The Call to Adventure

	ST Those of you who received Mr. Xaxalpa’s business card found your eye drawn to it more than once. Was it the design, the colors? Whatever it was, you found yourself contacting him in short order. He has arranged a flight for you to San Francisco and a limo ride to Acquerello, a fancy restaurant. He says you’ll be riding with some other associates, though he didn’t specify who they would be.
	Malif Malif called him the next day, even ;)
	Mike As did Mike.
	ST Is Mike taking the whole band with him?
	Sanura Sanura had actually cleared it with the museum board and come along in search of the promised artifacts. A slight frown marring her lips as she dislikes being tossed into a group with some strangers.
	Harry Harry flies under his birth name, so as not to get the media up his butt. Ballcap, shades, hoodie, jeans… not matching either his Synergy brand, just trying to stay off the media radar.
	Malif Malif takes the opposite approach, and generally travels as his stage name. Though he’s dressed semicasual.
	Harry He does pack for various situations, of course.
	ST (( Majin, is Mike going to bring the bandmates along? ))
	Malif Malif’s version of casual is dockers-style slacks and silk shirts.
	Mike (( That’s gonna be a no. He’ll probably tell them about the dinner after it’s done. If asked about it, he’s gonna tell them that it’s just a meeting, and that they’ll probably be bored out of their skulls. The truth being, he has a weird feeling about Alejandro all of a sudden. ))
	Mike Mike isn’t so casual about it. He’s not EXTREMELY well-known, so he doesn’t have to fear himself being attacked by fans. He has his Guitar on his back in a case. He’s in his usual garb. If anyone needs a picture, I can provide it.
	ST Your flight arrives at the San Francisco International Airport and, sure enough, waiting in the lobby is a uniformed man in a driver’s cap holding a sign that reads “ASSOCIATES OF MR. XAXALPA”
	Malif Malif approaches the man immediately.
	Harry Harry approaches, giving the driver a nod and a smile. “How’s the family, Regg?”
	Mike Mike smiles and approaches the driver, but then sees another guy going up to him that certainly didn’t look like Alejandro. This must be one of the others that he talked about over the phone. He approached, waving in a gesture to the driver, giving him a smile. “I do believe that sign refers to me… how many people are you expecting to show up?”
	ST The driver nods in greeting to those that approach, but smiles at Harry. “Jon has been practicing every day since he met you. He made the winning run at his last baseball game.”
	Harry “Awesome, don’t make early promises, but I’ll try to stop by for some practice, if time affords it.” He loads his things up himself.
	Sanura Tugging a steamer trunk on a small dolly she pauses at the luggage pick up, catching site of the driver. She heaves a sigh and her heels take her towards the driver, watching several fellows approaching the man as well. “Miss Menmatre reporting for transport” she informs him loud enough to be heard.
	Malif Malif just stands beside the others, watching the exchange between the jock and the driver. Guess they know each other already.
	Malif He has a rather sizable suitcase himself, on rollers.
	Harry Harry, just to make things easier on Reggie, loads up the luggage in the back himself.
	Mike Mike has his Guitar case and a duffel bag with him.
	Malif Malif assumes people recognize him, so hasn’t said anything to the driver.
	ST The driver’s eyes scan all of you, mentally counting you in a flash. While Harry packs his things in the trunk, the driver takes roll. “We have a Mr. Mercury… a Mr. Mysterious… a Ms. Menmatre… and a Mr. Umul.” He looks up at each of you for any sort of confirmation you want to give before proceeding to the next. After confirming your identities, he ushers you into the limo before going to the trunk and putting your luggage there. Anything you’re insisting on keeping with you?
	Mike Mike doesn’t recognize who Malif is at all.
	Mike Mike will let the driver take his duffel bag, but he insists on keeping his guitar case.
	Malif Malif nods at the mention of his stage name, smiling warmly. He slips into the limo, only his worn items with him.
	Sanura Hadn’t mentioned it but a very pissed off Crook is in a cat carrier and she of course keeps that with her.
	Harry “M M M U….MMMU…” He then breaks into humming Beethoven’s 5th.
	Malif Malif looks at the jock humming classical music with some surprise.
	Mike Mike raises an eyebrow at the classical humming, then just shrugs.
	Harry He does it with surprising skill, swappign between instruments and backbeats with ease…
	Malif Malif smiles, finding it a pleasant surprise.
	Harry He takes to whistling in combination, to cover the high strings…
	Harry And he doesn’t stop after the first 8 or even 20 notes, he’s doing the whole song at this rate.
	Sanura As soon as she’s seated in the back of the limo she’d unzip the carrier to let the feline out to roam. If anyone didn’t like it.. they’d have to speak up. She finds her head tilting slightly to the tune hummed and reaches into a side pouch of the carrier to hand offer the feline a few chicken treats in recompense for the enforced enclosure.
	Malif Malif chuckles after a few minutes of this. “My friend, you’ve a surprising taste in music. And quite the energy!”
	Harry He grins, and realizes he’ll have to abandon the song to talk, and does so. “Yeah, energy’s kind of my thing. And I love anything fast and complex, and who doesn’t love Beethoven’s 5th? It’s everywhere.”
	Malif Malif nods. “True, true.”
	ST The cat warily exits the carrier, looking around with eyes that are practically full circles, bobbing his head as he scents the air. Soon enough, however, he’s drawn to the offered treats.
	Mike Mike chuckles. “I even use it as a base in some of my songs.”
	Malif Malif looks to the heavy metal player, one eyebrow raised in clear doubt.
	Sanura Setting the case on the floor she crosses her legs at the ankle and uses her free hand to smooth over Crooks fur. Her gaze drawn to the gentlemen as they speak. She has a feeling she aught to know them but can’t place where from. To much time with antiquities it seems.
	Harry Now that the doors are shut, he looses the ballcap and shades, revealing the most popular sports star in the world, Harry “Synergy” Mercury. Outrageous playboy, and not only fastest man in the world, but All-Star in five sports. Baseball, basketball, football, track and bicycling.
	Malif Malif shows zero reaction to the reveal of the sports star. He holds his palm out for the cat to sniff.
	Mike Mike doesn’t really react either.
	ST The cat slowly approaches, ears perked forward, his nose lightly touching Malif’s hand.
	Sanura Her brow arches faintly at Harrys reveil .. she’d seen him in adds and such though she didn’t follow sports. Strange friends but then a business man could have fingers in every pot she imagines.
	Malif He turns back towards Harry, looking thoughtful. “Say, aren’t you that fellow from those shoe commercials? The sports sneaker whatevers ?”
	Harry He nods. “Nike Air Mercurys.” He points down to a red pair on his feet. “That’s me.”
	Malif Malif himself wears pennyloafers.
	Sanura Sanura glances down at the footwear and her nose gives a very slight wrinkle, she wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair but she supposed it was fine for the kids and such.
	Malif He glances down at the shoes, and nods. “Ah yes, those! That pair looks different though, don’t they? I imagine they gave you a custom job as the spokesmodel?”
	Harry He nods. “Yep, very custom. Fit like a dream, and specially ordered by my Dad for me.”
	Mike Mike just sighs, letting the two superstars hash it out. “Your dad? Your dad makes your sneakers?” He just chuckles at that.
	Malif “Oh, I had not realized your father was involved in the business. Did he set up the deal for you, then?”
	Harry He chuckles. “You could say that. My Dad is Hermes Trimegistus Mercury, god of speed and travellers.”
	Mike Mike blinks rapidly at that. “Wait… your dad… a God?”
	Malif Malif laughs warmly. “Well, I knew this trip was getting interesting, but I didn’t think we were all just going to blurt it out like that!”
	ST Once his curiosity is satisfied, Crook pulls away and returns to Sanura, but turns to eye Harry.
	Sanura She blinks at the kid. Was that some sort of.. marketing schtick.. an interesting one but she’d never heard such a strange promotion of the star. One hand moves to pet Crook gently as she listens, her gaze but not full attention turned to her ‘pet’
	Harry “Alejandro set this deal up to get various god-kids together for some project, so I’m assuming I’m not the only one here with a weird family tree. If you aren’t down with that, man, is this dinner conversation going to be a shocker.”
	Mike Mike just sighs. “Well… as long as we’re getting introductions out now… Michael Umul. Apparently… son of Baron Samedi.”
	Malif Malif grins. “Well, its good to be in intelligent company then. I can’t begin to guess at the origins of our musician friend here. I might guess Bast for the lady, but that seems almost too obvious to be true.”
	Sanura Sanura huffs softly… “If he doesn’t have a bust of a pharoh .. he’s in deep shit.”
	ST Golden Egyptian heiroglyphics fade into existence and float above the cat’s head, lingering for only a moment before fading out.
	Malif “Baron Samedi? I wasn’t aware the Loa were full on gods nowadays?”
	Mike Mike then has a confused look on his face. “The… Loa?”
	Malif Malif chuckles. “There is something strange about all of us, my fine feline.”
	Harry Harry leans back, making use of the room in the limo. “Voodoo gods. Orisha.”
	Sanura Frowning she glances to Crook.. "Indeed .. special company.. " she looks to Malif and her brow arches “you can read that?”
	Malif Malif smiles and nods to Sanura. “Indeed I can. Can you not see the blood of the Nile in the shade of my skin, my lady?”
	Sanura She shrugs softly “it’s America I try not to make assumptions about racial or geographical origins”
	Mike “Voodoo… never was a big fan of the idea. Shrunken heads, blood offerings, all that… creeps me out sometimes.”
	Harry “So, what about you, man?” He looks at Malif. “Who’s your parent?”
	Malif “Egypt is my birthplace and home, though I travel much.”
	ST (( Perception + Awareness, everyone ))
	Harry (4 here)
	Malif 2
	Malif (wait, make that 3, forgot my Epic Per dot)
	Mike ((5 successes. Including my Epic Per.))
	Sanura ]3]
	Sanura Sanura looks over at Malif “so.. you parent is…?” everyone else had shown their hand.. her own being rather obvious it seems thanks to Crook.
	Malif Malif turns back to Harry. “Our lady of mysteries, naturally.”
	Harry “Our lady of mysteries… now, I haven’t been deep in the books in years, but I’m gonna guess…Isis?”
	ST Crook eyeballs Malif again, tilting his head up to scent the air once more.
	Malif Malif nods. “Indeed.”
	Harry He nods. “Cool. I’m eager to see what Alejandro has for us.” He glances out the window for a second, then focuses back on the others again.
	Mike Mike’s eyes narrow a bit as he’s letting something go through his head a bit. “Did anyone else notice… how long it took us to actually get moving?”
	Sanura She arches a brow and then snorts softly “I suppose according to some legends you’re my uncle” shaking her head as she leans back against the seat. “Not really..” the talk of gods and such had been rather distracting..
	Malif He chuckles. “Oh I don’t know, Uncle Malif has a certain ring to it….”
	Harry “Actually, yeah, Reggie knows how impatient I get, that’s why Alejandro always sends him for me. But we’re going the right way…”
	ST The cat sneezes and shakes its head vigorously.
	Malif Malif looks around. “Have we not actually left the airport yet?”
	Harry “Yeah, this is Highway 101. We’re on track, if a little behind.”
	ST (( You guys are moving, are on some sort of highway, and signs tell you you’re heading to San Francisco. ))
	Sanura Glancing to Malif she figures the streak of gray in his hair would allow for it, but she doubts that’s happening.
	Malif Malif just smiles warmly back at her, then turns to Mike. “I am not sure what you were meaning?”
	Mike Mike’s lips purse a bit. “No, we’ve left… that much, I’m sure. Something’s not right…” He then goes to the limo window, the one that separates the back end from the driver. He knocks on it. “Reggie, could you lower the screen please?”
	Harry Harry chuckles, already guessed. But he’s learned not to interrupt and explain for other people.
	Sanura Sanura turns her attention to Harry. “you seem to know more about this .. situation .. than the rest of us.. do you know what this project is supposed to be about? I really didn’t schedule time for much distraction”
	ST The screen doesn’t lower.
	Mike Mike looks around for an intercom somewhere that would lead to the driver. Maybe it was soundproof.
	Harry “I know Alejandro. He was the guy who filled me in when my Dad caught up to me and gave me the hookup. We go back a few years, he bankrolled me as I was getting my feet under me, and learning not to push myself in public. He’s got some idea that he wants people like us for.” Harry keys the intercom. “Hey Regg!”
	Malif “You know Alejandro too?”
	ST The intercom sparks and crackles. The limo begins to speed up.
	Harry “Something’s off.” Harry checks out the window again.
	Malif Malif looks at the sparking intercom, and notes the increase in speed. “Oh dear….”
	Mike “That’s what I said in the beginning. It took too long for Reggie to actually get us going.”
	Sanura Frowning softly she taps her toe against the floor of the limo “I’m glad I brought you along after all Crook” not liking the surprises or the sudden burst of speed. She reaches over and jabs the intercom “Are you insane, obey the speed limit for Goodness sake!” her tone broking no argument.
	Harry “I’m gonna do something stupid. Everyone buckle up.”
	Mike Mike raises an eyebrow, and buckles up. “Harry… just what in the hell do you think you’re gonna do?”
	Harry Harry reaches into the floorboard, and pulls out a red hoodie, a body armor sheath, and a red and black paintball mask.
	Harry “I’m gonna get out, run around front, and see what’s going on.”
	Mike “Out of a moving car?! ARE YOU INSANE?!”
	Harry He strips out of his blue hoodie and Avengers t-shirt.
	Harry “Dude, I jog faster than this.”
	Sanura Having buckled up she glances at the young man and sighs. "Oh lovely.. " she picks up Crook and holds him protectively against her chest.
	Mike Mike blinks. “You-… I-… ugh. Fine. On your own head, be it.”
	Malif Malif was already buckled in, so just nods.
	ST Crook clings to Sanura, more golden symbols floating above his head.
	Harry He tugs on the body armor, then the red hoodie, and the paintball mask. Gloves last, then, making sure everyone’s buckled up, he goes out the door and hits half speed . It takes about a second, as he shoots out perpendicular to the limo, then curving back around, gaining speed, clocking up to around 72 mph. 1 Legend.
	ST You manage to keep apace with the limo for the time being, but it’s accelerating to greater speeds. The tinted windows don’t allow you to see what’s going on inside.
	Sanura She frowns “Nor do I Crook…” she grimaces as she watches this and wishes there was a feline seatbelt.
	Malif “This is somewhat distressing, I must say…”
	Harry I just get in the front passenger seat…ready to pop Opening Gambit in case I find some asshole with a gun.
	Harry But I expect I’m already gonna suprise the hell out of anyone who’s not knowing who they’re fucking with.
	ST Harry finds Reggie slumped in the passenger’s seat, his his throat opened and his uniform drenched in blood. Driving the car is what seems to be a lean but muscular man entirely swathed in a skintight black body suit but for a pair of dull, wholly white eyes. His gaze snaps to the sports star. (( Join Battle, everyone ))
	Harry (Opening Gambit)
	Malif 4 hits
	Harry (6 hits on Join)
	Malif no wait, 5.
	Sanura [ 3 ]
	Mike 4 hits.
	ST (( Poor Crook gets 1 hit. XD ))
	Harry So I’m gonna fuck him up bad.
	Harry He buckled in, and is his seatbelt on?
	Harry (Wait, doubled that. Is he buckled in, and is his door locked?)
	ST It appears this fellow has no concern for personal safety and California laws. His door is indeed locked.
	Harry (Okay, double action.)
	Harry First, unlock his door, second, open it.
	Harry Then, before his tick comes around, second double action, kick him the fuck out, and take the wheel.
	Harry And if he tries something I do have Between the Ticks, and can interrupt any action he takes.
	Harry Fuck this guy.
	ST Just for clarification: you’re currently on the passenger’s side?
	Harry Yes.
	ST In order to open the driver’s side door, you have to reach across the guy driving, putting your arm conveniently within his reach if he wants to try anything. Roll Dexterity + Brawl.
	Harry 10 hits.
	Harry And I am DV 10 to hit, before Untouchable Opponent. He’s welcome to try.
	ST The moment this guy twitches, Harry manages to open the door and whip his arm back. The black-swathed fellow’s elbow thumps hard into the seat.
	Harry Start the clock, I’m on 6 to Join battle.
	ST Oddly enough, the blow doesn’t make a sound.
	ST Since Mike isn’t aware of what’s going on, I’m gonna say that his Gambit will kick in once he learns what’s happening.
	ST No sound whatsoever.
	ST The limo is picking up more speed. Harry again.
	Harry One hand to the dash, one to the seat, and double foot kick him in the guts right out the door. Legend Flare, Vengeance Channel.
	ST Again, Dex + Brawl to kick the guy out.
	Harry Then, taking the wheel. – 4 to both pools?
	ST You got it.
	Harry Okay. 5 Dex+3 Brawl+1 Vengeance-4pool.
	Harry 5 dice.
	Harry Then 8 autos.
	Harry Legend to reroll
	ST Go for it.
	ST Yeah, I’ll grant a stunt die for that.
	ST Ouch!
	Harry Fuck it. Willpower for at least 1 hit
	Harry Making it…9.
	Harry Thank god I didn’t botch.
	ST And the fight is over before it barely even began. The assassin flies out the door and hits the pavement.
	Harry Dex+Control to take the vehicle over.
	ST Roll away.
	Harry Actually…
	Harry With the – 4…
	Harry That’s a chance die.
	Harry Willpower again
	Harry So, 1 success.
	Harry So, that’s 3 Willpower, and 2 Legend, plus 2 more for getting in there.
	Harry Yes, but no Control.
	Harry Wait, autos apply.
	Harry Just – 2 dice
	Harry So, 5 hits
	ST Harry manages to slam on the brakes, screeching to a halt just as the front tires pass the edge of a dock.
	Mike Mike’s eyes go wide as they’re slammed forward by the sudden braking. “WHOA! What the hell!”
	Harry Harry panicks a little, the sight of his friend dead throwing him off, but he powers on through, his powers flaring, eyes crackling with yellow light as he manages to take the reins and stop the limo.
	Sanura Sanura merely holds on for dear life, rumpling Crooks fur as she clutches him against her. She remembles a pissed off cat as she slowly realeases her companion. “What the fuck was that about?” she hisses as she unbuckles and makes for the back door, jerking up the carrier and letting Crook get his footing as she moves to exit.
	Malif Malif oofs slightly at the sudden braking. “I’m not normally a fan of driving with a lead foot, but one on the brakes is welcome just this once…”
	Malif He climbs out of the limo as soon as its stopped.
	Mike Mike unbuckles as well, getting out of the limo as fast as he can.
	ST Crook lets out a quick yowl as they come to a stop, and darts out of the vehicle the moment he can, huddling under the nearest safe hiding place.
	ST The front part of the limo is hanging off the dock, but not enough to flip it into the water entirely.
	Harry Harry gets out the driver’s seat, and looks for the killer.
	Malif Malif looks around in some confusion. “Who on earth would want to do such a thing? Just days ago I was a mere performer!”
	ST The killer’s gone, not even a body left behind or a pattering of fleeing footsteps.
	Sanura Sanura’s eyes widen as she realizes how close they came to a drive off the peir. "Why.. " she grits her teeth" something about that damn project I’m sure.. Mr Xaxalpa has some explaining to do" she grinds out. “Where is the driver.. ?”
	Mike Mike sees the Limo on the edge of the pier and doesn’t like how close that was. He grabs the Limo by the back-end, pulling it back and away from the edge onto the solid surface of the dock.
	Harry Harry walks up, still in his wannabe Flash gear, eyes crackling yellow. “Reggie’s dead. Some white-eyed assassin did it.”
	Harry He helps Mike, lending his epic Strength to the effort.
	Sanura Steps back from Harry and then shakes her head. “That man was just doing his job..” she frowns “where is this assasin?” looking all around them and seeing no sign of anyone else.
	Malif Malif stands back, out of the way. “Then someone has much to answer for, I daresay.”
	Mike Mike’s Epic Strength would be more than enough.
	ST The limo is dragged safely back onto the dock.
	Harry “I booted him out of the driver’s seat, but he’s in the wind now, it’s like he vanished. I have to get out of this costume before I’m spotted though.” He snags his bag from the back seat and runs off.
	Mike Mike’s brow furrows as the realization of what happened hits him. “So… we were just taken for a joyride by some assassin who apparently wanted to kill us… I really hope this isn’t going to be a constant thing…”
	Malif (Meg, Occult roll to see if I know of any myth-critters with white eyes and vanishing acts?)
	ST (( Go for it ))
	ST (( Intelligence + Occult ))
	Harry Harry comes walking back up, bag over his shoulder, and phone in the other hand. “Chrome, call Alejandro.”
	Malif 4
	Sanura Moving to the front she opens the trunk up and avoids looking at the body. She grimaces softly though as she catches sight of a limp hand. She straightens her spine and walks towards the back of the limo, shooing Mike out of the way so she can get into the back and retreive her whip and the large bag she uses to carry it and several other nessesities.
	Mike Mike gets out of the way even without being shoo’d out of the way.
	Mike He then goes to the back and grabs his duffel bag out of the trunk.
	Sanura She takes out the whip and the belt and small leather clip that attatches the whip to it. She’d never actually used her whip for self defence but there was a first time for everything. Each of the leather items is tooled black leather, artistically crafted and decorated.
	Harry Harry talks into his phone. "Well, we were nearly assassinated, Reggie’s dead, and we’re parked on a pier in (blah blah) where he tried to drown us and cover his tracks. I didn’t get much of a bead on the guy, but he had stark-white eyes, and made no sound when he moved.
	Sanura That done she looks around. “Crook.. come out darling.. the bad man is gone..” frowning softly as she peers around for her companion.
	Malif Malif lifts his suitcase out of the trunk carefully, not displaying any levels of unusual strength.
	Harry “Okay, so here’s the plan. I’m calling the cops, and reporting this as a carjacking. Then we’re taking a car to the restaurant.”
	ST Crook pokes his head out.
	Mike Mike unzips his guitar case, fastening the straps to his guitar and looping it around his neck. The guitar looks like a Guitar would, except the base of it looks like a very intricate axe-head. It looks rather sharp. Tucked inbetween the frets along the fretboard is a green pick that almost looks like a skull.
	ST More golden symbols pop up.
	Harry “I’ll stay, explain things as best I can, then catch up. And you can explain everything over alot of steak.”
	Malif “Which car are we taking? A taxi I suppose? Or we could simply walk.”
	Harry Harry hangs up, and looks at the rest of you.
	Mike “If Harry’s any indication, him walking would be us TRYING to keep up at full speed.”
	Malif Malif chuckles at the golden symbols above Crook, and reaches to pet him.
	Sanura She bends down with her knees together and opens up the carrier in case he’d feel better in there after all this excitement. She smiles “I know, I wasn’t expecting such a reception either.. but we’re surely poised enough to handle it are we not?” she murmurs.
	Malif “Why are you taking out a guitar, my friend? Are we having an impromptu concert?”
	Harry “Okay.” He fishes out his wallet, and hands Malif two hundred dollars. “Snag a cab, get to the Acquerello. I’ll take care of this. It’s the least I can do for Reggie.”
	Malif Malif takes it, and nods, reaching for his cellphone to call for a taxi.
	Harry He then dials 911.
	Mike “Just like Harry got his shoes from his dad, I got this Guitar and Pick from MY dad. I feel more comfortable wearing it for some reason…”
	Sanura Sanura glances over her shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss..” she murmurs perhaps loud enough to be heard perhaps not. Waiting for Crook to answer her and decide how he’d like to travel.
	Harry “Hello, police, my name is Harry Mercury, there’s been a carjacking and a murder. We’re at Pier (blah) at (blah blah blah), and we need one ambulance for a Reggie Michealson.”
	ST Crook seems mollified enough to emerge from his hiding place. He flicks his tail dismissively.
	ST The operator confirms the address and assures you that the police are on their way.
	ST The taxi is on its way as well, as Malif handles that detail.
	Malif (I’ll have the taxi pick us up a block frmo here, by the way XD )
	Harry Harry waits for them, and gives a statement, in which someone raced in and saved them, while he was clearly in the back seat. He leaves out the others.
	Sanura Sanura gives less fucks about appearances and keeps her whip on her, at least it’d be something if they were attacked again.. and she was temtped to wrap the end around a certain business mans throat when the met next.
	Sanura Smiling to that she nods softly to Crook “Agreed”
	Harry Once he has given them his statement and phone number to reach him, he goes to catch up to the others.
	Mike Mike is trudging along with the two Egyptians, going with them to meet the taxi.
	ST Statements given, transportation received—soon everyone is at Acquerello, seemingly intact.
	Mike Mike would put away his Guitar when the Taxi got there, feeling a BIT more safer when he could SEE his driver.
	Harry Harry got a separate taxi, and should be there shortly after the other.
	ST Upon giving Mr. Xalapa’s name to the maitre’d, they are led to a private, smallish dining room. Within is Alejandro himself, pacing about, his hands grasped behind his back. He looks up as you enter and composes himself very quickly, an air of calm settling around him. His hands fall to his sides. “I must apologize to you all. I had planned your ride in to be far less eventful.” He’s wearing a dark blue business suit with a white shirt and a tasteful blue tie held in place by a gold clip.
	Malif “That’s quite alright, we’d planned much the same.”
	Sanura Sanura catches him with a glare that would cause one of the interns at the museum to piss themsleves.
	Mike Mike just kinda gives Alejandro a small glare. “So I take it Absolute Illusion isn’t going on tour anytime soon, then…”
	Harry Harry strides in, grabbing a seat, and losing the glasses and hat. “Okay, Alejandro. Reggie is dead, I had to use my costume and save us, or we’d have been at the bottom of the Pacific right now…I want steak and answers.”
	ST Alejandro takes the collective abuse quietly. “Please, everyone, have a seat. I’ll explain.”
	Malif Malif nods graciously, and sits.
	Sanura Sighing softly she figures she has less to be upset about at the moment than Harry, and she does want answers. She takes her seat and lets Crook out of the carrier she’d brought him into the restraunt with, leaning back so he can sit on her lap and be part of the conversation
	Mike Mike sits down in a chair, moving his guitar case behind the chair, and his duffel bag to the side.
	ST Crook, once released, jumps onto the table and lifts his head as if deeply offended and expecting answers.
	Harry Harry leans back, sighing. “I hope this is good, because the press is going to have their version tonight, because I had to give a statement. And when my name comes up… I dread to think what’ll happen to Reggie’s family.”
	ST Alejandro stands at the head of the table, coiled as if ready to spring at any moment, but still calm. “Firstly, let me get this out of the way: whatever I said in regards to your mortal lives is still true.” He nods to Sanura. “I really /do/ have those artifacts and, yes, I want you to look at them.” He turns his attention to Mike. “I /still/ intend on sponsoring Absolute Illusion.” He regards the entire room. “But the real reason you’re here, as you may have already gathered, is because of your divine heritage.”
	Sanura Sanura is slightly assaged, since she won’t have to return home empty handed. She rests her hands on her lap and waits for him to continue.
	Malif Malif simply nods, listening. He’d expected as much.
	Mike Mike sighs, rolling his eyes. That much was already common knowledge among the group by now. He stayed quiet, however.
	ST “As for what happened on the way here…” he pauses, searching for a response, “I’ll take care of it. The statement, Reggie’s family, finding the attacker… everything. This is my mess so I’ll clean it up.”
	Mike Mike raised an eyebrow at that. “YOUR mess? What do you mean?”
	ST Alejandro sighs. “Being of divine blood myself, I’ve made a lot of enemies. I suspect that… assassin was one of them.”
	ST “Or at least works for one of them.”
	Harry “He means whatever plan this is for got leaked, and pissed someone off. Reggie died for this plan.”
	Malif “Or someone thought it was Mr Xaxalpa in the limo, not us?”
	Sanura Frowning softly as she waits for more information.
	ST He nods to confirm Harry’s version of things. His gaze turns to the side solemnly as Reggie’s death was mentioned.
	Harry “Me, Reggie and Alejandro have tooled around dozens of times. It didn’t draw assassins. Fans, hookers, business proposals… never assassins.”
	Harry “This is about this meeting.”
	ST “Yes.”
	Sanura Sighing softly “And what exactly is this meeting?”
	Mike “Yeah… which makes me wonder… do they intend to try again? And if so, how?”
	ST “I’ll dig up whatever I can on that. And I assure you that I’ll be much more careful in the future. As for this meeting…” He falls silent. Right afterwards the waiter enters the room to take everyone’s orders.
	Sanura She orders whatever the restaraunts specialty is and a plate of chicken and rice for Crook, as well as water for the both of them.
	Harry “Two steaks, medium well. One the way your chef brags about, one with a bottle of A-1 on the side. Meaty, cheesy chef salad, with ranch, chicken, turkey, and ham. And southern-style sweet tea. If there’s not at least a cup of sugar per half-gallon, I’m sending it back.”
	Harry “And no lemon.”
	Mike Mike orders almost the same as Harry, but asks for one steak, Medium-Well. Then a side of Grilled Chicken, and water to drink as well.
	Malif Malif orders a steak, Rare, and some wine.
	Harry (2 legend)
	ST Alejandro seats himself and puts in his order — some sort of fancy name which he says with practiced ease. The waiter writes everything down and leaves. A long silence follows the waiter’s departure during which Alejandro keeps his eyes on the door. Then he turns to the rest of you. “As for this meeting…” He looks to the tablecloth with a little chuckle. “I was hoping to enlist you all to my cause, so to speak. Fighting the good fight. Keeping the Titans and their spawn at bay.” He looks up to regard you all again. “But… well… something wicked this way comes. And us are scions stronger together than we are apart.”
	Malif “Well, something is clearly up. And if I’m going to have assassins in my life, I could use people of strength around me.”
	Harry “You didn’t even have to ask me, man. I owe you for 2009. But we’re going to need some specifics.”
	Sanura Sanura’s brows furrow and she frowns softly. “I don’t know about the super hero over there and the others but I’ve got nothing to do with any fight good or other..” she sits up a little. “I was never attacked untill this and I don’t think it will be an issue after, I work in a museum as you know.. simple.. and I’d rather deal with felonious rabbits breaking in that car hijackings..”
	Mike “Heh. Assassins try to kill me? It’s every Lead Singer’s dream to be famous enough for that kind of treatment! All the same, if I’m caught alone, I wouldn’t want to face off against anybody like Harry described. I’d feel better with people to help me.”
	Malif “I’m certainly no warrior, either.”
	ST Alejandro squares his shoulders. “A sentiment I can appreciate, Ms. Menmatre, but people like us can’t swing a dead cat without hitting some manner of trouble or other.” Crook stiffens, his fur on his back and tail rising a little, golden symbols angrily appearing in the air. “And, now that someone dangerous has seen you with the others… well, I can’t help or protect you if you aren’t within reach.” He turns to the rest of you.
	Sanura Sanura’s own hackles rise at the mention of a dead cat and she frowns softly. She’d listen still, there was dinner to get through at least and the artifacts to examine..
	Mike Mike would purse his lips a bit, waiting for Alejandro’s full explanation.
	ST “I wish I could give you more details, but I don’t have them yet. But trouble is indeed brewing and I feel — no, I /know/ — there’s some sort of pattern to it, and if we wait until we have the answers it’ll be too late. I’ll be gathering more of us as we go along. I’ll also be digging up as much information as I can, following leads, studying these patterns. But I can’t explore every lead myself. Which is where you four come in.”
	Sanura Shakes her head “I’m not really sure where a museum curator fits into this unless you have a great deal of relics to identify or need something preserved..”
	Mike “How so? What sort of patterns do you expect to find with two Egyptians, a speed demon and a muscle-man of a musician?”
	ST “I don’t presume to know the where all the weavings of Fate lead,” Alejandro admits in response to both Sanura and Mike, with no measure of shame or apology in his voice. “I just know that they shouldn’t be ignored.” He looks to the door again, which opens, admitting his daughter. She walks in and looks around in slight awe of the private room. You all didn’t realize that a subtle tension had been strung tight in Alejandro’s demeanor until it dissipates. “Sofia.” He stands and hugs her tightly.
	Harry Harry just listens, the only problem he has with this was Reggie getting caught up in it.
	Harry When Sofia enters, he smiles at her. “Hey squirt. Miss me?”
	ST Sofia grins at Harry, which brightens her scarred face. “Harry!” Once released she runs over to give him a hug.
	Sanura Sanura relaxes a little as well giving the child a smile of greeting. “Even if I wanted to.. participate..” she murmurs as she turns her gaze back to Alejandro “I’ve only a small time from work.. a week at most.. I have a feeling your plans are more long term”
	Harry He hugs her back. “Hey kid. Glad to see you. You hanging out with us?”
	Mike Mike’s face lights up in rage. “Gods… what happened to her?”
	ST “Yep! Daddy didn’t want me to come but then he changed his mind.”
	Sanura Sanura glances at Mike and if able to kicks him under the table.
	Harry Harry gives Mike a harsh look. “Shut up, Mike.”
	ST Sofia clutches at Harry’s arm as she looks at Mike, appearing a little hurt.
	Harry “Sofia kicked a dragon’s ass last year. We don’t like to brag.” He hugs her up onto his leg.
	Mike Mike looks at Sofia, gulping. “I… I didn’t mean it like that… I meant… that just looks like it hurts alot…” He’s not very good with children. He then hears Harry’s explanation, and he gulps. “Remind me not to get on your bad side then…” He chuckles nervously.
	Malif Malif smiles and waves to Sofia. “Well if it isn’t my beautiful volunteer from the magic show!”
	ST Sofia looks over and brightens a little. “Wow, Daddy, all our friends are here!”
	Malif “She kicked a dragon’s ass? Well, she must be one of us, then, eh? I daresay she’s ahead of most of us in fact!”
	ST “Did you hire them yet?”
	ST Alejandro simply smiles. “That’s what this party is for, sweetheart.”
	Sanura Since it seems they’re not in danger of attack at the moment she unclips the whip from her belt and puts it back into the large bag she’d brought with her. She paused a moment and takes out a green and yellow stuffed animal from the large bag. It’s actually an insect a scarab to be exact. “I was hoping to see you on my visit” she extends the plush over to Harry so he can hand it to Sofia.
	Harry Harry nods. “Yep, Sofia’s a little powerhouse. You should see her throw, she’s my little ball cannon.”
	Malif “Sofia, it sounds like you’re a lot stronger than most little girls, eh? Probably stronger than me, I bet!”
	Harry Harry slides the scarab over to Sofia, and looks back at Alejandro, having wittily defused Mike’s gaff.
	ST She grins. “Yep! I’m even stronger than Daddy! He says he can’t play soccer with me anymore because he likes his shins too much.” She receives the stuffed animal with a squeeze and a bright smile. “Thank you, Miss Menmatre!” she chirps.
	Malif Malif chuckles and grins. “Sofia, Bane of Shins! And Dragons!”
	Malif He turns to Alejandro. "So who is her…. divinity, so to speak? I suppose her mother, then? "
	Sanura Smiles a little “You’re welcome dear” her gaze turning to Alejandro curious to the answer to Malif’s question.
	Harry Harry takes a sip of his drink. “Tell em, squirt. We’re all superheroes here.”
	Mike Mike laughs at Malif’s declaration. “Yeah… who’s each of your God parents, so to speak?”
	ST “Really?” She straightens. “My dad’s Hephaestus, but he’s a big jerk so Daddy adopted me.”
	Sanura Sanura glances at Harry “I wouldn’t say such..” a small frown as hears the girls reply, curious as to what sort of big jerk .. but that was not a question for now.
	Malif Malif laughs again! “Oh my, a child of the Forges! Sounds like there’s a story there, but that’s for another time perhaps.”
	Mike Mike laughs some more and looks at Alejandro. “And you? What’s your divine parentage? I assume you already know each of ours.”
	Sanura Sanura tilts her head. “Is it.. Jaguar perhaps? of the Aztecs?” remembering Sofia’s comment about them.
	ST Alejandro clears his throat. “Sofia, sweetheart, we were in the middle of—” As Mike and Sanura ask their questions, he pauses with a slight huff of exasperation. “Yep, Daddy’s a big jaguar and he’s not scared of anything!” Alejandro gives them all a strained smile. “It’s complicated, and not important. Perhaps we can get back to the matter at hand.”
	Sanura She quirks a brow “all sorts of family tensions.. please do continue”
	ST Of course, just as Alejandro’s suggestion to continue is agreed upon, the food arrives, causing him to fall silent once more. Sofia watches the fancily-arranged dishes arrive. “Mmm. That smells good! Daddy, why didn’t you invite me to the superhero party?”
	ST Crook’s ears perk up as the dishes are placed on the table.
	Mike Mike inhales. “Mmmm… I agree, Sofia. That DOES smell good!” He starts chowing down, still listening to Alejandro talking.
	Malif “We’ll be involved in a lot of dangerous things, I’m sure he just wants you to enjoy some peace in your life.”
	Sanura Sanura shifts uncomfortably as the superhero word is tossed around again and glances to Sofia “would you like to share with me dear?” Well aware Crook would make no such offer.
	Harry Once the food’s all spread out, and the waiter is out of earshot…
	ST “No thank you, I’m not hungry. I got to eat pizza.” She pauses and sends her father a sidelong glance. “But I’m hungry for dessert.”
	Harry “Superhero’s kind of our codeword. It’s alot easier to ignore us talking to Sofia about superheroes than explaining we’re all god-spawn. Makes life easier.”
	Sanura Chuckling softly at that response from Sofia and then nods a little "I suppose that makes sense.. " she allows.
	Harry “Plus, having damned near the same origin story as the Flash doesn’t hurt…” He chuckles, rolling up his sleeve to show the scar where the lightning hit him.
	Mike Mike grins a bit. “What, you were struck by lightning in a science lab?”
	ST Crook digs into his own meal, little golden symbols floating above his head.
	Sanura Sanura quirks a brow “I suppose that explains some of your.. behavior” she murmurs as she tucks into her food.
	Sanura Rolling her eyes as her hungry feline goes along with his usual plan of eat everything
	ST Sofia’s eyes go wide. “Whoa, that’s so COOL! Is the kitty a superhero too?”
	Harry “Actually, I was hit by lightning in a battle between Zeus and Hermes after he pranked his Dad, then granted the power of incredible speed, lightning-fast thought and perfect navigation.”
	Malif “Hit by lightning, that’s kind of an odd coincidence…oh…..well, maybe not after all…..”
	Malif “I suppose being smote by Zeus is something to brag about surviving!”
	Sanura Chuckles softly and glances to Crook “Hmmn no he’s a sacred guardian. but I call him Crook”
	Mike Mike grimaces a bit. “Better than my story… summoned to a bar my old man owns to play for the bar-goers there, given a guitar that can play without an amp because of a very familiar-looking guitar pick…”
	Malif “Crook eh? Why do you call him that, is he a little klepto?”
	ST “If Crook marries a girl cat and has babies, can I have one of them?”
	ST Crook doesn’t seem to have any comments about Sofia’s question.
	Sanura Shakes her head “no he doesn’t steal.. his name is the folded cloth S.. but it looks like a Crook and that sounds better.” She blinks a couple of times "well.. I suppose.. if he does such a thing.. " she glances to Crook and leans over.. “do you have a brood of kittens back home?” half whispered.
	Malif Malif chuckles warmly, and returns to his eating.
	ST The cat straightens from his meal and gazes directly at Sanura, his response floating in the air.
	ST He seems rather proud of himself.
	Sanura She blinks and sighs “oh god”
	Malif Malif grins and winks at the cat. “That’s the spirit!”
	ST “What’d he say?”
	Harry “Okay, so, what’s the actual plan? We go all investigating events of Titan schemes and attacks?”
	Sanura She clears her throat "ah well it seems that he’s got a few kittens.. "
	Mike Mike grimaces, not saying anything. He has an idea of what the cat said, but saying such a thing around a kid would be VERY bad…
	ST As Alejandro opens his mouth to respond to Harry, Sofia says “Can I have one?” She turns to Alejandro. “Daddy, please?” He snaps sharply, “Sofia, enough!” The girl falls silent. Alejandro takes a deep breath. “Yes, Harry, starting with reports I’ve received of a school in Pacifica being burned down.”
	Harry Harry whispers into Sofia’s ear.
	Malif “A SCHOOL? That’s terrible!”
	Sanura She nods “That is terrible, but what makes you think it’s more than a matter for the police?”
	Harry He nods. “So, we’re actually starting what I’ve been talking about for years. So why are we expanding the operation now? I’ve been handling things fine as the only one in the field so far.”
	ST Sofia’s expression goes from chastened to a smile as Harry whispers in her ear, a smile she quickly stifles in favor of what she clearly thinks is a super-serious expression. “Because I have reason to believe that the school housed children like Sofia.”
	Malif “Well I am most certainly happy to join any kind of expedition aimed at opposing attacks on ANY kind of children.”
	Mike “Yeah, that goes double for me.”
	Harry “A school…full of godkids?” He leans back, pondering that. “Who would have the resources to gather them, much less keep them under wraps?”
	Sanura Her brow furrows a little and she glances at the child and then sighs, well there she is roped in for this little adventure at least. “Since you seem to be the.. ‘Charlie’ of the group perhaps you have some more.. specific instruction for us?”
	ST “That’s what I want you to find out, in addition to whoever’s responsible for the fire.” He pauses. “For now I want you to rest and get settled in. I’ll be footing the bill for your hotel rooms. And then tomorrow we’ll get started.”
	Sanura Sanura leans back a little and glances to Crook wondering what he thinks of this little.. adventure. He’s probably to happy face first in food to have taken much notice.
	ST Crook is staring at Alejandro intently. Apparently he takes his duties as a sacred guardian very seriously.
	Sanura “Crook.. maybe you can stay at Alejandro’s while we go figure this out..” she forgets he beat down a security guard the night she met him.
	Harry “I’m in. Can’t be much of a superhero letting folks get away with that. Right, squirt?”
	ST “Right,” she says, with the utmost gravity she can manage.
	Sanura She sighs softly and nods her head a little “you’re probably better prepaired for this mess than I am” she notes quietly as she sips her water.
	ST Crook butts Sanura’s elbow and responds.
	Malif “I’ll leave the fighting to these gentlemen, I expect to be more of an investigator angle.”
	Sanura Smiles a little “I think I’ll need it” she murmurs, reaching over to rub the cat lightly behind the ear.
	Mike “I’m up for some busting of heads that need it.”
	ST Alejandro’s shoulders relax a little. He smiles, in a carefully measured way. “I’m glad. So no one else gets caught in the middle of this,” there is a little more weight around the phrase ‘no one else’, “I’ll drive the four of you to the hotel myself, and I’ll meet you in the lobby tomorrow morning to discuss our plan of action.”
	Malif Malif nods. “Sounds reasonable.”
	Mike Mike nods as well. “Definitely a good idea.”
	Sanura Giving a small nod of her head “we can at least read the local paper get more familiar with the news coverage of the incident.. I’ll assume the hotel has wi-fi and a pets policy”
	ST Alejandro nods. “Of course.”
	Sanura Another nod as she glances down the table. “if we can’t get to it till tommorow I think I’d like something rich and very fattening for desert.” shooting Sofia a wink.
	Harry Now that the worst of the storm is done, he proceeds to destroy his meal, one steak getting completely saturated in A-1, the salad rendered down to meat, cheese, lettuce and carrot, then saturated with dressing, and then Harry starts with the house-pride steak, polishes it off, then devastates the rest, leaving not even sauce, ordering bread to sop it up.
	ST Sofia grins at Sanura, then quickly struggles to turn it back into her super-serious expresison.
	Sanura She chuckles softly and asks for the desert menu when Harry orders his bread. “I think the serious discussion is over yes?” she questions as she glances Alejandro.
	Malif “Well, someone was hungry…..”
	Mike “If The Flash is any indication, his Metabolism is extremely high. He NEEDS alot of food to keep him going.”
	ST Alejandro lets out a breath and nods. Sofia smiles again, and reaches out to pet Crook, who deigns to let her for the time being.
	Malif “Yes, I’m sure comic books are an accurate manual by which to explain our body chemistry with…..”
	Mike “I’d like to see you come up with something better.”
	Sanura Smiling softly at the two she orders a huge peice of chocolate fudge cake and a side of vanilla icecream to go with it. Passing the menu to anyone else that might want it. “by the way as we’re all so.. familiar now.. you can call me Sanura” said to the group at large.
	Malif “I know enough to know that I dno’t have the answer. So I shall not try.”