Log:Lost Time, Scene 12

Lost Time 2017/04/14 	 Wasp|Dragonfly Physique Ragnarok Mechanica Solomon Heracles Yameen

12

It's been about a month since Time Pharaoh disappeared back into the time stream...someplace. But one of the side effects of his attempts to recover the recording devices was that Heracles, scion of Zeus, was left in this time. Starguard has done a reasonable job trying to help him acclimate to the time, but it's proven difficult. At least he has a grasp on English now, which is saying something.

A scuffle is starting outside the Main Street Tavern. Shouts in Greek and English echo through the streets. The bouncer is pointing at Heracles, "You gotta put pants on! You can't come in here!"

Heracles laughs, "Does my manly physique scare you, little man?! I merely wish to drink ale! Bring it forth!" The bouncer is large, but is dwarfed by the Greek demi-god.

Solomon is quite naturally clueless to the state of things pre or post the Time Pharaoh affair. But as happenstance permits, he happens to be walking through Old Town with a large order of brochettes (or skewers) in hand. Each one stacked high with alternating layers of steak, veggies and some type of regional fruit. Each one charred perfectly.

Solomon takes a bite and pulls it off the skewer and begins chewing away as he strolls through Old Town taking note of the old-timey feel of this part of town.

He hasn't visited Old Town yet. He isn't sure he will again, not with all these tourists about.

Hearing signs of a scuffle, he can't help but turn and begin jogging that way- if only to see the fight. Though anyone who knows Sol knows he's hoping to get in on that action even if he doesn't quite realize it yet.

He skids to a halt seeing the large, strapping and pantless Heracles.

His laughing raises his eyebrow, but when he begins bragging about physique and wanting to drink Sol can't help but take a shine to the man.

The bouncer flinches a little, but has a job to do. "No pants, no service. Take a hike."

Physique was passing by in her secret ID. It's Heracles' loud use of her hero name that draws her attention. And she decides there might be trouble. So she ducks out of sight into an empty alley, phone booths being largely a thing of the past, and emerges as ... Physique!

Ragna is wandering around, 'patroling'. Apparently that is something she is expected to do as a hero. To be less alarming to the general public, she's still in her civilian clothes. As it happens, she's passing by the Tavern when the kerfuffle commences.

Heracles grins and leans over to face the man down. "I heard tale of a dragon here some years ago. Perhaps I should defeat it and skin it to make some...'pants'?" He looks meaningfully at the pelt he's already wearing.

Yameen enters from MagLev System.

Heracles(#2843TOn)

This is a well-built man dressed similarly to how Titan does when in 'costume'. He's wearing a simple tunic, sandals, and bracers. He has a lion pelt draped over his shoulders as a small cape. His straight hair is long enough to come down to the level of his chin, and he has a full beard which is well-trimmed.

Physique grins as she approaches Heracles and the bouncer. "What, he has to wear pants? Kind of sexist, isn't it?"

Physique says, "I mean, it's like a century since they would throw women out
 * for* wearing pants."

The bouncer winces, "We had a complaint. He's just wearing that tunic thing. JUST the tunic."

Jackie on the other hand is just wandering the streets aimlessly, moping about the change in circumstances that has just befallen her. She didn't realise how much she would miss the voice in her head. She isn't paying any attention. Not until she literally bumps into Heracles. "What..? Oh. Sorry. My fault. Wasn't looking where I was going.

Ragna watches impassively, waiting to see if there anything occurring that requires her intervention.

Physique says to Hercules, "Hey, so, they have a dress code. Which means if you're a guy you shouldn't wear a dress. Why don't you put some other clothes on? Then they'll be happy to let you in."

Heracles looks at himself. The tunic comes down to mid-thigh, at least. "I am dressed how I always dress. What is wrong with it?" He feels Jackie bump into him. He turns, and his initially reaction is to punch whoever bumped into him. He starts to swing, and then stops himself when he notices it's Jackie.

Physique says, "No reason you can't wear your, er, lion skin as well, I guess."

Physique thinks. o O (Lion skin?!)

Physique thinks. o O (Hercules??)

Physique is not always up to speed on human culture, even now, but Hercules has whole TV shows about him. :)

Jackie clenches her fist a couple of times as she fights off the urge to slug this loud large guy. She said sorry. He shouldn't be walking the streets if he doesn't have the self control not to punch someone for accidentally bumping him.

The bouncer shrugs. But there's at least one meta here, so perhaps he can go back to just watching the door.

There's lots of interesting things in Old Town for Mechanica. Despite its older buildings, there's the bank, and the offices of a particular gumshoe that she's been keeping an eye on. No, she's not here for the bank this time. She's just surveilling Frankie "Ghostfist" Justice's building from across the street. It was easy to find. The business was on Whelp, with mixed reviews. The commotion catches her attention and she looks down the street a few stores down.

Heracles takes a deep breath, and says to Jackie, "I apologize miss." He looks back to Physique, "This world...it is SO different from where I am from. Chariots everywhere. No gods to fight. And I can't even manage to do as I like. It's not like I couldn't shove that little man aside to go get a drink. But I have been warned by your...'Starguard' that this kind of thing might be...wrong. Though I don't understand why."

Speaking of self-control, Solomon recognizes Physique as she speaks to Heracles. He decides nows the time to make himself known.

"Wazup y'all?" He asks with all the grace and social skill of a lima bean. "Who's the big guy?" He asks Physique throwing his thumb at Heracles. He nods a hello to the bouncer and Jackie as well.

He turns as Heracles apologizes. "'Gods' to fight? Oh- that sounds like my kind of place. I love a good rumble." HE says appreciatively.

Solomon(#2842PenACcF?)

The honey-eyed Solomon possesses a powerfully built short & stocky body. His Dominican ancestry gives his skin a light brown tone andshoulder length black hair that he keeps shaved short along the sides. His hair is what you might call Brawler Pomp or a long disconnected lazyman'sfaux-hawk.

He is about 5'4 & 400lbs- though he looks like he weighs at leasthalf that and that'sreally only due to how muscular he is.

Thanks to his brawler lifestyle, he has what many would call a Boxer's Build- larges pecs, shoulders & arms. Without his shirt, its clear his core and back muscles are equally toned and muscular.

Without a shirt on- it's quite clear the man works out and is in incredible shape. His muscles are positively rippling. With his unbreakable bones & regenerative abilities those muscles have grown rapidly thickening up his frame considerably.Though he prefers to cover this up with a jacket and baggy clothes to make sure he is underestimated.

'Off Duty' he dresses in thrift shop clothes, mostly because his clothing is always being destroyed in his tussles with supers. This gives him the appearance of someone who found an old trunk of clothes belonging to a Vietnam vet.

Solomon has a very rough, gravelly deep voice & is a fan of the guttural grunt or growl. Though he speaks in with a typical New Yorker style (NY City English/Metropolitan NY English).

Ragna(#2378PenCcmF?)

A petite woman, with fair skin, blond hair braided and coiled at the back of her head and held in place by a blue ribbon. She has pale blue eyes. A faintly glowing 3cm high by 1cm wide blue gem is embedded in her forehead.

She's wearing a long-sleeved white blouse with a blue ribbon, and knee length blue skirt. Black tights and sensible laced brown leather ankle boots complete her outfit.

Physique says, "Because most people are pretty fragile and you'd probably break them. And that makes them and their friends upset. Wasn't that the case even where - or when - you're from?"

Ragna watches impassively as the mix of people becomes more volatile and upgrades her estimation of the threat level of the incident.

Physique replies in a hushed voice "I think he's Hercules!"

Jackie nods, "Apology accepted. It can be hard to adapt to change." she says. "So what is the problem here?" .oO(I'm on SGG now. I ought to start earning my place I guess.)

Heracles grins, "Well, yes...but that didn't stop them from trying to fight me, anyway. Supposedly there are 'god-like' people walking your city, but I have no seem them outside of my first day. Or outside of Starguard. They must be hiding from me."

If Solomon had seen the great ancient film Tombstone his reply would be, "I'll be your Huckleberry." Alas he has not. So his reply is just a knowing grunt before saying, "I ain't got ta hide from no-body. Not no 'God' or no man." He says confidently.

Physique grins. "Well, I don't know about godlike but I'm tougher than most folk."

Heracles grins and looks at Solomon, "You are one of these gods, then?" He walks over closer to get a better look.

Jackie interjects, "If you're going to fight go to Steel's Gym. Let's contain the fallout, huh."

Physique says, "Yeah, good idea."

"I ain't no God." Solomon replies. "Just not a scared kitten hidin'. Gonna take a whole hell of a lot more than a man n'a skirt to scare me. Wait- fight? Who's fightin'? I call winner." He's clearly already been left behind.

Heracles turns to Jackie, "I know what a 'gym' is. But know not where it is. What is 'fallout'?"

Physique says, "She means stuff getting broken and people getting hurt. Sort of thing that it's a good idea to avoid,"

Ragna steps forward. "If you become a threat to others, I will be forced to intervene. I recommend against becoming a threat to others."

Jackie gestures to the surroundings, "When people like you fight it tends to be hard on the local, and sometimes not so local, environment. I used fallout to refer to the damage caused when people of your power and capability engage in conflict."

Mechanica hears the sound of her lackey, already trying to get himself in another scrap. Thinking she may have to do damage control if he goes off the rails again, she programs a hologram to overlay on her form and make her look like some spandex wearing Latina do-gooder with a black domino mask and purple and black spandex. The purple accent is just a stripe that runs down the middle of her uniform.

Walking over to the crowd, she lays a hand on Solomon's shoulder. He tenses up and shoots her a look, but when she gives him that smug little smirk of hers and a wink, he realizes its his boss, incognito again. "Anyone in need of assistance?" She asks him, and possibly others.

Heracles grins, "'Become' a threat to others? I have always been a threat to others." He flexes, showing off the muscles in his chest and arms, which are admittedly...quite impressive.

Jackie facepalms.

Ragna nods. "I see." There's a brief flash of light and gust of cold wind as she transforms in to her battle clothes.

Physique says, "Yes, since you were a kid, if I remember the stories correctly? And didn't that cause problems? In the gym we can fight without you making more enemies unnecessarily."

Mechanica eyeballs tall and muscular. "Wow, that is...impressive," she murmurs at Heracles' flexing.

Heracles points at Physique, and starts to say something. He hesitates, with his mouth open. After a moment, he says, "I see your point. Yes, it did cause problems."

Physique is glad that made sense. She was kind of distracted by the Physique too and wasn't quite sure how her sentence finished.

Mechanica looks around to add, "The gym. It's...como se dice...like a colliseum. Minus the audience."

Physique thinks. o O (Had to say Coliseum. Now what if he goes there instead, for the audience?)

Heracles nods, "Yes, we had gymnasiums. Though they are rarely large enough, from my past experience. I made the mistake of sending an opponent through the wall once. Thankfully he was okay." He adds as an afterthought, "...eventually."

Ragnarok watches carefully as the immediate threat appears to be dropping.

Physique says, "This one has really strong walls."

Jackie thinks .oO(This is like defusing a talking bomb with its own mind. Fortunately, whoever they are, the people here seem to be handling this well. Better than I can at the moment.)

"You want I should show him how strong those walls are, Bo--" Solomon starts as he feels like a new challenger has arrived, but Mechanica quickly puts a finger to his lips to shush him from calling her Boss while in disguise. "And there are mighty opponents at the gym."

Heracles seems somewhat mercurial. "I just need something to focus on. Something to fight. Or drink." He takes a deep breath, "What kinds of mighty opponents are there?"

Ragnarok(#2378PenCcmF?)

A petite woman, with fair skin, blond hair braided and coiled at the back of her head and held in place by a blue ribbon. She has pale blue eyes. A faintly glowing 3cm high by 1cm wide blue gem is embedded in her forehead.

She's wearing a long puffy-sleeved blue dress, under a silver breastplate, with silver gauntlets and sollerets. The skirt of the dress is further reinforced with silver armor plates along each side.

Ragnarok says, "If it is necessary to protect others from you, I will be your opponent."

Heracles tilts his head and looks at Ragnarok, "Are you a god, then? I saw the...armor...you produced."

Ragnarok shakes her head. "I am an anti-planet weapon, not a god."

Heracles looks a little confused, "You are a weapon? How does one wield you?"

Ragnarok says, "My commander gives me orders. I execute them."

Jackie is suddenly more worried about Ragnarok than Hercules. "And, eh, what orders have you been given, miss?" she asks Ragnarok.

Heracles grins, "You are a Hypaspist, then. I understand." He takes a deep breath. "Well, I suppose I should find this gym to take on whatever opponents are there."

Physique nods, "Yes, definitely!"

Ragnarok turns to Jackie. "They are as follows:

1) Don't kill people. Ever. Even if it looks like you have to, find another way.

2) Protect people from being hurt, unless they're the ones trying to hurt people, in which case, stop them.

3) Don't hurt people, unless you need to in order to protect people.

4) Ignore any order you're given that would contradict the first three. Even if your Commander cries and begs you to."

Jackie thinks about those commands. "I'd like to meet your commander some time I think I'd like them. However, what if someone is hurting another person to stop the second person from hurting others. What would you do in that circumstance?" she asks Ragnarok.

Ragnarok says, "From the context, the person being hurt would be a valid target for my own orders, and I can use my own discretion as to whether the goal is better met by my actions or those of the other person."

Jackie nods. Assuming the weapon is telling the truth that seems perfectly satisfactory. She'll check in with Starguard next time she gets a chance though.

Ragnarok says, "Shall we proceed to the gym before this person gets bored." She indicates Heracles.

Inside the door is a spacious reception area. Directly opposite the entrance is a wide full length window of thick armor glass providing a gallery view into the workout area. To the east is a desk where gym staff check membership cards, schedule sessions and give out information. A door behind the desk is labelled 'Staff Only'. Next to the desk are vending machines selling snacks and chilled drinks and a jukebox. The west side of the reception area has a pair of old fashioned pinball machines and a holographic Hogan's Alley combat shooting game. Some framed Photographs, a Plaque, and the Gym Rules are hung on a wall beside the gallery window.

The central area of the reception has a half dozen tables and chairs for members who are waiting for their booked session or discussing the outcome. A short flight of stairs leads down to the massive stainless steel door of the workout room as well as doors to the restrooms and changing rooms that are equipped with showers for freshening up after an exhausting practice. An arched opening provides access to the more conventional areas of the Gym, a weight training facility, the exercise room, and a heated swimming pool.

The humidity is incredible. Stray spots of sunlight filter through the canopy of leaves as the merciless Sun scorches the land. The underbrush is thick and lush, crawling with all manner of insects. The cries of monkeys and the songs of a dozen different species of birds echo through the air. Somewhere in the distance, a tiger roars. A large pond fills one corner, a few water buffalo sloshing around in it.

Heracles looks around, with some confusion, at the room after walking into the workout area. "How do you keep a jungle inside like this?"

Jackie shrinks out of her clothes and hovers on quietly buzzing dragonfly wings.

Physique says, "We water it a lot."

Solomon had much the same surprise when he walked in here before. He smiles for a moment until he realizes that Heracles isn't from this time and therefore his follys are hardly foibles. The smirk slides back into a scowl at feeling less than the others.

Heracles idly touches some of the plant life, feeling the water on his fingertips. "Hmm. Must require a lot of water. But I see there is a pond."

The sudden influx of not one, but several, draws notice by any within said jungle, artificial or otherwise. Yameen emerges from some generated foliage to anser the loudly posed question. "It is all a matter of..." her words pause as she surveys the large one, finally opting for the simplest explanation, "...magic."

Dragonfly is looking around near the entry door, "Huh. Where's the remote control unit?" she asks in puzzlement. It's been a while since she was in here.

Ragnarok strides over the swamp, glowing runes in the shape of snowflakes appearing beneath he feet and preventing her from sinking in.

Heracles regards Yameen and raises a brow, "Magic. Indeed? I thought that magic was long dead. It feels like it, at least."

The humidity is incredible. Stray spots of sunlight filter through the canopy of leaves as the merciless Sun scorches the land. The underbrush is thick and lush, crawling with all manner of insects. The cries of monkeys and the songs of a dozen different species of birds echo through the air. Somewhere in the distance, a tiger roars. A large pond fills one corner, a few water buffalo sloshing around in it.

Mechanica has come along, mostly to get a chance to study the strange AI more, but also to keep an eye on Solomon after his last encounter in the gym.

Physique says, "Well, not magic as you know it. It's complicated."

Heracles grins, "I am sure. This world has become so...complicated. Euclid would be happy to be here." He claps his hands and rubs them together, "So, where are these opponents that were promised?"

Yameen makes a vague gesture with one hand. "Interpreted, transformed, or possibly usurped could be more accurate descriptions. Suffice it to say that it exists enough to be perceived, and that is its sole purpose, here." One brow now arches at the large, muscular one. "What opponents are desired? This facility can offer most any which one could imagine."

Most in the room will remember Solomon's 'last encounter' quite vividly- loosing himself to his rage 'momentarily'.

Perhaps Mechanica's supervision is not such a bad idea.

He stands behind her with his arms crossed watching things unfold- that is until Heracles calls for opponents.

He steps around the disguised Mechanica as if to 'line up'- if that's where things are going.

Ragnarok looks around. "Within the confines of this space, is it possible to actually harm others?"

Heracles shrugs, not knowing the answer to Ragnarok's question. "I do not...know? As for what opponent is offered, I can imagine quite a bit. But I would like to get a sampling of what is available."

Dragonfly nods, and bobs in the air since at her size a head nod is likely not seen, "Yes it is. Well, it was last time I was in here. Opponents supplied by the Gym will not hurt you more than bruising. There's no such limit of outsiders."

Physique says, "I wonder if he'll find the room's opponents sufficient"

Ragnarok nods. "I see. Then I can not be your opponent unless you become a threat to harm others."

Dragonfly bobs in the air again, "I was one of those suggesting you come here. I will be your first opponent if you wish."

Mechanica waves off her hand. "I'm...not the fighting type," she comments. She could. It's just not her style.

Heracles looks confused, "'Opponents supplied by the gym'? Do they have fighters working here?"

"What if I threaten to harm him?" Solomon wonders, only half jokingly. Not really.

He tries to play it cool as Dragonfly volunteers to fight first. He returns to standing behind the disguised Mechanica, crossing his arms. he says nothing.

Ragnarok says, "Then I could be your opponent, Solomon."

"That's really all it takes?" Solomon asks totally surprised. He never said anything about meaning it. He grins like he just hit the jackpot.

Dragonfly takes the easy option, "They are magical opponents, Hercules. Constructs." she says, rather than trying to explain holographic technology.

Heracles grins, "Perhaps start with the toughest of those, then. As I would not want to hurt any of you."

"Not as such," Yameen offers in a response to Heracles that is not an answer, as she moves to a tree stump which ripples and deforms into a console. "It can, however, produce automatons..." She dips her head to Dragpnfly. "Yes, precisely. Constructs which wield whatever form, tactics, and abilities you desire."

Solomon scoffs at that and laughs audibly.

Physique sits on a holographic log, waiting for things to start.

Heracles looks around for any of these 'magic' opponents. "Is...the magic...broken?"

"Naw man. You just gotta ask JULIUS or punch in what you want on that console." Solomon answers, pointing to the console by Yameen. "Jules, can you load up... Hercules?"

Dragonfly asks, "While Hercules fights, huh, Hercules, anyone like to spar? I've been out of the hero business for a long time and I'm rusty. In fact the last time I was with the Starguard team I messed up badly due to lack of practice."

Heracles shakes his head, "It's 'Heracles', not 'Hercules'." He doesn't realize that he might be fighting a version of himself.

Dragonfly says, "Sorry."

Physique says, "I'd be up for it. I've been out of things too long myself. Though I have just had one brief sparring session."

Dragonfly bobs, "Great. Lets get started. Rules?"

Solomon looks at the disguised Mechanica. He pauses to see what her plan is. Disguised or not, his duty is no different. He's not so much a sidekick as much as a Side-Punch-In-The-Face or Side-Guard-dog.

Solomon hasn't had the benefits of a formal education. That said, he hears Heracles and assumes that's different than the Hercules he's heard about in passing and in VRs once he became a made man and could afford them.

Ragna changes back to her civilian clothes and moves out of the way of the fights in the making.

Mechanica looks to Solomon. "A coordinated team test, maybe?" she sighs, knowing her henchman is eager for a fight. Sometimes you have to do things to please your employees.

Physique grins. "Hard to lay down rules if we don't know what each other can do."

Dragonfly chuckles, "That's easy to say in my case. I fly around and hit opponents. That's it. I'm not complicated in my abilities." You?"

Solomon perks up after the disguised Mechanica suggests something where he gets to exercise his love of violence.

"I call that one." He says, pointing to Mechanica, not at all concerned with what the others can do. As long as they don't team up on him again.

"I bust heads and laugh when people try to bust mine." Solomon answers when others ask about abilities.

Physique says, "More complicated. I can manipulate physiologies, to some extent, by touch. Or just make claws and scratch them."

Heracles takes a deep breath, "Are there actually magical opponents? Or were you all...joking?"

Dragonfly tells Physique, "No stopping my heart then, okay?"

Heracles looks at the 'magic' version of him as it appears, "Hmm. Looks kind of familiar. Dressed poorly, though. This is 'Hercules', based on the request earlier?"

Physique says, "Of course. I won't do anything permanent. Or that I can't fix."

Dragonfly bobs, "Okay. Say when." she says to Physique as her wings start to buzz faster.

Mechanica wonders how much to tip her hand. "Oh, I just do some energy blasts. Nothing too special," the disguised hero says.

Physique gets into a balanced stance, and says, "Ready!"

Mechanica leaves her hologram standing in place, but readjusts her positioning to stand a few meters away from it. The area hologram generator disguises her real self's presence unless one can look closely enough.

Solomon's eyes cut to Physique as he knows all to well what she's capable of. "Wait- who's on who's team?" He asks, confused.

"And maybe some martial arts skills," Mechanica adds as she loads the martial arts program for the simulation of her heroic counterpart.

Physique decides to try to tag Dragonfly when she closes to attack, since she has said that's her modus operandi.

Yameen was aware of the AI and voice commands, but generally prefers a more individual and tactile interface. Once Solomon speaks up and the arangements are made, she steps back from the console. When it appears that others seek to make this a group or multiple simultaneous exercise, she takes another two steps out of the line of activity.