Log:Mindjacked, Scene 1

Mindjacking 2019/08/11 	 Horizon Night Marshal Artemis

1

Downtown

The downtown district, and above all famed York Boulevard, is an area of skyscrapers old and new and the jewel of the city where most of the real money is made. From the lower, older buildings like that of the Colonial Bay Chronicle to the height of the Corporate Tower, the district is alive with bustle through the day; while at night it is well lit by the light of ads and news reporting across the sides of the buildings, and the action is focused on a few clubs and other hotspots.

It's early evening, the sky just recently falling dark. Downtown is in some disarray at the news of a rampaging near the CB Chronicle building. One of those loose cannon metas is tearing up the street. Most of the crowds in the local clubs and restaurants are staying inside, and the streets are clearing out as citizens run from the sounds of cars smashing into pavement.

The APB just went out with not much details.

Night Marshal has been in costume for a couple of hours after sneaking a nap in. It turns out he's relatively close by when the bulletin goes out. Only a few blocks away. He jogs the distance in short order.

Horizon has been out running the streets all evening. He's one his way back to his new apartment just off campus when he gets a page from the Hero Support League app on his phone. He reads over the bulletin quickly and shrugs to himself. "Guess the night's not over yet." He says as he turns and runs towards the area indicated via the HeroNet API.

Horizon freeruns there at a pace that might make you think he was tireless.

He arrives on the scene looking about for this rampaging meta.

Artemis is seen in the center of the street near the northwest corner of the intersection. She's lifting up an empty van by it's front. "I'll tear your empire down once and for all, Dalux!" she threatens as she swings the van like an improvised club at the traffic light. Her shield isn't deployed yet, and her sword is still in its sheathe.

Night Marshal looks around for this 'Dalux', seeing if she has an opponent...or is just off her rocker.

There's no opponent to be seen, nor were their reports of two metas.

Night Marshal sighs as he sees one of the various aliens around town acting odd. What a shock. "Hey! Do you mind stopping that? There's no 'Dalux' here!"

Artemis finishes her swing, smashing over the traffic light. "And then you'll answer for all the lives you've stolen!" she roars. She doesn't acknowledge Night Marshal's words. She doesn't even look his way, even though he's clearly in her line of sight.

Night Marshal switches his eyepiece to the IR spectrum briefly to look for anything odd. Otherwise, he's going to have to fight, which will be double-plus ungood.

Horizon jumps into the intersection. "Woah there ma'am. I'm not sure what a Dalux is but I don't think its a late model conversion van- right? And that- that is going to cost people lots of money. You've got to calm down and just talk." He says holding his hands up in front of him.

Artemis swings the van again, even though it's already in bad shape. Horizon is at risk of being in the path of the van if he doesn't leap out of the way. "Your so-called security forces are no match for me when I'm unwounded!"

Night Marshal furrows his brow. He doesn't really want to engage a meta who can throw cars around, but perhaps he doesn't have to. He circles around, trying to flank another individual that he spotted who was keeping an eye on Artemis.

"Woah!" Horizon shout flipping up and out of the way. "Not arid. Not even a little." He adds flippantly.

"No one knows what you're talking about! Hello! Earth to Roman lady!" He yells.

Artemis hefts the van over head and laughs. "You think that Fizri Tank will stop me?" she taunts before throwing the van down the street. It doesn't look like it'll hit anyone, as it bounces once before falling on its side and scraping along. That paint job is definitely dead.

As Night Marshal attempts to circle around the person he spotted, the man hiding behind the pillars of a hotel's lobby entrance looks his way. "Oh, no no no, you don't," he says.

A sharp pain strikes Night Marshal's brain as the man looks at him.

Night Marshal winces as his mind is struck. If he had any questions before about the situation, those questions have been answered.

"I get you're strong- but I still don't want to hurt you..." Horizon says trying desperately to keep Artemis' focus. "I don't exactly know what to do with 10-tons of crazy though."

He bounces around leaping about, trying not to get squashed like a bug by the Godflora.

"There aren't any tanks here lady! No one wants to hurt you- most certainly not me, but I don't think you're going to let me do that are you?"

Night Marshal's gun practically leaps into his hand, and he breaks into a run, trying to improve his angle on his assailant. He takes a shot, trying to at least pin the man down.

Mindjack is a lucky man. He ducks behind the pillar just in time to miss getting shot.

Artemis still doesn't acknowledge Horizon's presence. It's like she can't see or hear him at all. "I'm not sure how you abducted me from Urth, but you won't find me a prisoner again," she warns as she flies toward the sidewalk and punches a parked car. NashCo's finance manager must be screaming if he can see this.

The car's side gets smashed in, but it's still ...well. Technically driveable.

"OK! That is more than enough!" Horizon says as he charges Artemis.

Horizon says, "No way on Earth am I going to keep my license if I let you keep tearing this street up." No one is going to be happy here today it seems.

He leaps at her attempting to grab Artemis and retrain her.

"Come on lady. Just relax!" He shouts trying to hold the Bloodlit in place and talk some sense into her. He's a rookie! This is his first psychic possession!

"They're going to ruin everything. Dumb alien-loving heroes!" Mindjack growls. He dares to peak around the pillar, eyes focused on Artemis.

Mindjack curses to himself.

Night Marshal grimaces and gets closer to his target, taking another shot, "It's about not being a fan of property damage!"

The bullet finds its mark and hits Mindjack in the chest. He cringes and rubs where the bullet hit. "Y...you shot me!" he cries out, thinking he got hit by a normal bullet. He looks down at pats at himself, surprised to find no blood.

Night Marshal grimaces a bit as his target is still talking. Figures.

There's a commotion in downtown. Some meta is on the rampage. When Swarmer arrives, she can see Artemis in the middle of the street with Horizon holding her in a grab. Night Marshal is eighteen meters away, shooting at some guy in a t-shirt, jeans, and a dark blue domino mask who is trying to hide near the pillar outside the hotel. There's damaged vehicles and a knocked down light post in the street, and most humans have fled or hidden indoors.

Artemis finds herself confused as she's held in place. "By Malkuth, why do my limbs feel so heavy?" she asks as she tries to wrench free.

Artemis forces her arms outwards, breaking free of Horizon's hold on her.

Horizon looses his grip on Artemis but he ducks and rolls beneath her arm and attempts to grab her arm, lock the joint and flip her onto her back.

"Please! Stop!" He shouts, already feeling bad for hurting someone who's clearly not int heir right mind.

Horizon moves fluidly and gets that arm in place over his shoulder as he hoists and flips the Godflora on to her divine back. "Just stay down!" He shouts at her hoping to get through.

Artemis gets flattened onto her back, but is unphased. Mindjack starts bouncing on the ball of his left foot with nervous energy. "C'mon, c'mon, you dumb..." he growls as he tries to take cover behind his pillar and peek out to watch Artemis.

"I'm really not trying to hurt you Lady. There's plenty of time to turn this around. You just need to calm down... take a look around." Horizon says while holding his hands out in front of him to present himself as non-threatening.

Night Marshal continues closing the distance toward Mindjack, trying to improve the angle a little bit before firing his weapon. "You can't go around messing with the heads of metas in town, kid."

Mind Jack stumbles a step from the sharp pain, not realizing it's a non-lethal run. "I've been shot! he says as he puts a hand over the injury. "You all saw it! That meta just shot me for no reason!" he tries playing the victim to anyone who may be watching or recording.

It's like Artemis doesn't even see or hear Horizon as he attacks. She rises up to her feet, not even looking to the hand offered. But she does turn around, now suddenly seeing Night Marshal. "Stop laughing, Dalux! You won't escape my righteous fury this time!" she roars as she flies towards Night Marshal.

Horizon doesn't seem to mind being ignored but what he does mind is being left on the dance floor by his dancing partner without so much as a thank you.

"Na-uh. We're not done yet! You're not hurting anyone on my watch!" He shouts as he takes a few strides towards her then he seems to collapse- almost imploding in a splitsecond. The air waves as its suddenly vacant.

Horizon crosses the gap and reappears in front of Artemis. He lunges at her to grab hold of her and prevent her from progressing any further.

The squeeze doesn't hurt, but it does snap Artemis out of the waking dreamworld Mindjack put her in. "Wh...where are the ships? The soldiers?" she asks in confusion.

Mindjack panics as Artemis starts coming to. "Protect me from this villain!" he points to Night Marshal.

"SHIPS?!" Horizon says as he tries to hold the Godflora in place. "There are no ships! Just you about to hurt a lot of innocent people!"

"Hurt? But I'm a Protector. Battle Maiden of the Ashidlr! The ---!" Artemis starts to protest when Mindjack's command takes hold. "The defender of the helpless!" she finishes, convinced Night Marshal is a villain.

"Lady you're out of your mind! If you want to defend someone just stand down!" Horizon replies, keeping his composure well.

oos So just a dex roll off

Night Marshal sees Artemis trying to come after him, but he knows that he needs to take down the cause of her mania before this will be solved. He closes the distance some more...and fires one more time.

That final shot puts out Mindjack just as he thinks he's about to be saved. He topples over and lands on his side.

Artemis struggles against Horizon, but fails to break free.

Horizon keeps his wrists locked together the way he's learned over years of martial arts training. He's happy he's managed to hold her- he imagines he might have an easier time with a rampaging bull, especially after seeing her swing a conversation van around like a baseball bat.

He squeezes her and attempts to lift her off the ground to take away any leverage she might have. He of course has no idea the goddess can fly.

Horizon manages to lift Artemis up, but his squeezing doesn't even wind her.

Night Marshal doesn't want to shoot Artemis. And certainly not while she's being held. He holsters his pistol and backs up a bit further...but calling out to her, "Come on already...break out of it. The guy's down!" He points toward Mindjack.

With a shout and flexing hard, Artemis manages to peel free of Horizon's grip.

Horizon strains his mortal body against the mighty immortal's steely muscles. He grits his teeth as he fights against her but in the end she bursts free.

He looks surprised- he hasn't encountered a lot of people outside the Legion who were stronger than him though he knows for sure there are plenty of people out there like that.

Still it doesn't slow his reaction any.

He uses Artemis' outstretched arms as a target of attack.

He steps into her, swooping beneath her arm so he can winch her over his shoulder and put her back on the ground. Clearly his squeezing isn't doing much to her so his tactic is to keep her tied up.

Artemis gets thrown to the ground, surprised at Horizon's technique. "You defend him?" she accuses.

"Defend?! Of course I do- you're on a rampage! I may have just gotten here but this is my city to defend too." Horizon says firmly.

Artemis gets up and seems about to rage when Horizon's words start to come through and her motivation clears. "I...what foul trickery is this? Swaying my mind to hurt others?" she growls, looking to the fallen Mindjack. Seeing him down, she sheathes her sword.

Night Marshal takes a deep breath as Artemis recovers, finally. "Yeah, this guy here was controlling you."

Horizon stays in a fighting stance for a second or two longer, making sure everything is on the up and up. He looks over to Mindjack and then back to Artemis. "So that guy isn't making you want to slaughter him? He's not a Dude-o Deluxe?" He asks Artemis, still a touch concerned.

Horizon stays in a fighting stance for a second or two longer, making sure everything is on the up and up. He looks over to Mindjack and then back to Artemis. "So that guy isn't making you want to slaughter him? He's not a Dude-o Deluxe?" He asks Artemis, still a touch concerned.

Night Marshal pulls out a tangle grenade and slaps it on Mindjack, causing the mentalist to get wrapped up in a web of polymers. "I'd use handcuffs, but I don't have any."

Artemis no longer maintains a fighting stance. "No, my mind is mine again. I think." She eyes Horizon's terrible pronunciation. "Duod Dalux. Host of the Galactic Gladiatorial Games, and a disgusting individual with money and power to wield to his dark whims," she sneers.

Mindjack is secured. With the fight over, the camera crew inside the Chronicle begins to slip out to get more footage of the incident.

Both heroes notice there's a few papparazzi around filming this, just solo camera people hiding throughout. Some in plain clothes, one group from the Chronicle, and TND entertainment news.

"Good. I mean, don't get me wrong. You're a great dancing partner- but not sure we'd have avoided any collateral damage if you kept on like that." The young hero admits.

"Du-od Da-lucks." Horizon repeats slowly, trying to get the pronounciation correct this time. "He sounds like a real arid guy. Remind me not to invite him anywhere, ever."

Horizon puts his hands on his hips the way the original Horizon used to but otherwise ignores the papparazzi as he was trained by the Legion. Its much more dramatic and the people really respond to those seemingly candid shots. So- he does his best to look heroic before offering his hand to Artemis.

"I'm Horizon by the way. Glad to know you're on our side- if what you said was true when you were 'under'." He adds, nodding towards Mindjack.

He'll offer his hand to Night Marshal as well given the opportunity.

Night Marshal takes the time to reload his pistol, flipping the cylinder open and sliding a few new shells in. By the time he finishes, Horizon is there offering to shake his hand. So he does. "Hey there. I go by 'Night Marshal'. Nice to meet you."

Artemis clasps Horizon's forearm. "I thought the city under attack. Was it truly all in my mind's eye?" she asks the pair before releasing Horizon's hand.

"I'm afraid so- I'm not really sure what you were seeing. Just what you were saying." Horizon says before adding, "Though I don't think you could hear me at all. You were off in your own little world there." He shrugs.

"You both just appeared as the invasion disappeared," Artemis explains. "I am Artemis. Godflora of the Tau Spring, Battle Maiden Adept and Bloodlit Chosen of the Ashildr," she introduces herself.

Artemis adds in apology to Night Marshal, "I ...don't know why I thought you were attacking that man as if he were some innocent. My apologies."

Night Marshal drags Mindjack over to the others, so they can wait for the arrival of the police. He nods in agreement with Horizon, "I reckon you didn't see us. Y'all certainly didn't seem to respond to me when I attempted to speak to ya. I noticed this one hiding over yonder, and I made a guess. Turned out I was right." Yeah, his accent changed a bit.

Artemis hasn't quite noticed the change in accent yet, her own upper-class british sounding accent probably meaning she hasn't much an ear for human accents. "You have my thanks in preventing me from causing harm to anyone." That empty van from earlier starts to catch fire as if in protest of Artemis' comment.

Night Marshal nods to Artemis, "Nice to meet ya, Artemis. I go by 'Night Marshal', as I told Mr. Horizon here." He points over to the burning car. "You wouldn't be able to put out the car that you...uh...set on fire, would ya?"

Artemis raises her eyebrows in puzzlement, before finally half-turning to spy the van behind her. "Oh. Well. At least no lives were lost, yes?" she adds with a hopeful note. "I could perhaps carry it away. I've noticed vehicles here are quite combustable."

Night Marshal tilts his head. "So like...no super breath or something to put a fire out? A'ight. Well, let's make sure that vehicle can be attended to by the fire department."

"Its a pleasure to meet you both. Well- you know, now that its all over." Horizon replies turning his head towards the burning van. He sucks his teeth. "Hopefully they have insurance." He adds.

"I can help lug this thing somewhere I'm sure- we should just get it away from the buildings in case it explodes." He suggests.

Artemis shakes her head. "Super breath? I've never heard of such a thing," she chuckles in amusement. "Such a fanciful thought. But I shall move it away from the building for safety, as you say."

"I'll help- four arms are better than two with something like this. I'm sure even you won't enjoy an exploding van to the face." Horizon says as he moves towards the remnants fo the van.

"And you think you would be fine? I've faced Borgon the Blasphemous. This is nothing that worries me," Artemis proclaims as she starts to fly over to the van.

Night Marshal lets out a long breath. Yeah, nothing about this encounter really has changed his mind about the metas that are in town. Sure, Mindjack thought HE was a meta, but that's because Mindjack is clearly an idiot. A bigoted idiot, for that matter.

Those cameras stay focused on Artemis and Horizon, though some of the camera operators glance Night Marshal's way. The only ones trying to film Mindjack and the scene itself is the Chronicle's crew.

Night Marshal makes a point of saying to the Chronicle folks while indicating Mindjack, "This guy here was mind controlling the lady over there to try to destroy this section of town."

Horizon smiles. "I'm not sure who that is but he sounds awful too." He says as he gets behind the van. He squats so he can lift his side above his head and manuever it into the center of the intersection.

He doesn't seem worried about the fire either. "So was this Argon the Blasphemo-- wait was it Bargon or Argon? I guess it doesn't matter. Did you fight him in Duod's 'games' too?" He inquires.

Night Marshal recognizes the Chronicle camera man and the reporter with him, but not the sound guy. As for the other freelance camera people? He's definitely not seen them before on a scene like this.

Horizon may have his on pretty straight but the attention would eventually get to anyone. He steals a couple of glances as he works, but something starts to seem 'off' to him.

"This isn't right..." He says aloud, though quietly- probably just loud enough for a goddess to hear.

Night Marshal shrugs a little bit. It might be a setup, but they can record as they like. The police report will be what it is. And he'll make sure it's accurate.

"Truly, truly awful," Artemis confirms Horizon's comments as she bends at the knees to grip the undercarriage and lift her side of the van with one hand. She walks with him to position the van safely. "Borgon the Blasphemous. Do names mean nothing to hoomans?" she sighs. "And no. I did battle with him when he threatens the Corellar System."

"What doesn't?" Artemis asks as she dusts off her hands.

"Names? Well yeah of course they do- but I dunno. Probably not the same as your ... um people. You have a lot a titles. So Bargon the Bloated sounds ... like well like a jerk, but it doesn't say much. Kind of like 'Horizon' is my moniker. Doesn't mean I'm an actual sky to be flown in or anything." He replies as he eyes the paparazzi behind the cameras. He doesn't have the luxury of making sure the police reports are 'properly documented' and so this nagging feeling urks him

"This whole situation... like... why are the camerapeople already here? And why did half of them ignore Night Marshal when he tried to tell them what happened?" He inquires aloud, letting his deductive mind reason this out- or at least attempt to.

At this comment, one of the camera men in a baseball hat looks up from his view finder and stops recording, starting to walk away.

Night Marshal furrows his brow as he recognizes someone from the folks recording. He jogs after the guy in the baseball hat. "Excuse me. I have a quick question for you."

Andrew Daily hurries along, trying to step inside the lobby of a business building to try and avoid Night Marshal.

Night Marshal follows right after Daily, breaking into a run as need be.

Andrew starts running as Night Marshal does, but finding him unable to outpace his speedier opponent, he turns around and puts his hands up, backing away slower now. "Hey, leave me alone. I'm a member of the press, you have no right!"

Night Marshal recognizes the guy in the baseball hat as Andrew Daily. He's one of those RACE fanatics. Has his own webcast show. You know him because he has claimed reports of being victimized by aliens, but there was never enough proof to move forward on the cases. He knows that Mr. Daily is known to show misleading clips, conspiracy theories, and fake news on his web show, The Daily Humanist.

Night Marshal chuckles. "Are you? I mean...I just wanted to confirm who you were. You're not afraid of a question, are you, Mr. Daily?" He lets the fact that he knows the man's name sink in. He then adds, "I mean, it sure looks like you set this up to try to smear that ladie's good name. If it turns out you're going to post misleading footage about this, we'll speak again. But not before I reveal you set this up. We clear, partner?"

The paling look on the man's face is practical proof that he is indeed Andrew Daily. That hat isn't fooling Carpenter, that's for certain. "I don't know what you're talking about. I've got nothing to do with that alien menace tearing up our town!" He looks around and the few people in the lobby who have slowed their busy pace to see. It's more for their benefit that he's saying it, but he sounds like a nutter. Not feeling the support of his fellow humans, Daily looks to Night Marshal and nods. "W-we're clear," he says more quiet in defeat.

That accent seems to be working for Carpenter. Maybe there's something to it.

Night Marshal nods slowly. "Now...there's a chance that Mr. Mental outside spills the beans on who put him up to this. I'll be sure to ask him, real careful-like. Keep your nose clean, Mr. Daily. I'd rather not have this conversation 'gain." He points at his eyes, and then turns his hand around to indicate that he's watching the man with both eyes open. Only after that does he head back outside to make sure Mindjack hasn't gotten free from his tangle grenade.

Daily almost wilts as soon as Night Marshal leaves. He certainly was sweating from that altercation.

Artemis has since stepped away from the burning van, and only just notices Night Marshal's return. "There you are. I wondered where you went off to. I owe you my thanks for protecting the innocent while I was not myself."

Night Marshal nods to Artemis, "You're welcome, ma'am. I think I have an idea what happened here. But I need to be able to prove it. Otherwise, we just have the mentalist who attacked you. He was put up to this." He heads over to where he left Mindjack to check on him.

"He was put up to this? But why?" Artemis asks, not understanding. "He is an indentured man?"

Sirens start to approach. The fire department at the first to arrive, going right for the van to try and put it out. The police should be shortly behind.

Night Marshal shrugs, "Both he and the guy I followed are RACE types. They hate aliens. They were working to make you look bad on camera, for propaganda reasons. That's my best guess."

"Raceguys," Artemis repeats uncertainly. "But why? I've done naught but try to help your planet since I crash landed here. Off-worlders are nothing to fear."

Night Marshal shakes his head. "RACE. It's an acronym. 'Real Allied Champions of Earth. They're more or less a terrorist group. They're afraid of not just aliens from other planets, but humans from other dimensions. What they don't understand, they hate."

Artemis makes a soft, huffing noise once at the explanation. "A waste of their energy, I think. I must be careful of these false Champions." She looks about, oblivious to the trouble she could've been in. She hasn't thought to fly off before the cops arrive. "I suppose Earth's enforcers will take care of that one," she nods to Mindjack.

Night Marshal nods. "They will. But I want to make sure the police report has the correct information in it. So you don't get blamed directly for this. You might still have accusers claiming you're at fault, but if the police report indicates otherwise, they won't have a leg to stand on.

Artemis nods slowly in understanding. "My thanks. Then I should stay as well. How can I repay you for your assistance? I have not much in ways of cash, but can repay in deeds."

Night Marshal tilts his head and thinks about it. "How's about you give me your contact information. If I need a hand, I'll let you know?"

"Oh, yes! This device Cryostatic gave me," Artemis remembers and pulls a phone from somewhere under her chestplate. She turns on the screen and is greeted by a goofy shot of Cryostatic doing his signature 'fingerguns' as the wallpaper. She scowls a bit. "Now how do I use this device again. It doesn't obey mental commands..."

Artemis brushes her thumb over the bottom, and the phone unlocks. "Ah hah!"

Night Marshal chuckles and then helps Artemis find her contact information in the phone. "That number right there." He takes it down on his own PDA, "Thank you."

Artemis smiles as that is sorted. "Grand. Call upon me, and I shall be there."

Night Marshal tips his hat to her, "Thank you kindly, ma'am."

Horizon has been quite quiet- but he's taken out his PDA and is taking notes on Night MArshal's findings the whole time. "RACE. Its a good acronym for a bunch of bigoted jouses. They're so blinded by hate they can't even see the danger that they put our whole world in with these antics." Horizon says finally as he puts his PDA away. He's left hismelf a reminder to do some more digging into RACE and other groups who often make Colonial Bay their stomping grounds.

"Its a hell of a plan though. Terrible, but well targeted I'd bet." He says after a moment of consideration.

Night Marshal shrugs, "It coulda worked, with only some minor changes. But they made a couple of mistakes. That being said, it isn't necessarily over. I didn't have proof that Daily, the reporter guy, is in on it. But I'm sure he is. I just need to prove it."

"I can help you do that- if you don't mind working together." Horizon offers to Night Marshal. "I've got a little experience working cases. Shadowed a couple of detectives as part of my training."

Artemis smiles at Night Marshal's manners and the hat tip. "I am grateful for their lack of expertise. But I know not have to find this proof you speak of," she says, then smiles at the two. "Perhaps I will be further indebted to you for such assistance."

Night Marshal nods to Horizon. "Sure. I'm happy to work on it together. I should get your contact information too, then."

The young hero shakes his head. "No debts required. Its the right thing to do. If can help I will." He says cheerfully to Artemis before tapping at this screen a few times to display a scannable code that leads to his Hero Support Legion profile page, & multiple connections to his HeroNet account via a complicated & secure tangle of APIs and Machine Intelligence systems.

He holds his device up so Night Marshal can scan the contact entry into his own device.

Artemis smiles brightly. "A true hero's heart, you have, willing to do things for the sake of that which is good."

"Well we all have to do our part- and there's no since in putting on one of these silly costumes if you aren't going to make an example out of yourself." Horizon replies with a smile. "That's what I think anyway. If you call yourself a hero, you've got to hold yourself up to a higher standard & be willing to go against the grain for the good of others." He doesn't sound at all preachy, a little impassioned- definitely. "Of course I can only speak for myself and why I do it." He adds thoughtfully, not wanting anyone to think he were accusing them of doing any different.

"I agree on most of this, though not the meaning of the silly costumes. But yes, those are the heroic ideals all should follow!" At least Artemis has some common ground.

Horizon's smile widens and he offers Artemis a righteous high-five. If done correctly it ought to be loud enough to shake the cameras of the paparazzi.

Or so it would, but Artemis just stares at his raised hand a moment. Then she does the same as if thinking it is a salute.

Horizon takes a tentative step forward and smacks his hand against hers in a very light and instructional way. He points at his other hand the whole way the gulf between them is crossed.

Artemis looks illuminated. "Oh, is that what one is meant to do?" she laughs. She finally gets it and smacks with a resounding high-five.

"Yup! Its called a 'High-Five'." Horizon explains cheerfully, clearly pleased Artemis has turned out to be such a keen student. "Its like a celebration." He adds, starting to truly believe she's from another world entirely. The RACE thing certainly helped but the high-five thing sealed the deal.