Log:Drexler's Friends, Scene 3

Drexler's Friends 2013/06/13 	 Drexler Interface Jennifer Obsidian_Butterfly|Regan Lia|Sally 3

A notice appears in the newspaper with a copy posted in Steel's Gym. It says:

Superheroes Wanted:

''Do you consider yourself a superhero? Would you like to aide others not just locally, but on distant worlds? If so, please meet at the Steel's Gym for a briefing on June 13th at 9:15 p.m. EST. Selected candidates will depart the evening of June 20th.''

Champions Mush - Thursday, June 13, 2013, 9:15 PM

At the appointed time, without anyone walking into it, the light in the workout room switches from vacant to occupied and the door opens.

Inside the workout room...

The Burning Tenement scene is a classic superhero training exercise: An elderly brick-construction tenement building on the corner of a typical suburban block, twelve stories tall, is shrouded in thick billows of smoke, flickering brilliant orange as tongues of flame belch from the windows. What is not usual in this scene is a small cafe table, set just inside the police barricades and a thin dapper man sipping tea and watching the fire the way other people watch a fireplace.

The stranger is a thin man, highly attractive in a pretty way, with pointed ears, long white hair pulled back in a neat ponytail, a white silk dress shirt, black tie, red paisly vest and black slacks. His black wingtips are polished to a mirror shine and his cufflinks and tie tack are matching fox heads in real gold. His beautiful face is marred, however, by signs of a beating. He bruises are nearly healed, but all the uglier for it, with yellow patches mixed in with the purple.

The door of the workout room slides open to admit Regan who moves unhurriedly into the room. Her sombre gaze sweeps the confines of the chamber, examining the situation within before settling on the occupants. Bard of course she knows, the other is someone she hasn't seen before. She moves languidly toward the control panel of the room which shimmers into view at her approach. She looks at the control panel a moment, surveying the various settings there. Only then does she address the others in her cultured English tone. "Good Evening."

Regan 

''Lustrous jet black hair is cut into a stylish bob, highlights of royal blue subtly shimmering as she moves, bouncing softly on her cheeks. Her skin is the colour of mist-veiled moonlight, pale and ethereal over a round, intelligent face still flush with the strength and promise of youth. High, full cheeks and soft, expressive lips hint at both the dazzling intensity of her smile and the dark and dangerous thunderclap of her temper, hovering for the moment somewhere in between. Above a fine, slightly upturned nose slate-grey eyes glitter mildly as they take in her surroundings. At 5'5" she is compactly built rather than statuesque, but her posture and bearing carry the languid, self-assurance and poise of an accomplished athlete. ''

''A magenta linen tunic drapes loosely around her form, clasped at her slender waist by a black patent leather belt. It is intricately patterned with a network of midnight black tendrils and though rather loose seems carefully tailored. It flares slightly over her hips to stop mid-thigh, its sleeves coming to a few inches above her wrists, and is very loose around the neck, occasionally threatening to fall from her shoulder. ''

''A black skirt of some heavy fabric falls to mid-calf where it meets the top of a pair of black satin and leather boots. The skirt's piping and pleats are of an eye-catching scarlet silk that shimmers with every graceful movement. She wears a minimum of makeup, a pair of black opal earstuds, an intricately worked necklace of amber, and a gold bangle on her left wrist. ''

Drexler hops up and says with a cheerful voice, "Good evening!" He pauses to look outside and doesn't see the line he expects. With a faintly crestfallen face, he says, "Oh. Did I follow the custom incorrectly?"

Taking the water, Ally says, "Thanks again Regan, updates are finished." And she heads out to the car... where she drives around the block, gets dressed in a back alleyway and decides to investigate this whole... super duper people gathering. So it is that Interface lands out front and strides in towards the back room.

Regan shakes her head. "Not at all, in my experience meta-humans are notoriously difficult to coordinate and almost impossible to predict." She shrugs. "they may or may not show up when asked to, if they do they may decide that they would rather bicker amongst themselves rather than do anything constructive." Her head swivels to the doorway as it glides open. "So I would expect people to arrive in dribs and drabs if they arrive at all."

Drexler still looks confused. "Then how will I know when to start? If have to I explain things multiple times, somebody could end up dead."

"Start whenever you wish. I will record for playback if and when others arrive." offers Interface's digitized voice. "And Obsidian Butterfly is correct. Metahumans, beings of will and power tend to be willful and aren't.. for the most part... the sorts to ask permission or take direction from others very well in most cases. I've met a few who can work -together- with folks, but not many. I admit my own faults along those lines as well." She eyes the table and chair... <>

Interface 

''Just an inch or two under six feet in height, this armored individual is obviously of a female form under the armor. The armor itself is a mixture of crimson and silver colors. The torso is mostly crimson with patches of silver on the thighs leading down to crimson boots that come up over the knees. The gauntlets are also crimson with silver upper arms. Then there's the helmet, which is crimson around back and on the sides with a faceplate that is a solid silver in color. One might guess that it acts as a one way mirror the wearer can see out of. ''

''At times, weapons will extend from the backs of the gauntlets, or panels will open to allow thrusters to project reactor plasma outward to propel the wearer in any direction. The panels or pieces of the armor tend to shift as she moves even, be it flying or even just moving her arms about. ''

Regan's shoulders lift slightly. "Without a better understanding of your position I find it difficult to offer more than vague generalities." Her head tilts slightly. "How many people do you think need to be present for your intended purpose?" She smiles at the armoured suit's pronouncement. "Good evening Interface."

Drexler says, "My original estimate was at least twenty to fifty, but I've had occasion lately to re-evaluate the individual power of superheroes."

The burning tenement starts to crumble a bit with a loud rumble.

"Well, power is a very subjective .. subject."  says Julius through the mindlink, <> is the eloquent mental reply. "Most people see my armor and assume I am just a tin can with guns. But really... that is all just so that I can survive long enough to exercise my namesake... my most prized ability is that which lets me 'interface' with any computer psionically using nothing but my brain."

Drexler's eyes light up. "You can alter this then?" gesturing toward the room.

"Absolutely." offers Interface as she steps over to the wall, simple touches a finger to it and the holos start shifting. "What do you want it to be set as?" she asks in that digitized and disguised voice. Gotta love keeping a secret ID.

Drexler says, "Something pleasant, preferably with chairs. It didn't respond to any control cantrip I know."

Regan's lips purse for a moment before she replies. "That's a very large number, I've personally never been part of a team that big, perhaps some those Chinese military units can manage those sorts of numbers but they're professionals and part of a firm chain of command." She shrugs, her hand wandering unhurriedly toward the control panel. As Interface moves her hand falls back to her side.

Regan says, "Ultimately the size of the roster must depend on what you want done." She smiles softly. "And under what circumstances.""

Nodding her helmet, Interface simply focuses. The holograms adjust and morph until it is a poolside deck, with comfortable lawn chairs everywhere. However, one of the chairs grows reinforcement and Interface sits down in that one after things settle in.

Drexler smiles as the room changes, gestures toward the seating and steps out where the pair (and whatever unseen mechanical watchers) can see. He hmms and scratches his chin.

"Where to begin," he mutters. After a bit of thought, she says, "I guess it would be best to start with a bit of background. Everyone knows what a fae is and what we can do so I guess I will start with the destination:Haverdeen. The Barony of Haverdeen was awarded several hundred years ago to a fae general upon his retirement. Rumor has it that the general sided with a human servant in a minor dispute with another fae, which was a bit of a scandal at the time. Other rumors circulated regarding the nature of the relationship, but nothing was ever proven. I'm certain you will find Haverdeen one of the more 'human friendly' places you will encounter on your travels. For example, the baron takes pride in the safety of his roads for all travelers, so casting glamor spells on one of the baron's roads risks his displeasure."

"One of the unique features of Haverdeen is that the Crown granted the Baron absolute authority within Haverdeen, with the understanding that the Crown has the ability to dissolve the entire realm at any time. Baron Haverdeen (his title, not his name) extends that same courtesy to all landowners with certain conditions. Haverdeen law recognizes four classes of people: landowners, guests, friends and trespassers. If a landowner is rude to a guest, that guest can complain to the crown and the landowners fiefdom can be revoked. Rudeness to guests is a serious offense in Haverdeen. On the other hand, while it is ill-advised for friends to be rude to landowners for fear of being declared a trespasser, landowners are allowed to be rude to friends. Trespassing is punishable by death. Likewise, Haverdeen law does not include either search warrants - or formal tea - and a guest's (or friend's) status resets upon leaving the landowner's property. So you could leave as a friend turned trespasser, return the next day and be a guest again. Everybody with me so far? Trust me, it is a lot less confusing to live this way than it is to explain it."

Regan blinks slowly as she watches Drexler expound on his native land. "So it is safest to be polite to everyone one encounters?" She asks with obvious caution. "And to do nothing that might iminge on the rights of the Baron or his landowners?"

Drexler nods smiling at Regan like a particularly bright student... which may not bode well for his estimate of human intelligence in general.

Drexler says, "The remainder of Haverdeen laws grow from the tresspasser vs guest vs friend laws. For example, the standard punishment for highway robbery is to be declared a 'trespasser to the barony' starting at a certain time. Such a person has until that time to find a landowner that will take him in before the Baron's Hounds track him down and either kill him or take him onto their own lands."

Regan nods slowly, her expression neutral but she apparently has no comment to offer on the law-enforcing hounds. "So... the question then becomes, why do you want us to go to Haverdeen, and what do you expect us to do there?"

"So how does this bring us to superhero activities in the local community?" asks Interface bluntly even as Julius chides her,  ... <>

Drexler gestures and a portal opens up beside him to a tropical rainforest. A dragonfly enters the room and buzzes around a bit before Drexler closes the portal. "This will not be 'local'", he says.

"I see... well, I have commitments locally, and really can't be away for extended times." offers Interface. She pauses and tries to be polite, "I don't mean to cause a problem with your plans, but I can't really be a part of something that doesn't let me come home at least for a few hours every day."

Jennifer enters the workout room and takes in everyone there.

Regan's head swivels as the door opens and she beams as Jennifer moves into the room. "Well if it isn't one of Colonial Bay's most formidable." Her head tilts slightly as the apparent child moves into view. Her attention flickers to the dragonfly, her brow furrowing. . o O (I'll have to sweep the room for monitoring devices and surveillance after this, who do I know that can scan for magic"

Jennifer nods to Regan, but her attention seems focused mostly on the person she doesn't recognize.

Drexler smiles when Jennifer enters and waves her toward a empty lawn chair. "Greetings," he says. "I am told the earlier portions of this meeting are being ... what is the word you used?" He looks to Regan. "Ray-corded?"

Jennifer nods to Drexler, "The notice that was brought to my attention mentioned other worlds. Have you covered that aspect already?"

Regan says, "Recorded." She nods. "That is correct, both by Interface and the in-room security system." She looks to Interface then back to Drexler. "Normally you would start a briefing with a statement of objective and the means by which it is expected to be achieved. This will give people a better idea of whether or not they can contribute and whether or not they want to."

Drexler says, "Because all landowners are a law unto themselves, they are also expected to enforce their own laws. The reason I am asking you to go to Haverdeen is on behalf of a lady to whom I owe certain favors. She maintains a 'specialty hotel', has several guests that refuse to leave, and due to the nature of Haverdeen law there is no outside authority she can appeal to, to force them to leave, without also giving up her rights as sole authority. She has only friends like me to appeal to."

Sally enters the workout room as well, with a bar of chocolate in hand, and a somewhat sleepy look in her eye, like she was sleeping not long ago. She offers a small yawn, and a wave. "Hello."

"Would you like a holographic projection of your initial speech to be replayed for the newcomers Mister Drexler?" asks Interface, trying to be helpful and polite at least.

Drexler looks confused at what half of those words mean, but says, "Certainly. If that would be of assistance."

Regan inclines her head. "I see and by what mechanism do you imagine we might convince them to leave?" She shrugs. "Will they find our lack of pointed ears naturally repellent or do you expect us to compel them in some fashion?"

In moments, a projection comes out of Interface's wrist unit and takes form in front of her.

''"Where to begin," he mutters. After a bit of thought, she says, "I guess it would be best to start with a bit of background. Everyone knows what a fae is and what we can do so I guess I will start with the destination:Haverdeen. The Barony of Haverdeen was awarded several hundred years ago to a fae general upon his retirement. Rumor has it that the general sided with a human servant in a minor dispute with another fae, which was a bit of a scandal at the time. Other rumors circulated regarding the nature of the relationship, but nothing was ever proven. I'm certain you will find Haverdeen one of the more 'human friendly' places you will encounter on your travels. For example, the baron takes pride in the safety of his roads for all travelers, so casting glamor spells on one of the baron's roads risks his displeasure." ''

''"One of the unique features of Haverdeen is that the Crown granted the Baron absolute authority within Haverdeen, with the understanding that the Crown has the ability to dissolve the entire realm at any time. Baron Haverdeen (his title, not his name) extends that same courtesy to all landowners with certain conditions. Haverdeen law recognizes four classes of people: landowners, guests, friends and trespassers. If a landowner is rude to a guest, that guest can complain to the crown and the landowners fiefdom can be revoked. Rudeness to guests is a serious offense in Haverdeen. On the other hand, while it is ill-advised for friends to be rude to landowners for fear of being declared a trespasser, landowners are allowed to be rude to friends. Trespassing is punishable by death. Likewise, Haverdeen law does not include either search warrants - or formal tea - and a guest's (or friend's) status resets upon leaving the landowner's property. So you could leave as a friend turned trespasser, return the next day and be a guest again. Everybody with me so far? Trust me, it is a lot less confusing to live this way than it is to explain it." ''

Jennifer says, "Thank you, Interface. That was very helpful."

Sally looks to the hologram, and nods, then nods to Interface as well, but she doesn't speak.

Drexler gestures to his own facial bruises. "I think something like this would do. The lady's customary method of dealing with trespassers involves lava ... or more commonly threatening trespassers with lava, so it is safe to assume her problem is resistant in some fashion."

"Well, I am not exactly in the business of... eviction. It's not like I have the authority to make guests go home. We have plenty of difficulty getting folks to leave here on Earth." remarks Interface's digitized voice.

Regan looks to Jennifer. "And from there, apparently Mister Drexler has a lady friend who has some troublesome lodgers she can't remove directly without fear of violating the strict hospitality laws and forfeiting her holdings." Her brow furrows and her attention returns to drexler. "So you imagine that we would travel to a foreign land and physically confront some people we don't know from a bar of soap because they're refusing to vacate their rooms?

Jennifer says, "Let me see if I have this straight. There's trouble with unwanted guests in a household in a realm on the Twilit worlds and you're here asking human heroes to go help out?"

"I can offer fireballs." Sally offers, shrugging a little. "And other kinds of non-elemental destructive conjurations." Sally shrugs. "But can't we just get someone to drag them out of there?" Sally looks to the group, especially Interface.

Drexler frowns at Interface. "I am sorry, my translation spell might be failing again - and I was assured that this was a better version than my first attempt. It is not that she is unwilling to evict them. According to Haverdeen law these beings have clearly identified themselves as trespassers - if for the rudeness of eating other guests if no other. She is unable to remove them."

Regan ahs. "So your lady friend is having trouble with carnivorous houseguests who are eating her other guests?" She shrugs. "that does rather change the situation. And logically, if they can indulge their anthropophagous appetites without exciting official censure I guess we can confront them without being branded as enemies of the state." Her head inclines. "So is there some reason this cannot be achieved in the space of a few minutes? Must we stay hours or days before challenging them?"

Jennifer shrugs, "There doesn't seem to be anything here to draw my professional interest. The heroes I see are all adults. They can make up their own minds whether to help or not. However," She looks at Drexler, "you do realize I hope that heroes aren't a resource you just point at a target and fire off. If they agree to help out there will need to be proof that your claims regarding the situation are true. Although I guess if the unwanted guests try to eat a hero that will probably be sufficient evidence."

Sally nods, "I'm all here then." She seems confident of herself, until she hears Jennifer ask for proof. And upon that note, Sally shoots a glance at Jennifer, "Though, having evidence would be nice..." She turns back to Drexler, and offers another small shrug.

Drexler nods to Jennifer and replies, "I was told that justice was a necessary requirement to employing superheroes - a change in fashion I hardily approve of. Much better than uncooth mercenaries." To Regan he says, "Due to the nature of Haverdeen space, I cannot simply transport you to Lady Red's home. All entrance and exit across dimensions is through the Great Haverdeen Bridge. I would also suggest that any who scout or move by traveling between dimensions refrain from using those abilities in Haverdeen as those abilities, themselves, could be hazardous.

Drexler says, "I would also assume that you would need some time to put your affairs in order before embarking on a dangerous quest and would want to give whomever accompanies me all due courtesy."

"Well, as I said, I cannot join this quest, or eviction. I am not going to go harrying off world. I wish you luck, but... as I said, I have local commitments."  offers Julius.

Jennifer stands, "If any of you decide to go along, and assuming what's been said is accurate I give some thought towards doing so if I was in your position, please let me know via the FBI. My organization likes to keep track of off-world and off-dimension travels."

Regan nods. "You're asking rather a lot on faith it must be said. We trust that this is not some form of trap, and that the people we confront are in fact criminals and that Lady Red is an individual who warrants our assistance and that our actions won't prejudice our standing or that of our associates, planet, or dimension." Her shoulder lift in another supple shrug. "But contingent on these qualms being assuaged I would be willing to at least go and inspect the situation at first hand."

Jennifer looks to Drexler, "How long will it take... IN EARTH HOURS..? Have you considered the Fae-Earth time rate difference?" She looks at Interface, "When we journeyed to Undermoon with Princess Stephanie we were over there for several days and back on Earth a couple of hours after leaving."

Sally tilts her head at Jennifer, "Er...you want us to do...what?" She shakes her head and looks to Drexler, "I'll go, but, I'm. I'm a bit weary of this, but, I guess I'll see what happens when we get there. And time isn't much of a problem for me-All I have is time."

Jennifer says, "It's not my intention to sway you one way or the other. Just to make sure you have accurate facts on which to base your own decisions. My reason for attending was the mention of other world involvement. But we have no professional concerns over the Twilit worlds, so that's the end of my concern."

Drexler looks more and more worried as first Interface then Jennifer refuse. "So that's it then? Two?"

To Jennifer, he says, "Because Haverdeen is a pocket dimension, unlike Undermoon, the time difference is... unstable. You should return quite quickly local-time, but I do not want to make any promises I cannot keep. The time difference could crawl as slowly as one to one."

Jennifer says, "When I was younger and had less commitments I'd probably have jumped at the chance to go world-hopping. Now I'm a stay at home kind of a person with commitments I can't easily break."

 suggests Julius in Interface's head. But the reply... <> And she shakes her head, "I am sorry, but I just.. cannot commit to this, but I might mention it to others who might be of the right mindset."

Regan nods to Jennifer, then returns her attention to Drexler. "I'm certain there are others willing to participate. May I ask how many of these unwanted guests there might be?"

Drexler lights up, "Please do invite others!"

Drexler says, "I don't know the exact nature of the trouble. Given Lady Red's resources and abilities, any attempt to scout her domicile unassisted could be ... hazardous. I only know the contents of her message to me, which I have already shared."

Sally nods slowly, and offers a shrug, "So, when do we head off?"

Drexler says, "One week from today."

Regan nods once more. "So, you mentioned Lady red offered specialized services but you chose to gloss over what those services might be. I suspect however that they might be of some significance. If i ask directly will you choose to share or are you going to leave them as a surprise."

Drexler says, "She has a full service luxury hotel, with personal attendants available to see to each individual guests needs twenty-four hours a day."

Regan nods yet again. "I see. That still leaves rather a lot of scope but I suppose all will become clear in time. I will do my best in the interim to locate additional people who might be interested in participating. "

"And lastly, where do we meet up? Back here?" Sally asks.

Drexler says, "Given the fickle nature of guests and their difficulty to please, and the nature of Haverdeen law, you can understand why she has the only hotel in that entire land ... she is very good at pleasing people. ... and if our host does not mind," he adds with a nod to Regan, "we can meet here.""

Sally nods, and stretches, smiling a bit, "See you in a week then?"

Drexler nods, "And bring capable friends!"

Regan's head tilts fractionally. "I don't mind at all, but I'm a hostess." She smiles. "Thank you for your time and understanding."

The dragonfly heads out the open door and quickly finds his way out of the building.

Drexler bows to the pair. "If that is it then," he says. "I will see you in one week." He gestures, and another portal opens, this one to a lobby of a busy hotel. He steps through and it closes behind him.