Log:Harrisburg: A School in Need

2009/04/27 	 Spirit|Dorian Ellbeth Lorelei Zephyr Riot 1

This once middle-class section of town has fallen into disrepair: the rows of two-storey homes are mere ghosts of the past. Some of the vinyl siding is cracked and faded from decades of neglect. Children play unsupervised in now weed-strewn vacant lots. Graffiti along brick walls mark the territory of various gangs trying to claim the neighborhood as their own. Harrisburg Elementary needs its tall security fence and guarded gate.

If southern Harrisburg is bad, the north is appalling. Many of the homes are boarded up, perhaps occupied by homeless squatters, and the gang graffiti is ubiquitous. Drug dealers and worse have brought their crime to the district. Few trees or shrubs remain, and lawns are weeds and broken bottles. Here dwell the destitute, the desperate and the homeless.

This elementary school is one of the oldest in town and is primarily for the young children of Colonial Bay. The outside grounds behind the buildings are large enough to encompass a jungle gym play area, small basketball court with the hoops low enough for those young boys and girls to play, a soccer field that can be converted into a little league football field, and finally a small baseball diamond. The school itself has been modernized and encompasses several stylish one story buildings made of the popular red brick that is commonly seen in the area. A large flagpole dominates the entrance to the school, with a patriotic flag at the top whipping proudly in the wind. Inside the school, are hallways that lead to classrooms, which have brightly colored walls with tiny tables and chairs made to for the children, with one large desk and chair sitting at the front of the classroom for the teacher. During the day the halls are filled with hustle and bustle of children and teachers unless they are in the classrooms during a study period.

It was still a shock to see it like this. Jeremiah had gone to -school- here, when he was much, much younger. The dark skinned young Alter Ego quietly strolls through the destruction, occasionally flipping a moldering book with the toe of his shoes, half-covering his face with an old white T-Shirt to prevent the scent of decay from getting too far up his nostrils. What's he doing here?

Reminiscing. And hunting. You never know what stupid punkass kids decide it's fun to go hide in blown out demo-sites.

Ellbeth posted a message on HeroNet, and in several jornals and local newspapers asking heroes with free time on their hands to meet her at the school on Monday at 2pm. She's arrived thirty minutes early and is supervising the unloading of a delivery truck.

Velocity tears up as fast as surroundings would allow, walking up to the person supervising the truck, "You had an ad in the paper for heros?"

Ellbeth nods, "I did. Thank you for answering it. I'm Ellbeth Wyrd."

Zephyr the plucky pink ninja, leaps from roof top to roof top before landing in a pefect three point stance in the remains of the playground. She bounds over to Ellbeth, "Hi Miss Weird!"

Ellbeth has her sleeves rolled up at the moment, a rather odd sight for someone in mages robes.

Velocity looks her over a moment, and smirks "Nice to meetya, I go by Velocity...speaking of which, lemme get at that truck for you..."

Spirit crosses past overhead, leaving a trail of light behind him. He arcs downward, toward where people appear to be gathering, and lands. Just as he touches down, there is a flash of light as he changes form to his more mundane 'normal' appearance'.

Ellbeth smiles, "Hello. Zypher, that's right isn't it?"

Zephyr shakes her head, "Close! It's Zephyr."

The truck is filled with pots of paint, tools, hammers, wood, lumber, construction materials, etc..

Jeremiah didn't check the papers. He didn't listen to HeroNet. He is, in fact, utterly oblivious to the fact that he stumbled into a super hero meeting until he heard the delivery truck pull up thirty minutes ago. Still didn't give it any thought until ninjas go leaping by and someone goes zipping overhead on light. He frowns softly, and reaches into his jacket, pulling out his slashed hockeymask.. And sliding his reversible jacket off. Since he's all over there and stuff.

Ellbeth nods, "I shall remember next time." She looks up at Spirit's arrival, "Greetings. Thank you for coming."

Dorian smiles, and waves to Ellbeth, "No problem. I had a fair amount of free time, and figured I could lend a hand."

Dorian(#1800POeACF?)

This man stands about five and a half feet tall, and is moderately good looking. He has blue eyes...brown hair cut into a crew cut, and a goatee.

He's currently wearing a retro Eisenhower style jacket in an olive green, along with a black t-shirt, a pair of jeans...probably Levi's if one notices such things, and a pair of navy blue Doc Marten's, heavily worn from walking, apparently.

Ellbeth's fusion of racial backgrounds created a youthful exotic beauty that has aged gracefully, to an almost classical Mediterranean appearance, now the temporary magical rejuvenation she recently experienced has faded. She's now no longer overweight however, as she'll readily tell you repeatedly. Attentive green eyes with a distinctly humorous glint glance out behind semi-mirrored sunglasses. A knowing gaze suggestive of having seen a lot, forgiven most and forgotten little. Is it something about the posture of her body and the firmness of her jaw however that indicates a steadfast resolve and a determination to make her views heard?

A silver clasp gathers her hair into a long ponytail of snow-white hair down her back. She wears a shimmering full length hooded mid-grey damask robe hemmed with dark sable fur, belted at the waist with a white slash and held shut at the neck by a silver owl brooch, the hood thrown back. A long polished oaken staff inscribed with arcane runes is held in her left hand while her right hand holds a state of the art laptop computer.

Zephyr

A cute young woman, in her late teens or early twenties, around 5'5" tall with an athletic build. She has fair skin, straight, light brown hair pulled back in a pony tail, and brown eyes.

She's wearing a pink sleeveless martial art style jacket over a sleeveless skin-tight pink top that covers up to the tip of her nose, obscuring the lower half of her face, loose pink mid-thigh length shorts, elbow length pink fingerless gloves, and knee-high pink soft split-toe boots.

Ellbeth looks around at the ruins. "I gave a reading of junior fantasy to the assembled school in this very classroom. Not something I could do today. The city has let this situation continue long enough. I intend to do something constructive about it. I invite you all to join me in the task."

Riot slips out from somewhere in the midst of the rubble - thumping a small desk out of the way as he storms out, haloed in a dust cloud of rot and desecratin. "A-YO!" He bellows through his mask. "What the hell goin' down here?" Lotta people he don't know. Lotta people he do. "Yo, Pinkie. Big Mama El."

This elementary school is one of the oldest in town and is primarily for the young children of Colonial Bay. The outside grounds behind the buildings are large enough to encompass a jungle gym play area, small basketball court with the hoops low enough for those young boys and girls to play, a soccer field that can be converted into a little league football field, and finally a small baseball diamond. The school itself has been modernized and encompasses several stylish one story buildings made of the popular red brick that is commonly seen in the area. A large flagpole dominates the entrance to the school, with a patriotic flag at the top whipping proudly in the wind. Inside the school, are hallways that lead to classrooms, which have brightly colored walls with tiny tables and chairs made to for the children, with one large desk and chair sitting at the front of the classroom for the teacher. During the day the halls are filled with hustle and bustle of children and teachers unless they are in the classrooms during a study period.

Riot

Riot is a rather tall fellow, standing at roughly six foot four, and being quite broad shouldered to boot. Slim, hard lines of muscle give evidence of hard work rather than the bulky look of someone who simply excercises at the gym. He carries a natural air of either recklessness or extreme confidence about him, which matches his appearance to a T.

His face is hidden behind a thick hockey mask with diagonal red war stripes painted across it - almost as if it had been slashed. The features of the mask, and its clinging nature, granting his features an almost skull-like quality. His eyes are especially sunken in, so much so that they might almost be missed save for the extremely bright blue color. Thick clumps of black hair tumble off his scalp to his shoulders in classic dreads. The rest of his body follows along this same frame, seeming somehow -thick- with the hard, thin lines of muscle. His hands and feet are actually oversized, just enough to be noticeable - each finger thick enough to have trouble picking up quarters.

He wears a loose pair of old torn denim pants, matched by a windbreaker and a white shirt underneath. Written across the back of the windbreaker, seemingly by spray paint, is a single word: RIOT

Velocity

Before you is the teen hero Velocity. His body is shrouded in black leather, a motorcycle suit to be precise. On his shoulders and chest (on a flap that holds it shut) is a V shaped Swoosh, similiar to Nike's swoosh, but more V like. His head is covered by a helmet, the visor tinted so it can't be seen in but can be seen out of. His hands and feet also have leather coverings, leather biker gloves on his hands and his feet in belted leather boots.

Zephyr looks over Dorian and Velocity, "Sure! Count me in Miss Weird!" She waves to the others, "I'm Zephyr." She grins at Riot, "Figures you'd be here big guy."

Ellbeth smiles and nods to Riot. It's still earlier than her suggested meeting time so there's noreason for her to believe other than he has arroved to help like everyone else.

Dorian nods to Ellbeth, "What do you have in mind, exactly?"

The Child of Kaos rolls his shoulders, and psshes at Zephyr. "Damn straight. This is -my- hood, baby. Ain't nothin' slides through here without the -Riot- commin' in on it." He nods to Ellbeth again, then glances to 'Dorian' and the zipping Velocity. "Whassup wit' blur and sparkles?"

Ellbeth says, "I have paint, tools, lumber, sheetrock, etc. Everything that Max told me would be needed. Between us we should be able to refurbish a substantial part of the school. Enough that lessons can be held."

Zephyr blinks and raises her hand, "Um... I'm glad to help, but I don't know anything about home repair."

Dorian glances toward Riot, and chuckles quietly. He then looks back to Ellbeth, "The only real problem I see might be experience. It'd be nice if we had actual construction people around to help. I mean...I'm good with computers, but not so great with working with say...plumbing."

Riot tilts his head. "Ain't no thang, Big Mama El." He says, then glances towards Dorian and Zephyr with a laugh. "Damn, lookit chall. All scared. Hell, ain't that hard. Take nail, hit nail, repeat. Pssh." A roll of the shoulders. "I can roll up yo' wires, baby, after we get some walls in."

Ellbeth lifts a hand and gestures. A line of light is left in the air from her fingertips as she speaks an incantation. Then the classroom where the heroes are gathered is full of flying items as dead leaves are collected and bagged. Schoolbooks collected by unseen hands and stacked neatly on a dry sopt of the floor, the walls cleaned.

Ellbeth says, "I can clean up. I cannot repair or rebuild or paint. If the walls and ceilings can be patched I can transform the patches integerally with the original structure."

Velocity finishes unloading the truck standing with a gleam to his helmet "All unloaded ma'am, kinda hard to hear with everything whizzing by, you rebuilding this school?

Dorian raises a brow, looking back at Riot. "Yeah...well, I've been around enough industrial accidents to know I don't want to be reponsible for a room collapsing on a bunch of kids, thanks." He nods to Ellbeth, "Patching shouldn't be a big deal, but we still need to confirm that the structure is sound. Let me make a call, and see if Richard can get someone out here to look the place over."

Zephyr fist pumps, "All right! I may have no idea what I'm doing, but it's the duty of a hero to bring hope to the hopeless! Just point me at what you need me to do" She gets a little less enthusiastic as she hears Dorian, "Of course we want to be safe too!"

Ellbeth nods to Velocity, "Yes. I'm quite comfortable thanks to the people who buy my books. So today I'm giving a little back. And asking a few good people to help out with that."

Dorian pulls a PDA out of his pocket, and places a call. While it's ringing he says, "We can get started on the patching and painting in the meantime, I'd think. I just wouldn't want kids in here before it's checked. That's all." He smiles to Zephyr.

Riot rolls his shoulders at Dorian. "Whatever." He states, and then nods to Ellbeth. "Yeah. Hell, I'll start haulin' the damn debris off." A laugh. "Ain't nothin' like a Riot fo' heavy -liftin'-, baby."

Velocity hmms thinking "Lesse...I can do the wood, plenty quick too, someone fills me in on what this place is supposed to look like, and help me set up the basic structure, I can start putting boards in place

Dorian talks quietly into his PDA for a bit, and then hangs up. "Alright...there's an inspector on their way over here."

Black Mamba(#1826TCLOnp)

This heavily muscled humanoid has the black scaly skin and flickering forked tongue of a snake. He stands 6ft 8" tall, weights about 220lbs. His eyes are circular in shape like a snake's and he has no external ears. He is bare chested, wearing skin tight black pants and matching black boots.

Zephyr starts mixing the paint in preparation, "I hope we have a lot of pink!"

Velocity blinks "Why, you doing all the girls bathrooms?" he grins "Black and blue, with some gold streaks would look good" He says, his own suit baring those colors

Riot glances over at Zephyr, then asides to Ellbeth. "Yo, Big Mama.. better find somethin' else fo' Pinkie to do, or you gonna have pre-school, baby."

Ellbeth moves from classroom to classroom to haywall to staffroom, casting spells to do the basic cleaning up and bagging to trash.

Dorian(#1800POeACF?)

This man stands about five and a half feet tall, and is moderately good looking. He has blue eyes...brown hair cut into a crew cut, and a goatee.

He's currently wearing a retro Eisenhower style jacket in an olive green, along with a black t-shirt, a pair of jeans...probably Levi's if one notices such things, and a pair of navy blue Doc Marten's, heavily worn from walking, apparently.

Spirit changes back into his energy form, and then as he walks around, he reaches out with tendrils of light that extend from his hands, holding a bag open and placing trash in it.

Ellbeth says, "I think pink will look fine. There's a kindergarten classroom. That would be perfect in pink."

Zephyr cheers, "Ok! I'll get to work in there."

After a few minutes have passed Black Mamba comes down from the sky above through a hole in the roof using a flying belt. He lands in the classroom where most are working and looks around. His face is unexpressive due to the scales covering it.

Riot follows after Ellbeth, quietly tossing bags of trash and debris out of the rooms. Usually into the hall, where he can give them a 'light' little toss all the way out o the hole and into the street. Easier to bag them there. And then? He hears the distant crash of someone comming through the roof.

"Ah HELL nah." He grunts.

Zephyr smiles at the newcomer, "Hi! Are you here to help too?"

"A lot of new heroes." Black Mamba's voice is snake hissy in tone, "I'm Black Mamba. Do you know where Spirit is?"

Spirit waves to Black Mamba, trying to get the man's attention from where is is in the next room. "Hey there...glad you could make it." He continues picking up debris with the light bands he's generated. "Just working on cleaning up...repairing...patching...painting."

Black Mamba nods to Spirit and gives a thumbs up. "Someone have a brush they can lend me?" he asks.

Riot pokes his head out from his own classroom, and yells down the corridor. "Yo! Everythang coo' down there? I ain't gonna have ta bounce nobody?" Too many squishies around. Too far away to hear the conversation between Mamba and Spirit just yet.

"It's been a long time since I last put on the scales. In fact, Spirit, the last time was at the Best of the Best."

Velocity zips up with 8 different brushes "take your pick!"

Zephyr yells back, "Just another nice person stopping by to help out!"

Spirit chuckles. "Yeah...I know the feeling. Oh...that reminds me, I had a question to ask you later, Mamba. Remind me before we take off."

Black Mamba selects a brush and tanks Velocity. "Thank you. This is a good thing you're doing here today, all of you. Let me at a tin of paint and maybe you can introduce yourselves?"

Riot 'huhs', then glances to Ellbeth. ".. Yo, Big Mama El. Hol' up for a second. I'mma go grab us somethang ta stick all this freak up in. Dig?"

Zephyr waves her brush, nearing splattering paint pink on Mamba, "I'm Zephyr!"

Ellbeth sniles, "Actually. no I didn't understand. I speak three languages fluently but 'street' is not one of them."

Black Mamba grins as he dodges the paint droplets, "Pleased to meet you, Zepher."

Spirit waves to Zephyr as well. "Sorry, I should have introduced myself earlier, too. Spirit."

There's the sound of a vehicle approaching and stopping in the schoolyard.

Riot hehs, and slips out of hthe classroom. And out of the construction zone entirely, heading out into the 'burg to find a dumpster. A BIG dumpster. One of those long, roll-a-way suckers..

Velocity zips around helping where he can until he can start nailing up walls "Names Velocity, Nice ta meetcha Mamba!"

Ellbeth nods to Black Mamba as if they know each other.

There's a frightened cry for help from outside the school buildings.

It takes Riot a few minutes, but - knowing the 'Bay like he does - he eventually comes hoping back. Literally. Hoping. With a -long- dumpster held up and over his head. A few tons is nothing to the Child of Kaos! KA-THUMP. Though it does overbalance him and drag on the ground when he staggers.

"A-yo!" He laughs. "Gotta trash can, baby."

Spirit drops the bag he's holding, and immediately flies outside to see what's going on.

Velocity blinsk "Be right back guys!" zipping off like lightning in the direction of the cry

Zephyr's ears perk up metaphorically.

Zephyr says, "That sounds like trouble!"

Lorelei enters from Harrisburg.

Zephyr tosses her brush aside and runs off to check on the scream

Outside cowering back against the side of a official city engineer's department car is a mousey looking man in gray suit holding a hand taser in shaking fingers. Standing a few yeards away from him looking rather unfriendly are three youths wearing Watch armbands.

At the sight of heroes coming to his rescue the mousey man calls over, "Help! They're threatening me."

Velocity puts himself, weather he can or not, between the boys and the man "Hey now, don't you look all uniform with your special little armbands, the boyscouts loosen their dresscode?"

The three youths look surly but to those who can make out body language them seem to calm down when Spirit comes into view. "Whatcha doing on Watch territory?" One asks Velocity as he puts himself forward.

Spirit is a bit slower than Velocity, getting outside shortly thereafter. He looks to the kids in the Watch. "Do we have a problem here, fellas? He's here to check the building out...to make sure it's safe to have school in again."

Riot puts the dumpster down, and grunts. "Damn. Can't a brother get a moment?" Wth a muttered comment, he LEAPS again. To land with a 'Thump' nearby the young boys. Looks like Spirit's got it in hand, of course. "A-yo, cuz. Chill, baby. He ain't the po-po, dig?"

The apparent leader of the youths looks over at Spirit, "You're doing stuff to the school?"

Spirit adds, "It would be in your best interest to let the man do his job...so we can try to get this school up and running again. Which helps everyone here, eh?" He nods. "We're going to try to repair it."

Lorelei turns up at last, late, having been unavoidably detained on set. She drives up to the school, direct from Transmat.

Zephyr nods, "Yeah! We could use more help too, if you're not busy."

Spirit remains floating about three feet off the ground. "I know you guys are just protecting your turf...but perhaps you can grab a brush and give us a hand."

Spirit nods to Zephyr, "Like she said."

The leader nods, "We haven't forgotten heroes coming to get the kids out when the Horde was here." The youths step aside. "Mary and Nicky will want to know about this."

Spirit nods slowly, "Yeah...I'm sure they will. Thanks, guys."

The youths look at each other. Then they nods. "Okay. You got it. What do want us to do?"

Lorelei parks her car and gets out (though a bit reluctant, it must be said, to leave it around Harrisburg). She surveys the school and sighs, distressed to see what a state it's still in, despite her fundraising efforts.

Black Mamba comes out to see what is happening. He's got a brush in his hand and paint splashes on his scales. "Hi, Lorelei."

Spirit points toward the school. "Start with painting. And perhaps one of you could send word to the other people in the Watch, so we can get more people out here?"

Zephyr just stares at Lorelei, "Whoa..."

Lorelei

Lorelei's a gorgous blonde woman of unearthly beauty, 18 years old, though the assurance with which she carries herself bespeaks someone older. No part of her shapely 5'6" body is not alluring, but more striking still that almost her every movement seems an enticing pose such as photographers might spend hours coaxing out of a model. Wild shoulder-length hair frames her face, with its high cheekbones, pouty lips and dark sparkling eyes.

She might be seen in any number of outfits, but her "superhero costume" is a skintight shimmering green bodysuit partially cut away, leaving her left arm and shoulder are bare but for her glove, and her right leg but for her boot, with a light blue sash tied about her waist.

One of the youths saunters over to Lorelei, "Hey. Cool. No worries. I'll watch the car. Can I have your autograph when you've got time?"

Velocity turns to head back to work then pauses "thaaaat must be who the girls were talking about...damn..now I know what they ment..." he shakes his head and heads back to work, importance of mission over hotcheeks

Lorelei smiles to the youth. "Oh, hey - thanks. And of course. Hi, Black Mamba."

Ellbeth has finished going through the school buildings with a cleaning spell. Now she's going to where repairs as being make and casting spells to meld the repairs into the original building structure.

Spirit waves to Lorelei as well, now that things are under control with the Watch kids. He lands, and motions to the inspector. "C'mon in, sir."

Zephyr blinks a bit to get the dazzling vision out of her eyes and heads back to the classroom to resume painting.

The youth watching Lorelei's car is using a cellphone. The other two head into the school to help out.

Lorelei goes in search of Ellbeth - whom she assumes is coordinating efforts.

The inspector glares at the departing youths, "Trash. Just trash. But what can you expect from a place like this."

Velocity blinks and moves to the front of the inspector "Someones abit full of himself ain't he?"

Spirit holds up his hand in front of the inspector. "I'm sorry. I hope I didn't just hear what I just heard. These kids are protecting their homes...because the city isn't doing enough to help."

Ellbeth is resting for a moment or three, tidying up by hand while her magic recharges. She looks at as Lorelei approaches, "Hi. I'm so pleased at the response. This is going better than I ever imagined."

The inspector mutters in a low voice, but just audible to Spirit next to him, "It would only be a waste of money."

Lorelei says, "I'm rather ashamed I didn't try to arrange somethign like this myself. I mean, the fundraiser went well, but somehow still nothing was being done - I should have tried something more hands-on. Well - how can I chip in? I've not really much to offer but my two hands, unfortunately...."

Spirit doesn't lower his voice, but instead speaks in even tones, "It's not like they were going to mug you, sir. They act as a civilian neighborhood watch. Because the police don't like coming here either." He shakes his head, "Education is never a waste of money. If you want this area to change...the people here need good educations. That's the foundation for change."

Ellbeth points vaguely in a direction, "Zepher is painting the kindergarten. How do you like pink? She could use a hand."

Lorelei says, "Right, I can do that - I wish I'd worn some old clothes now. Oh well...."

Zephyr stammers, "Uh. You don't have to Miss, I mean um, I wouldn't want you to get dirty!"

The inspector asnwers, "Helping the wastrals of Harrisburg is like casting pearls to swine. JYou only have to look at the district to see that. I didn't want to come here and not intend to stay one moment longer than I have to. Do you have your permits to hand?"

Ferryl enters from Harrisburg.

Ellbeth laughs, "You forget who I am, Lorelei. Come to me when you're finished and I'll make your clothes as good as new again.

Velocity blinks, that he can hear, and looks to spirit "Um..I'm gonna let you handle this...otherwise I'm goign to give him a turbo wedgie from here to third street" and zips off to continue to help

Spirit shakes his head, "I have no idea. I don't personally. Ms. Wyrd, do we have the building permit?"

Lorelei grins. "Now that's a trick I wish I could do. Thanks!" She goes to help with the painting.

Ellbeth nods and...

[To Zephyr] Lorelei says, "Hi. I'm Lorelei."

Zephyr blushes, "Ah. Ergh. I-I'm Zephyr. Nice to meet you."

... hands the inspector a school notebook she just picked up off the floor while she was tidying up. The inspector flips through it and grugingly nods, "Well, they seem to be in order." He hands the notebook back, "I'll start at the west end."

Behind the inspetor's back Ellbeth winks at Spirit.

Spirit tilts his head, looking to Ellbeth curiously. He doesn't say anything though that might screw up the illusion.

Velocity hmms and runs over to Ellbeth "Why do I get the feeling he's going to hunt for any possible reason to fail this place? the most miniscule thing, like the paint isn't right or something

Spirit nods to the inspector. "We're mostly looking to see if the structural integrity is sound enough to repair the place. Thanks again."

Ellbeth grins and tells Velocity, "Actually I beleieve he will pass it even if the roof was falling in. If he fails the building he has to come back for another inspection when the faults have been dealt with."

There's more people coming to the school. A group of about twenty or thirty youths wearing armbands, a middle aged woman and a young girl wearing a wide brimmed sunhat.

Lorelei says, "Hey Zephyr. Are you new around here? Or am I just getting out of touch? Anything I should know? I've not really done much paintng."

Spirit waves to the newcomers, as he's still out front for the moment.

If a snake man could bristle, Black Mamba would be doing it on sighting the woman and girl. He looks at Spirit, "I'll let you deal with those." and returns inside the school.

Spirit mutters to Black Mamba as the man retreats. "Yeah...thanks." He chuckles quietly.

Mary walks over to Spirit with the girl a pace behind her. "Hello, Spirit."

Spirit nods to Mary, and Nicky. "Hello, Mary. Nicky. How are you two doing?"

Zephyr nods, "Um, yes. I just started as a hero a little while ago. So there;s no reason you'd've heard of me! And, um, I don't know what I'm doing really. Just painting the walls pink."

Lorelei smiles. "Blind leading the blind then? Well, I'll do my best...."

Zephyr smiles and nods. "Mmm-hmm!"

Lorelei takes paint and brush and sets to work.

The girl answers for them, "Getting by. Why didn't you let us know you were coming? Spirit of Justice has always been welcome to come into Harrisburg. If you vouch for the people here that will be alright by me."

Spirit chuckles quietly, "Because I wasn't the organizer this time. That was Dr. Wyrd. I'm just lending all the support I can to the effort. Calling people...that kind of thing."

The girl nods, "You're helping my people. I'm grateful." She looks back to the crowd of youths, "Get in there and give them a hand. They're rebuilding our school. Let's help it happen."

Spirit nods. "The city's sat on this too long. We should get some media coverage too. That'll put pressure on the city to act. Perhaps Lorelei knows someone who could help in that matter."

Lorelei says, "I can't believe how long they've let this school sit in ruins. It's a disgrace."

Ellbeth takes out some time to put empty containers on a trestle. Then she goes along casting spells on each container, filling them with sodas, fruit juice, chilled lemonade, icecreams, pasties, and other varied snacks. "Help yourselves." She calls out.

Zephyr nods, "Is it really so bad here? How could the city let things go like this!?"

Spirit thinks about that, "Or...I can just call it in. Perhaps they'll send someone down based on my call." He changes form again to his mundane look, and pulls out a PDA, placing a call to CBN.

The girl nods to Lorelei, "I saw the potential in you the first time we met, Lorelei. Do you remember? I wonder what would have happened if you had agreed to come under my umbrella?"

Black Mamba answers Zepher, "Because most people in the city hall don't care. Or they are hostile to Harrisburg because of her." He points out towards where Spirit and the girl are talking."

Velocity pauses and attempts to wipe his brow, before realizing he's got the helmet on "...that..doesn't work to well.."

Zephyr looks at the girl, "Who is she?'

Lorelei says to the girl, "I'd rather not think about it. I have reason to believe I could have taken.... well, a very differnet path."

[To Zephyr] Lorelei says, "That's Nicky Winters."

Black Mamba scowls, "The Countess Nicolai De'Estes. Also known as Nicky Winters. A vampire and one the unlawful ruler of the city by usurpation."

This elementary school is one of the oldest in town and is primarily for the young children of Colonial Bay. The outside grounds behind the buildings are large enough to encompass a jungle gym play area, small basketball court with the hoops low enough for those young boys and girls to play, a soccer field that can be converted into a little league football field, and finally a small baseball diamond. The school itself has been modernized and encompasses several stylish one story buildings made of the popular red brick that is commonly seen in the area. A large flagpole dominates the entrance to the school, with a patriotic flag at the top whipping proudly in the wind. Inside the school, are hallways that lead to classrooms, which have brightly colored walls with tiny tables and chairs made to for the children, with one large desk and chair sitting at the front of the classroom for the teacher. During the day the halls are filled with hustle and bustle of children and teachers unless they are in the classrooms during a study period.

Zephyr blinks, "But... isn't it day time?"

Black Mamba points out, "Sunhat and thick clothing.

Dorian gets off the phone with the television station. "They're sending over a camera crew for one of those 'public interest' stories." He nods to Nicky, "Might want to be scarce when they arrive."

Zephyr says, "Oh... I guess I don't really know much about vampires... So she's a good guy now?"

Riot is still here! Somewhere over there! Probably doing something heavy. Because he's like that. Eventually, he'll wander back over, splattered with the debris he's been tossing like they weren't nothin'.

Lorelei answers diplomatically, "She looks out for Harrisburg."

Velocity zips around helping where he can, laying everything from boards to shingles at record pace

The girl nods. She offers Spirit a small hand, "Thank you for this. I mean it. We owe you for today."

Dorian noticeably hesitates, knowing what Nicky's touch could do. But then he reaches out and shakes her hand in a show of faith. "No you don't. But I appreciate the sentiment."

Zephyr nods energetically, "A hero is someone who looks out for other people, so she counts in my book."

Dorian says, "Meaning...you don't owe me."

Black Mamba, "Well I have to believe in redemption. But there a lot to redeem. Ask me again in another hundred years."

Lorelei falls silent and goes back to painting the wall.

Zephyr nods again, "My Uncle once told me that when a person truely desires to change, their old self "dies" and their crimes die with them, freeing the new person they become to start over."

The girl grins at the hesitation, exposing some rather overlong canines. "I stopped doing that. And take the IOU. You know I keep my word. If I ever start to stray and Mary can't talk me around you can use it to keep me straight."

Riot frowns, having caught the tail end of the conversation as he approaches. He tilts his red-slashed hockey mask, and perhaps his most diplomatic bits yet. "Who the -hell- is this now? DAMN. All them damn capes commin' to the party now."

Dorian nods to Nicky, "Alright...fair enough. Thanks."

The girl steps away moving into a deep shadow... and not emerging.

[To Zephyr] Lorelei says, "It's a noble sentiment, it really is. But... I'm not sure people usually change their ways quite that readily."

Ellbeth shouts so everyone can hear, "Drinks. Food. Come and get it."

Lorelei grins. "Sounds good. Though I'm not sure I've really earned that yet...." Still, she puts down her brush.

Riot rolls his shoulders. He knows Nicky. Anyone in the 'Burg does. Which means he grants the usual amount of Riotous respect: "DAMN. Lookit the blood sucker. Whatup, toothy? Ain't nobody cut theyselves yet." And he goes back to glancing at the rest of the 'Watch' on duty. "Huh."

Black Mamba nods, "Lorelei is right. But I will admit one thing. She's never been known to break her word once given."

[To Lorelei] Zephyr says, "I know... but it's why a hero must never kill. Because if we do, we not only kill the person that is, but the person they could be."

Zephyr cheers, "Yay! Food!" She runs off to get some.

A sour faced inspector is sitting in a large paint tine with a drink and flinching when anyone goes within ten yards of him.

As the Watch members gather around the spread, one mutters something about the City not daring to have ignored Harrisburg for so long if the Old Man was still around.

Velocity continuously makes sure he goes close to the inspector as he goes by, just to mess with him

[To Zephyr] Lorelei says, "I'll agree with that."

Lorelei glances at the inspector. "Who's that?"

Dorian smiles, and pokes his head inside. "Hey, Lorelei! Going to need a hand from you in a minute with the media when they get here."

Velocity zips over to the 2 people "whoa, whoa, chill, fighting amongst ourselves isn't going to get this school built any faster, and theres been enough blood spilled on this land already...lets try not to add more ok?"

Lorelei smiles. "oh good, we're getting coverage? I might be of more help there."

Riot rolls his shoulders again when he gets no response, and moves towards the call of food. Turning that hockey mask aside once as he goes. "Heh. Damn fools. Ya'll fightin' ovah which person gonna yank yo' chains? Huh!" Riot being diplomatic again.

Dorian nods. "Yup...they'll be here momentarily." Sure enough...a hovervan 'rolls' up out front with a big CBN logo on it. "C'mon...they're here."

The mutterer nods, "It's cool man, it's cool." The other watch member shrugs, "Shoulda said you meant the Original."

From a room at the rear of the school someone says loudly, "Need a stong hand here."

Riot woops. "Hey! Somebody plain' my damn song." He begins jogging over "On it, baby!"

Lorelei says, "Darn - haven't finished eating yet. Do I have any paint on me?"

Velocity returns to zipping around, helping where he can...and buzzing the inspector

Three of the Watch are strugging with a large roofing timber. They don't look too happy to see it's Riot who's come but point up to a gap in the roofing framing. "Can you hold it up while we nail it?"

Riot pssh. "In my damn sleep." He grunts, then puts his shoulder beneath the tmber. The hardest thing is just balancing it. Once he's got that, it's no more than an arm to hold it up. "Easy, baby, easy."

Ellbeth goes over to Lorelei and quickly casts a cleaning spell. Lorelei's clothes look as good as new, clean, neat, pressed.

Lorelei grins. "Thanks, Ellbeth!" She goes to meet the cameras.

Dorian heads back outside to greet the camera crew. It's a two person crew, a cameraman, and a female reporter. The woman gets out and shakes Dorian's hand, "Hi Mr. Perrault, I'm Rebecca Brown. Thanks for calling us out here." She smiles as she sees Lorelei exit the building.

"There's some hammering sounds from the room where Riot went. Then cheering. "That was the last one. Some plywood sheeting and shingles and the roof is done."

Riot waits to make sure the timber is steady, -easing- his hand downwards. When he's certain no squishies around him are gonna get pounded flat by a falling beam, he steps back and huhs. "You hearin' that? Sounds like a damn -camera crew- in the 'burg. Who be stupid enough t' pull that?" A laugh. "Damn."

Velocity runs up the wall anr roofing area, begining to lay plywood and shingles rapidly on that part "Maybe I should go into construction when I need a summer job hahah!"

Rebecca motions to the cameraman, "Go ahead and set up on the sidewalk...we don't want to get in the way of the work." She walks over to Lorelei and offers her hand to shake. "Miss Lorelei, a pleasure to meet you, finally."

Lorelei shakes Rebecca's hand with a smile. "Thank you. Thoguh there are people a lot more worth meeting than I am. I'm just hoping that I can draw the public eye to the plight of Harrisburg...."

Ellbeth is vain enough to clean up her robes ready if she makes an appearence.

Black Mamba slips into a back room. Even now he's not all that comfortable in being seen.

Rebecca nods, "This'll be a fairly short segment, but we'll want to ask for statements from several people. Both Mr. Perrault and yourself included, of course."

Lorelei says, "Don't leave out Ellbeth Wyrd - she got us together today."

Rebecca smiles, and nods. "Of course. Let's start with the two of you, since you're out here. We can tape my initial statements later, and edit them to get them in order."

Dorian nods. "Alright, fair enough."

Riot adjusts his jacket, wipes a bit of grime off his shirt, and otherwise looks - completely ghetto. He slips out from the room they just finished prepping to poke his head out the side and watch the sights. Calling back to the 'Watch'. "Yo. Better get yo' tooth lady outa the way, cuz. Or she even show up inna video?"

Lorelei says, "Sounds good. Oh dear, does this mean I have to think of something intelligent to say?"

The cameraman moves to get a shot of the building, as well as Dorian and Lorelei, and the activity behind them. Rebecca holds up a microphone to Lorelei, "So...what exactly is going on here today? And do you have anything to add?"

In the background of the shot a laughing Watching holding a large brush dripping with paint runs after another Watchman who is already splattered with paint as he flees.

Lorelei says, "Well - you'd hardly know to look at it, but this is a school. A school in one of the most dynamic cities in the country. And here we are, all this time since the Horde in invasion, and it's still in disrepair and disuse - basically we've decided if no one else is going to do anything about it, we will. We're here to give a neighbourhood its school back."

The Watchmen in the back room with Riot tell him Nocky has gone back to the Clinic leaving Mary on hand to observe.

The microphone switches to Dorian, and he nods, "We're just lending a helping hand where necessary. The city has been slow to respond to the need for the school to be rebuilt, so we're doing what he can."

And with that, the light on the camera goes off. Rebecca smiles, "Thank you. We should speak to Dr. Wyrd and perhaps a couple of other people before we get out of your way."

Riot pssh. "Yeah, whatever. -Observe-." He grunts, then watches the two Watch run about with paintbrushes. And grins. "Yo boys like gettin' yo asses kicked in street hockey? Since we bein' all sneaky and stayin' off the cameras. Hell, baby, I'm a walking Pee Are disaster." A loud laugh, as if Riot were almost proud of that fact.

Ellbeth comes over to the reporter, after casting a glamor spell, "Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm a great admirer."

Lorelei says, "Thank you - and thanks for covering this. We need people to get behind this project - there's only so much we can do."

Rebecca smiles to Ellbeth, "Why...thank you." She motions to the cameraman, who turns the camera on again. Rebecca then says to Ellbeth, "I understand you organized this event. What is the goal and the reason for the work here? Remember, this will be edited, so assume I haven't talked to Lorelei and Mr. Perrault yet."

Ellbeth says, "All I did was provide some materials and invite a few people to give a hand. And they responded in a generous fashion that typifies the inhabitants of this city. As Lorelei has just said, this school, the entire district, has been without help for too long since the Horde Invasion. That's something that maybe can be considered at the next election. My intention was to get the children back in school. For that Harrisburg needs a school. Just over a year ago I was here, at this school giving a book reading. I hope to be here again soon giving another reading when the school opens. Today we've seen heroes and the people of Harrisburg coming together and showing what can be done.""

Rebecca smiles, "Thank you, Dr. Wyrd. Perhaps we can talk to a couple members of the Watch?"

Mary selects a couple of the Watch to go talk to the reporter.

Riot asides. "Here that? They wantin' a word wit' yo bros. Heh." Then goes back to watching from his window.

"Hi." They look uncomfortable in the spotlight of the camera's gaze.

Rebecca smiles at the two kids. "Just...give your opinion about what it means to you to have the school rebuilt." She places the microphone in front of one of the two kids. "Just be honest."

"Uh... Well.. It's good. The city ain't done nothing. Not since the invasion. But.. you know there was a big fight here. And Starguard and the heroes got the kids out 'fore the Takers got to them. Now they come and fixing up the school. Gotta thank them, you know." The answer starts hesitant but by the end the Watchman are speaking positively.

Rebecca nods, and takes a similar statement from the other youth. "Thanks again, guys. We'll let you get back to work." She shakes Dorian's hand again, "Again, thanks for calling us. Look for it on the news tonight." She smiles.

Lorelei smiles. "Thanks again."

Dorian smiles, and heads back up toward the building. "C'mon...let's get back to work. I'd like to hear was the inspector has to say."

Lorelei nods and starts heading back in, but asks Ellbeth suddenly, "How's Max at tracing where money's gone?"

The inspector has sat through the media reporting. It's when the cameras have gone he stands and goes over to Spirit. "I can give the structure a pass. It's sound. Although I strongly disapprove of the method. Magic has no place in construction work. Just don't blame me if demons come crawling out the walls in a month's time."

Ellbeth tells Lorelei, "Down to the last cent. Why?"

Rebecca turns to the camera, and they wait for the people to head inside before finishing recording the intro segment. The two then pack up the van, and head out.

Riot pops up near the Inspector. Usually by just walking around until he meanders into some vital bit of conversation. "Hell yeah, boy's got a point. Why don't I just drag anothah school ovah here? Hell, I ain't never like Virginia City noways." A loud laugh, because he's teasing. Hopefully.

Velocity stops and blinks (unnoticible in his helmet) "Did he seriously just claim her magic would summon demons out of the walls? seriously, the only thing that does that is Cafeteria Pizza"

Dorian nods to the inspector. "Well, what's your level of expertise with magic, sir?"

The inspector straightens up, "I have no tuck with such as magic or other unholy practices."

Dorian smiles, and nods. "Ah...and I don't have any experience with construction. I...am going to have to take your word that the structure is sound. And I have to take Dr. Wyrd's word that the magic is safe. But we'll take your opinion under advisement. Thank you."

Velocity whoas and zips up "Um..Inspector...I'm going to recomend you start just doing your job and keeping mouth closed..every time you open it your loafer seems to just get sucked in by the vacuum of your head

[To Ellbeth] Lorelei says, "I did a fundraiser for Harrisburg and the school in particular this summer. Got some big names in, and we raised a lot of money. But the money hasn't done anything on the ground. I want to know if it's just tied up in red tape or if there's some actual corruption somewhere. I'd ask my own accountant, but, well, he was involved in arranging things in the first place. Not that I suspect him of wrongdoing but...."

The inspector hands over the inspector certificate for the school and hurriedly departs.

Ellbeth nods, "Consider it done, Lorelei. Probably just red tape. Especially if City Hall is dragging its feet. But Max and I will look into it."

This elementary school is one of the oldest in town and is primarily for the young children of Colonial Bay. The outside grounds behind the buildings are large enough to encompass a jungle gym play area, small basketball court with the hoops low enough for those young boys and girls to play, a soccer field that can be converted into a little league football field, and finally a small baseball diamond. The school itself has been modernized and encompasses several stylish one story buildings made of the popular red brick that is commonly seen in the area. A large flagpole dominates the entrance to the school, with a patriotic flag at the top whipping proudly in the wind. Inside the school, are hallways that lead to classrooms, which have brightly colored walls with tiny tables and chairs made to for the children, with one large desk and chair sitting at the front of the classroom for the teacher. During the day the halls are filled with hustle and bustle of children and teachers unless they are in the classrooms during a study period.

Dorian takes the certificate, and looks it over to determine what needs to be done with it. "Probably needs to be posted inside, huh?"

Ellbeth nods. "Yes."

Lorelei nods. "I'm just worried about how much City Hall is dragging its feet. I'm beginning to think they care so little about Harrisburg they'll find some way to juggle the money elsewhere...."

Black Mamba comes over to join the gathering, "Lorelei, I'm afraid it's not a matter of caring so little. Most of the members of the Council are intensely hostile to Harrisburg."

Dorian takes the certificate inside, and posts it in the appropriate place...presumably where the prior one was located.

Lorelei frowns. "Cangolesi got in basically on his record as a judge - which was good enough to make people not worry about his family. But sometimes now I wonder..." She asks Black Mamba, "Why are they so hostile?"