Session Start: Wed Mar 06 09:49:05 2002
* FWL_MeRc walks out of his room
* HappyLittleMoron 's downstairs with Brenna, helping her learn to write her name, sitting by her on the floor in front of the coffee table
<FWL_MeRc> ... hey moron...
* HappyLittleMoron looks up, then wavels to Merc with a bit of a smirk* Heya..
<FWL_MeRc> ...
<HappyLittleMoron> ...what?
<FWL_MeRc> ... nothing just... lacking sleep
<HappyLittleMoron> Ahh...yeah...know the feeling...whatcha been up to?
<FWL_MeRc> not much... just trying to find out who done that to diana... to no avail
<HappyLittleMoron> Oh...heh...yeah...I feel for 'em both...her and Angora...the chick has no idea what's going on...
<FWL_MeRc> either way... someone will pay
* HappyLittleMoron sighs a little
* Mitch is in his room, doing his own thang, and promised Aria not to do something productive until she was around
<HappyLittleMoron> *voice a little sharper than usual* Yeah they will, but you're not doin' it alone...anyway, we gotta find out who did it in the first place...*clenches her jaw and goes back to helping Brenna*
* FWL_MeRc smiles and kneels by them "and how are you brenna?"
* Brenna looks up and smiles* I good! Mama's helpin' me write...*looks down at the wobbly, almost unreadable scrawliings and wrinkles her nose* I not so good at it yet...
<FWL_MeRc> pratice makes perfect Brenna good things come to those who work for it
* HappyLittleMoron smiles softly and strokes Brenna's hair* You'll get better with practice, honey...your daddie's gonna be proud, just like I am...*kisses the top of her head*
* Brenna nodsnods aand goes back to concentrating on the writing*
* FWL_MeRc smiles and stands making his way toward the kitchen "you want anything you two?"
<HappyLittleMoron> Thanks...but no...just ate...*smirks a little, leaning back and watching her daughter*
* FWL_MeRc walks out with 3 blocks of wheatabix
* HappyLittleMoron sighs a little and streatches, before erking a little and putting her hand to her brow, muttering softly to herself
<FWL_MeRc> ... you ok moron
<``Mitch> .oO(This is getting nowhere.)
<HappyLittleMoron> Yeah...stupid dizzy spells is all...*folds her wings against her back as she recovers from it* 'S why I'm home now...Olivia sent me home, didn't want me falling over or anything...
* ``Mitch walks halfway out his door, then hesitates... he glances up, seemingly at nothing... "...why not?" Reaching back, he grabs his jacket, and shrugs it on, settling his lower arms underneath.
<FWL_MeRc> .. too much good times with klorki?
<``Mitch> *heads downstairs and grabs two beers from the kitchen, nodding to them* "Merc, Mrs. Happy..."
* HappyLittleMoron lookw up and wavels to Mitch* Heyas...*looks back to Merc* Nah...normal part of pregnancy...
* HappyLittleMoron mutters...* Just worse with twins...
* ``Mitch tucks the bottles into his jacket pockets, and walks out the front door
<HappyLittleMoron> ...er...take care? Heh..
* ``Mitch shuts the door, and spends a moment staring at the porch before glancing both ways and jogging across the street, heading down the sidewalk
* ``Mitch counts under his breath, then halts at an abandoned building... he turns and looks at the Asylum, almost as it gauging it, then enters the building, looking around for the stairs
* the Asylum...sits there...y'know...doesn't do much else...the pool's filled now! Roof's all cleaned up! And if anything else decides to empty/fall into the pool and wreck it, they WILL recieve a beating they'll never forget*
* ``Mitch finally makes it to the roof of this other building, looking around... it rises a few stories above the Asylum, and has an excellent view of it and the street below... but, besides dust and drek and a few ventilation shafts, is also utterly deserted
<``Mitch> Muttered. "...damn it, I thought..."
* HappyLittleMoron scoots up back by Brenna to watch her carefully form the letters...then blinking and chuckling* Hey...Merc? You wanna feel the little ones moving around?
* FWL_MeRc finishes eating the blocks sitting quietly
* A Texan drawl floats on the air...* "Nice try, Mitch. Ya missed by one. Good try, though."
* ``Mitch whips around and looks over, adjusting his glasses slightly and blinking against the wind shear... spotting a shadow against the entrance of a stairwell on the next building over, a grizzled shadow in a heavy leather jacket cupping a cigarette.
<``Mitch> "How'd you know my name?"
* A low chuckle.* "Kid, I'm a bilingual lip-reader with a forty-X scope. There's not a lot I DON'T know. If one of them brew's for me, come on up - there's a plank over there you can hock over."
* ``Mitch blinks, but walks over and horses the plank, sitting innocuously on one side, around to where it spans the roof
<man> "Okay, watch it, the wind's pretty brutal..." The man uncrouches, and jogs away from the shape of a sniper rifle, half-concealed by a burlap tarp spread over the edge, to reach out, putting a foot on the plank.
* ``Mitch wavers as he steps up onto the plank, then hastily takes two steps forward and grabs the man's arm... he teeters for a moment over seventy feet of thin air, and his face goes white, until the man hauls, pulling him onto safer ground
<Man > "You okay, kid?"
<``Mitch> "Yeah, I..." He swallows. "Heights don't agree with me. Recently."
<Man > "Oh, sure. I caught the edge of that. Yer damnlucky, yank; two feet off and you would've been thick and chunky salsa."
* ``Mitch pulls out one of the beers and offers it to the man. "Who ARE you?"
<Man > "Asylum sniper." He accepts with a nod and tugs out his shirt, wrenching off the cap with a powerful twist and guzzling the beer. "-yeah, that's the stuff. They take care of the freaky shit, I take care of the mundane shit. Like telemarketers. Talk about job satisfaction."
<``Mitch> "No... well, yeah, I mean, but, y'know... who are you?" *uses a bottle opener on his own like everyone else*
<Man > "Huh?" The man looks up, a little confused - then it dawns on him. "Sheeyit, kid, no one's ever... Bill." He holds out his other hamfisted hand.
* ``Mitch shakes it, shaking a little himself. "Just Bill?"
<Bill> "Cripes, kid, you're givin' ME the willies... sit down afore you bust somethin'. Bill..." He sits down in the lee of the stairwell, and takes a drag on his cigarette, his expression turning slightly caustic. "...Tell."
* ``Mitch blinks for a moment, then blinks again as he works it out. "W-"
<Bill> "Yeah, yeah. William Tell. Pop thought it was funny as all hell. Like I had any CHOICE but becomin' a marksman after that."
<Bill> "And if y'wanna poke fun at it, it's a long way down and you don' have to use the stairs, y'hear?"
<``Mitch> "No- no, it's good. Nothing wrong with Bill." He hesitates. "Mrs. Happy pays you to... snipe? For the Asylum?"
* FWL_MeRc snorts as he sits awakes
<FWL_MeRc> ... mental note... SLEEP!!!
* HappyLittleMoron blinks and chuckles
<HappyLittleMoron> Go to bed Merc..
<FWL_MeRc> i refuse to sleep...
<FWL_MeRc> ugh...
* HappyLittleMoron eyes him
<HappyLittleMoron> ANd if I clocked you over the head with some large, blunt object...what about then?
<Bill> "Mrs. H- oh, I get it. Yeah, the Moron and I got an understandin'. Like, an eight buck an hour understandin'." He snorts, and chases the smoke with more booze. "It's a livin'... great view, lots of time to reflect, killing door-to-door salespeople... don't get much better than this, kid."
<FWL_MeRc> then i will spank you
<FWL_MeRc> like the naughty girl you are
<HappyLittleMoron> Oyy...you need to get some sleep wether you want it or not..
<``Mitch> "This is all you do? Just... sit up here and... shoot trespassers?"
<FWL_MeRc> maybe i should like... go and kill a few things
<HappyLittleMoron> Noo...you should go to bed
<Bill> "Well..." His voice, cynical and worldly, starts to take on a little life. "It's just somethin' to pay the bills. Now, what I REALLY wanna do is be a vet. I got a correspondence course goin'? You know, from the TV? And if I study hard and get good marks I can make half the credits on a functional veterinarian M.D. at a TENTH of the cost. I love animals - all kinds of animals... they don't do the stupid shit humans do to eachother.."
<FWL_MeRc> no...
* HappyLittleMoron sets her jaw stubbornly
<FWL_MeRc> your not my mother
<Bill> "And all I ever wanted to do was help 'em. 'Cause- see, you ever been in a clinic? Humans love animals. They trust 'em with all the crap you can't tell nobody. So when they get sick it's like worse than losin' your wife. They just pace back and forth and smoke and chew their fuckin' arms off worryin'. But when you put that animal back in their arms, it's like they're alive for the first time."
<Bill> He deflates, and grunts as he shifts position. "...best thing in the world."
* ``Mitch blinks, just taking this in.
<HappyLittleMoron> No, but I'm your landlady...grumpy and pregnant...humor me *grins lopsidedly*
<Bill> "But I can't afford to work at it full-time. So I gotta kill people instead."
<FWL_MeRc> ... thus... giving you no power over me
<FWL_MeRc> i just give you money for the place to stay
<HappyLittleMoron> Oy
<HappyLittleMoron> Well, it's your funeral *shrugs* You won't stand a chance against whatever did that to Diana if you're on the verge of passing out...and I don't care how powerful you are when awake
<Bill> *abruptly changing the subject* "So you like it there?"
<``Mitch> "Huh? I- yeah, I guess... it's... not what I'm used to."
<Bill> "Kid like you oughta have rock posters up or some shit, not all that architect crap. You movin' in or not? That pad of yours reads like an office, not a room."
<FWL_MeRc> feh... get my testosteron pumping... and I'll be fine
* ``Mitch blinks, and half-turns. "-just how much can you see from here?"
<HappyLittleMoron> Oy..
<FWL_MeRc> look I'll sleep tonite ok?
<HappyLittleMoron> You better...*smirks a little*
<FWL_MeRc> ... unless i get lucky... *sighs* which i have enough chance of getting in the next 10 years
<Bill> *takes a drag on the cigarette, and gestures with it* "Let's put it this way. Close your frickin' blinds when you shower."
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh..
<FWL_MeRc> ...
<Bill> "That hot little bitch with the wings might like the view, but I for one'd rather not see your Peter North."
* ``Mitch blinks, flushing slightly, then glances up. "Watch it."
<Bill> *raises his hands in theatrical surrender* "Sorry, kid."
<FWL_MeRc> ... moron... get me a girl
* HappyLittleMoron blinks
* HappyLittleMoron looks at Merc..
<HappyLittleMoron> Get yourself a girl..
<FWL_MeRc> feh... i seam to fuck it up all the time
* HappyLittleMoron blinks and looks up at the sudden, feignt cry coming from upstairs, eyes going distant before nodding a little to nothing and sighing softly, all of that taking no more than a minute or two, looking back to Merc and hehing a little* Maybe you need to work on your MO...
* Diana, meanwhile is up in her room, settling back into the pillows once she recovers from the nightmare...reaching for a pad of paper and pen...slowly working on the fine muscle control of her right hand*
* FWL_MeRc looks up "what was that?"
<HappyLittleMoron> Diana...waking up from a nightmare...says she's ok...
<``Mitch> "Shingami's just... infatuated. Jesus, I don't know why, she's just... desperate for love. And she thought I could provide."
* ``Mitch crouches down and peeks through the viewfinder of the rifle.
<Bill> "And that don't remind you of nobody else."
<``Mitch> "-shit, you can see the cracks in-" He blinks, looking back over his shoulder.
* Bill gestures with his beer. "Go on. That's some good shit there. Got thermoptic imagin' and everythin'."
<``Mitch> "What do you mean?"
<FWL_MeRc> ...
<FWL_MeRc> I better check in on her... be right back
* HappyLittleMoron blinks
<HappyLittleMoron> ...uhm...k
* He snorts, leaning back. "Ain't nobody else you know gettin' infatuated. Nope, not at all. And I KNOW you got a mirror in there."
<``Mitch> "Christ! What the hell do you think y-"
<Bill> "Ease up there, four-eyes. Discretion's mah middle name. Pops thought he was REAL funny."
* ``Mitch flicks off his glasses and rubs his eyes for a moment. "Look, Bill... I don't know what you've seen, but... nothing's happening between me and, and ANYBODY. I'm just Mitch. Not, y'know, this person's anything or that person's whatever. Just Mitch."
<Bill> "Never said it was out in the open. I see what gets said and I see what don't get said. Watch people for long enough and you'd get that too." He shrugs, guzzling the rest of the beer. "So whatever, just-Mitch. Keep tellin' yourself what you need to believe."
* FWL_MeRc gets up and makes his way to diana's room knocking gently
* Diana looks up, from her concentrated drawing* <q> Come in...
* FWL_MeRc opens the door and steps in "hey... Diana"
<``Mitch> "I swear to god, if you-"
<Bill> "-ain't gonna say nothin'. Nobody comes up here anyway. Don't worry, kid. Your secret's safe with me." He belches. "The secret you don't have."
<Diana> <q> Konbonwa, Merc...*grins a little, a bit more color to her skin, still exhausted looking though, face slightly drawn*
* Diana looks at the clock* <q> Err...konichiwa...
* ``Mitch pushes himself up, eyeing Bill with a disturbed expression. "I'd better get going."
* FWL_MeRc smiles "i still don't get then... but hey how ya doing"?
<Bill> "Do yerself a favor and take the stairs." He thumps the stairwell behind him... then, as Mitch descends, pokes his head around and yells, "AND BRING LAGER NEXT TIME!"
* Diana smiles thinly* <q> As well as can be expected...still...hurts to breath...you?
<Bill> Grumbled. "Kids these days... make everythin' so fuckin' complicated. She's free game now anyway..."
<FWL_MeRc> ... could be better myself but nothing compared to you... anything i can get you?
* Diana shakes her head lightly* <q> Iie...domo...
* ``Mitch re-enters the Asylum proper, looking a little flushed and out of it, and heads into the kitchen to chuck out the one empty bottle he carries.
<FWL_MeRc> thats good *smiles taking a seat on her bed* I'm glad your "relatively" alive
* HappyLittleMoron blinks and looks up at Mitch* Heh...you ok?
<HappyLittleMoron> *Diana chuckles softly and grimaces* <q> Domo again...this is one of the times I wish the vampire...healing...would kick in...
<``Mitch> "Huh? Oh, yeah." He flicks off his glasses... his lower arms free themselves from confinement and rub over his face. "Just one of those days."
<FWL_MeRc> ... what do you need for that? blood?
<HappyLittleMoron> Oh? Wanna talk 'nout it?
* Diana blinks* <q> ...I'd need to turn into a vampire again...I'd prefer not to do that...I'll heal with time...
<FWL_MeRc> ah... jus trying to help *smiles* how long are you gonna be "bedded"
<``Mitch> "I..." He hesitates, thinking about it. "...nah. I don't think it would help any."
<``Mitch> "Thanks, though. I appreciate the offer."
* HappyLittleMoron arches a brow* Okies...no problem *smirks a lil'*
* ``Mitch catches the expression, and leans against the doorframe. "What was that for?"
<Diana> <q> Until my ribs are healed enough that I can walk around without them grinding into each other...
<HappyLittleMoron> What? *takes on an innocent look*
<FWL_MeRc> ... I'm curious... what was your nightmare about?
* Diana blinks over at Merc, then looks back down to her drawing pad* <q> I would rather not talk about it...
<``Mitch> "You did this raised eyebrow thing, and then went all smirky. Like, y'know, you had a mouthful but decided it'd be more tasty if you said it to yourself instead of to me."
* HappyLittleMoron laughs
<HappyLittleMoron> Juuuust got me curiouse is all...downed both those beers on your own pretty fast...
<FWL_MeRc> ... i understand, *gently pats her leg reasurenly* if you ever need me... call ok?
* Diana smiles thinly* <q> Hai...domo again...I'll keep that in mind...
<``Mitch> "Oh, yeah. I just, well..." .oO(Hey, Mitch. Less questions is better. If you 'fess up, you're going to have to start talking about what you WEREN'T talking about, and it never stops, does it.) "...like I said, it's been one of those days."
<HappyLittleMoron> Okie...*shrugs a little* That's cool...
* FWL_MeRc smiles and stands up "now before i leave... are you SURE your ok and are you SURE you don't want anything?"
<``Mitch> "So, uh... I'm gonna go upstairs now. See you around, Mrs. Happy."
* HappyLittleMoron noddles* Take care, Mitch...
* Diana chuckles very softly* <q> Hai...I'm sure on both accounts...
<Diana> <q> Domo..
* ``Mitch heads upstairs... he unlocks his room and enters it... closes door... looks around... muttered, "What's wrong with this?"
* FWL_MeRc smirks "ands if you don't get better I'll kill ya!"
<``Mitch> "Perfectly good room. Very functional. Very roomlike. See? Bed."
* ``Mitch steps into the bathroom long enough to bring the blinds down, close them, and make a mental note to nail them in place, before returning to his works
* Diana chuckles softly* <q> I'll just find a way to come back to life...and beat you into submission in return...
<FWL_MeRc> sounds like a plan *smiles at diana* see ya *gets up and makes his way to the door*
* Diana nods a little, going back to concentrating on her drawing...*
* FWL_MeRc exits and goes downstairs "hey... moron"
<HappyLittleMoron> Yah?
<FWL_MeRc> how are things?
<HappyLittleMoron> Hm...same as about five minutes ago, you? <G>
<FWL_MeRc> a little better
<FWL_MeRc> knowing Diana will be better
<HappyLittleMoron> Good...*nods* YEah...she's a tough one...
<HappyLittleMoron> Not the worst she's had, but it's right up there...
* FWL_MeRc nods "if i was there... maybe things would've been different"
* HappyLittleMoron shrugs
<HappyLittleMoron> I dunno...
<HappyLittleMoron> She got thrown through a wall...I doubt there would have been anything you would have been able to do to stop her from going up against whatever's possessing Angy...
<FWL_MeRc> ... feh if i was smash into the wall i could take it
<HappyLittleMoron> ...
* HappyLittleMoron eyes Merc* So could I, but she's human physcially...only reason she fought the rest of the fight was 'cause she was using her powers to stay insoluble...
<FWL_MeRc> but that shouldn't always have to happen to her!
<FWL_MeRc> nearly every time theres a incident here she ends up in hospital!
<HappyLittleMoron> It's her choice, Merc. She's not some fragile little flower to be looked at.
<FWL_MeRc> ... true, *sighs* i just worry about her thats all...
<HappyLittleMoron> So do I...but ya gotta learn ta let her live her own life...she's fought hard for it and she's not givin' up on it
* FWL_MeRc smiles "but what if someone/thing gets her?"
* HappyLittleMoron smirks* She has ways of returning.
<FWL_MeRc> ... still i dunno why i worry about her so much
* HappyLittleMoron shrugs a little, rubbing her belly* Mebbe ya got a thing for 'er
* FWL_MeRc raises a brow at HLM "feh... wouldn't surprise me"
* HappyLittleMoron chuckles softly and shrugs lightly again
<FWL_MeRc> ... just keep that to urself
* HappyLittleMoron makes a zipping motion over her lips, then pretends to lock 'em and throw the key away
<FWL_MeRc> thank you
<HappyLittleMoron> No prob
<FWL_MeRc> I'm just in a senseative position right now
* HappyLittleMoron nods a little* talk to me about it...it'll help
<FWL_MeRc> whats there to talk about? i asked death out... and you never piss off death
<Gregg> *voice* DAMN STATIGHT you poor excuse of a headgehog
<HappyLittleMoron> Oy...
<HappyLittleMoron> Gregg...I'll drop-kick your head outa here if yer not careful
* FWL_MeRc eyes twitch
<FWL_MeRc> hes asking for a buttkickin
* HappyLittleMoron snickers
<HappyLittleMoron> Yum...we can make stew from his bones...good source of calcium
* FWL_MeRc smirks
<FWL_MeRc> don't tempt me
* HappyLittleMoron snickers again
<FWL_MeRc> ... doubt it'll taste good
<FWL_MeRc> i mean i don't think he baths
<HappyLittleMoron> ...eck...
<FWL_MeRc> exality
<HappyLittleMoron> makes me glad I'm past morning sickness *smirks and stands* Woah...*catches hold of the be back of the couch on her way to the kitchen, closing her eyes and pressing a hand to them*
<FWL_MeRc> one small step for moron... one sigh of relief for mankind
<HappyLittleMoron> ...shaddap
* HappyLittleMoron stands strait again and heads for the kitchen
* FWL_MeRc smiles and watches her walk off
* Brenna still works on writing the note, tip of her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth in concentration*
* FWL_MeRc watches brenna "very good brenna ! your getting better!"
<HappyLittleMoron> *Brenna looks up and smiles* Thank you, Unca Merc!
* HappyLittleMoron returns with some fruit salad
<FWL_MeRc> hey again.... your duaghter is improvine
* HappyLittleMoron grins, looking down at Brenna and smiling* That she is...good job, sweetie...
* FWL_MeRc smiles and yawns wide "hey... moron... just curious... what do you think my chances of gettin with diana?"
* HappyLittleMoron blinks and hehs* At the moment...? Slim to none...even though she was the one who eneded the relationship, she still needs to get over the breakup...
<FWL_MeRc> i know that... but i mean later... when shes all healed
<HappyLittleMoron> ...I dunno, Merc...*shrugs*
* FWL_MeRc smiles "ok... jus curious..."
* HappyLittleMoron noddles and streaches a little, chuckling softly and helping Brenna up by her, cuddling her close and sharing the fruit with her
* ``Mitch crouches before his work, the prophet Bill forgotten as he scrawls half-formed plans out, like a cornucopia of children's drawings spewing forth from the spiderlike entrails of Times Square...
<Bill> "Oh, ya bastid. By the time ya know what ya want, it'll be too late..."
* Bill shrugs, having learned long ago and at great cost not to meddle in the affairs of others, and chain-lights another cigarette.
* across the street, workmen have been industriously working at clearing away the rubble left by the pizzabomb and shoring up the desperately weakened structure it gutted... the alley has been becoming more of an alley and less of the pile of debris it's been for the last few days*
* from one pile of rubble, a charred and twisted dumpster, upside-down, can be seen, like an urban cameo of the Space Odyssey obelisk... clambering on top of it, one man has gotten around to hocking a cable around a garbage truck's winch and is preparing to haul it up and out of there*
<Man> "Stan' readaaaay! Give 'er da goooo!"
* the dumpster wrenches out of there, but caches on a rebar and twists around, the winch whining horribly; concrete cascades down the alley, skittering by workers as they yell and jump*
* then the yells turned panicked as from beneath the dumpster boils a furry horde, manic rats that unaccountably scurry forth, leaping onto trousers, biting at boots, discolored fangs seeking flesh!*
* and just barely visible, as the dumpster pivots on its axis of wreckage, a flash of red from an eternally bobbing bird...*
...
* They had drawn themselves together, they had taken the chance when revealed and brought the fight to the giants, and they could smell the fear! But something was wrong - their teeth met hardness, met tight cloth that stretched and tore yet did not give! Tricked!*
...
* cursing, a beefy man kicks at the rat worrying at his steel-toed boots and stomps his foot down with a sickening crunch*
* the men begin picking up pieces of concrete and hurling them at the rodents, not always scoring but driving them back... behind them, the taut cable skips, twangs, as the winch's gear SHRIEKS...*
* the dumpster is hoisted for a moment into the air, the still-entangled rebar whipping up and spinning through the air to bury itself in the windshield of a Honda Civic... then something crunches within the winch, and the dumpster jerks downwards... and the only ears capable of hearing the tiny sound of shattering plastic over the hideous rattle of iron on pavement are the ones that have just realized the source of their strength is no more...*
* the rats, frozen for an instant, boil away into the buildings, leaving nothing behind but four matted furry carcasses for the disgusted men to dispose of*
...
* slowly, they gather in the dust and the grime... understanding that something went wrong, the same thing that had always gone wrong... that they failed the thing that saved them*
* and slowly, they begin to think about how it could have gone right...*
* If there's one thing better for a religion than a savior... it's a martyr.*
* HappyLittleMoron watches all this out the windoow, jaw kinda dropped*
<HappyLittleMoron> ...
<HappyLittleMoron> ...the place gets weirder and weirder every day...
* one of the workers is screeching bloody murder, holding one hand and ranting something about the health council... the others are just kinda shaking themselves out and taking a five-minute break after all that crap*
* Stacie walks in, in time to hear HLM's comment
<Stacie> You're telling me. I can't find pantyhose. Anywhere.
* HappyLittleMoron blinkblinks
<HappyLittleMoron> ...uhm...
<HappyLittleMoron> well..
<HappyLittleMoron> I guess...*shakes hereself a little and turns from the window to sit back by Brenna* How ya doin'?
<StacieGreene> Just fine. *peeks out the window*
<StacieGreene> Yep. Definitely New York construction workers...
<HappyLittleMoron> ...heh...
* StacieGreene looks a little more closely
<StacieGreene> Did you see that Civic with the smashed windshield??
* HappyLittleMoron blinkblinks* Uhm...no...why?
<StacieGreene> Look. *points* It's got a...beam...thingie...through it.
* HappyLittleMoron heads over again, looking...
<StacieGreene> Hope they've got good insurance.
<HappyLittleMoron> ...so? Musta happened when that bomb or whatever it was hit...
* HappyLittleMoron smirks
<HappyLittleMoron> No kiding...
<StacieGreene> The insurance on this place must be a killer.
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh...*shrugs* We get by
<StacieGreene> Someone said your husband, Klork, has a business.
<HappyLittleMoron> Yep...chain of pizza places...Richardo's...why?
<StacieGreene> Well, finding the money to keep a place like this in operation has gotta be tough.
<StacieGreene> Even if everyone works...and I'm not sure if anyone but Klork does, in teh traditional sense...
* HappyLittleMoron shrugs
<HappyLittleMoron> It's none of your concern...we get it done, that's all that matters
<StacieGreene> That's supposed to be reassuring, right?
<HappyLittleMoron> Take it however you want..
* StacieGreene falls back into an armchair, then swings her legs, drumming her heels on it
* FWL_MeRc SNORTS! and jerks awake
<StacieGreene> I'm thinking of getting a job.
* HappyLittleMoron shrugs a little and scoops Brenna up into her arms, smiling at the paper the little girl shows her* He'll love it...good job, sweetie...*kisses her brow and seettles onto the couch with her*
<HappyLittleMoron> Would probably be a good idea..
<StacieGreene> You think it's safe?
<StacieGreene> I don't want to run into anyone from school.
<StacieGreene> Or the FoH. THey've probably got my face plastered all around the City.
<HappyLittleMoron> There are jobs where you can work in the back...*shrugs*
<HappyLittleMoron> FoH...heh...there's no way to avoid them
<FWL_MeRc> ugh... sleep..
* HappyLittleMoron looks over aaaat Merc
* FWL_MeRc gets up "must sleep"
<HappyLittleMoron> Go! Sleep!
* HappyLittleMoron makes a shooing motion with her free hand
<FWL_MeRc> ... mormon commands must obay
<HappyLittleMoron> Good boy
* StacieGreene watches Merc go by, wide-eyed
* HappyLittleMoron blinks
<HappyLittleMoron> 'eh?
* FWL_MeRc smirks slightly as he begins to walk toward his room
<StacieGreene> That...is one...big...blue guy...
<HappyLittleMoron> Yes he is
<StacieGreene> Let me guess. All that hardware's for more than making cole slaw?
<FWL_MeRc> ... *mumbles* i am not a smurf
<HappyLittleMoron> Said nothing about you being a smurf, smurf...*smirks and winks*
* FWL_MeRc opens the door to his room and walks in
<HappyLittleMoron> Yeah, lots more than making cole slaw
<HappyLittleMoron> He's a great papershredder, too
<StacieGreene> Okay.
<StacieGreene> About this whole work thing.
<FWL_MeRc> ... *opens the door and looks out* hey moron are you forgetting something?
* HappyLittleMoron blinks
<FWL_MeRc> ... feh goodie she forgot the ice treatment *closes the door*
* HappyLittleMoron manafests ice down Merc's boxers
<HappyLittleMoron> Yes, Stacie?
<StacieGreene> How do people get to and from their jobs without being seen? Do you have any way to, I don't know, project an image or illusion around the person while they're outside the Asylum?
<FWL_MeRc> ... YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *quickly pulls off his pants and boxers then in an awakened answer opens the door again* MMMMMMMMOOOOOOORRRRRRROOOOOOONNNNNN!!!
<HappyLittleMoron> Me personally? Nah...there are a few people who frequent here who'd know...usually it's just hair dye and sunglasses or contacts *shrugs*
* HappyLittleMoron cackles!
<HappyLittleMoron> SWEET DREAMS MERC!!!
* FWL_MeRc snarls and slams his door, going to bed...
* StacieGreene blinks!* What did you do to him!?
<HappyLittleMoron> Ehehehehe
<HappyLittleMoron> Gave hhim his dayly icing, no biggie...<G>
* StacieGreene cocks an eyebrow
<HappyLittleMoron> Prob'ly better you don't ask <G>
<StacieGreene> What'd you do, boobytrap his door?
<HappyLittleMoron> Ehehehehe
* HappyLittleMoron whistles innocently and tickles Brenna, making the little girl giggle and squirm, grabbing her mom's hand
* StacieGreene 's eyes flicker while HLM's looking down
<StacieGreene> I could try that disguise stuff.
* HappyLittleMoron cuddles Brenna close, the little girl's purr making the boys in her belly purr in return, looking up to Stacie* Yep..
<StacieGreene> But are any of the people who can do illusions around?
<HappyLittleMoron> At the moment? I dunno...don't think so..
<StacieGreene> I'd like to maybe talk to them, see if that's even an option.
<StacieGreene> Would you let me know when they're around?
<StacieGreene> Maybe I know a few already.
<HappyLittleMoron> Uh...sure...I'll tell 'em to talk t' ya...prob'ly easier that way...
<StacieGreene> Okay, thanks.
<HappyLittleMoron> No prob
* StacieGreene leans back with her arms behind her head, looking thoughtful
<StacieGreene> I don't think I've gone this long without some kind of studying or job since I was...12? 13?
<HappyLittleMoron> Oh?
<StacieGreene> I'll be honest, it's driving me nuts.
<StacieGreene> Yeah, the Davis County Library practically made me a librarian, I was there so much.
<StacieGreene> You ever been to Missouri?
* HappyLittleMoron chuckles softly* Hey...mebbe you can take a few courses over the net or something...*shrugs* I dunno...
<HappyLittleMoron> Nope...
<StacieGreene> You ever been out of New York?
<HappyLittleMoron> Yep
<StacieGreene> Like where?
<HappyLittleMoron> Eh...North America 'n Japan...
<StacieGreene> That's right, you and Klork just went there.
<StacieGreene> Was it your first trip to Japan?
<HappyLittleMoron> Nope..
* The tension just crackles*
<HappyLittleMoron> Lived there for a year several years back...first trip back ever since moving back to the states, though..
* AriaStormsinger comes slowly into the room, nose buried in a book with a thick black leather cover
* HappyLittleMoron looks up and wavels to Aria
* AriaStormsinger glances over the top of the book. "Oh hi, HLM! Hi, Stacie."
* AriaStormsinger sits down slowly on the floor, following a few lines with her finger.
* AriaStormsinger picks up the finger and begins drawing lines in the air, humming thoughtfully
* HappyLittleMoron shifts Brenna a little against her side and smirks lightly
<Stacie> What are you reading, Aria?
<AriaStormsinger> Hm? It's a book on astrology. Taurus told me about astrologers last night. He says they study stars.
* HappyLittleMoron 's eyes glow slightly as she watches Stacie, trying to see if she can pppick anything more up from her energy patterns...
* That same funky energy stream is still there
* HappyLittleMoron hms a little and curls her wings around herself and Brenna
<AriaStormsinger> But...
<HappyLittleMoron> Hm? *looks to Aria*
<AriaStormsinger> The book doesn't say the stars talk about what they really do.
* AriaStormsinger frowns up at HLM.
<AriaStormsinger> It doesn't make sense.
* HappyLittleMoron shrugs
<Stacie> I hate when that happens. *smirks at HLM*
<HappyLittleMoron> That's just what whoever wrrote that book thinks...nothin's written in stone...
<HappyLittleMoron> HEh..
<Stacie> So Aria, have you talked with Tom or Pete lately?
<AriaStormsinger> *closes the book, nods*
<AriaStormsinger> I didn't tell them you were here, though. You said you didn't want that, right?
<Stacie> Right. Just tell them you haven't heard from me. I'm in Missouri, okay?
<AriaStormsinger> *nods slowly*
<AriaStormsinger> Stacie, I think they'd be all right if you told them the truth...
* HappyLittleMoron braids Brenna's hair gently, watching and listening to the two..
* Brenna purrrrrs softly*
<Stacie> No they wouldn't. Pete's had enough craziness going on, don't you remember?
* AriaStormsinger cocks her head, confused
<Stacie> His uncle's dead, remember? And it's his fault? He doesn't need to be worrying about anybody else right now.
* HappyLittleMoron arches her brows
<AriaStormsinger> But it wasn't his fault! Javier's men hurt him until he told...where David was...
<Stacie> Yeah, but that doesn't mean he doesn't blame himself.
<AriaStormsinger> Oh. So...we shouldn't bother him with anything right now?
* HappyLittleMoron smirks a lil'* Gotta love it how people presume ta know what others think.
<Stacie> Definitely. And Tom would tell him anything we said. That's all there is to it.
* Stacie glances at HLM suspiciously
* HappyLittleMoron matches her gaze, eyes flashing very slightly
* AriaStormsinger stares out the window sadly.
<Stacie> It's gotten me this far.
<Stacie> You don't have a clue what it's like to have to hide every movement from your own father.
* HappyLittleMoron smirks and gets up* C'mon Brenna...wanna help mama make dinner?
* HappyLittleMoron glances over her shoulder
<HappyLittleMoron> There's that presuming thing again. *shrugs* THink whatcha want, your loss.
* HappyLittleMoron heads into the kitchen with her daughter
* AriaStormsinger stretches out one arm and casts a happy wave at Stacie without even looking
* Stacie coughs, then gets up and walks slowly to the kitchen door
* AriaStormsinger goes back to reading, quietly
* StacieGreene puts either hand on teh doorframe and kinda rocks forward, holding on
<StacieGreene> Sorry about that...
* HappyLittleMoron sets Brenna about doing some task good for a two-year old 'n stuff, as she herself starts chopping veggies
<StacieGreene> Do you want some help?
* HappyLittleMoron shrugs* 'Sokay...hormones makin' me snappy too. Heh..nah, thanks
<StacieGreene> I just need something to THINK about for awhile.
<StacieGreene> Hey, you done your taxes yet? I took a few courses and got certified as a CPA last year
* HappyLittleMoron blinks a little and hehs* Cookin' don't involve much thinkin'...
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh...yeah...finished all tthat yesterday...
<StacieGreene> Want a double check?
* StacieGreene goes to the fridge
<HappyLittleMoron> We got some books on the Japanese language you c'n use if ya wanna give learning the language a shot...
<HappyLittleMoron> Nah...checked 'em over a few times
* StacieGreene pulls out some juice, pours herself a glass
<StacieGreene> *mentally snaps her fingers* .o0(Durn.)
<StacieGreene> Japanese? Yeah, sure. I've heard a few folks around here speaking it. Might come in handy.
* StacieGreene pats Brenna's head
<StacieGreene> Where are they?
* HappyLittleMoron nods a lil' and manafests a few books onto the kitchen table* Go ahead 'n spelunk through those...
* StacieGreene steps back in surprise
* ``Mitch comes downstairs, jacket discarded, in one of his many modified T-shirts - basically, the lower part of the sleeve and upper torso slit down the sides, freeing his anterior arms... switching on the news (another Afghanistan update), he flicks his glasses off and settles into the couch, listening blindly.
* Brenna smiles sweetly up at Stacie as she....uhm...cleans...food...sure <G>*
<StacieGreene> Whoa. Okay.
* HappyLittleMoron smirks a lil' as she cuts 'n stuff
* StacieGreene plunks down and starts flipping through.
<StacieGreene> "It's all Greek to me."
<HappyLittleMoron> Uhm...there should be a beginning Japanese text in there somewhere...
<StacieGreene> Just look for the one with the pretty little pictures?
<StacieGreene> ACK!
* StacieGreene shoves her chair back
* StacieGreene points with one stiff arm, covering her eyes with the other
* A grinning yellow blob with spikes and little red cheeks smiles freakily off one of the pages.
<StacieGreene> It's a Pokemon! gah
* HappyLittleMoron blinks
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh!
<HappyLittleMoron> Evil...I know...
<Aria> Hi Mitch. *keeps reading*
<HappyLittleMoron> Not much I could do about it...*mutters softly about trying to scribble the damn thing out but the ink sliding riiiiighto ff the page*
<``Mitch> Absent-mindedly. "Hi, Aria."
<StacieGreene> <both my characters> *flips the page*
<tv > "...U.S. officials say it could take from a week to 10 days to defeat the 'several hundred' al Qaeda and Taliban fighters holed up in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province. About 2,000 U.S., allied and Afghan forces are engaged in battle with the pro-Taliban forces in an area that one U.S. official calls 'an awful place to fight a war.'"
<ARIA> *flinches at the word* What're you scribbling?
<tv > "In local news, NYU - already rocked by the senseless tragedy of a riot resulting in twenty-six deaths following an alleged 'Friends of Humanity' rally - nearly took another loss today when an improperly-positioned laser misfired, burning a baseball-sized hole through a concrete wall and an oak tree half a mile off."
* ``Mitch glances up... "...what'd he say?"
* HappyLittleMoron blinks
<HappyLittleMoron> ...something about a laser?? Wha'??
<tv > "The laser, a large ruby-focussed electron masser drawing upon several gigawatts of power, is normally used under tightly-controlled conditions in experiments related to particle and subatomic theory. While being disassembled in preparation for relocation, a power surge triggered the firing mechanism, burning out the safety interlocks and emitting its charge at an angle through the building and into the atmosphere."
* StacieGreene looks at HLM, then gets up and goes into the living room
<``Mitch> *quickly pushes on his glasses, adjusting them and staring at the television, as he blindly digs out a notepook and pencil*
* HappyLittleMoron blinks and kinda shakes her head...
<StacieGreene> Oh my God...
<StacieGreene> That's at NYU...
<tv > "No one was hurt, despite the damage to the building and flora. Still, concern among interest groups and faculty remains high." Officious official: "It was a one in a million chance that this could have happened, but the fact remains that it did. That one chance is too much to take - this sort of danger cannot be accepted."
<StacieGreene> I've got friends in that program.
<``Mitch> *scrawling something hasty and illegible, with a blobby little diagram that looks like a child's depiction of a lab experiment*
* Aria puts her book aside and takes Stacie's hand comfortingly
<tv > "The laser has been fully dismantled and placed in storage, pending an investigation into the current handling protocols. With no casualties or injuries, however, the student populace is less than overwhelmed by the implications of the incident, and seems to feel that the administrative efforts would be more appreciated if put towards the devastating losses suffered in the wake of the earlier riot."
* StacieGreene squeezes it briefly
* StacieGreene 's eyes flicker.
<tv > "And now, on a lighter note... clowns." *cuts to file footage of clowns at a circus*
<StacieGreene> I'll...be right back.
* StacieGreene goes for the stairs.
* HappyLittleMoron furrows her brow, lookgin out of the kitchen
* Aria leaps to her feet and follows. "Stacie, are you all right? I know that's distressing -- but don't go off alone, okay?"
<Aria> <q> Too many people around here do that...
* ``Mitch stares at the notebook, erasing a line here and there and scratching in new ones, but mostly just pondering whatever he's just accomplished
* StacieGreene looks back, obviously not at all distressed. "I'm fine, Aria. I'm just going to the bathroom."
* Closes the door to the bathroom behind her*
* Aria meets HLM's look.
<HappyLittleMoron> ...
<Aria> I don't know...
<HappyLittleMoron> Me neither...
* StacieGreene whips out a cell phone. "Did you hear about the blast at NYU? ...Right. Right...."
<StacieGreene> Yes, I know where it would be stored.
* ``Mitch mutters something under his breath about vibrations and flash points, tapping his lip thoughtfully
<StacieGreene> Not without some help.
<Aria> What are you thinking about, Mitch?
<StacieGreene> Yeah, I know who. An hour?
<StacieGreene> I'll try.
<StacieGreene> *winces*
<StacieGreene> Sorry. I'll be there.
<StacieGreene> *clicks the phone shut* *flushes*
<``Mitch> "Huh?" He glances up, blinks, and folds up the notebook, quietly shoving it into a back pocket. "I just... um, thinking about possible solutions to a damn big problem."
* StacieGreene runs the water in the sink, glancing at herself in teh mirror. Her eyes have shadows under them and her hair's not as neat as it usually is. She sighs at the foreign expression on her face, and tries to rearrange her features into a more normal look.
<Aria> What kind of problem?
<``Mitch> "Well... you know mazes? Ever done those?"
<Aria> Maybe I can help. It says in this book that Mercury's ascending right now, and that creates all kinds of chaos.
* ``Mitch blinks and cranes his neck to see what Aria's looking at
<Aria> Mazes? *thinks* No...
* Aria hands Mtich the book*
* StacieGreene comes downstairs. "Mazes?"
<``Mitch> "Okay, well, picture this... there's a big box, and you enter in one end, and to win you have to get to a certain point... jesus, Aria, this crap's all fake. The stars have nothing to do with us, they're just big balls of fire or something. But there's all sorts of branching paths, and all but one of them lead to dead ends."
<``Mitch> "It's like that, only most of the paths are guarded and if I don't make it the first time around I'll be in big trouble. So I'm trying to work out ways around the guards."
<Aria> Guards?
* StacieGreene 's eyes flicker.
<``Mitch> "Just, y'know, trust me on this."
* StacieGreene leans against the door, listening.
<``Mitch> .oO(...oh, that's rich...) .oO(Shaddup.)
<StacieGreene> Mitch?
<StacieGreene> Could you help me with something?
* ``Mitch glances up. "Huh?" Then adjusts his glasses, trying to place the face... "Oh! Uh, shit. What's your name, I never caught it..."
* HappyLittleMoron catches the flicker and furrows her brows
<Stacie> Stacie Greene. *steps forward and shakes hands*
* ``Mitch stands and shakes her hand. "Hope everything turned out okay after the whole rally thing..."
<StacieGreene> *shrugs* Besides losing my entire school career?
<StacieGreene> I found...some friends. *glances at Aria, HLM*
<``Mitch> "At least you're, y'know, breathing. Everything beyond that is details."
* HappyLittleMoron goes about putting the ingrediants together 'n stuff..
<StacieGreene> I like your thinking. *leads him up the stairs, babbling something about needing some help with her stereo*
<``Mitch> "Stacie, listen, some other time? I'll see what I can do about it, but right now I've got something else to do."
<StacieGreene> Just give me a minute.
* StacieGreene opens the door to a nearby room.
* ``Mitch looks at her oddly. "I said, some other time..."
* StacieGreene reaches out and snags Mitch by one of his arms and yanks him into the bathroom she just opened the door to.
<StacieGreene> *She's got SCARY strength...*
<StacieGreene> *I* said, just a minute.
* ``Mitch yelps and is yanked in, twisting around the grip... "JESUS! Let go of me, you crazy-"
* StacieGreene 's green eyes get a dark shadow over them.
<StacieGreene> You're going after that laser, aren't you?
<``Mitch> "What?" He blinks. "What the hell are you talking about?"
* StacieGreene lowers her head a little. "You're acting awfully funny down there, with all that talk about mazes and guards."
<``Mitch> "I was trying to explain something in terms that Aria would understand-" *straightening up and rubbing his arm* "-I AM going out to take a look at that laser, and I don't know about 'going after' but my reasons are my own-" *adjusts his glasses and glares at her, reaching to open the door again* "-and they are NONE of your fucking BUSINESS!"
<StacieGreene> Look. After that news report, everybody and his brother in this City is going to want to get their hadns on that thing. I don't want it ending up in the wrong hands. *gives Mitch and his four arms the once-over*
<StacieGreene> It's my business, because I'm going to offer you some help.
<StacieGreene> I can get you in without you having to crawl through every duct work in the place.
* StacieGreene adjusts her own glasses and smiles innocently. "Hi Dr. Graves! Yes, it's good to see you again."
* StacieGreene drops the pose, and raises her eyebrows at Mitch.
* ``Mitch just stares at her, shaking his head.
<``Mitch> "I... am going to walk out this door, I am going to take a cab down there, I am going to ask some questions, I am going to leave. Ducts don't enter into it."
* StacieGreene cocks an eyebrow
<StacieGreene> You think you can just ask some questions and be allowed to leave?
<StacieGreene> Don't be stupid.
<``Mitch> "'Allowed to leave'? It's a fucking CAMPUS, not a military installation! I don't know what you've been smoking, but I've been clean for some time now, so if you will EXCUSE me..."
* StacieGreene braces teh door with one hand.
<StacieGreene> What's your big interest in that thing, anyway?
<``Mitch> "My. Business. Alone." He folds a pair of his arms. "Let me out."
* StacieGreene tilts her head back, looking down her nose at him.
<StacieGreene> Fair enough. But I'm going with you.
<``Mitch> "You wish."
<StacieGreene> {{Oh yes I am.}}
* ``Mitch 's been intimidated by bigger, and - yes - stronger people, most of whom sign names with an "X"
* ``Mitch doesn't blink as the telepathy shatters against Shin's fence
* StacieGreene 's eyes widen
<StacieGreene> Oh...yes I am (a little less certainly)
<``Mitch> "No. You're not. Now stand aside."
* StacieGreene draws herself up and says in a cold voice: "No one from this Asylum is getting anywhere near that school without me there."
<StacieGreene> Anyway, you'll need someone to watch your back.
* ``Mitch just stares at her now. "Who do you think you are?"
<StacieGreene> Your ticket to surviving whatever's gonna happen down there. *opens the door*
<StacieGreene> Now get moving, or we'll be late.
* ``Mitch pushes past her. "Nothing's going to happen, you PSYCHO. And you are SO not going anywhere with me."
* StacieGreene grabs Mitch and slams him to the batrhoom wall
<StacieGreene> You wouldn't want me to tellHLM what you were up to, would you??
* HappyLittleMoron 's waiting there...right outside* ENOUGH.
* StacieGreene glances up, panicked
* StacieGreene launches herself past HLM for the stairs heading out
* ``Mitch coughs, dazed, his glasses on the floor... weakly, "...I think I would."
* HappyLittleMoron reaches to snage Stacie in a poowerful grip
* StacieGreene leaps for the stairs
* HappyLittleMoron growls and reaches out, suddenly glowing a bright green, trying to erect a forcefield around stacie..
<StacieGreene> *You make it!
* StacieGreene gets trapped midstep
* StacieGreene snarls
* ``Mitch fumbles around on the floor, finds his glasses, pushes them on, staggers out and leans against the wall...
* HappyLittleMoron stalks over, clenching her hand and closing the forcefield around her* Now I don't know what the HELL yooou've gotten yourself into, but I am SICK of this bullshit!
* Aria looks up from the living room floor in surprise
<StacieGreene> *Black clouds seem to move across Stacie's vision, and the black-green energy cord heading north writhes
* HappyLittleMoron moves her hand, trying to slam Stacie into the wall with the forcefield, unsheething her claws of the other hand and going about trying to cut the energy connection
* Stacie is duly slammed, but it doesn't seem to affect her physically
* The cord is briefly severed, then rejoins
* ``Mitch stumbles down the hall, snagging his keys and getting his door open
* Aria runs for the kitchen and stands by Brenna <if she's still in there?> ready to take her to safety
* HappyLittleMoron holds her there, and growls, looking into her eyes, her own like twin, green suns* Damn you...you're no longer welcomed in this place...even if you ARE being controlled!
* Brenna reaches up to be picked up, confused, but more or less used to it*
* StacieGreene shuts her eyes
* ``Mitch leans against the bedpost for a moment before picking up the AK-47 leaning against it, racking the bolt and heading back out again
<Aria> "No, it's okay, Brenna. Just wait for mommy."
* Brenna nods, sniffling a little*
* HappyLittleMoron sweeps her hand towards the stairs, aiming to toss Stacie down 'em, energetically at least
* Aria sings to her
<``Mitch> .oO(...dammit... Aria? Brenna? Diana? Where the hell is Iris? Who am I supposed to protect here?)
* Iris and Nox aren't there...uhm...after-school thingie..yeaaaaah <G>*
* Stacie slides sideways down the wall with the energy field, trying to grab for purchase anywhere -- nada
<``Mitch> "She just started hassling me - talking about going after the laser and getting it before it ends up in the wrong hands-"
* HappyLittleMoron strides after her, wings flared slightly, blocking the entire hallway, holding her hovered above the stairs* Now buddy...whoever the hell you are...I'd suggest letting her go unless you want to have your little vessel damaged beyond repaiiir...*voice cold as her eyes are furiouse...pregnant demon image again*
* StacieGreene opens her eyes.
<StacieGreene> See you later, alligator.
* ``Mitch ducks back into the room as HLM passes, and then back into the hall, watching and waiting
* Aria grabs her head, wincing, her song breaking apart, then shrieks and lunges at Brenna
* Brenna yelps and runs away from Ariiia as fast as her toddler legs can carry her* MAMA...!!
* HappyLittleMoron blinks* Brenna?! *looks past Stacie, dropping her*
* StacieGreene drops. A long way. Supposedly painfully.
* StacieGreene just hops up, scrambles to her feet and races for the door
* HappyLittleMoron 'd imagine so, considering she's falling down sttairs, anyway, HLM races down the stairs, firing a bolt of energy off at Stacie as she goes, scooping Brenna up and holding ehr close
* ``Mitch flicks the selector switch and snaps a shot out, splintering the doorframe as Stacie races for it... he shouts, "HOLD it!"
* StacieGreene dive rolls out the door
* HappyLittleMoron ducks low, kneeling on the floor with Brenna, inching away from all this, curled around her sobbing daughter
* Aria sits down at the kitchen table, runs her hand over her brow and starts playing with the vegetables
* ``Mitch curses as Stacie makes a clean getaway, and takes the stairs three at a time... he skids out the door, raising the rifle, then lowers it... "-motherFUCK!"
<HappyLittleMoron> <q> Shh...it's ok, Brenna...*rocks gently with her, the glow gone* I gotcha...
* HappyLittleMoron looks up at Mitch* I bet we'll see her again...*sighs a little* You ok?
* ``Mitch closes the door and locks it... .oO(-like that would make a difference)
<``Mitch> "Yeah, j- just... shaken... few bruises maybe..."
<``Mitch> "What the hell happened? Sh- sh- sh-" He clamps his mouth closed and swallows, exhaling slowly. "She's being controlled too?"
* HappyLittleMoron nods a little, still stroking Brenna's hair gently, just holding the sobbing child close* Ok...*sighs shakily* Yeah...
<``Mitch> "Can you check the building to see if it jumped bodies again? I mean, to someone here?"
<HappyLittleMoron> I..think by the same guy who took Aria...somewhere along the line I get the feeling both she and Aria were captured...
<HappyLittleMoron> She still had that weird energy trail when she left...*looks around with brightly glowing eyes, and shaking her head* Seeing no traces of it presant anywhere...just y'know...residue...
<``Mitch> "I'm going to check Diana... everyone else can, y'know, take care of themselves - be right back-"
<HappyLittleMoron> Aw...*bows her head and squeezes her eyes shut, still cradling Brenna close, brows furrowing and nods* Ok...
* ``Mitch takes the stairs two at a time - he doesn't make as good time going uphill
* Diana's out cold...very very deep sleep...she's starting to take after Klork here...*
* ``Mitch skids to a halt at the landing and jogs down the hall... he slows, and peeks in... watches for a moment... closes the door
* ``Mitch heads downstairs at a slower pace, trying to let go of the adrenaline and the "get the fuck out of here" instinct
<``Mitch> "She's ok- she's no worse off."
* HappyLittleMoron 's still kneeling there with Brenna...not rocking anymore, eyes still closed, head still bowed, seeming to hum softly to the girl, nodding* Ok...good..
<``Mitch> "Is Brenna all right?"
* ``Mitch glances over at the unconscious Aria, feeling like he should be covering her but knowing he'd feel awful silly doing so
<HappyLittleMoron> Yeah...*Stands slowly, wavering slightly before catching herself* Just scared...
<``Mitch> *with a frown* "...are you all right?"
<HappyLittleMoron> Dizzy...*barely makes it over to a chair before sitting down* Very...dizzy...used my powers too much...*sighs a little*
<``Mitch> "Oh, shit-" He switches off hands on the AK and steps forward. "Here, let me-" *reaching for Brenna, definitely operating on the protect-the-children instinct*
* HappyLittleMoron hands Brenna over gently* Thanks...*holds her head in her hands, Brenna curling close to Mitch, still sniffling a little*
* ``Mitch cradles Brenna close, two hands holding and one hand stroking her hair gently
<Brenna> *after a few moments* Mama sick...? *worried look between the two*
* ``Mitch leans back against the counter, forcing slow, long breaths
<``Mitch> "Brenna, your mother's just... tired. Real tired."
* Brenna nods* Okie...she get better, right...?
<``Mitch> "Yeah, she'll be better-" He glances past Brenna, to HLM, hoping to hell he's right.
* HappyLittleMoron massages her temples and takes a deep breath before looking up and standing, much steadier than before* I'm ok...*grins a lil'* Just a lil' headache...how 'bout I finish making dinner, huh? Mind keeping an eye on Brenna, Mitch...?
<``Mitch> "No... of course not..." He reaches out with the fourth hand and lays the AK-47 on the breakfast bar, well within reach.
<HappyLittleMoron> Thanks...*leans over to kiss her daughter's brow* You be good, sweetie..
* HappyLittleMoron ...finishes making dinner then...puts Brenna in her high chair..etcetc
* ``Mitch hands Brenna over at that point, then pulls up a chair of his own... he glances over at the still-unconscious Aria. "I... guess we should, y'know, put her in the living room or something..."
* HappyLittleMoron nods..
<HappyLittleMoron> Yeah..
<``Mitch> "Um. You get the top half, I'll get the bottom?" .oO(Best chance of not grabbing onto something... gropish.)
* HappyLittleMoron noddlesss...going to fet her part up after telling Brenna to be good
* ``Mitch hoists the mutha and horses her over to the couch with HLM's help
<``Mitch> "Do we know if she's going to wake up evil?"
* HappyLittleMoron yep...brings her to the couch with Mitch...setting her down on it and snagging ab lanket to put over her
* Jaerlani comes down the stairs and goes into the kitchen, heading to the living room with a bowl of cereal.
* Jaerlani mutters something to herself at finding her favorite couch occupied by Aria.
* Jaerlani turns on the television to watch the news while she eats.
* Jaerlani takes a seat on a chair and munches her cereal, watching the TV.
* ``Mitch returns to the table and starts in on the... food
* HappyLittleMoron follows, sitting in the chair by Brenna's high chair, munching herself
<Jaerlani> (Calling to the kitchen) What happened to Aria?
<HappyLittleMoron> Dunno exactly...passed out..
<tv > "The Volusia County Sherriff's Office is trying to put a stop to an annual nudist biker's rally. Deputies have ordered the visitors off the Colosimos' heavily-wooded property, saying the couple is providing an unlicensed campground. The county issued a cease-and-desist order against the Colosimos, who could be fined $1,000 a day or arrested if they don't comply."
* HappyLittleMoron blinks a little
<HappyLittleMoron> "...nutist biker's rally..."?
<tv > "On the surface, the Colosimos' situation is a permitting issue, but it is also a microcosm of the increasing conflicts that county and local residents face when 500,000 bikers invade the area each year for one of the biggest biker events in the nation."
<tv > "Bike Week, which has been in Daytona Beach for 65 years, and its sister motorcycle festival in October, Biketoberfest, have an economic impact of $744 million, by far the most of Daytona Beach's special events. But a recent study put the cost in inconveniences to local residents at $4.2 million."
<tv > "Those inconveniences include the cost of locals to get out of town during Bike Week, the value of time lost in traffic and tending to biker fatalities. So far this Bike Week, two bikers have died."
* HappyLittleMoron just blinks, munching as she shakes her head
<Jaerlani> (Calling to the kitchen) And I had nothing to do with it.
* Jaerlani mutters.
<tv > "The visitors, Colosimo said, are friends or friends of friends. 'I feel it's my right to hold the party,' said Colosimo, a 60-year-old former Marine who is on Social Security disability. 'If they weren't friends when they got here, they've become friends.' Colosimo, who became a nudist eight years ago, said he hasn't made any money from hosting the visitors and enjoys the company."
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh! You don't look like a nudist biker to me
* ``Mitch cranes his neck... muttered, "...nope, clothes."
<tv > "Mathis, 56, a marine construction superintendent from the Tampa area, said the county's interest may have been piqued by an advertisement for a "camping party" that was placed in Florida Bikers Digest. The ad promoted "adult bike games" and suggested visitors pay a "donation" of $10 per person per night."
<HappyLittleMoron> *muttered* ...you'd think they'd get bugs lodged in some uncomfortable places...
<``Mitch> > "Those adult games include a wet T-shirt contest and "Bite the Weenie," a game where women ride on the back of motorcycles passing beneath a hot dog dangling from a string. They try to take a bite as they pass underneath, and the winner is determined by the size of the bite."
<HappyLittleMoron> Eesh..
<Jaerlani> Hmm ... sounds like fun.
<tv > "Colosimo said all he wants to do is be able to host his parties during Bike Week and Biketoberfest, and he doesn't want to give bikers a bad name. "I don't want the Southern Baptists to be able to seize on something," Colosimo said. "In their eyes, we're already heathens and we drink until we puke."
<Jaerlani> (Calling to the kitchen) How much would you say a motorcycle costs?
<HappyLittleMoron> Depends on the kind ya want...usually upwards of a grand..
<Jaerlani> A grand?
<Jaerlani> What's a grand?
<HappyLittleMoron> Tousand dollars
<Jaerlani> (Q) Oh.
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh..
<tv > "And now, monkeys." *switches to file footage of monkeys acting cute*
* HappyLittleMoron blinks
<HappyLittleMoron> ...whoever orgganizes those stories has to be on crack or something...
* ``Mitch shrugs. "There's more than one reason I don't watch television."
<HappyLittleMoron> No kidding...
* Jaerlani finishes her cereal and sets the bowl aside to watch the antics of the monkeys, looking rather amused.
* ``Mitch continues eating the... food... putting it away with a healthy appetite despite his still slightly paled expression after recent events
* Jaerlani laughs out loud as a monkey runs off with a biker's clothes.
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh...*starts cleaning up after herself and Brenna* Yuo're a bottomless pit, Mitch m'boy
<``Mitch> "-mrph." *swallows* "Some people have a hollow leg. I got two hollow arms..."
* HappyLittleMoron laughs
<HappyLittleMoron> There's one way of looking at it..
<``Mitch> He chuckles, diving in for more. "I dunno... regular meals haven't been a major part of my life 'til now."
* HappyLittleMoron nods* Know the feelin'..
* ``Mitch glances up queryingly, chewing.
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh...lived on the streets for a while m'self...*shrugs* Any city is a mean one when you're alone in it..
<``Mitch> He nods, swallowing and looking down at his mostly-empty plate. "Seems like a pretty common thing around here..."
<HappyLittleMoron> Yep...that it is
<``Mitch> "Still... you can always put the past behind you... and you've done pretty damn well in that, I'd say."
<``Mitch> .oO(Of course, sometimes the past catches up.)
* HappyLittleMoron chuckles* Thanks...somethin' I've done my best to do...*shrugs a little as she dries her hands, holding Brenna in her lap once she sits down again*
* ``Mitch collects the dishes and brings them over to the sink, initiating maintanence procedures
* Jaerlani looks up from the TV. 'Anyone feel like going out in the city tonight?'
<HappyLittleMoron> Noooooooooo thanks
<Jaerlani> Mitch?
* ``Mitch glances at the clock - too late for what he had planned... "...no thanks."
<Jaerlani> Alright.
<Jaerlani> Brenna? *smirk*
* Jaerlani chuckles.
* Brenna purr dozes against her mom*
<HappyLittleMoron> Take that as a no...*smirks a little, holding the little one close*
* Jaerlani chuckles again.
* Jaerlani gets up from the couch, stretching.
* ``Mitch just shakes his head, washing away
<Jaerlani> Well ... I think I am going to do some grocery shopping.
* Jaerlani heads out the front door.
* Mondo_Gecko has his coat on, shivering as he heads up the street to the asyslum
<``Mitch> "Have fun..." A little absent-mindedly.
<HappyLittleMoron> Be safe..
* Jaerlani closes the door as Mondo approaches the door.
* Jaerlani closes the door as Mondo approaches the door.
* Jaerlani nods to Mondo. 'You looked like someone else at a distance.'
* Mondo_Gecko cocks his head
<Mondo_Gecko> ...like who?
* Jaerlani shrugs. 'I don't know.'
<Mondo_Gecko> ......ok
<Jaerlani> Just not you.
<Jaerlani> I am off to go shopping, care to come along?
<Mondo_Gecko> ...whacha doin?
<Mondo_Gecko> .oO( ...wasn't she super rude to me the other day?)
<Mondo_Gecko> ...ok
<Mondo_Gecko> .oO(not like I have a life)
<``Mitch> Muttered. "I feel like we should be doing something about Stacie... damned if I know what though..."
<Mondo_Gecko> ..come on
* Jaerlani turns and heads down the street.
<Mondo_Gecko> ..what store?
<Jaerlani> .oO(More accustomed to riding things like him than talking to them ...)
<Jaerlani> I am not sure just yet. Have to see what is out there, I guess.
<HappyLittleMoron> Same here...*sighs a little*
* ``Mitch shrugs, a little helplessly, as he dries his hands off. .oO(You couldn't do something about her when she was in front of your face anyway... hey, look at that, you ARE a janitor, aren'tcha?) .oO(Bite me.)
* Jaerlani strolls down the street and takes a right at an intersection.
<Mondo_Gecko> ..sure..
<``Mitch> .oO(I just hope she stays away from that laser. If I'm right, it just might be the key to all my troubles...)
* HappyLittleMoron sighs a little and stands* I'mmm gonna put Brenna to bed...I'll be back...*heads upstairs*
<``Mitch> "Okay... can you check to see how Diana's doing?"
* someone spots Mondo and takes off running down the street*
* most ppl are just standing clear of him like he has anthrax*
<HappyLittleMoron> sure..*before she goes of ccourse*
* Jaerlani smirks to herself.
* Mondo_Gecko watches the guy running off
* Jaerlani turns off the street into a parking lot before a Super Walmart.
* HappyLittleMoron comes down shortly, massaging her temples* All's good, Mitch...regular sleep-fest up there..
* Jaerlani casts a glance at Mondo out of one eye.
* Mondo_Gecko doesn't even seem to notice it
* Jaerlani raises an eyebrow at the twitching greeter, wondering what has just happened, but passes unconcerned.
<Mondo_Gecko> heh...I have that affect on people
<Jaerlani> I see.
<``Mitch> "Glad to hear it..." He glances up the stairs as he settles into a chair, but doesn't make a move, flicking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
* Mondo_Gecko goes and grabs a cart
<``Mitch> .oO(Got to hit the campus tomorrow. If I wait too long, I won't be able to ask questions without looking suspicious...)
* Jaerlani strolls into the store, heading down the aisles towards the half of the store selling groceries.
* HappyLittleMoron nods a little and settles onto the couch in front of the fireplace* Heh...so...any reason why you want that lazer?
* ``Mitch blinks, looking up foggily. "Huh?"
* Mondo_Gecko follows after her, standing on the cart as he pushes it down the aisle and rides it*
* HappyLittleMoron leans back, curling her wings around herself* I was standing outside that bathroom for quite a while y'know..
* Jaerlani stops at the assortment of mushrooms, picking some up and looking them over carefully.
* Jaerlani looks around, takes a plastic bag from the dispenser, and fills it with mushrooms.
* Jaerlani takes an assortment of types.
* Mondo_Gecko leaves the cart with her and heads off to get a few cartons of milk*
* Jaerlani drops the bag in the cart and goes to look over some turnips.
<HappyLittleMoron> Just wonderin' whatcher interest in that lazer is...*shrugs* Don't haveta tell me or anything...
<``Mitch> .oO(Shit! What got said, WHAT GOT SAID?) "Well, I don't want it - that was her assumption, god knows why - and I'm just curious... that sort of thing doesn't happen every day."
* ``Taurus walks out of his room
* HappyLittleMoron shrugs
* Jaerlani places in the cart some turnips, asparagus, green beans, kale, cauliflower, and an assortment of other veggies.
<``Mitch> .oO(Aww, see, you could've just called and she would've folded. That's what you get for jumping the gun.)
<HappyLittleMoron> Good 'nuff...so long as yer not doin' anything overly dangerouse...or that would bring any o' that danger back here...we got enough o' that on our own...
* Mondo_Gecko comes back the milk and puts it in the cart
<Mondo_Gecko> ..you got a list?
<``Mitch> Choosing his words carefully. "Mrs. Happy, I can assure you that nothing I do will come back to haunt this place."
* Jaerlani shakes her head, noticing with some uneasiness the fact that this half of the store seems to be deserted.
* HappyLittleMoron nods...* Ok...good thing...*smirks a little*
<``Mitch> He chuckles, shaking his head. "Believe me, I wouldn't want to piss you people off."
* Jaerlani walks along, coming to a stop in front of the seafood.
* HappyLittleMoron laughs
* Jaerlani picks up a gutted fish by the head, turning it over.
<HappyLittleMoron> Hey...takes a lot to do that...wouldn't worry TOO much..
* Jaerlani drops the fish and picks up another.
<Jaerlani> Oooh ...
* Jaerlani stoops to look into the lobster tank. The little critters scuttle around, looking for something to pinch, even though their pincers are closed by elastics.
* above, far far above the building, a shape flits over the moon... it lands for a brief moment on the skyscraper that towers over the Asylum, hesitates, then leaps away and vanishes into the night*
* Mondo_Gecko bends down, watching
* ``Taurus heads to the roof
<Mondo_Gecko> ..gotta feel sorry for them
* Jaerlani scratches her chin thoughtfully.
<``Mitch> "Well, I just hope I stay on the same side." He shudders, and gets up, deciding on a beer right then and there. "Especially with all the random, y'know, spots of evil people seem to go through."
<Mondo_Gecko> ..not that they arn't delicious
* Jaerlani shrugs in response to Mondo's comment.
<HappyLittleMoron> Heh...true...
<Jaerlani> I have another plan.
<HappyLittleMoron> Keep yer heart in the right spot...don't change yer ethics...an' y' should be alright...
<Jaerlani> Not quite ready though ...
* Jaerlani walks down the aisle, piling cuts of meat into the cart.
<``Mitch> .oO(How am I supposed to do that? My heart's been changing location for the last few weeks, and my ethics... well, let's just say I'm still here...)
<Jaerlani> .oO(What I wouldn't do for a good rothe steak ...)
* ``Mitch walks back out, popping open the beer, and settles down again. "I hope so."
* HappyLittleMoron noddles, pulling a blanket around herself* Yeah..
<Mondo_Gecko> ..how do you know when they're ready?
<Mondo_Gecko> when they're red and boiled?