Riftgate - Jefferson's America 6

Jessie is waiting at the limo when you emerge from the prison after interrogating the terrorist. "Hi. How did it go?" she asks.

Lorelei says, "Narosia did fine. Myself, I think I'm losing my touch."

The young twins nod. Jennie tells the driver to hurry back to the Ayn Rand Hotel. Jessie informs you that she's going across the rift to see the older twins and pick up a video recorder. She asks if there is anything you want brought back when she returns.

Lorelei says, "Let me think - well, given that clothes have been provided that was the main thing. I rather wish I'd had more time to see if I could get some other people to help - Cliff in particular could have been a lifesaver - but that's not really the sort of thing I could ask you for. I'd appreciate it if you could get some messages to some people that I'm ok, though."

Jessie nods, "Sure. Jenn and Jess will let me use their phones to make calls."

Jennie urges the hero group to enter the limo and head back to the hotel for lunch.

Jessie leaves you as the limo is passing by their version of the coffee shop. She makes the transition to your dimension arriving in the coffee shop.

Ashton is happily sipping his coffee in the coffee shop, when Jessie suddenly appears.

Back on the home dimension, the coffee shop is open for business as usual, and has a number of heroes in it when the door of the ladies restroom opens and Jessie steps out. Some might recognize her. Others might see a similarity with someone they know. She looks like a younger version of one of the twins Jennifer and Jessica. She's dressed in paramilitary uniform with SWAT pained on front and back and is carrying a automatic carbine with casual ease.

Augustin sits at a corner table, nursing a coffee while the exact focus on his attention is obscured by his sunglasses. As Jessie steps out of the bathroom he turns towards her, brow arching.

Jessie waves cheerfully to the costumed heroes in the shop. "Hi." and heads to the counter.

Joseph sits at the counter in the coffee shop reading a newspaper. He galncs up and seems a bit surprised at the appearance of a heavily armed young lady.

Ashton stands up, surprised to see someone suddenly walk out of the restroom with a gun. He asks the lady, "Who are you?"

The limo taking Lorelei and her party back to the hotel arrives with just enough time for Lorelei and company to dash to their rooms and change for lunch.

Jessie looks over at Ashton and grins, "I'm Jessie. I've seen you in news bulletins haven't I? Uh, Starguard? Is that right?"

Ashton nods at Jessie, replying, "That's right..."

Lorelei wonders as she gets changed what if anything should be said to the delegates about what happened, and comes to the unhappy conclusion that probably nothing should: the ESC might take it as an accusation while the Germans might (unsurprisingly!) decide again they want no part in all this...

Jessie smiles, "Happy to meet you. My sisters, well sort of sisters, have told me about you."

Joseph carefully folds the newspaper and puts it to one side. A faint smiles rests his lips as he watches the armed young lady talk to the man from Starguard.

Augustin continues to watch Jessie carefully, not exactly hiding that he's taken an interest.

Ashton asks Jessie, "Why do you have a gun?" Even in Colonial Bay, people suddenly walking out of bathrooms with automatic carbines doesn't happen too often.

Jenny, the deputy Mayor's assistant, knocks on Lorelei's room door to check if she needs anything before the lunch. Jenny tells Lorelei the Mayor is too ill so Ellen will be the city's representative in the talks.

Halcyon emerges from beneath a table, carrying an umbrella. She seems surprised to see gun-toting Jessie very closeby, stumbling backward. She catches herself on a table, turning it black but prevening her fall. She quickly lets go of it.

Jessie laughs, "Why don't you? The Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms. Why aren't you exercising that right?"

Augustin notices the arrival of Halcyon, which is enough to distract him from Jessie. He pitches a wadded up napkin at the darkling child to get her attention.

Ashton replies to Jessie, "Said guns tend to be pistols and concealed."

Halcyon looks over at Augustin, waving with a smile, and she makes her way to him, giving Jessie a good amount of breathing room.

Joseph continues to openly watch the interaction. He notes the appearance of someone from under a table and the smile on his face grows broader.

Lorelei says, "It may be for the best - in case there is a second assassin they didn't know about. Better the mayor's not here." She frowns. "I'm not sure how this is best handled. The flautist fingered his contact, but naming him might disrupt the negotiations..."

Lorelei says, "And in any case, an accusation isn't proof."

Jessie looks a little shocked. "Concealed? That's silly. And dangerous. People will get killed too easily if it looks like you aren't wearing. It's a horrid idea."

"What's going on?" Augustin asks Halcyon. "As for the girl up front...Familiar looking, same swagger, but not the same."

Jenny nods, "I'm sure you'll find a solution, Mediator." she says with complete confidence. "I'll see you after lunch."

Ashton says to Jessie, "So far you're the only person I've seen today aside from police officers carrying a gun in a public area."

Lorelei says, "See you later."

Lorelei wishes she had half the confidence in herself that everyone seems to have in her.

Jessie shrugs and taps the SWAT letters painted on her body armor, "I am a CB Protective Association Officer." she points out, "It's good fortune seeing you in here however. Lorelei said she could do with some more help from her home dimension."

Halcyon creates words for Augustin, 'I don't know'. She has a bit of a wary eye on Jessie, noticing the uniform and thus not finding herself wanting to thwart the woman. What she sees being said, she creates words for Augustin's benefit.

"Well, let's go say hello. I'm curious." Augustin replies to Halcyon, standing up from his table and walking towards the counter and Jessie.

Ashton relaxes a bit upon hearing Lorelei's name, and a bit more upon hearing something of another dimension though still tense. "Hmmmph, why didn't you say Lorelei sent you in the first place."

Joseph reaches up and rubs his chin at the words 'home dimension'. His gaze moves from the young woman to the young man.

Jessie looks at Halcyon first, and then at Augustin. She smiles, "Hi."

Jessie looks back to Ashton, "You didn't ask." she points out. "I'm just passing on messages since I'm visiting here anyway."

"My name is Augustin, this is my friend Halcyon." The man replies upon reaching Jessie. "You look like someone I know, but I suspect that you get that a lot."

Halcyon follows Augustin, preferring to stay a bit behind him. Smiling or not, that's a weapon Halcyon hasn't seen in her adventures. She waves, trying not to look too timid.

Jessie nods, "You know my sisters on this dimension?" she asks Augustin.

Ashton sighs. He replies, "You suddenly came out of the bathroom holding a gun in your hands, what was I supposed to expect."

"Rather well." Augustin replies. "You carry yourself the same way they do. But you're different."

Jessie shakes her head. "Oh. Right. I keep forgetting you're all non-wearers here." she tells Ashton. "It's not carrying a firearm that gets noticed back home." Turning to Augustin she nods. "They're a couple of years older than me and metas. And a lot more experienced. Maybe I'll be like them when I'm older. That would be great."

Augustin nods slowly. "There are certainly worse things to be." He replies. "I've never quite understood equivalency across dimensions, some sort of cosmic balance thing I suppose...I doubt my double even exists where you're from. But that's probably nothing that interests you."

Jessie grins, "Well I don't know anyone like you. But that doesn't mean much. My sisters are hooked up with a guy named Matt here. I didn't know him back home until recently. Wish I still didn't."

"Anyway." Augustin moves on. "You're here for a reason, and I'm bored. I can think of worse things to do than walk and talk."

The words 'I'm Halcyon' appear above Halcyon's head, as she makes herself a bit more openly visible.

Ashton asks Jessie, "Do I have a double over in your dimension? What's he like?"

Jessie nods. "I'm off shopping and delivering messages. If you want to go help Lorelei you can go through the rift. It will be open for another couple of minutes."

"Which would you prefer us do?" Augustin asks Jessie before looking down at Halcyon. "And what do you want to do?"

Jessie says, "Lorelei said she wished she had some more help. I'd hope you would go through and help her.

Halcyon notices Augustin speaking to her, and her message adjusts. 'I'd love to help Lorelei'.

Augustin nods to Halcyon. "Well then it's settled. To the ladies' room."

Joseph picks up his newspaper as he leaves some money on the counter. He nods to the armed young woman and murmurs as he passes, "Good luck." He then heads out the door of the coffee shop.

Jessie tells Ashton, "I don't think so. Thing is, if you have a double he's probably not a meta. We are only just starting to have those."

Ashton ahs. "Interesting."

Jessie points to the door to the ladies restroom. "Inside there, last cubicle in the row. Just walk through. Tell the technicians on the other side to arrange a car to the hotel where Lorelei is staying."

Jessie heads out to go visit her sisters and do her shopping.

Lightray comes into the coffee shop. He looks around for a moment, then approaches the SWAT girl. "Excuse me, I am looking for Lorelei?"

Halcyon looks strangely at Augustin, then sees where Jessie is pointing. She makes her way into the Ladies' room, checking every cubicle that isn't closed, pauses, comes back out, creates a message: 'There should be a warning sign if there's something strange about a given cubicle' and then she heads in.

In the last cubicle is a shimmering rift.

"We'll tell OSHA about it." Augustin replies to Halcyon before following her into the restroom.

Ashton follows Augustin into the rift... feeling a little weird about having to go into a ladies bathroom.

Lightray just quietly trails after the others.

On the far side of the rift is a complex machine that has a rather twentieth century dated look. Several technicians are working around it. Physically it's located in the restroom of an almost identical coffee shop. You're invited to go out into the main part of the coffee shop. A couple of things will come to the notice. Virtually everyone you see is armed. Mostly pistols but rifles and SMG's are moderately common. The technology level seems to be about 20-30 years back.

Halcyon for some reason finds herself wanting to be unseen when she sees what everyone else heard from Jessie. So she becomes not visible.

Ashton blinks when he gets into the main area, surprised. "She wasn't kidding about everyone being armed..."

Augustin glances around, "It's like a time machine too...You're all probably too young to really remember when things were like this." He doesn't seem at all perturbed by the fact that people are toting guns, but he does look around for Halcyon. "Where'd the kid go?"

A car is arranged to take you all to the hotel where Lorelei is staying. The journey through the city is uneventual. Most cars seem to be armored to some degree. Everyone, it seems, is openly armed. The hotel is big and plush. You see Lorelei and Alex coming down to lunch as you arrive.

Where Halcyon is, is soon known. SHe's with the group. The car turned black and completely silent.

Lightray looks over at Lorelei and smiles. "I apologize for arriving unasked, Lorelei. But you made a favorable impression on the library steps."

Carpets of moderate size appear to undergo the same result as the car. Halcyon becomes visible though after a time, when she gets used to all the guns in sight.

As you all gather to meet and catch up in the lobby other guests and diners at the hotel are passing through. In every case they look over to your group, and the expressions as they stare at Lorelei range from awe to near adoration.

Lorelei says, "Thank you - Augustin? I'm surprised to see you here! I think you once advised me against getting involved in the affairs of other dimensions...."

Alex is next to Lorelei, dressed up for the occasion in a blazer and tie. He seems perhaps a little preoccupied with something, which might be odd... his fascination doesn't seem to be the breathtaking blonde that he's standing next to.

Augustin stays close to Halcyon, attention roaming over the various people and their expressions. "Well, I think that as a broad rule that still holds true." He replies. "But we're alread meddling and I was bored. This is perhaps a...strange circumstance since they seem to be asking for help and have a working portal, a rarity in these kinds of encounters.'

Lorelei smiles and nods at the various people gazing her direction. "How much did Jessie tell you?" she says in a low voice.

Halcyon is watching Lorelei. Those who can take their eyes away from her will probably notice the effect she has on whatever she touches.

Ashton hmmmms, noone said anything about a formal event.... he looks out of place in his t-shirt.

Jenny hurries up to the group and asks Lorelei, "Shall I arrange for a larger table?"

"Not much beyond the fact that you needed help." Augustin repies to Lorelei. "So we're a bit in the dark, so to speak."

Lorelei says, "Please - and some clothes for everyone, if possible."

Jenny nods, "Oh course, Mediator. I'll arrange for rooms and clothes hire immediately."

Alex says, "Augustin, Howl.. hey. It's good to see you guys."

Lorelei says, "Well, in brief - I'll tell you more later when there's more time - I was asked to come here and stand in for my double here, the Mediator, in some sensitive negotiations."

Halcyon looks lost, but at least she caught what Lorelei said. Words form on the table near herself: 'We need different clothes?'

Lorelei says, "In turns out the negotiations are to do with a new airport, and the parties involved -"

"Fancy clothes." Augustin replies to Halcyon, making sure that he turns towards her when he speaks. He then nods to Lorelei and Alex. "An airport? Why is that so controversial?"

Lightray listens attentively to Lorelei, but refrains from speaking.

Alex says, "There's a lot of money involved. Maybe there's somewhere we can talk about it?"

Lorelei says, "You have to understand this America is politically fragmented, in several loose alliances of city states, if you will. An airport here will invariably draw business from elsewhere, so it's not in everyone's interest."

Augustin hmms. "I guess we'll just have to get into the negotiations to see what's up, then." He replies. "In the meantime, do people smoke here?"

Lorelei says, "Though I admit, I had been expecting something bigger. It's big enough though, it seems. THere have already been two assassinations, and more attempted."

Lorelei and Alex will recognize the bank delegation coming down to lunch escorted by several members of the promised SWAT team protection force.

Alex says, "Everyone carries guns; I don't think smoking is a big deal..."

Halcyon looks at what she's wearing, thoughtful. A light smile shows on her before Lorelei distracts her again.

Lorelei says, "The head delegate of the ESC - that's one of the alliance - and the chief representative of the Bank of Berlin were killed, and the mayor wounded - those are the three groups here, the city, the bankers and the ESC - um, maybe I shouldn't say too much more publicly."

Augustin nods to Lorelei. "I understand." He then grins at Alex. "Finally. Civilization."

Ernst Goldstein from the bank delegation gives Lorelei a glance as he passes by. His expression is not that of a happy or relaxed person.

Lorelei gives Goldstein a reassuring smile, as best she can. Knowing that all the bankers were targets doesn't help.

Lightray says in a quiet tone. "Did this Earth have the World Wars that ours did? Or do you know Lorelei?" His gaze follows the bankers, before returning to Lorelei.

Alex shrugs to Augustin. "I've seen two to three gunfights break out in broad daylight, Augustin."

Lorelei says, "Well, not quite the same - obviously the USA not existing as a unified country made a big difference..."

One of the SWAT team leans in to talk quietly to the SWAT team leader. After a moment the leader steps across to the hero group. "Mediator, I need to tell you, the man over there by the dining room room. He's Joel Holliday, a notorious pistolio."

Augustin nods to Alex. "Joking, Alex. A society that always needs guns at its side is an insecure society." He says that last part quietly.

Lorelei says, "Do you expect trouble from him?"

Lightray smiles slightly and murmurs, "I wonder if he is descended from Doc Holliday?"

Ashton yawns, completely lost as to what's going on here. He's gleaning a bit of information from the conversation, though.

Lorelei wonders what it takes around here to be a *noted* pistolio.

The SWAT team leader nods. "He's a hired gun. Too good for any of us to stand a chance against him. It's too much of a coincidence for him to be here by chance."

"Hired by who?" Alex asks quietly. "Can he be barred from the building?"

Lorelei says, "Hear that, everyone? I'm going to try to handle him the slow and subtle way, but be ready to act if I don't manage."

Augustin nods to Lorelei, staying quiet until he glances down at Halcyon. "Watch her back, kid."

The SWAT leader tells Alex, "If we try to bar him he'll just issue a challenge and kill whoever makes the attempt."

Lorelei tries to catch Holliday's eye - and keep it.

Halcyon looks puzzled at AUgustin,

The ESC delegation comes down the stairs. The gunman, Joel Holliday, straightens up from where he was leaning against the doorframe of the dining hall and starts moving towards the delegation.

Halcyon then looks from Lorelei to where Lorelei is looking, eyeing the man she seems to be so focused on, and becomes invisible again as she moves toward where he goes, watching lips and careful where she steps to avoid giving away her location.

Augustin just nods at Halcyon as she goes. He hangs back and turns towards the others.

The gunman is now walking briskly towards the ESC delegation. He's holding a drink in his left hand while his right hand is at his side near a holstered pistol.

Lightray moves towards the delegation as well, attempting to interpose himself between the pistolio and them.

Alex jogs over to try and catch up with Holliday. "Excuse me sir?" he calls, as he moves over to the man.

Halcyon aims at Joel, getting the idea that maybe she should thwart him.

Alex tries to grab Joel's attention. "Are you... Joel Holliday! Can I get your autograph...?" He'll try to have Joel turn back towards the himself and Lorelei, but he'll step between Joel and the ESC delegation if it doesn't look as if he'll pay heed to an autograph hound.

The gunman automatically turns as someone behind him calls his name, hand reaching with flashing speed towards the butt of his pistol.

Halcyon lets loose. She's a bit jumpy and 'reach for gun' is pretty much what she was waiting for.

Halcyon sends tendrils of darkness to bind Joel thoroughly, thin bands of shadow keep him from shooting anyone. Halcyon meanwhile becomes visible.

..it also happens to blind him.

Joel's move for his pistol comes to a abrupt stop as Halcyon wraps him up. Trapped in the tendrils of darkness the gunman is help helpless. All eyes in the lobby are now focused on the events unfolding.

Lightray steps between the pistolio and the ESC delegation. As he does, a field of sunlight flares into existence around him. He then just smiles and steps back from the bound pistolio.

Lorelei holds off to gauge his reaction and the reactions of the witnesses.

Augustin hmms lightly, watching Joel and the rest of the crowd. "Let's remove him, shall we?" He turns to the SWAT operative. "He won't be able to speak, and nor will anyone who touches him. You want him gone, this is your best opportunity."

There's an undercurrent of muttering in the lobby. Some clearly approve of the action. But several voices are decrying the use of comic book powers in a matter of honor.

The SWAT team leader asks Lorelei, "Uh, how long will he stay like that?"

Lorelei says, "I'm not sure - I'm afraid I'm not familiar with her powers - Augustin?"

Alex steps back from Holliday, and he casts a curious look at Halcyon.

Halcyon looks around, a little puzzled at the mixed reactions.

Augustin shrugs lightly. "I don't know much about them either, and the kid can't speak for herself. But I do know that now is a good time to take his weapon and get him out of here."

Lightray looks back to the ESC delegation. In a diplomatic tone he murmurs to them, "May I suggest that you continue on to the luncheon? The Mediator will be in soon."

Lorelei approaches the ESC delegation and makes polite conversation with them, showing due concern over their loss.

The SWAT leader shakes his head. "We have no justification for removing his weapon from him. That requires an arrest or a court order."

Augustin rolls his eyes behind his glasses. "With all due respect your honor is a suicide pact, sir." He sighs. "Well can you get him out of the building?"

The SWAT leader nods, and instructs two of his team to remove the gunman.

Lightray steps back from the ESC delegation as Lorelei speaks with them. The field of sunlight around himself fades again as he moves back to the others.

Halcyon finally looks at Alex, expressing uncertainty. She's really not sure if she did the correct thing.

The ESC delegation chat briefly with Lorelei and then go into the dining room.

Augustin walks towards Halcyon once the men remove Holliday. "Good work, kid." He tells her. "A few disapproving looks is better than someone getting shot."

Alex nods. "That's true."

Put at a bit of ease, Halcyon nods once, watching as Joel is taken away. 'Should I unwrap him?' appears in very close proximity to Augustin's eye, tiny text so that he can see it and others would have a hard time with it.

There are separate tables for each of the delegations in the dining room. The bank delegation is looking frankly scared. The ESC delegation is busy debating who the gunman was after if anyone, and whether the intervention was justified.

Augustin looks over his shoulder, tracking their removal of Holliday. "Nah." He replies to Halcyon. "We don't want to surprise anyone. They'll ask if they want him unbound."

Lightray looks at Lorelei. "Where should we sit, Mediator?"

Lorelei, for her part, tries to put people at their ease, all the while keeping an eye out herself.

[To Lightray] Lorelei says, "No need to call me that - I'm just standing in for the real Mediator, as her 'sister'."

The remainer of the afternoon and evening pass without incident.

Lorelei explains overnight that the prime suspect here is Wilson Smythe of the ESC delegation, who was fingered as contact by one of the orginal assassins and looked annoyed at Holliday's capture.

Lorelei also explains also that the targets were the head of the ESC delegation, all the bankers, the mayor and the Mediator (or herself, in practice).

Luxurious rooms are provided for all in the top floor suite. The following morning brings a knock of the door to the penthouse suite bright and early.

Ashton switches back to human form when he wakes up, stretching.

Lightray steps in from the penthouse balcony where he was watching the sunrise. He heads over to and opens the door to the suite.

Augustin immediately regrets the late night. He goes about getting ready for the day in silence.

Jessie and Jennie have arrived. "Good morning. The breakfast bar is open on the ground floor. Then we have cars to take those who want to go to the Science Fair at the High School."

Lorelei says, "Your sort of thing, Alex?"

Halcyon elects to not need sleep, committing herself for the day. She spends the night getting a closer look at all the guns around, invisibly. When morning comes, she is in her room again, reading. Once retrieved, she joins the group.

Augustin steps out of his room, placing his shades over his eyes. "Mmm. High School. With guns. Wonderful."

Alex grumbles and gets up from his bed. He emerges from his room, having had a late night of his own. "Hmm. Sure... I'm game." He looks at the twins. "For the record, it should be illegal to be this chipper so early." He turns to head for his room again. "Same for you, Lorelei."

Ashton gets out of the room dressed, in 'fancy' clothing if it's there.

Lorelei says, "Sorry. I've been up for a couple of hours. In truth, I've probably already slept enough for this week."

Narosia groans, sitting upright from where she dropped last night. Circling her prone form several dozen crumpled papers crackle. A few have information garnered from skulking round. Most just enjoyed the scribble of emotional outpouring.

The twins laugh. "You were worse yesterday morning." Jennie says to Alex.

Alex just grumbles. He disappears into his room.

Augustin can't help but grin a bit at Alex. "So. Breakfast."

The young twins lead the way to the breakfast bar where everything from dry toast to syrup dripping pancakes is available. "I heard you had a run in with Joel Holliday yesterday?" Jennie asks.

Lorelei nods. "My guess is hired to finish the job."

Narosia bodily slumps out from her quarters, hair askew and behind everyone else to enter the breakfast bar late.

Lightray gathers a plate of food and brings it over to Narosia. He just grabs a cup of coffee for himself and sips it.

Jessie and Jennie nod. "They say he's fast." Jessie muses, "I wonder..."

Augustin gets coffee and donuts. "He wasn't that fast." He comments to Jennie and Jessie. "Well, he was faster than me, but the man's human. At least as far as I can tell."

Lightray murmurs absently as he sips his coffee. "Would it really be worth dying to see who's faster, Jessie Markham? Save your death for a more noble cause."

"You eat." Narosia pushes the plate away, sloping off for blissful herbal tea, mouthing a 'thank you' well after the kind gesture.

The twins smile, "No. But I'd like to know."

Halcyon appears beside Narosia, waving to her with a little grin.

Lorelei frowns. "I can see meta powers are going to cause problems *in* gunfights too. There are doubtless already people about with superhuman reflexes."

[To Narosia] Lightray murmurs softly. "I filled myself with the sunrise, Narosia, so I am sated. But you will need protein for the day. Have the Eggs Benedict, it smells wonderful." His attention then turns back to Lorelei and the twins.

Jessie nods. "Yes. But it's worse than just that. Some people are going to have comic book powers that protect against bullets. How can they duel honorably?"

Augustin shrugs. "I was actually thinking of challenging the guy if he confronts us. I can get up from being shot. Maybe he can't."

Lorelei nods. "That's the thing. I'm afraid your notion of an honourable duel has gone out the window."

Narosia starts, nodding curtly to Halcyon. Knotting her brows together, the girl partakes in sampling the food, but soon has to stand and pace a little for peace.

Alex makes his way down to the breakfast bar, dressed and with damp hair. He takes a seat amongst the others. "Hey, have I missed much?"

Lorelei says, "Not much. More awake now?"

Jennie sighs. "It's going to make for a lot of disorder. Jessie and I didn't like it when the CBPA refused to let my sisters move here. But I'm starting to see that maybe they were right."

Lightray looks out the window as he speaks. "Society will adapt. It may bend or even break for a time, but rules will develop to take in the changes 'comic book' supers bring to humanity." He smiles. "Our world has survived them after all."

Alex says, "Better. Yet me get some coffee. For the record, Lorelei... Me? Totally jealous. I'll be right back."

[To Alex] Lorelei says, "Totally jealous of what, in particular?"

Augustin sits, sipping his coffee. "Adjustment is what you do. People always survive what's thrown at them, at least that's been my experience."

Jessie grins at Lorelei. "Do you want to get totally swamped before or after?"

Lorelei says, "Before or after what?"

Narosia mumbles, "I still dislike that term immensely..." Takes a hasty draught of her tea, near rushing upstairs using nervy energy.

Alex goes to get some coffee and some fresh fruit. He returns. "I wish I could get by on no sleep."

Jessie tells Lorelei, "We can announce you'll be signing autographs before you look around or after you look around. That way we can control access during most of the visit without too much complaining."

Augustin looks around. "So why are we going to a high school again?" He munches on a donut.

Lorelei says, "What am I supposed to sign them? People know I'm not the real Mediator after all."

Jennie points out, "They'll think you are her sister. Sign as Lorelei."

Jessie tells Augustin, "We arranged it because Alex might be interested."

Lorelei nods to Alex. "I admit, I don't know how I'd manage everything if I actually needed a normal amount of sleep. School, work and superheroing..." To Jennie she says, "Well that makes things simple. Though I'm not sure why they'd want my autograph - I'm not the celebrity, at least around here."

Augustin shrugs. "I don't see a reason why someone who is noted for bringing peace can't be a celebrity.'

The twins burst out laughing. "You're kidding, right?" Jessie says. "Look around you." The young twin is right. The other people in the breakfast bar are looking at Lorelei with obvious awe.

Lorelei laughs. "Well, ok. But I still don't get how big the reaction is here - even bigger than at home. I'd just assumed it was the Mediator's reputation but...."

Lightray just listens and sips his coffee.

Jennie nods. "It's not very rational I agree. But I can understand because I feel the same way. You're connected to The Meditor. It's enough."

Alex sips his coffee. "That probably how it's started, Lorelei..." More quietly, he comments to the twins, "I wonder, though, how long we're going to be able to keep up the charade. Eventually, someone's bound to look for the right bit of paperwork..."

Lightray shrugs and murmurs, "People are willling to overlook quite a bit when prestige and money are on the line. Only those who wish to derail this airport project are likely to object to this masquerade."

"If what Jennie says is true then it won't matter." Augustin replies to Alex. "The connection is sufficient."

Lorelei says, "Look where, Alex? Fragmented administration, remember? And I've never said where I'm actually from."

Meanwhile, utterly seperate from the goings on downstairs, Narosia has to contend with changing her flat robes and sorting past the rubbish. Scowling, she views the writing which had in daylight hours an amusing nonsense added.

Jennie asks, "What paperwork? The Mediator isn't on any CBPA records. She's not been in the military or a council member, despite the number of times she's been asked. So what record is there?"

Lorelei asks Jennie, "Is the Mediator from Colonial Bay originally, or from elsewhere?"

The twins look at each other questioningly. Then Jennie shrugs, "I don't know. From elsewhere, maybe. I can't remember her being in the news when I was young."

Alex nods. "There are some bits of technology that haven't been invented here yet that are fortunate for us. I think the Science Fair will be a good chance to get a feel for what the technology is like."

Lorelei says, "Well, all the better, if people don't know that."

Jessie grins at Alex, "Talking of technology, I bought a video recorder yesterday, Alex. Could you find time to fix it up to our TV?"

Lightray sets his coffee cup down. "It will also be a good place for an 'accident' to occur if someone decided to not have an honorable duel."

Augustin shrugs at Lightray. "We're here for a specific purpose, not to re-engineer their society...They will have to figure out how to deal with this, if they choose to."

Jennie asks, "Is everyone finished eating? The cars are here."

Alex grins. "Yep. That's me... Alex Winters: Interdimensional Cable Guy."

Lorelei grins. "Up there with Bicycle Repair Man."

Lorelei says, "I'm done."

Augustin finishes off the donuts. "Let's get going."

The journey to the high school goes quietly. The cars drop you all off outside the doors to the sports hall, which is being used to house the Science Fair. One of the ticket sellers at the doors is Alex2 in his wheelchair, probably doing the job to earn a few dollars. His face lights up when he sees those of the heroes he knows. "Hello. I didn't know you would be here."

Halcyon looks from Alex to his twin, and waves to the twin.

Lorelei says, "Well, nor did we, for certain."

Alex greets his counterpart. "Hey, Alex... The twins know me too well, that I wouldn't want to pass up a chance to check out this world's Science Fair."

Narosia nods to Alex number two, stiff backed in a formal black dress.

Augustin remains silent, looking around the high school while the better part of his expression is obscured by his glasses.

Alex2 smiles with delight. "Scotty's got an exhibit. You must go and see him. He'll be over the moon to see you again."

"Yeah? Scotty?" Alex asks, his eyes brightening with the possibility. "Yes, I'd like to see it."

Lorelei says, "Of course. Any sign of Caleb yet?"

The dampening of Alex2's face is almost instant as he half shakes his head. "He came back while I was away. Spoke to Scotty and then left before I got back."

Ashton wonders if this world has doubles of most of the heros here, just non-metaish...

Lorelei says, "Oh - I'm sorry."

Lightray watches the exhibits and participants at the Science Fair. He seems fascinated by some of the displays.

Alex2 nods, "It's nothing new. Caleb does speak to Scotty. I guess he just doesn't want to hear another one of my lectures."

There's some pushing as a group of a dozen or so large hulking figures shove past the queue with the intention of entering the hall. They are all wearing CBHS footbal jackets. The person at the head of the group has his right arm in a sling.

Augustin doesn't seem as interested in the science as the people. As the football players push through he arches a brow and makes sure he's close at hand.

Lorelei casts an eye over them, to see if she recognises any of them.

Alex nods sympathetically to Alex2. He turns, noticing the approach of the football team. He straightens his stance and watches them closely for now.

Halcyon ensures she is not in the way of the football squad, watching from the sides.

Narosia swivels, the blood rushing to her face and leaving it within seconds. The mageling sidles round the looming group, searching for a paticular exhibit and face within their crowds.

Lightray looks over at the noise made by the football team. He turns his attention in their direction.

The sight of the heroes at the doors brings a sudden halt to the advance. Then, with hate written clear on his face, Matt2 passes inwards as far away from the heroes as he can get, followed by his minions.

Lorelei says, "I wonder what they're doing here."

Alex2 starts to wheel his chair out from behind the desk where he was dealing with tickets. "I've got to go check on Scotty." he says.

Augustin makes sure to tail after Matt2 and his posse, hoping that since he's never seen these people before they won't have any recognition of him.

Alex nods. "I'll go with you."

Alex2 says, "Thank you."

Lorelei goes with the Alexes too, if she's not too hampered by autograph-signing.

Halcyon follows Augustin, making herself unseen.

The footballers seem to have a destination in mind, or at least an objective. They move through the fair evidently looking for something specific.

Augustin continues to follow, scanning ahead of them to try and figure out their destination before they reach it.

Lorelei thinks. o O (I was afraid of that. SOmething of Alex's? Scotty's? Nils's?)

Narosia thinks. o O (I hope they do not revenge themselves on Nils...)

Lightray watches the football players and the heroes that trail after them.

Ashton looks at the various projects when he's inside the science fair, curious as to what people have as science fair projects here.

"He's a FREAK!" Matt's voice rings out loud and clear as the footballers locate their target. "He shouldn't be allowed to compete for prizes against normal decent people." Matt is facing off with a tall thin youth in front of an robotics exhibit in the senior class area.

"Hey buddy." Augustin calls firmly to Matt. "Take a walk. It's good for your health."

Ashton looks over at the commotion.... ooo, robots. He walks towards the commotion, interested in the science project.... and maybe stopping the commotion over there.

"Leave him alone," Alex says. "You wouldn't care about the science fair otherwise, Matt."

The teachers organizing the fair start hurrying to the site of the incident as Matt continues his denunciation.

Halcyon moves to the exhibit, pausing... and she withdraws from the ready-to-intervene position. Absolutely nothing she could do would help the situation.

Alex thinks. o O ( Ok, I'm defending Nils from Matt... )

"What did you utter?" Narosia locates Nils finally, thanks going to Matt's proclaimation alerting her. Mouth on her face a mere suggestive gash, she takes several paces to the youth and nods.

Matt faces Alex almost snarling in rage. "I care about decent ordinary people who shouldn't have to put up with freaks stealing what's rightfully theirs."

Augustin rolls his eyes. "Same old Regent." He mutters, "Self righteous in all the wrong ways." He seems to have had enough and moves to grab the youth around the colar of his shirt and pull him away.

"What's going on here?" demands the teacher in charge of the science fair.

Lorelei possbily could do something useful, short-term, but doesn't see how that will help the long-term problem. Anything she did would just set Matt more against 'freaks'. But she stands ready in case Nils is in need of defending.

Ashton notices that Augustin seems to have it under control, so he focuses his attention on the robot thingie instead.

Lightray moves to behind the rest of the heroes. He seems to be oversving the rest of the crowd, trying to gauge their mood or opinion on the subject.

"It's a science fair." Alex says. "It's supposed to be about the best ideas. Is everyone supposed to dumb down their exhibits because it makes you nervous?"

Matt turns to the teacher. Controlling himself with effort he says "Mr Lawence, Nils is a frea.. has comic book powers. It's not fair for normal students of the school to have be competing against him."

The teacher looks at Nils, "Is this true?"

"No. We're not doing this." Augustin states, advancing on Matt. "We are not giving any legitimacy your to infantile insecurities by arguing the point. You and me are leaving." He tries to grab Matt's good arm.

Nils nods, "Uh, I guess so. Yes, Mr Lawence."

Halcyon watches, mildly puzzled by the reasoning.

The group of football players bunch up around Matt giving him support.

Narosia shakes her head, "No...he has intelligence. Mr-Mr Lawence, there are ways you know...this man is being unfair. Because of his own insecurity."

Matt pulls clear of Augustin's grab. He visibly foams at the mouth and his left hand is moving awkwardly towards the pistol tucked into his belt. The rest of his minions are also starting to reach for weapons.

"Oh come on." Augustin comments, stepping back once he misses and getting himself under control. "I don't mean to burst your egos fellas but it's not the first time I've been threatened with a gun. Put 'em away, and let's get out of here before we all do something we regret."

Narosia closes her eyes briefly, stepping in front of Nils "Just like suspected...really. Always guns." She mutters darkly, invoking some good old fashioned Latin swearing to effect. "Cease projecting your self loathing, Matt..."

Should he draw, her power impulsively kicks forth and sends a violent tendril slashing into the footballer.

Halcyon seems appalled by the presence of weaposn in the school. She does hesitate though before sending everyone into unpiercable blackness.

The Dark Blast from Narosia flails Matt's chest as he starts drawing his pistol, snapping ribs and causing red blood to gush from his mouth as internal damage is done. The school's star Quarterback is picked up off his feet and hurled back into the mass of his offensive line.

Screams come from the younger students at the sight of the damage caused.

Ashton smells blood... he looks over at Matt to see him flying back. Oh. He waits to see how this situation will go, since he doesn't want to make things worse than they already are...

Lorelei thinks. o O (Brilliant. Just what we needed.)

Augustin can smell the blood as well. "Oh hell."

Alex2 extends his arms the rest of the way to Scotty and grabbing the child pulls him down so Scotty is shielded by Alex2's own body.

Alex tries to make his way into the crowd of footballers, so he can check on Matt.

Alex squeezes through the crowd and kneels by Matt's sides. He looks around at the other football players. "Back off... I'm going to check on him and make sure he's ok.

Augustin growls, clearly displeased with how the fight has progressed so far. He tries to anticipate the moves of the remaining jocks and tries to put himself between them and Narosia. "That's enough blood for today." He tells them. "No more."

Lightray tries to move next to Matt. A look of concern crosses his face as he reaches out towards the wounded young man.

Lorelei says to Narosia, "Are you crazy?! What were you thinking?! And then says in louder voice, to her and the football players. "Let's all just take a breath and calm down.

There's a sudden silence and stillness when Lorelei imposes her influence.

Lightray touches the arm of Matt and sunight suddenly flows from Lightray to him. The sunight seems to seep into MAtt's flesh visibly knitting the torn flesh and causing bones to move back into position.

Staring ghastly eyed ahead, Narosia ignores or very probable, hears nothing. Once Lightray heals the wounds she releases a shuddering sigh, hiding contorted expression under her hands.

The healing of the injuries and Lorelei's intervention takes the heat out of the situation. The teacher in charge however does disqualify Nils from competing for the Science Fair prizes. Half carried by his cronies Matt leaves the hall. It takes a while but activites gradually return to near normal. Apart from a highly dejected Nils packing up his exhibit.

Alex says to Nils, "I didn't get a chance to see the exhibit. What was it...?" He offers to help Nils pack up.

Narosia tries hard to shadow Nils, acting like a dejected puppy who did wrong...least, after her own distant manner. "Sorry...I am sure it was brilliant..."

Augustin turns around, resting a hand on Narosia's shoulder. "We should probably get out of here." He says softly, though his tone doesn't seem to indicate that there's much hurry.