Millenium Days
2 posters
Page 1 of 1
Millenium Days
Diurne Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:15 pm
- Diana goes to the Detroit university
On a rainy day, on her way to the Detroit university (probably to register ?), Diana Bright, newly arrived in Detroit and discovering the People Mover, the city monorail transportation system, ends by a building that look to just have caught fire !
After only a short moment, our heroine decide to fly up and check people safety, peering through the windows.
People inside realize the building start to burn as smoke slowly fills the floors and begin evacuate.
One man calls for help, calls Diana for help ! Diana chose to advice him to go to the emergency ladder (which he could and should have done first), apparently to the disappointment of the man (who expected to be lifted in the air by the blonde ?).
But, hearing the man saying his disabled neighbour might need help, Diana enters the burning building and looks for the woman.
About a minute and two floors later, Diana didn't find anyone in need of help. But a firefighter, just arrived, finds her and leads her to safety.
Diana then meets a Millenium City Free Press reporter who want to hear if she confirms she just flew up to save people.
Diana encourages the reporter to rather listen the stories of the firemen, true heroes in Diana words, and she will elude the man questions.
To finally go back home. Clothes and shoes ruined, because of the muddy street (dust from (re)construction) and soot because of the fire.
What a hard day... - Angel Foundation got a sponsor ?
Diana Bright is dedicating some of her free time to help the impoverished and helpless citizens of Detroit, after the battle that seriously damaged their city.
While in her little office, handling administrative tasks, demands and requests, contacting insurance companies and like... she got the visit of Nathan Barnes, a representative of Binary Corporation.
The company, embroiled in a difficult legal affair about licensing a processor and being accused of fraud and cheating, is willing to make early donations to Angel Foundation.
A meeting is set the same day in the evening in the club "NATO", a Cold War themed retro club of Millenium City.
There, Diana agrees on the principle of the donations and chat a bit with M. Barnes about the whys of the sponsoring.
It was decided that Diana would go to the Binary Corporation main offices sometimes in the following week to formalize the donation agreement. - Mutants, Art & Medias
The late days at Millenium City saw a newly hotly debated topic : what to do with mutants ?
The fact is the town was deeply traumatized by the destruction from Dr Destroyer and the killing of thousands.
But more than just a local phenomena, the issue is brought to the public "what to do with mutants ? With the ones able to read your thoughts against your will ? Or shapechanging into your spouse ?".
As defenders of civic rights start to make their voices heard, the debate also goes to the legal field "How can we detain someone able to teleport ? What kind of prison for someone able to kill with a sight ?"
Diana entered the struggle, becoming the local voice of the mutants rights on the university campus.
She also found a leaflet, left to invite students to come at the museum of modern arts by the Waterfront, north of downtown.
Interested, Diana went there. Where she turned tomato red as her (pink) cell phone resonated from a call during the opening speech (it was Cris Keller, one of the BUGS girls, aka Cricket Girl).
A bit later, Diana was approached by a woman working for the WTOC radio station and who was willing to hear Diana exact stance on the legal treatment of mutants prisoners (it happened Diana had noticed the woman during the civic meetings lately. And the journalist decided it was worthy to interrogate Diana on this very topic).
The starting discussion was politely parasited by a newcomer, a man called Stewart Hamner (and who introduced himself as a private eye), who gave his unsollicited opinion on the topic. To the point the journalist decided to stop there because of Hamner underlying hostilty (be it true or false).
The evening ended with a little chat between Hamener and Diana before the blonde had to go back home, the business card of the WTOC journalist in the pocket and a possibility to call the radio station. - At the Angel Foundation office
Fear of the mutants, distrust and misconceptions dominates the medias these times.
The Institute for the Human Advancement, a group who ever got little media coverage, is now under the spotlight.
The group has "cautious" and "realist" views on mutants is calling for many restrictions. In their leaflets, one can read a mix of facts, some propositions for legal changes and a layer of completely wild assumptions (like the idea mutants are going to herd normal people and force them in labor camps, to serve them).
All of this wouldn't be that worrying if the IHA didn't recently get the open support of the senator of Wyoming, its idea now entering the political arena.
In Millenium City, Diana is discussing with miss Deschesne, the Canadian born woman recently hired by Angel Foundation to work at the newest office in Millenium City.
The office, in downtown, is located one of the buildings which survived the attack two years ago.
There, while in the tiny room and answering to the administrative questions of miss Deschesne, Diana igets the visit of Lana Jones (sometimes known as Ladybird Girl in Paragon City).
The supermodel-in-training happily gives a lok to the place, reassuring Diana Bright on her capacity to get a home for the nights.
Then comes Stewart Hamner, a private detective who is defined by Lana as "hat and grey hair" since the man is in early 40s and has a traditional outlook.
Hamner presents himself as a private eye and wishes to talk to Diana Bright. Both goes out of the office for a quieter place while Lana discusses with miss Deschesne, joyfully explaining many details about Diana life to a secretary who asked nothing.
The detective informs Diana that he heard a rumor about someone wishing to strike a hard blow against mutants. And, about this, he heard a couple of time the name of Diana Bright (maybe because of her newly but limited acquired fame in defending the civic rights of mutants).
Diana, who was previously informed by Diana that Cris Keller (sometimes known as Cricket Girl, another BUGS) should also be in town, is suddenly worrying about the young mutant girl.
Thanking Hamner for the information, she grabs Lana and both go out in town, searching for Cris (since she doesn't answer to phone calls). - Abduction !
On a rainy night (as they are all since Diana came to live in Detroit), the former heroine Love Angel heard the muffled cries of one of her two sons.
Entering the kids room, she saw the young Mark awaken... and a Bengal tiger lazily contemplating the bedroom, laying on the floor in a corner.
A hovering Diana grabbed her youngest and then moved carefully to her other son Andreas, still sleeping.
At that moment, a man appeared at the window (on the third floor !) and also entered, slowly pushing the (already opened) window aside.
As Diana tried to flee, she heard the newcomer, a black man, inviting her to not move, being in danger of being hurt.
But sensing the danger, Diana flew fast to the door but her first flight impulse sent her straight into a wall, crashing into it violently as she turned to shield the kids.
Despite the renewed warnings and the man begging to get Andreas "for his own safety", Diana attempted again to flee, crashing once again in a wall.
The man then instructed the tiger to get the kid. And the magnificent Bengal tiger turned into a teen age dark haired girl, younger than Diana herself.
The valiant struggle of Diana to keep a grip on his son was futile as while she was able to use her muscles, it was as if they weren't providing any sort of strength anymore.
Andreas in her arms, the girl joined the black man to leave (a third person, another man, also appeared by the window, urging the two other to hurry).
Now free, Diana ran to the window to see an ice ramp going from the kid bedroom on third floor down to street level.
She grabbed a lamp, flew outside and charged the girl, yelling for help, ready to club the kidnapper.
More used to wield a bow than a lamp, she missed her target and hit some sort of invisible wall that knocked her back 30m away, until she hit the ground, skid and crashed into a parked car.
Not willing to abandon, Diana flew back, charging again. She noticed a van parked in a close alley where the girl (and her son Andreas) was heading to.
Diana passed over the two men and landed by the van, ready to act and cleverly noticing the plate.
However, as snow was oddly just starting to fall, the whole alley was suddenly filled by ice webs and strands, capturing everything and everyone in it.
As Diana struggled to get out of the ice trap, the trio fled away, the third man generating an ice slide on which they all walked and left quickly.
A few hours later, the detective Stewart Hamner was contacted by a very sad (but still perfect hostess) Diana Bright who shared her plight about losing her older son.
The whole affaire fortunately ended well a few hours later. Led by Hamner intuition and contacts, both the former Love Angel and the detective went to a derelict urban area by the tunnel under the Detroit river, going to Windsor (Canada).
Diana Bright, who adopted a clever disguise full of whiteness made of scarf and rather heavy clothing, held her bow tightly, ready to free her missing adopted son.
After a short investigation and a discussion with locals, the two companions went to the basement of a half destroyed building.
There, blocked by a heavy metal door, hope started to fade but the said door... transformed itself (alone ? apparently ?) into a curtain.
In the dark of the basement, a confrontation started when the adbucters were met, while they were obviously on their leave.
A short fight happened as Hamner and Bright were stuck in a strong and extended web of icy strands that appeared from thin air, allowing the adbucters to flee into a curious corridor (as if some burrowing creature had made it).
The detective forced his way (with difficulty) out of the icy web and after giving help to Diana, the chase resumed.
It led to the Detroit-Windsor car tunnel where ice powers and strange effects on movements and inertia also happened, as the adbucters tried to prevent the mother and her detective employee to catch them.
A sleeping gas arrow was shot then Diana glued the villains (and slowed down considerably cars who were on an ever increasing speed, as a "distraction" for the heroes).
The fight was actually short as vans displaying the PRIMUS logo were arriving, then unloaded armed men.
With the firepower of PRIMUS to back them, our heroes were quickly able to stop the battle and Diana was able to recover her (sleeping) son.
They also learned from Mayte Sanchez, the local Silver Avenger (the highest local rank at PRIMUS) that her organization was watching the area where the adbucters were, intending to arrest them until Diana and Stewart entered the place and forced the villains to flee.
Finally, at the end, two of three adbucters were under arrest. The black man who led the operation (who will later be known as Momentum, a master of kinetics) and the younger man with ice powers (whose villainous name will later be Freon). The animal shapechanging girl, however, fled. She will be known as Menagerie.
Yet, another victim of those mutant extremists was found at the same time as Andreas. A teen age girl... Who might she be ?
Diurne- Posts : 255
Champions : Sable Lynx
Re: Millenium Days
Rhino Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:27 am
Part one: Old friends, new friends and uninvited trouble
It was an idyllic spring of 1999 and rebuilding of the city formerly known as Detroit is nearing its completion. Mark Walsh, was one of the people who always had something to do during this project and he had a lot of opportunities to show what he is capable of. And so, after some bigger and major projects in 1999 he got a new one: restoration and rebuilding of Belle Isle Aquarium, oldest Aquarium in the United States. Belle Isle itself did not suffer a lot of damage during Dr. Destroyer's devastating attack, so rebuilding projects on it were delayed until after major projects within the city itself were completed. So, Mark got his team of architect helpers, and a nice rebuilding crew from which he already knew some people because of former projects. It seemed as a relaxing and peaceful job that will pass without much problems because island itself is Millennium City's city park and even in damaged state was favorite place for people of former Detroit to go and relax.
The story started during a lunch break, after Mark had an on site examination of the remains of the aquarium, in nearby diner. And why was Mark there exactly? Because, as many times before, his old friend Diana was coming. During past years she made an odd habit of visiting Mark during his lunch breaks to bring him food. When once asked why, she simply replied that she has a sixth sense when a friend is about to have poor or junk food lunch, and of course she can't have that. So this particular spring afternoon she announced herself again and is coming over with god knows what on her mind and food bag.
During Mark's short wait he was either molested, teased or hit on (it is still undecided) by a merry waitress Molly, unfortunately for Mark, Diana's arrival did not stop Molly. During a pleasant chat Diana told Mark about how her protegee Olivia, who she is helping with law studies, is coming too. But also Diana expressed her fears about an odd event that happened in her new apartment. In her plushie pile, she found a mysterious creepy doll. The odd thing about the doll was that it reminded her of scary Ginning Nightmare and that she did not remember who and when gave it to her. Is it the soul-sucking doll of evil? Would infamous Grinning Nightmare sink as low as making petty pranks? Diana was sure it was so. Mark on the other hand believed it's something more simple, something as Dee Dee's prank.
When Olivia came, after starting pleasantries and small talk (which included Mark's detailed description of his job and seemingly only Diana being interested in elaborate explanations about statics, material hardness and ground movements) the conversation quickly died. Was it because of Molly? Maybe because Olivia was young and gorgeous? Or was it rather because Mark mentioned some "Melinda"? The real truth is probably because all three can be quite socially inept sometimes.
But then suddenly the lunch in silence was interrupted by a phone call. It was builder Jonas from reconstruction site. Something odd was happening there! Builder Steven apparently went nuts, was terrified of something and somehow got on top of quite dangerous ruined wall to escape from something that lurks on the ground and will eat him alive. Mark dashed there fast, one can say incredibly fast for an average architect. He was follow discretely by Olivia who was sent by Diana to check things up, because Olivia was not just an average law student, she was actually a potent psionic too.
On the scene worried Mark tried to soothe and calm crazed worker to get him down. Unfortunately while climbing he involuntarily showed some of his hidden mutations. Fortunately for him, only Olivia noticed something strange since she herself was a mutant too. With Olivia's mental powers help builder Steven was saved and calmed, and while a grumpy and a bit unpleasant doctor who seemed a bit out of place, as if he fell out form some other universe, was checking Steven's health, and while Diana was massaging Mark's hands so that his claws quickly retreat, Olivia explained to them what she met in Steven's mind. Someone quite apt pulled out his childhood fears and made him crazy because of them. So the trio decided that Olivia should take just a little peek in his mind again and see what was the last thing he saw before he went nuts.
While poor married Steven was thinking that Olivia is looking at him with desire, she was actually rummaging through his mind and saw tho people. One was a skinny punk guy with orange Mohawk and dark glasses, and the other was a vampire-like slutty goth chick. It seemed that Steven accidentally stumbled on their meeting and they did something to him. What was the meeting? A secret and forbidden cross-subculture love or something more sinister? Diana was absolutely sure it has something to do with her creepy plushy. Again, Mark was quite skeptical about it.
So in the end there were no casualties. Olivia sent mental images of mysterious duo to Mark and Diana, and Mark informed the police just in case.
It was an idyllic spring of 1999 and rebuilding of the city formerly known as Detroit is nearing its completion. Mark Walsh, was one of the people who always had something to do during this project and he had a lot of opportunities to show what he is capable of. And so, after some bigger and major projects in 1999 he got a new one: restoration and rebuilding of Belle Isle Aquarium, oldest Aquarium in the United States. Belle Isle itself did not suffer a lot of damage during Dr. Destroyer's devastating attack, so rebuilding projects on it were delayed until after major projects within the city itself were completed. So, Mark got his team of architect helpers, and a nice rebuilding crew from which he already knew some people because of former projects. It seemed as a relaxing and peaceful job that will pass without much problems because island itself is Millennium City's city park and even in damaged state was favorite place for people of former Detroit to go and relax.
The story started during a lunch break, after Mark had an on site examination of the remains of the aquarium, in nearby diner. And why was Mark there exactly? Because, as many times before, his old friend Diana was coming. During past years she made an odd habit of visiting Mark during his lunch breaks to bring him food. When once asked why, she simply replied that she has a sixth sense when a friend is about to have poor or junk food lunch, and of course she can't have that. So this particular spring afternoon she announced herself again and is coming over with god knows what on her mind and food bag.
During Mark's short wait he was either molested, teased or hit on (it is still undecided) by a merry waitress Molly, unfortunately for Mark, Diana's arrival did not stop Molly. During a pleasant chat Diana told Mark about how her protegee Olivia, who she is helping with law studies, is coming too. But also Diana expressed her fears about an odd event that happened in her new apartment. In her plushie pile, she found a mysterious creepy doll. The odd thing about the doll was that it reminded her of scary Ginning Nightmare and that she did not remember who and when gave it to her. Is it the soul-sucking doll of evil? Would infamous Grinning Nightmare sink as low as making petty pranks? Diana was sure it was so. Mark on the other hand believed it's something more simple, something as Dee Dee's prank.
When Olivia came, after starting pleasantries and small talk (which included Mark's detailed description of his job and seemingly only Diana being interested in elaborate explanations about statics, material hardness and ground movements) the conversation quickly died. Was it because of Molly? Maybe because Olivia was young and gorgeous? Or was it rather because Mark mentioned some "Melinda"? The real truth is probably because all three can be quite socially inept sometimes.
But then suddenly the lunch in silence was interrupted by a phone call. It was builder Jonas from reconstruction site. Something odd was happening there! Builder Steven apparently went nuts, was terrified of something and somehow got on top of quite dangerous ruined wall to escape from something that lurks on the ground and will eat him alive. Mark dashed there fast, one can say incredibly fast for an average architect. He was follow discretely by Olivia who was sent by Diana to check things up, because Olivia was not just an average law student, she was actually a potent psionic too.
On the scene worried Mark tried to soothe and calm crazed worker to get him down. Unfortunately while climbing he involuntarily showed some of his hidden mutations. Fortunately for him, only Olivia noticed something strange since she herself was a mutant too. With Olivia's mental powers help builder Steven was saved and calmed, and while a grumpy and a bit unpleasant doctor who seemed a bit out of place, as if he fell out form some other universe, was checking Steven's health, and while Diana was massaging Mark's hands so that his claws quickly retreat, Olivia explained to them what she met in Steven's mind. Someone quite apt pulled out his childhood fears and made him crazy because of them. So the trio decided that Olivia should take just a little peek in his mind again and see what was the last thing he saw before he went nuts.
While poor married Steven was thinking that Olivia is looking at him with desire, she was actually rummaging through his mind and saw tho people. One was a skinny punk guy with orange Mohawk and dark glasses, and the other was a vampire-like slutty goth chick. It seemed that Steven accidentally stumbled on their meeting and they did something to him. What was the meeting? A secret and forbidden cross-subculture love or something more sinister? Diana was absolutely sure it has something to do with her creepy plushy. Again, Mark was quite skeptical about it.
So in the end there were no casualties. Olivia sent mental images of mysterious duo to Mark and Diana, and Mark informed the police just in case.
Rhino- Posts : 247
Champions : Diana and Angelique
Re: Millenium Days
Rhino Sat Oct 10, 2009 12:51 pm
Part two: A night at the museum
It all started about a week after happenings on Belle Isle. Luckily for Mark and his crew, there were no odd events happening again. After he told the story to the police, they put two officers near site to watch it so maybe they scared whoever was doing something there... or maybe not. In any case, it was just a normal week. At least until Mark has been invited to Museum of Contemporary Arts by his friend Melinda. The exhibition is supposed to happen on Saturday evening, and Melinda's work is among works of many other aspiring young artists there.
Since it was invitation for two, Mark tried to call Diana to come with him, but poor Diana had a lot of work to do for her law firm so she was unavailable in the evening. After a lot of apologizing and sad sighs it was set, Diana will have to work while Mark will go and have fun. But will it really be fun? The moment they hung up, Diana quickly called someone, but it was probably nothing.
The museum itself was not very impressive building, actually it looked more like a warehouse than anything else. But it is relatively famous place because it allows any young artist to promote himself. Any member of any subculture or art circle is allowed to make a presentation there. As long with new young artists, many old and recognized ones come there too, although usually their motivations are less than honorable. It has been known that many of the "old guard" go there simply to put down new young ones.
Inside of the museum was as unimpressive at first glace as the outside, was a set of simple rooms. But it is not the rooms or fancy flooring that matters here, it's the art. And our heroes could see all kinds of it inside: from walls covered with paintings to normal and odder sculptures around and then there are some odd pieces of art as the hung shoes (whatever that may represent is a mystery for anyone seeing that). And yes, the heroes... because with Mark, Olivia (who never gave any explanation why) appeared too, and with her Lana, also known as Ladybird Girl from BUGS. so the museum was filled with odd and less odd people... some quite some young but also some odd and old attendants.
First part of the evening passed (mainly) uneventfully with some random interactions: after making a blunder with one pompous artist Mark was caught in Melinda's clutches (who seemed to do some quite direct advances towards him, although as usual completely ignored by Mark... or was it just friendly teasing?) and was being shown the gallery. For some odd reason Olivia was stalking the couple through the crowd. Was she also interested in Mark? Lucky cat seems to be surrounded by girls once again. Lana on the other hand almost caused a scandal, but luck would have it that her anti-art ramblings to the phone was understood as an art performance by others. Sometimes it's quite easy to be an artist, or is it just Emperor's New Clothes syndrome?
Just at the moment when Lana was ripping Mark's past open and baring it to everyone to his great embarrassment and after Olivia was accused of being sent by Diana to spy on Mark (could it be true?), Mark and Olivia noticed a picture hanging from the wall. It was a creepy painting of a woman surrounded by spiders and dressed in cobwebs. It was called "the Spider Queen" and was made by Millicent Marlowe, a young aspiring painter loved by an artistic goth clique for her macabre and creepy art. Lana completely agreed that spiders were not cool. The problem with the picture is that the face of the painted woman was uncannily similar to goth girl seen in builder Steven's memories. The one who was maybe involved in causing him go mad.
Happy to flee the conversation Mark decided to look into the matter, again followed by Olivia. After talking to Edward, the emo goth, who seemed to be in love with Millicent and was trying to be unsuccessfully poetic, Mark found out that indeed Millicent is here, but she just stepped out to talk with a fan. Both Olivia and Mark seemed to miss the comment how this fan was looking like the woman from the picture. While Mark and Olivia seemed quite eager to meet this Millicent, Melinda was quite displeased since no one seemed to notice her anymore, and Mark has run off to chase some goth girl. Lana followed simply to get away from the creepy spiders and boring art.
And then artsy evening went down the drain. Heroes heard a yelp from behind the museum and a trashcan lid rolling. They rushed there and on the dark parking lot they saw a girl laying on the floor and above her in the darkness was the goth girl from before looking as a vampire ready to suck unconscious girl's blood. Was she truly a vampire? Probably not since when she noticed heroes, she took out an old-fashion nasty looking razor and put it on girl's neck, she did not seem to have any unusual powers. In hissing voice she demanded that the group goes away or she will kill the girl. Our trio now started doing what they do best... Lana was blabbing her mouth off and annoying the hell out of goth girl, Olivia started mind controlling the girl, and Mark... Mark tried to look as lost and harmless as ever, that is until Olivia managed to freeze the girl (partially thanks to Lana pushing the girl into a rage) when Mark did a move that would make Doctor Megaton proud (if he would not be frozen somewhere below South Pole). Mark lunged forward, slid down, pulled unconscious girl form below the razor and ended up holding her in his hands quite heroically. The whole moment was somewhat ruined by the fact that the next thing he did was run away screaming for help. Fortunately Lana saved the heroic night by taking an old umbrella from the trashcan in very heroic way.
Meanwhile Olivia had problems because someone tried to invade her mind. What she saw was Mark causing death of the unconscious girl and there were spiders in the darkness, crawling on her too. Was that punk guy Olivia saw before? Or something more sinister? Fortunately Olivia managed to fight off the (presumably) evil influence and then proceeded picking off still frozen goth girl's brain. And in there was a rollercoaster of insanity, half-baked plans and... daises. A lot of them.The girl was batshit crazy. But there were things about "J" or "Jay" who wants to use Millicent for some revenge, and that is why she was kidnapping her (and she never actually wanted to kill her).
Back at the museum running Mark practically stumbled on... Diana. Who just exited the cab. Poor girl was so miserable because she could not come that her boss allowed her night off if she works it tomorrow. And suddenly Mark found himself helped by Diana... and Melinda. And there was some odd atmosphere and funky vibes between those two, but of course Mark did not notice it. While Diana called the police Olivia had to deal with angry mob of several goth artists who wished to punish severely (possibly by reading her their poetry) the one who dared to harm their beloved Millicent. Olivia quite masterfully channeled their anger into artistic drive and soon the world will receive yet another piece of emo-goth art.
In the museum Diana and Melinda took care of Melinda, and then the police came, and it was no other than officer Kraft and her partner. It seems that her partner had a lot of problems with making Angelique response in a humanly accepted manner so while questioning there was a lot of calling upon all the saints from heaven. But Angie, as always, did her duties efficiently so soon goth girl was arrested and ambulance was called for Millicent. She did it maybe even too efficient, not even acknowledging her roommate Mark there or Diana for that matter. But that's Angie. During that time Diana had a discussion with Melinda around art. The hanging shoes for Diana were for instance just a pair of old hanging shoes (moreso she has similar pair, but pink ones, at home) and they should be cleaned and put where shoes should be... in shoe cabinet, for Melinda it was art and Diana should think about what emotions that invoke in her (and in Diana it invoked just needs to go and clean the place up). Again there was some tension between the two.
The end of the evening ended up with some talks and minor revelations. Millicent did not want to talk, and as predicted Mark did not want to push her much, but Olivia checked her mind a bit finding that she is scared of some "house" and thinks how everyone will find her crazy if she tells something. Also goth girl who tried to kidnap her used some kind of drug and she was in fact not the model for the picture, she just made herself look like the person on the picture. Who is the mysterious original model then? And who is that "J" or "Jay"? Maybe police will find out something from arrested goth girl, and fortunately or unfortunately for Mark he lives with the officer who arrested her. The night continued peacefully, only Lana managed to flee the terrors of the art and Diana almost fainted when she found out how much those dirty old shoes cost.
It all started about a week after happenings on Belle Isle. Luckily for Mark and his crew, there were no odd events happening again. After he told the story to the police, they put two officers near site to watch it so maybe they scared whoever was doing something there... or maybe not. In any case, it was just a normal week. At least until Mark has been invited to Museum of Contemporary Arts by his friend Melinda. The exhibition is supposed to happen on Saturday evening, and Melinda's work is among works of many other aspiring young artists there.
Since it was invitation for two, Mark tried to call Diana to come with him, but poor Diana had a lot of work to do for her law firm so she was unavailable in the evening. After a lot of apologizing and sad sighs it was set, Diana will have to work while Mark will go and have fun. But will it really be fun? The moment they hung up, Diana quickly called someone, but it was probably nothing.
The museum itself was not very impressive building, actually it looked more like a warehouse than anything else. But it is relatively famous place because it allows any young artist to promote himself. Any member of any subculture or art circle is allowed to make a presentation there. As long with new young artists, many old and recognized ones come there too, although usually their motivations are less than honorable. It has been known that many of the "old guard" go there simply to put down new young ones.
Inside of the museum was as unimpressive at first glace as the outside, was a set of simple rooms. But it is not the rooms or fancy flooring that matters here, it's the art. And our heroes could see all kinds of it inside: from walls covered with paintings to normal and odder sculptures around and then there are some odd pieces of art as the hung shoes (whatever that may represent is a mystery for anyone seeing that). And yes, the heroes... because with Mark, Olivia (who never gave any explanation why) appeared too, and with her Lana, also known as Ladybird Girl from BUGS. so the museum was filled with odd and less odd people... some quite some young but also some odd and old attendants.
First part of the evening passed (mainly) uneventfully with some random interactions: after making a blunder with one pompous artist Mark was caught in Melinda's clutches (who seemed to do some quite direct advances towards him, although as usual completely ignored by Mark... or was it just friendly teasing?) and was being shown the gallery. For some odd reason Olivia was stalking the couple through the crowd. Was she also interested in Mark? Lucky cat seems to be surrounded by girls once again. Lana on the other hand almost caused a scandal, but luck would have it that her anti-art ramblings to the phone was understood as an art performance by others. Sometimes it's quite easy to be an artist, or is it just Emperor's New Clothes syndrome?
Just at the moment when Lana was ripping Mark's past open and baring it to everyone to his great embarrassment and after Olivia was accused of being sent by Diana to spy on Mark (could it be true?), Mark and Olivia noticed a picture hanging from the wall. It was a creepy painting of a woman surrounded by spiders and dressed in cobwebs. It was called "the Spider Queen" and was made by Millicent Marlowe, a young aspiring painter loved by an artistic goth clique for her macabre and creepy art. Lana completely agreed that spiders were not cool. The problem with the picture is that the face of the painted woman was uncannily similar to goth girl seen in builder Steven's memories. The one who was maybe involved in causing him go mad.
Happy to flee the conversation Mark decided to look into the matter, again followed by Olivia. After talking to Edward, the emo goth, who seemed to be in love with Millicent and was trying to be unsuccessfully poetic, Mark found out that indeed Millicent is here, but she just stepped out to talk with a fan. Both Olivia and Mark seemed to miss the comment how this fan was looking like the woman from the picture. While Mark and Olivia seemed quite eager to meet this Millicent, Melinda was quite displeased since no one seemed to notice her anymore, and Mark has run off to chase some goth girl. Lana followed simply to get away from the creepy spiders and boring art.
And then artsy evening went down the drain. Heroes heard a yelp from behind the museum and a trashcan lid rolling. They rushed there and on the dark parking lot they saw a girl laying on the floor and above her in the darkness was the goth girl from before looking as a vampire ready to suck unconscious girl's blood. Was she truly a vampire? Probably not since when she noticed heroes, she took out an old-fashion nasty looking razor and put it on girl's neck, she did not seem to have any unusual powers. In hissing voice she demanded that the group goes away or she will kill the girl. Our trio now started doing what they do best... Lana was blabbing her mouth off and annoying the hell out of goth girl, Olivia started mind controlling the girl, and Mark... Mark tried to look as lost and harmless as ever, that is until Olivia managed to freeze the girl (partially thanks to Lana pushing the girl into a rage) when Mark did a move that would make Doctor Megaton proud (if he would not be frozen somewhere below South Pole). Mark lunged forward, slid down, pulled unconscious girl form below the razor and ended up holding her in his hands quite heroically. The whole moment was somewhat ruined by the fact that the next thing he did was run away screaming for help. Fortunately Lana saved the heroic night by taking an old umbrella from the trashcan in very heroic way.
Meanwhile Olivia had problems because someone tried to invade her mind. What she saw was Mark causing death of the unconscious girl and there were spiders in the darkness, crawling on her too. Was that punk guy Olivia saw before? Or something more sinister? Fortunately Olivia managed to fight off the (presumably) evil influence and then proceeded picking off still frozen goth girl's brain. And in there was a rollercoaster of insanity, half-baked plans and... daises. A lot of them.The girl was batshit crazy. But there were things about "J" or "Jay" who wants to use Millicent for some revenge, and that is why she was kidnapping her (and she never actually wanted to kill her).
Back at the museum running Mark practically stumbled on... Diana. Who just exited the cab. Poor girl was so miserable because she could not come that her boss allowed her night off if she works it tomorrow. And suddenly Mark found himself helped by Diana... and Melinda. And there was some odd atmosphere and funky vibes between those two, but of course Mark did not notice it. While Diana called the police Olivia had to deal with angry mob of several goth artists who wished to punish severely (possibly by reading her their poetry) the one who dared to harm their beloved Millicent. Olivia quite masterfully channeled their anger into artistic drive and soon the world will receive yet another piece of emo-goth art.
In the museum Diana and Melinda took care of Melinda, and then the police came, and it was no other than officer Kraft and her partner. It seems that her partner had a lot of problems with making Angelique response in a humanly accepted manner so while questioning there was a lot of calling upon all the saints from heaven. But Angie, as always, did her duties efficiently so soon goth girl was arrested and ambulance was called for Millicent. She did it maybe even too efficient, not even acknowledging her roommate Mark there or Diana for that matter. But that's Angie. During that time Diana had a discussion with Melinda around art. The hanging shoes for Diana were for instance just a pair of old hanging shoes (moreso she has similar pair, but pink ones, at home) and they should be cleaned and put where shoes should be... in shoe cabinet, for Melinda it was art and Diana should think about what emotions that invoke in her (and in Diana it invoked just needs to go and clean the place up). Again there was some tension between the two.
The end of the evening ended up with some talks and minor revelations. Millicent did not want to talk, and as predicted Mark did not want to push her much, but Olivia checked her mind a bit finding that she is scared of some "house" and thinks how everyone will find her crazy if she tells something. Also goth girl who tried to kidnap her used some kind of drug and she was in fact not the model for the picture, she just made herself look like the person on the picture. Who is the mysterious original model then? And who is that "J" or "Jay"? Maybe police will find out something from arrested goth girl, and fortunately or unfortunately for Mark he lives with the officer who arrested her. The night continued peacefully, only Lana managed to flee the terrors of the art and Diana almost fainted when she found out how much those dirty old shoes cost.
Rhino- Posts : 247
Champions : Diana and Angelique
Re: Millenium Days
Rhino Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:50 pm
Part three: Investigations and revelations
The story started with Mark having problems on the homefront, namely Angie tried to "act more as a woman", which led to horrible grotesque of the conversation that Mark had to be a part of. While doing topics as scheduled by Angie but during it some of things relevant to the happenings in the museum were revealed. Crazed goth girl's name was Catherine Creyps (she called herself Cat Creeps), and she thinks herself as if she is a superpowered villain, even if she is actually just a common human. The rest of the talk was concerned with Angie, Mark and calculating finances, and Mark had to suffer exactly 60 minutes of it. While Angie seemed quited pleased with the results of her experiment, Mark seemed quite disheartened by it.
Two days after the "talk" and five days after the night in the museum many major Millennium City newspapers published an article about mysterious disappearance of a young artist... Millicent Marlowe. Kidnapping was strongly suspected. diana was very sure how in fact her plushie was guilty for it and called everyone (at once) to explain how the plushi was not where it was supposed to be and how last night it fell on her head (which she saw as a sign) and then she is nt sure if plushie actually did not sneak out in the night and did the dirty deed. She also demanded to call an exorcist or at least her priest to deal with demonic doll of doom and despair. Olivia and Mark were not sure that it is such a great idea, while Lana seemed to approve exorcist plan fully.
And so during the lunch pause heroes again met in Molly's Diner at Belle Isle. After the usual teasing (or is it jealousy?) from Molly and the argument about should Lana get diet juice or the normal one (she got diet one and afterwards decided that it is certainly bad for her health), Diana presented DD of D&D to everyone. And it seemed just like a normal (yet creepy plushie) in the form of a goth girl. Olivia and Mark were not overly impressed by it while Lana thought they should purify it with former Bee Girl's holy honey. Is there such a thing as holy honey at all? Then conversation went a bit astray with talk about Angie, Nadia Troy and should they help witht he investigation or not. But Olivia then used her powers to "read" the past of the doll and saw an interesting sight. It seems that Diana's and Mark's old acquaintance known as "that faerie lady" or simply Aria, a mystical being that helped them few times, put the doll in Diana's plush pile five years ago in Paragon City. Also Olivia sensed sleeping consciousness within the doll! Diana was ready to call her priest this instant. But there was one valid point said by Mark; Aria never seemed malicious, would she somehow harm Diana by giving her cursed doll? That seemed quite unlikely. Also when Aria was putting the doll in Diana's plush pile she was talking to the doll as if it was her daughter, and that was what disturbed Mark and Diana a bit, because they knew that Aria's daughter ws not a very pleasant person, and as time passed by it seemed that this whole case is somehow linked to the infamous Grinning Nightmare, who may be real or just a coincidental bogeyman meme? Real, or illusion things seemed odd. and then the battle plan was born. They will see what they can do. They will check Marlowe house, Mark will talk with Angie to see what he can find out from police investigations and they will also bring the doll to the Magic Lantern magic shop for detailed checkup. The meeting ended with a pleasant talk between Mark and Diana about old times, new times and how things ended like this. some things were said outright, but it seems neither of them realized what the other was actually saying. That's Mark and Diana for you...
When Mark, Diana, and Angie met a lot was said and a lot was done, but that is between those three. What is important for our story is that after this evening Mark and Angie never seemed the same again, simply living, but actually avoiding each other, and Mark soon planned on moving to a new apartment. But after all Mark and Diana come out of the conversation unharmed (at least physically) and with some information.
The police information that they found out from Angie was this:
-Police came after 24 hours since parents last seen Millicent going to her room.
-Police did not find any evidence in her room or signs of struggle.
-Catherine Creyps was in prison so she could not do it.
-No one from Goth crowd seemed to know what happened.
-Millicent and Catherine met before, 10 years ago in then, Detroit (now Millennium City) Psychiatric Institute. Both were treated for severe sleeping disorders and nightmares. Millicent was successfully treated with art therapy while Catherine was not and was released on medicine therapy.
-Catherine and Millicent were seen several times around and in Magic Lantern occult shop.
-Millicent had a close friend, Sarah Swindon, who was also a model for her pictures. Her whereabouts are currently unknown.
-Millicent's atelier is in her basement.
-Catherine Creyps is listed as missing person since two years ago. Her parents are possibly abusive ones.
The next day Olivia Mark and Diana went to check the Marlowe house. After some quick planning and decision that the best way is to go with the truth they rung the bell. Mister Marlowe seemed as a normal, yet quite weary man, and he heard about Diana and Angel Foundation, although he falsely thought how Diana is a mutant and truthfully thought how Mark and Olivia are too. After a brief talk and persuading by Diana and the gang, he let them check out Millicent's room and basement. Millicent's room was quite normal for a young woman, there was nothing overly odd there except that Mark found odd drawings in her sketchbook. Among many normal ones now and then there would be some quite disturbing and odd ones. Among sketches they also found those of Sarah Swindon, so now they could put face to the name. Olivia with her senses realized that person who used this bed did nto had any regular nightmares, but was somehow disturbed, as if she was a junkie who was cut from drug supply. Mr. Marlowe assured them that Millicent was not a drug addict. She also managed to see the scene of the kidnapping in which someone came through the window and used chloroform to quickly put Millicent out. She also saw a web site Millicent used to visit a lot. Olivia then used her 1337 haxing skillz to check Millicent's laptop and managed to get access to www.lostdream.net/forum. The site was very odd. It was more an internet secret club than actual forum. It seemed that all people on it have one thing in common: at one point in their lives they dreamt of the same person. Most of them had horrible nightmares, some had just odd dreams, but all of them had lucid dreams with that one person in it. there are threads where people described their dreams, where they put drawings, and there are those that serve as therapy. The common link is that all of them stopped actively dreaming that 5 years ago. some were happy, some went down to craziness as if they were junkies left without drugs. There are some that try to help those who are more crazy, but the general consensus in this place is that no one must know about them. It seems that there is general fear how they will be put in a mental institution (and some crackpots are sure that government will do experiments on them) if someone non-initiated finds out. Millicent's last posts were in a flame war and it was started before the museum exhibit. She stated how she will present one of her own pictures of "her". That started a reaction because everyone were against it. She still was adamant about how she will put it on the exhibition. Last posts are how moderators are thinking about banning her from forum since she broke the rules by publicly putting her picture about "her" for everyone to see. There was also one odd thing about memberlist, while many use names some presumably real and some nicknames, there is absolutely no any kind of other data about members. Moreso the forum itself does not have an option to add any data, and in forum rules first rule is that no one must reveal its identity for safety. It seems that Millicent with her exhibition pretty much broke that rule.
As heroes started do find more and more information Diana started to became more and more agitated. She tried to get her mood up by thinking of funny names for this team, until they come to the basement and saw Millicent's gallery. There were many nice and pretty pictures, but among those there were disturbing and creepy ones. Some were so creepy that they freaked Diana out completely, so the investigation ended here.
The evening ended up pleasantly though. Seeing how Diana is disturbed Mark offered that he could come to her house and sketch her sons, Diana of course happily accepted and extended this to the offer that he can sleep over in guest room.
The day ended with pancakes.
The story started with Mark having problems on the homefront, namely Angie tried to "act more as a woman", which led to horrible grotesque of the conversation that Mark had to be a part of. While doing topics as scheduled by Angie but during it some of things relevant to the happenings in the museum were revealed. Crazed goth girl's name was Catherine Creyps (she called herself Cat Creeps), and she thinks herself as if she is a superpowered villain, even if she is actually just a common human. The rest of the talk was concerned with Angie, Mark and calculating finances, and Mark had to suffer exactly 60 minutes of it. While Angie seemed quited pleased with the results of her experiment, Mark seemed quite disheartened by it.
Two days after the "talk" and five days after the night in the museum many major Millennium City newspapers published an article about mysterious disappearance of a young artist... Millicent Marlowe. Kidnapping was strongly suspected. diana was very sure how in fact her plushie was guilty for it and called everyone (at once) to explain how the plushi was not where it was supposed to be and how last night it fell on her head (which she saw as a sign) and then she is nt sure if plushie actually did not sneak out in the night and did the dirty deed. She also demanded to call an exorcist or at least her priest to deal with demonic doll of doom and despair. Olivia and Mark were not sure that it is such a great idea, while Lana seemed to approve exorcist plan fully.
And so during the lunch pause heroes again met in Molly's Diner at Belle Isle. After the usual teasing (or is it jealousy?) from Molly and the argument about should Lana get diet juice or the normal one (she got diet one and afterwards decided that it is certainly bad for her health), Diana presented DD of D&D to everyone. And it seemed just like a normal (yet creepy plushie) in the form of a goth girl. Olivia and Mark were not overly impressed by it while Lana thought they should purify it with former Bee Girl's holy honey. Is there such a thing as holy honey at all? Then conversation went a bit astray with talk about Angie, Nadia Troy and should they help witht he investigation or not. But Olivia then used her powers to "read" the past of the doll and saw an interesting sight. It seems that Diana's and Mark's old acquaintance known as "that faerie lady" or simply Aria, a mystical being that helped them few times, put the doll in Diana's plush pile five years ago in Paragon City. Also Olivia sensed sleeping consciousness within the doll! Diana was ready to call her priest this instant. But there was one valid point said by Mark; Aria never seemed malicious, would she somehow harm Diana by giving her cursed doll? That seemed quite unlikely. Also when Aria was putting the doll in Diana's plush pile she was talking to the doll as if it was her daughter, and that was what disturbed Mark and Diana a bit, because they knew that Aria's daughter ws not a very pleasant person, and as time passed by it seemed that this whole case is somehow linked to the infamous Grinning Nightmare, who may be real or just a coincidental bogeyman meme? Real, or illusion things seemed odd. and then the battle plan was born. They will see what they can do. They will check Marlowe house, Mark will talk with Angie to see what he can find out from police investigations and they will also bring the doll to the Magic Lantern magic shop for detailed checkup. The meeting ended with a pleasant talk between Mark and Diana about old times, new times and how things ended like this. some things were said outright, but it seems neither of them realized what the other was actually saying. That's Mark and Diana for you...
When Mark, Diana, and Angie met a lot was said and a lot was done, but that is between those three. What is important for our story is that after this evening Mark and Angie never seemed the same again, simply living, but actually avoiding each other, and Mark soon planned on moving to a new apartment. But after all Mark and Diana come out of the conversation unharmed (at least physically) and with some information.
The police information that they found out from Angie was this:
-Police came after 24 hours since parents last seen Millicent going to her room.
-Police did not find any evidence in her room or signs of struggle.
-Catherine Creyps was in prison so she could not do it.
-No one from Goth crowd seemed to know what happened.
-Millicent and Catherine met before, 10 years ago in then, Detroit (now Millennium City) Psychiatric Institute. Both were treated for severe sleeping disorders and nightmares. Millicent was successfully treated with art therapy while Catherine was not and was released on medicine therapy.
-Catherine and Millicent were seen several times around and in Magic Lantern occult shop.
-Millicent had a close friend, Sarah Swindon, who was also a model for her pictures. Her whereabouts are currently unknown.
-Millicent's atelier is in her basement.
-Catherine Creyps is listed as missing person since two years ago. Her parents are possibly abusive ones.
The next day Olivia Mark and Diana went to check the Marlowe house. After some quick planning and decision that the best way is to go with the truth they rung the bell. Mister Marlowe seemed as a normal, yet quite weary man, and he heard about Diana and Angel Foundation, although he falsely thought how Diana is a mutant and truthfully thought how Mark and Olivia are too. After a brief talk and persuading by Diana and the gang, he let them check out Millicent's room and basement. Millicent's room was quite normal for a young woman, there was nothing overly odd there except that Mark found odd drawings in her sketchbook. Among many normal ones now and then there would be some quite disturbing and odd ones. Among sketches they also found those of Sarah Swindon, so now they could put face to the name. Olivia with her senses realized that person who used this bed did nto had any regular nightmares, but was somehow disturbed, as if she was a junkie who was cut from drug supply. Mr. Marlowe assured them that Millicent was not a drug addict. She also managed to see the scene of the kidnapping in which someone came through the window and used chloroform to quickly put Millicent out. She also saw a web site Millicent used to visit a lot. Olivia then used her 1337 haxing skillz to check Millicent's laptop and managed to get access to www.lostdream.net/forum. The site was very odd. It was more an internet secret club than actual forum. It seemed that all people on it have one thing in common: at one point in their lives they dreamt of the same person. Most of them had horrible nightmares, some had just odd dreams, but all of them had lucid dreams with that one person in it. there are threads where people described their dreams, where they put drawings, and there are those that serve as therapy. The common link is that all of them stopped actively dreaming that 5 years ago. some were happy, some went down to craziness as if they were junkies left without drugs. There are some that try to help those who are more crazy, but the general consensus in this place is that no one must know about them. It seems that there is general fear how they will be put in a mental institution (and some crackpots are sure that government will do experiments on them) if someone non-initiated finds out. Millicent's last posts were in a flame war and it was started before the museum exhibit. She stated how she will present one of her own pictures of "her". That started a reaction because everyone were against it. She still was adamant about how she will put it on the exhibition. Last posts are how moderators are thinking about banning her from forum since she broke the rules by publicly putting her picture about "her" for everyone to see. There was also one odd thing about memberlist, while many use names some presumably real and some nicknames, there is absolutely no any kind of other data about members. Moreso the forum itself does not have an option to add any data, and in forum rules first rule is that no one must reveal its identity for safety. It seems that Millicent with her exhibition pretty much broke that rule.
As heroes started do find more and more information Diana started to became more and more agitated. She tried to get her mood up by thinking of funny names for this team, until they come to the basement and saw Millicent's gallery. There were many nice and pretty pictures, but among those there were disturbing and creepy ones. Some were so creepy that they freaked Diana out completely, so the investigation ended here.
The evening ended up pleasantly though. Seeing how Diana is disturbed Mark offered that he could come to her house and sketch her sons, Diana of course happily accepted and extended this to the offer that he can sleep over in guest room.
The day ended with pancakes.
Rhino- Posts : 247
Champions : Diana and Angelique
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