Log:Power Failure

2007/11/17 	 Rebound Jennifer and Jessica Regent Diamond Wanderer Lorelei Variable Narosia Badaboom Ultramercs unnamed Chinese meta 1

Scene: The "big game" between the rival schools, CHHS and Bayside Academy

Jennifer and Jessica are wearing CHHS football jerseys with the QB's number of them. Their faces are painted in the school team colors and they look excited to be at the game.

Stephie, of course, is with the CHHS cheerleaders, as indeed is Chrissie.

Alex is at the foot of a section of the bleachers where it's mostly Colonial Heights fans. He looks up into the seats for any familiar faces.

Flying above the stadium Matt is looking for the girls, hoping they've saved him a seat.

The twins get to their seats, wishing they could have afforded a better vantage point. Jennifer looks down at the cheerleaders looking for Stephie and any others she knows. Jessica is holding the cups of coffee and a bag of hotdogs.

Jennifer actually realises she can recognise a fair number of the cheerleaders, at least vaguely - from Stephie's birthday party, or just those she's seen hanging about her.

Jennifer powers up her force armor and waves while speaking on the New Blood team communicator."

Edward walks along the aisle of the stadium, nearly slipping on a hotdog someone haphazardly dropped on the floor. He regains his balance and takes a random seat near Alex, yawning.

Narosia is pushing her way through the crowd, shrinking back from various jostlings. It seems she has made a smidgen of effort by wearing one dress, shapeless, baggy and uniformly grey as it might be. "Excuse me-have you seen an Alex Winters?" She asks pair of short wearing sweethearts, arms twined round each others shoulders.

Good thing the twins have save Matt a seat, because the place is packed.

Jennifer moves so the empty seat is between the twins.

Alex touches a finger to his ear and looks up. Spotting the twins, he waves. He catches the sound of his name, and he starts looking about again, this time for the source of the voice.

Jennifer powers down her force armor paying no heed to the people around her who may have reacted to the sudden appearence of a combat shield in the midst of them.

After a few minutes Matt flies down to the twins, he flies low over the crowd yelling, "Go Colonial Heights!" and lands gently next to the twins.

The twins hug Matt. "Hi. Going to be a great game. I've been looking forward to this all term."

Regent grins at the twins, "I know, I even bought a ticket to this just for you.." he winks and returns the hug kissing both of them, which raises an eyebrow among some of the spectators who don't know the twins and Matt. Mostly the parents..

Narosia was too busy simply assimilating the noise and ambience for noticing a power being used. That plus her fruitless search for Alex, the person who casually asked her here. What were those helmeted males doing, it was called uh football. Right. "Please...has no one seen Alex Winters?"

Jessica grins and saves the coffee as she's grabbed, hugged, and kissed by Matt. "Coffee? I've got a half dozen hotdog's in the bag... GO THE HEIGHTS!!!" she shouts along with Jennifer as it looks like the teams are coming on field.

Fweeeet! The umpire blows his whistle with his arms raised up in the air, signalling that Bayside's field goal is good -- Bayside's first score. The Bayside side of the stands cheers loudly. The score: Colonial Heights 7, Bayside 3.

The cheerleaders (of both sides) are busy warming the fans up. The rivalry even in this can be seen - things have been a bit bitter between the cheerleaders too lately, especially since Bayside took in the meta cheerleaders expelled from CHHS.

Jennifer says, "HEY THAT WAS A FACEMASK, STRIPY! ARE YOU BLIND!!!"

The CHHS cheerleaders go wild, which is quite a sight. Quite a number of people seem to be watching them more than the game.

"Narosia!" Alex calls. "Over here..." He waves vigorously, trying to catch her attention.

Edward looks around him, looking slightly confused. He shrugs to himself, and goes back to looking at the game.

Jennifer spots Eva in the Bayside cheerleaders and gives her a wave. She actually had a fair amount of respect for Eva since she stood by Nils in the ACRO base instead of running.

The CHHS cheerleaders counter, trying to urge their team on. TV cameras catch this - this grudge match is enough to make local television anyway.....

Alex stops waving quite so vigorously.

Catching Alex's familiar voice near drowned among hundreds of others shouting Narosia's features brighten and she weaves herself through the crowd where he sits. "Ah Alex...Hello." At loss for any better words she nudges a seat beside him, examining the jumping cheerleaders.

Jessica tells Matt, "I'm still feeling the aftereffects of that cold I think. Not going to miss the game but I feel a bit off color."

Jennifer blinks, "Say, Matt, is it my eyes or are you losing your aura?"

Eva steals a glimpse of Jennifer for a moment, after Jennifer shouted. Her gaze doesn't linger, as she turns her attention back to the task at hand - leading the Bayside cheerleaders. She claps twice and raises her fist in the air, and her squad copies her movements exactly.

Regent watches on, "Uh..what? my aura? What are you talking about?" He looks at himself, "eh?"

Jessica turns and looks at Matt carefully.

Matt's aura does indeed seem to be getting fainter.

Alex nods to Narosia. "Hey..." he says, with a nod hello. He winces slightly as he lowers his arm slowly, as if a little sore.

Jennifer says, "Get out of here! Matt, someone may have a Fader focused on this area. Get clear."

Regent frowns.."Um..something's wrong." he says suddenly and he draws upon the powers within him, and tries to fly on high..

Matt fails to take off - the effort seems to burn out of him the last of the power, and his aura vanishes entirely.

Jessica and Jennifer start moving away from their seats in different directions opening up a separationg between them.

"Is something wrong with you?" Narosia asks a split second before Matt begins his attempt at flight. Twisting her head at the commotion her look of concern turns into less personalised worry. "What is happening over there...?"

Regent looks something of an idiot until his aura fades out completely, "I'm powerless.." he says its been years since he's been without the power of the Exodi..and he's not sure he knows what to do.

And then suddenly there's a BIG commotion from a large section of the crowd - people looking toward the CHHS cheerleaders.

"I'm not feeling so well myself..." Alex says. "I should go..." he tries to explain to Narosia. He holds his hand cupped over his mouth as he mutters something to himself.

Regent's legs go to mush as he falls heavily, barely holding on to twins.."My legs..I've lost my legs again.." he says through gritted teeth, letting himself down to the bleacher seating.

Edward remains blissfully unaware of everything else, paying attention to the game.

Among the cheerleaders - is Lorelei! Except it's also Stephie. She looks like both at once. Except, if anything, she's hotter than ever. She looks bewildered as hundreds of people suddenly look her way....

Jennifer mutters "I'm going to grind Nil's face off with a blunt nailfile for doing this to Matt. Then she lifts Matt up and fireman lifts him on her way trying to get clear of the area. "Oof... Matt you need to go in a diet." she jokes wryly trying to keep spirits up.

Narosia leans over Alex, awkwardly patting his back, retrieving her hand quickly after. "Certainly. Let me escort you out, as our favoured patron..." Joke dropping off, discarded when realised perhaps no, not the best time for it. Smoothing down her bag dress she aims to support him out.

Regent groans.."Thanks..thanks..this really sucks." he says to himself, but not so quietly as he's jounced around on Jen's shoulder for her not to hear him.

Jennifer holds Matt on her shoulder. "I fell in love with you, Matt. Not a set of meta powers or a pair of legs."

Regent says between bounces, trusting in the girls ability to hold him..they are after all, the strongest girls he knows, "Really..because I thought my legs were rather sexy.." he tries to remain light..but his tone somewhat fails.

Alex leans on Narosia's shoulder for support. He turns to see what the commotion is with the cheerleaders, but instead of turning at the neck, he steps gingerly around so he can face them. He moves stiffly, like an eight-year-old.

Jessica catches up with Matt and Jennifer. "Tech stuff seems unaffected. Look, the camera hoverdrones are still working. Let's try this. she says while slipping an anti-grav belt around Matt's waist.

Chrissie looks rather panicked too - not that anyone much is likely to notice. More and more people are looking at Stephie/Lorelei - even the game pretty much seems to have ceased. The camera hoverdrones are also converging on her.

Regent agrees.."If it works, I'll try it." he's not sure how it works..he can only hope for the best.

Jennifer moves Matt's hand to the small control panel. "Anti-grav, Matt. Not much if if tech works you should be able to fly with it."

And if there weren't chaos enough 7 people in powered up suddenly fly in over the stadium, from the direction of the parking lot.

Holding Alex gingerly, like he might break Narosia starts feeling the sensation creeping into her marrow, sucking her strength. Setting her jaw she takes small child steps and more asorbed in the ground until Alex too stares so she follows his gaze over where Lorlei/Stephie stands. "...I think...its worse than mere illness."

The seven men are in identical armour, with a visored mask. The suits aren't too bulky except at the back, which give the impression of a backpack, if built in. They fly by projecting some sort of energy through the bottom of the 'backpack' - and there seem to be some sorts of nozzles mounted on the forearms too.

Regent nods and wobbily starts to fly out of the stadium. trying not to to draw too much attention, he flies slowly above the throngs of people, using open walk ways and stairs when he can.

Alex says to Narosia. "We've got to get to the parking lot. Do you have a car?" He starts to move towards the parking lot, with Narosia's help if she'll allow. "I don't see anything special about the armors, aside from the backpacks."

Lorelei can be seen to be getting panicky at the excessive attention. She strikes a sort of pose, but that only seems to make things worse - suddenly there are people (especially guys) running toward her. Unsurprisingly, she runs away, out into the field! The scene looks distressingly like something from Benny Hill....

The men swoop down, and their leader calls out in an amplified voice (after much effort getting on camera!), "Attention, heroes of Colonial Bay! We challenge you to a fight! Come and face us, or those here will pay the price!"

Edward notices the armored people, and everyone seems distracted. He takes this time to sneak out of sight, to switch into his hero costume.

Narosia shakes her head, downhearted by this tumultuous beginning (add end) "Those hm blasting 'sticks' must derive their energy source from it. Ah who minds-we need to both get out here. I think it is affecting everyone." Dragging herself along with him the challenge is stoically ignored, doubling her efforts anew.

The camera chases Lorelei anyway! It seems she's bigger news than some villains threatening people.

Regent stops in his tracks. "What??"

Lots of people are try to get out - so the good news is the move is with the crowd, and the bad news is the way is packed.

Regent screws the covert way, it was never his style anyway, and he flies above the crowd heading for the stadiums's outside and the van..

Jennifer and Jessica start running down towards the field, "That's me!" they shout. "Let the players clear and field and then bring it on."

Jennifer and Jessica start running down towards the field, "That's me!" they shout. "Let the players clear the field and then bring it on."

"Roger that." Alex says, though he's not quite facing Narosia. When he does look over to her, he asks again, "Do you have a car here?" as the two of them continue to the parking lot.

The players clearing the field isn't so hard to arrange. A lot of them are chasing Lorelei.... The leader looks at the twins. "You. You are among this city's heroes? Are no more willing to face us?"

Jennifer grins, "Okay, the odds are bad I agree. But I want to watch the rest of the game so I'm not going to hang around while you call up reinforcements. You'll just have to go with what you've got. here."

Matt gets lucky - the armoured people seem to have been distracted by the twins (and Stephie) and don't seem to have noticed him leaving, even flying.

"If that's how you want it. Though it hardly seems much of a challenge."

Second shake of the head, followed with worried nibble on her lower lip. Finally her exhausted muscles give way for her panting slumped on a random standing wall. "You go on. I'm no threat-hopefully they won't notice the odd person left...so tired."

Jennifer and Jessica power up their force armour. Nice that some of their gear is tech.

Two of the eight guys land in the field to face the twins.

Wanderer changes into costume out of sight, then tries to shapeshift into his normal Wanderer persona... ah crud. He tries again... nothing. Not good.

The twins move with intentional awkwardness to face off against the power suits, aiming to look more ineffective than they feel.

Alex nods seriously, his jaw set. "I'm sorry Narosia. I have to go. Try to keep your head down, alright."

The two men maneuvre one to face each twin hand-to-hand. They seem to be waiting for the twins to make the first move.

Narosia nods, sliding down into sitting position. "I should be able with the two fighting. Keep safe." Obviously worried she mumbles the last sentence over, watching him leave.

Regent continues to fly out of the stadium, going higher and higher, until he is about 30" off the ground and heading slowly at the van.

"COme on then, show us what you've got," says the first guy.

Jennifer and Jessica shout and charge straight at the two power suits, leaving themselves wide open fof a throw. But a fraction before they get into hand to hand range they dart sideways and tumble into a spin that brings them in low. Lashing out with feet they use the momentum of the kick to spring up onto their feet in a shoulder roll.

Unfortunately, these guys *do* have superhuman reflexes. Or more likely, their suits do....

The second one returns a strike at Jessica.

Jessica grins wryly as she and her sister miss. o O(I don't have to win, just keep them busy for a while. Winning would be a nice bonus though.)

The guy's cross connects - he's moving faster than the twins. He's probably strong enough to lift a car to boot.

Once in the parking lot, Alex shrugs his coat from his shoulders. He places it against the window of a parked car and attempts to smash it in.

The window shatters.

Narosia staggers upwards, face turned towards the very real violence played out and winces when Jessica is hit. Scanning their fight she is observing the armour rather than the 'agents' actions. Even without much strength...maybe-"Excuse me?" She speaks a little louder than her usual whisper. Again, another bolder try. "Excuse me-you forgot a person!"

"If you insist," says the agent's leader to Narosia, and directs one of his men to go down to meet her.

One of the agents lands to face Narosia. The two facing the twins try to strike them.

Jennifer avoids the return attack. Jessica take a more direct avoiding action and dodges.

Regent takes the earpiece out and begins the freefall, aided by the belt's impetus.

Alex climbs into the car and hurriedly tries to hotwire it.

Darn it. You need Caleb. It would be no trouble if you could get in to the wires....

Jennifer screams, "MATT! DON'T DO ANYTHING SILLY!" and strikes with raging anger at the power suit in front of her.

The moment he lands she is ready, eyes trained steadily on her opponent. Swallowing hard she shuffles back, arms raised protectively in show of one unphased, then begins the dance. Fluid limbs spin round energized by knife sharp tension-anything to keep him attempting attack with possible hope scoring blows but retreating just as each blow lands. Frankly she's deathly scared-kept in check by not having luxury of fear. This is about observing the suit in action, not winning or even stalemate. There's only so long one can avoid a super powered adult human.

Matt crashes clear through the roof of the van. And not a little through its floor.

The roof of the van collapses under the falling body of the Exodus. He groans loudly as a rib breaks, and he is almost KO'ed by the fall. Thank the gods for the Atlantean body he now possesses...or he'd probably be nearly dead.

Jennifer takes the hit with an grimaces but is still in there.

Alex abandoned the idea of hotwiring the car. He runs over to the van. "Matt?! Matt!"

Regent is groggy, he looks around and is glad he's alive. He sees the chinese man and says in Cantonese, "Are you..causing the powers to go away?" and he tries to get between he and the armored guy. "If you are..stop it...people are being hurt.." he says while wincing.

In the van -practically broken in two - are is Matt talking to a tied-up middle-aged Chinese man. In the driver's seat is another man in armour, turning around to see what hit him!

The guy answers in Cantonese probably no better than Matt's.

Regent shouts, "Alex.." and he pauses from the pain, "This chinese guy..get him the hell out of here, away from here..its him..he's the fader!"

Narosia pauses her feint, scooping up the crumbling mud beneath her feet. Throwing it at the visor in preparation for her next, longer action.

The mud splatters all over the guy's visor, blinding him as a flash of light wouldn't have.

Jennifer and Jessica get missed again this time around.

No entry for 'guy attacking Narosia lurches in the wrong direction entirely, slips on the mud where Naro'.

The guy attacking Narosia lurches in the wrong direction entirely, slips on the mud where Narosia and scooped up the turf, and ploughs headlong into the stands, getting himself stuck under a bench.

The twins nods to Narosia, "Nice move."

In the van, the driver attempts to attack Alex, but Matt interposes himself, tangling they guy up to give Alex and the Chinese guy time to get clear.

The leader orders orders some of the men back to the van (to judge my how he's pointing). But it turns out some of them are watching Lorelei, still running round the field! Only two of them turn to fly that way.

Jennifer calls out over the team communicator, "MATT??? Ale... Rebound, what's happened to Matt?" as she strikes at the power suit. Jessica continues to dodge the other one.

The punch strikes the plastic laminate armour with a dull thud. It's not clear how much he felt that, unfortunately.

Alex looks to Matt. "I'm on it!" He tries to lift the Chinese man onto his shoulder in a fireman's carry and then put as much distance between himself and the van.

The man is shaking his head and saying something you don't understand.

Narosia charges towards the mentally skewed men chasing the unfortunate Lorelei, intending a tackle ambush while they are distracted, clump of mud in one hand.

Narosia inhales deeply, calming her nerves then a running charge towards the pair watching Lorelei, hoping their mental state renders them insensible whereon their nozzles will get jammed by a clump of mud clutched tightly in one hand.

Jessica laughs suddenly.

It hits spot on. The two never see it coming until it is too late and one very furious librarian is upon them.

The leader lands and fires on Narosia, from a distance, from his forearm-nozzles. THe two fighting the twins fight on: their pride is at stake!

In the van, the man knock out Matt and prepares to chase Alex - and two other men are now flying out of the stadium to do the same!

Jennifer and her sister strike at the power suits.

Once again, the effectiveness of striking armour with a bare fist is questionable....

"What is it!" Alex asks breathlessly, and he continues to carry the man out of the parking lot and out of the stadium. "I can't understand you!"

Narosia stumbles backwards, singed and winded by the leader's sudden interest in affairs. Stunning leaves her very open and vunerable for continued attacks not mentioning somewhat slow to respond.

Alex spots a passing cab and she shouts. "TAXI!"

The taxi stops for Alex. Well, he is carrying an obvious rescued prisoner...

"Where to?" He pretty calm about the approaching power armour. He does live in Colonial Bay.

Diamond makes it onto the field finally. She is in her diamond form, so obviously some of her powers are working, but she seems to be moving really slow. There are also strange growths of diamond like crystal, sticking out of her body. She glances around a little and moves to assist the twins. She barely makes it there and looses a punch at one of the armored guys.

Diamond just moves too slow and misses easily. It is like she has become more of a diamond statue, barely animate.

Jennifer nods to Diamond, "You look you still carry a big punch?"

The leader mutters angrily - presumably into their radio link, but it's loud enough he can just about be heard.

Diamond nods, "I think I do. Just barely move."

Jennifer nods, "Okay, I'll try and put them down. You keep them down. Does that sound like a plan to you?"

Diamond nods to Jennifer and glances around a bit.

Three men converge on the taxi. Two stare stupidly at Lorelei still. Three attack Jenn, Jess and Narosia.

Jennifer is rocked back on her heels but still going.

Jennifer switches tactics and goes for a martial throw at the feet of Diamond.

Jessica continues to punch.

Jennifer drops one of the power suits face down at Diamond's feet. Jessica misses with a punch.

Alex climbs into the taxi. "Floor it!" he shouts. "I'll pay for any tickets. Drive, drive!"

The cabbie floors it and the taxi takes off with the impressive acceleration of a modern vehicle. "Good thing you came along," he says, nonchalantly. "Not much comes out this far - thought I've have an empty ride back. Where to?"

Alex says, "City Center!"

"Sea Breeze'll be jammed up at this time of day. No worries, I'll get you there!"

Leaping into life Narosia skids narrowly missing another attack, face drawn with effort. Gathering her wits a final headlong attack is made, beeline for the leader.

A sweeping kick, vertically at the guts and other squishy sensitive parts.

The man was *almost* knocked of balance from the force of the blow, but doesn't seem hurt.

Diamond frowns and sees the one of the ground in front of her. She pulls back and puts everything into a daring punch, but then she is going after a guy on the ground, hopefully this will hurt him.

The guy lands over 18 yards down the field. Looks like that took the fight out of him.

The leader watches as the second guy is put down. "You incompetent idiots! This was *supposed* to impress the world with our strength and abilities. You've ruined everything!!" At this point he catches himself enough that he just barks his orders over the radio instead.

Diamond glances towards the leader, "Well if you weren't so incompentant yourself, you might have done it."

He then flies over to extract the guy stuck in the stands while the one fight Jessica goes to pick up the one Diamond just hit.

Jennifer says, "I've no complaints. Best workout I've had is weeks."

Meanwhile, the others are chasing the taxi. They seem to have a problem: can't fire their ranged weapons while in flight. The arm blasters are used for steering.

Jennifer says, "Who are you anyway?"

Strangely, they seem disinclined to leave their calling card now they're in retreat. Doesn't make the impression they wanted!

Jennifer and Jessica are willing to let them go without further trouble since nobody except Matt has been hurt and she'd rather head to him than exchange punches.

The guys chasing Alex adopt a new approach. They fly faster than the car then land in the road in front of it!

Narosia trembling knees almost sink, exhaustion reminding her who is boss. Wiping her mouth the badly dressed girl retreats from the stadium, intent on locating h-Alex outside if possible. Anyway it seems like the immediate threat is over for them.

Alex says, "Great..."

The guy goes flying just as far!

And lands just as badly.

Diamond frowns as they start to retreat and she is never really one to give up. She scoots down a bit and then gives a powerful leap and flies through the air, landing next to the guy she slammed a moment ago and his friend. Her fist slams out and hits the guy, throwing him back almost as far as the other guy.

The cab driver manages to avoid them but not to get out of their line of sight. They fire - attempting to disable the car.

The taxi is badly shaken about and damaged, but keeps going! If not quite as fast.

The leader and the one he rescued makes his escape.... But Diamond stopped the other two. Not long after this, powers return.

Alex sighs. "Stop the cab... This is too dangerous."

The cabbie doesn't seem *that* shaken - but he is concerned for his cab. He stops.

Diamond cocks her head to the side, and feels herself move a bit easier and the weird protrusions seem to absorb back into her diamond skin.

Lorelei seems to regain her composure, somewhat. Not that she doesn't still have the attention of a crowd of people. But she's doing somewhat better in handling them, now.

The three men come over to the cab. "Hand him over. Now."

Alex shakes his head and looks to the Chinese man. "I'm sorry..." he says.

Narosia sprints in earnest, faint coils of translucent dark materials breaking out then dissipating, control fading the more she catches up to the halted cab and pursuers. "Aim for the nozzles or visor is your best bet!" She calls, appearing to not recognise Alex in the least. If there remains enough surprise she tries ramming into the suited group with her last burst of strength.

The Chinese man shout something loudly. Presumably in Chinese. As one of the guys reaches in to pull him out.

Alex tries to knock the guy onto his back with a double footed kick

He manages, despite closed quarters, to avoid the clumsy kick, and seizes the man.

"Try that once more and you won't be walking away from this," says the guy in armour.

When Alex regains consciousness, he finds the cabbie standing over him. "You all right?" He also finds he has his powers back.

Alex shakes his head, trying to clear the cobwebs. He squints up at the blurry shape in front of him. "The Chinese man...?" he asks.

Of the Chinese man, nothing remains but a chocolate bar wrapper on the seat where he was sitting. "Gone, bud. Sorry. They flew off with him."

"My glasses..." Alex asks. He tries feeling around for them on the ground.

Alex finds them. They were knocked to the ground but not broken.

Police begin to turn up, and ambulances, and reporters. Though the reporters all seem to be clustering round Lorelei....

Coming too late a tired worse for wear Narosia is there crouched by Alex's side in time, looking with undisguised worry. Small hands reach for and if allowed pat him on the back, all silent sympathy.

Matt, at least, is in surprisingly good shape given he didn't have any powers when he pulled his stunt.

Alex pulls on his glasses in time to looks up and see Narosia. "Hey..." he says. "I couldn't stop them from taking him."

"You tried." Narosia offers him a smile, "What can one person do against many prepared fellows?"

Diamond shakes her head a bit and seem to be making sure the two guys don't get up when the police arrive and all."

Alex says, "You came after me? Thanks..."

Lorelei has managed to keep the other two not doing much too - not too shabby an effort under the circumstances!

Blushing terribly under his words, the pale girl nods. "It was nothing. There remained little pertin-pertinent doing just lying back when they fled."

Alex stands up. He's moving more normally now, if still a bit woozy from being knocked out. It's his turn to give Narosia a pat on the back. "That was brave thing to do. Did you see how Matt was? Is he alright?"

Diamond relaxes a bit as the cops take custody of the ones she took out. She glances around to look at what else might be gong on.

"I know he is s-stable." Narosia concentrates dusting imaginary flecks off her hideously drab dress, conveniance for hiding burning cheeks. Infrequent praise means utter lack of control on her part. "No bad injuries aside him."

Police are taking statements about what happened but the big fuss seems to be around Lorelei. The reporters, her friends, the onlookers, all seem to be interested in the big news Lorelei is Stephie Dallimore! (And the question: how had they failed to notice it before?) If anything, she's more swamped with people than ever.

Diamond cocks her head to the side and gives a statement. She looks over at Lorelei with a bit of worry.

It almost ludicrous how the attack seems to have been forgotten in this news about a celebrity. Lorelei seems to be looking about for a friendly face.

Another cheerleader (Chrissie), too, seems to be watching Stephie with worry. Or perhaps even horror.

Alex stretches a bit, testing his regained flexibility. "How are you feeling?" he asks Narosia.

So who's paying for the damage to my cab?" The cabbie inevitably asks.

"Madre de Dios..." a dark haired woman says after she appears on the scene of the disturbance at the football game. She's wearing a black hero costume with a domino mask. Some might recognize her as the meta named Badaboom. Right now, she's just another face staring at Lorelei/Stephie in slackjawed amazement.

Alex looks past the cab driver to his taxi. "Thanks," he says. "Will a check do?"

Narosia "Singed but alive." Narosia hears the cab driver and politely asks the two if they could perhaps turn round, facing her back to most reporters and amazed people gazing at Lorelei. "I-I have some spare money." With no small amount of shame she rummages down the dress front, flourishing a wrinkled leather wallet. "How much do you think repairs might cost sir?"

Lorelei avoids Badaboom's eye- there are too many strangers asking awkward questions, and facing the same questions from people she knows is harder still. BUt she's admitted it, to the camera. "Yes, it's me. I'm Stephie Dallimore, and I'm Lorelei."

"Check's fine, if you're good for it."

The funny thing is, how obvious it is. She looks like Stephie, and like Lorelei, at the same time, and it's hard to imagine how it could ever have been otherwise - and she looks good with it. Looks great with it, even more than Lorelei ever did.

Diamond cocks her head to the side and just watches for now.

Alex looks at Narosia, tilting his head a little bit. "Put that away!" He tells her, half annoyed and half joking. "It's ok. I can handle it..." He turns to the cab driver. "I'll make it out to the company, alright?"

The driver nods, and tell you the necessary details.

Badaboom pulls out a PDA and starts dialing.

Alex pulls out his PDA and begins making out a check for the damages.

Lorelei sees Badaboom do this and gets a sinking feeling. Well Phil be upset she held this from her? But she couldn't do anyting to stop the call anyway - couldn't even get through the crowd...

"W-when you can turn round again." Narosia flushes yet again-becoming a bad habit, observing the whole scene with wide eyes once the full price is revealed.

The cab driver leans in the door of the cab and crumples up a bit of paper while waiting. AS if supervillains were bad enough, people are always leaving rubbish," he mutters.

Alex quirks an eyebrow. "Wait..." He watches the bit of paper flutter to the ground and he walks over to pick it up. Right now, completing the check is forgotten.

"What?" says the cabbie.

Alex crouches as he picks up the paper and examines it.

Narosia peers at Alex's movement, biting her lower lip. "Thinking it may have writing?" A peek skywards shows it must be nearing the moment for that all important nightly shift. "Thank you for the trip, even if it turned out differently from promised. Why did you ask me out of curiosity?"

Indeed, the KitKat wrapper proves to be covered in tiny Chinese characters on the white side. They written rather faintly in a too-blunt pencil, but they're probably legible if you know Chinese.

Alex says over his shoulder to Narosia. "Lovely idea it turned out to be, right? Attacked by bad guys..." He hmms meaningfully. "There is writing on it, but it's Chinese." He offers the slip of paper to her to take a look. "I think I know someone who might be able to read it."

Skimming the contents the girl finds herself in agreement with Alex. "Right, Cantonese." [Actually Wu --ed.] Handing it back to him she nods once, leaving.