whatever over there?"

Mercury gently mentions to Union, "Giving benefit of the doubt is vastly different from trust. The former, freely given. The latter, must be earned."

Phantom glances quickly at Kid Tengu, caught by surprise. << That's not okay. I'm not about to ask you to do something like that if you think that's really the case. Which I'm not getting the vibes from. I didn't sense any of us getting vaporized when I tried to peer into the future.>> He has a hidden grin as KT is suddenly on board for the tropics.

Amelia smiles, "Hopefully with the assistance of a team mate. Let me check." She pops out her PDA, phones Tali, "Hi. Can you do me a big favor. Book a good Hawaii beach front hotel and arrange for a BBQ and Kalua pua'a roast pig to be ready for, say, now?"

KT turns towards the adults in the room and nods. "IF it's not too much trouble. Otherwise its ok. We appreciate the hospitality you've shown us." KT says in a serious and respectful tone. He is appreciaitve but moving off world without his friends is still probably not a good idea. And Hawaii! How can anyone raised in the Grand Obsidian (Orbital) Tower say no to Hawaii?! He can't. He won't!

Amelia nods to herself, "Yes, that's right. The whole hotel."

Tali replies, "Oh - I wondered what this send-to-Amelia now note was. Sending you the details. Now, I'd better go do that before I forget...."

Mercury wonders, "What will become of current guests in that hotel?"

Amelia says, "Thanks. You're a party saver. See you soon."

Amelia looks over to Mercury, "Oh. There won't be any. The hotel will be booked far enough in the past that there will be no guests when we arrive."

Riptide blinks, looking to the other teens, then to Amelia. "Uh... can you explain what just happened?"

Wild Thing thinks. o O (This day keeps getting weirder...)

Amelia nods to Riptide, "When you need to make a sudden change in arrangements it's very helpful to have a time traveller friend."

Radical nods "We have a mutual team member who is a time traveller. Timewarp. I can only see through time. I can't travel through it on my own."

KT just looks impressed. "Wow- umm. I don't know how to thank you for adjusting your plans for us." He says after a moment to get his bearings. 'Nice' usually costs a lot where they're from. Time travel is even rarer.

But not by much.

Amelia opens a gate from the penthouse to the private Hawaiian beach owned by the hotel. "Come through when you're ready. No more than two at a time. The hotel shops will supply any swim gear, sun lotion, etc., you need. It's all paid for."

By the widening of his white eyes, Phantom looks surprise, too. "Yeah. I don't know that it was required, but it's appreciated." << See? No vaporization. You're still stuck with us. >>

Wild Thing bounds through the gate readily enough, which may be encouraging.

Amelia steps through and waves from the other side.

Union steps through.

Mercury passes through the portal early, without making it seem urgent. Her form takes on a more clearly defined feminine shape while still looking like a loosely defined metal sculpture.

It's Hawaii. Five star beach front hotel. Private beach. Hotel staff waiting to wait of you. What more needs to be said.

Riptide shrugs then passes through. He looks around after they arrive. He blinks a few times, whistling a bit. "Nice."

<> KT replies giving Phantom a gentle elbow before he passes through. << I'm still going first... jsut in case this is a really sneaky trick.>>

The smells of a BBQ drift in the air. Up near the hotel a roast pig warpped in palm leaves is being dug out of a fire pit. Traditional Hawaiian meal.

From the otherside he thinks to Phantom, <>

Union says quietly to Riptide and Mercury, "I've been noticing some looks between KT and Phantom. I think one of them is like me." She taps her temple to show her meaning.

Radical steps through as well after the others, "I am really unprepared for this, Amelia. I'd rather not actually change out of my costume. And it's goign to be hot. The problems with a secret identity, I guess."

Wild Thing follows the smell of the food - not least to check that the impossibly ordered food does indeed exist!

Phantom chuckles as he's elbowed by surprise. He lets KT go first since he insists. << My god. You've been playing us all along>> he jokes. As KT gives the all clear, he follows. "Guess you beat me here. Fair's fair."

Amelia reminds Radical, "There's an air conditioned bar. I think I'll be retiring to there myself when the teens are settled."

Radical points to Amelia, "There we go. That works."

Riptide looks considerate, "Oh, Amelia? I could actually use your help on something?"

Amelia nods to Riptide, "If I can help of course I will.

Mercury produces beach blanket things made from metallic threads, setting them out. Dulled so they aren't painful to look upon from angles that involve the sun.

KT's suited form shifts and he gains toes so he can wiggle them in the warm sand. "Sooo nice." He says quietly.

<< I wonder what all they keep in a Hotel Shop? Do they sell Hotels there? Hotels and bathing suits? What a strange store!>> KT thinks towards Phantom as he smiles at him- not that he can see his smile.

He wraps his arm around his friend so they can find out! His social media & holo studies haven't filled in all the blanks and a lot was lost in between WW3 and their local time in their reality.

Radical nods and heads to the air conditioning, at least for the time being. But it also makes it clear to the teens that he's not hovering.

Mercury approaches Phantom and Kid Thunder. "Three of us are already familiar with one another, and you seem similarly, if not greater in closeness. Will you sit with us?"

<< The hotel is the building. It won't sell itself. But maybe snacks and the things Ms. Steinberg said? Sunblock and swimming trunks?>> Phantom can't see the smile, but he gets an impression that KT is smiling. He has a concealed grin as KT wraps an arm around him. He looks in Mercury's direction. "Sure, we can do that. We were going to check out the hotel stop first to get beach ready, though. If you want to join our detour?"

"I would," Mercury replies, sending a filament beneath the sand to pop up with a miniature Mercury to inform Union and Riptide, complete with voice. Tiny voice.

KT's masked face shifts into a smile- well what looks like could be a smile anyway. He nods in agreement with what Phantom said to Mercury.

"Yes- since we won't be purchasing any large land shares I'm sure it won't take long!" He says as if he's a bit surprised Hotels aren't for sale at the hotel shop.

<< I see. That does make a bit more sense- afterall, how many times could the make a sale? Well. I've got a couple of looks I saw on the holos! So this could be fun!>> He says, cycling through a bunch of mental images of beautiful people in bathing suits. Naturally its a mix of men & women in all sorts of shapes, shades & sizes- aliens too since to him these are details more than defined points of personhood.

Union looks at Riptide. "Should we join them?"

"Crash. Let's make it quick and join the others?" Phantom suggests as he starts walking towards the hotel for a quick shopping trip and change. << That's a nice collection you've gathered so far. >>

Riptide nods, "Let's?" He smiles, moving over to join the others. He at least doesn't need some beach outfit. Costume good enough, thank you very much!

Union says, "We could beat them there, if you want..."

<< I thought so. Handy. And Evan said I was wasting my time watching all 3 seasons of Beachfront Love! I told him! These Humans love their stories!>> He laughs over their mental link and follows Phantom, glancing back at Mercury so Phantom knows she's still with them.

"So- umm, Mercury- how long have you been a 'Ro'? Riptide said half a year and already is talking giant robots and whatnot- is that typical?" He inquires as they near the hotel lobby.

"I have been operating for a lot longer than that," Mercury muses. "But not openly so. Riptide is far more confident than I. I believe he is also more capable."

Riptide does blush a bit at hearing that, "... not that much more... I'm just more classic hero. Super strong, durable, that sorta thing."

Phantom enters the shop with KT and Mercury. << I think he underestimated the usefulness of you studying up on that. Just...don't get any funny ideas on romance right now. >> "Confident's a word for it," he utters as they step inside. Snacks, sodas, and souvenirs abound. Plus bathing suits, trunks, towels, sunblock, sandals, sunglasses, and surf board rentals.

"Our accomplishments are happenstance," Mercury goes on to say. "To be measured by them is folly. To be proud of one's deeds, that is natural."

<> KT replies before turning back towards Mercury and then Riptide. "Interesting. Perhaps you have been underestimated Riptide. I look forward to seeing more about what a 'classic hero' entails here." He says as he enters behind Phantom.

He begins looking about the store for something to wear.

KT picks up a bit of this and that- almost recklessly.

"ooh- I saw this in Maximum magazine." He says picking up a sspeedo style bathing suit near the back.

KT pulls up next to Phantom after making a circuit to give him a chance to pick somehting out with ease.

Phantom skips over the speedos and picks out a pair of black trunks with purple side panels. He also grabs a brown pair of beach sandals, and a beach towel. "This'll do," he says, going to the register. <<Thanks for letting me borrow your eyes.>>

The store rings up his clothes. "I'll charge that to Ms. Steinberg's account. We've been informed all your costs are covered.

"Oh. She was real about that. Thanks. Can you point me to the changing rooms?" Phantom asks, and the clerk points to close closed stalls near the back.

Riptide looks considerate, "Well, there's two that are pretty big name up there. Sentinel and Victory. The only thing I don't do as far as 'classic hero' is fly, I think? Otherwise, I'm basically the human road block and such."

Union says, "Victory is better, of course."

"Your might and endurance are not what make you," Mercury says gently. "There is so much more to either of us than that."

Riptide shakes his head, "Yeah, but I think there's a lot to live up to there." He raises an eyebrow at Union, "Oh?"

Union nods, "Victory's the greatest, ever. And I'm going to be just like him."

KT notes these names for more research when they return home. All the better to make heads or tails of this kooky dimension.

"I look forward to hearing more about these two and what makes them worth looking up to." KT says before giving a slight bow out of habit from time in the Great Obsidian (Orbital) Tower.

He follows Phantom to the changing rooms. He pauses outside the one Phantom chose knowing how squeamish humans are with their physical forms. This makes him turn to the next room to change into something a bit more 'beach-friendly'.

Of coruse, being a shapeshifter not much is needed for that so the pile of clothes in hand is dropped off. He stands in the mirror for a few moments, switching heights, body types, genders, hair colors, skin tones, and all until one strikes a chord.

KT steps out with her new look feeling very confident.

Union steps into a changing room without bothering to make any purchases, and steps out a few seconds later, ready for the beach.

Phantom goes into his changing room and closes the door before KT can think it's a shared thing, thankfully. He comes out shortly after in the swim trunks, his clothes bundled into his towel. Without the jacket and clothes, his silhouette makes him look like he works out regularly. He's tall, athletic, with an A-frame physique stereotypical of superheroes. His head turns in the directions of the others. "We all ready?"

KT grins at Phantom before glancing at a mirror keeing her grin in place and nodding for his benefit. "Yup! All ready!" She says with unusual cheer. She turns and moves to grab two towels on the way out to the beach. Of course seeing Phantom with his towel is what reminds her to get her own.

She pauses at the door to let hantom keep his bearings with ease. This has the added benefit of letting her take in the sight beyond- a beautiful view that few on Earth remembered. She sighs blissfully before cutitng herself off and pushign the door open.

<<Who would have thought that when we decided to stay here a bit longer we'd be a week or two away from seeing this?!>> She asks over the mental connection to Phantom before adding, <<Still I shouldn't get attached. Shouldn't ever get attached. But it is nice and not an Enforcer in sight anywhere. Right?>> The last bit sounds a bit unsure and is followed up by a good scan around just to be sure. Clearly being hopeful has had its consequences in KT's life.