quozaxx

17 hours ago, steriaca said:

"Well, Zombie Land Saga is cool...but we are a bit too young for Interspecies Reviewers. Ranma. InuYasha. Lum. Record of Lodus War. Sailor Moon.  Man, once the day is done you'll see the first episode of at least 8 anime series."

(The boys were talking in the boys bathroom.   I don't think Doreen is there)

"I can't wait to see them"

15 hours ago, steriaca said:

"Man...I got tons of anime. What would you like? Mecha? Space epics? Bubblegum Crisis? Oh..." Robert opens the door and sees Doreen listening to the door. "Dor-chan, your invited also. And I know you can keep a secret."

 

"...what do you expect, you invited another boy into the bathroom, and boy's love anime is a thing, like Yuri on Ice."

"I haven't watched much anime except Tokyo Ghoul and Attack on Titan because both of those have been on Cartoon Network.  But I recently downloaded Crunchyroll, so I can start now."

(True facts.   What is your favorite anime?)

6 minutes ago, steriaca said:

"I think tonight is the play. And I as assuming that after that is a cast party. In spite of the name, everyone who worked on the play is invited. How's about tomorrow?"

"I almost forgot... I usually don't go... but I'll go tonight.  And we can hang out tomorrow...  Do you like science fiction.   I have a bunch of movies. "

51 minutes ago, steriaca said:

"Thank you Bryan, for trusting me with your identity."

"It wasn’t easy.  I still don't want everyone to know.  So, um, did you want to hang out or whatever friends do?"

Cornerstone waits until the meeting is over and leads Robert to the men's restroom.   "You trusted me... "  and he let's his armor return to the earth revealing his other identity. 

Bryan showed up at the meeting as Cornerstone.   Nobody knew they were the same person.   There were a lot of kids who go to the school. 

Robert had admitted that he was Lady Heart.  That must have been hard to do.  

He didn't know if everyone knew Robert was her or not.  And he still wasn't sure if he wanted everyone to know. 

He leaned over to Robert and whispered.   "Can I talk to you in private?"  

17 hours ago, Mark Rand said:

"Maybe," Lotus says.  "Anyone else?"

(Am I there as Bryan or Cornerstone?)

19 hours ago, steriaca said:

"Don't forget that you and the band play an even more important part of the play than us actors. It is called a melodrama, with emphasis on the word melodrama. Music in a melodrama tells the audience how to feel. If a character is supposed to be funny, scary, heroic, innocent and vulnerable, an authority figure; or whatever. A melodrama without a soundtrack is simply either a drama or comedy."

'I guess she does. But I don't take it like that too much. Until she develops superpowers and uses them to harm people she is no threat to me."

"Thanks"  he responded about his role.   There were too many people around to tell her his secret.  But maybe he could hint at it.

"I guess you are right.   She’s not a threat.  But knowing our luck she will get super powers.  Then we could bury her." 

1 hour ago, steriaca said:

Rebecca put her hand on Bryan's back. "Katherine is simply has incredibly low self esteem, and believes that the best way to increase it is to bring everyone down and put everyone down. Instead of doing that, why don't she find something she is actually good at and take pride in that. Prehaps she should become a comedian."

Bryan whispered back.   "Well. She is funny looking. "  smiling at his own bad joke.

26 minutes ago, Mark Rand said:

Miss Collingsworth walks over to Bryan and says, "I think everything will be fine."

 

While this is going on, the stage crew is hard at work, stowing things and some of the string players are having a conference.  Andrea walks over to find out what's going on and learns that they're discussing playing techniques.  While not a musician, she knows that, as concertmaster, Michelle calls the shots for most of the stringed instruments.

"Sometimes she just rubs you the wrong way."  

3 minutes ago, Mark Rand said:

"I still say she looks like Catwoman," Katherine says.  "Don't you agree, Cordelia, Harmony?"

 

"Yeah," Cordelia replies.

 

"No," Harmony replies.  "I think she looks great.  I wish I did."  She turned to Sharon who having turned the work and house lights on was dimming the stage and spot lights.  "Am I clear to fly out the final scene drape?"

 

"Yes," Sharon replied.

 

"Why ask Pocahontas?” Cordelia asks.

 

"Sharon's the stage manager, and a good teacher" Harmony responds.  "I've learned a lot from her."

 

"Fine," Cordelia says.  "You're out of the clique, Loser."

 

"This is a better group of friends," Harmony responds.

 

"Cordelia, your detention is extended one play," Principal Swanby says.

 

 

 

Bryan was trying his best to blend in the background.   Katherine has teased him also, along with half the school.  Even though she wasn't including him, he was getting angry.

"You call her a looser.  You stuck up b...witch.  What makes you think that you are better than everyone else?  You are conceited and full of hot air.  Someone should take you down a notch.  "

Then he claimed up.  Everyone was staring at him.  He felt his shyness returning.  He was suddenly afraid the principal would punish him as well

1 hour ago, Mark Rand said:

The musicians begin to file in and stage crew members get to work.  As the stage lights come up, Eric comments, "More burned out bulbs."

 

Harmony Kendall, who is serving detention as a stage crew member, asks, "So, what else is new?"

 

"You're right, Harmony," Eric says.  "Linda and I'll get the spare bulbs while you lower the electrics."

 

"Will do,"Harmony responds as the string section gathers for a quick discussion with Concertmaster Michelle Karpman and principal oboist Lauren Kay tries different reeds in her oboe in order to find the best one.

Bryan paused by the oboist and uses his perfect pitch "That one has the best sound. "

The other orchestra members looked at him as he usually doesn't say anything at all.   He blushed and returned to his seat.

Bryan didn’t think he wanted anyone to know his alternate ID.  But Robert had trusted him enough to tell him he was Lady Heart.  Now he wa considering telling him/her.

He wasn’t sure how to do it.  His mother took it okay.  Surely Lady Heart could keep a secret.   He pondered on these things while the orchestra set up.

15 hours ago, steriaca said:

Once they get to B/G, she smiles and sees if there is enough for their 'party'. "Hello. I'm Rebecca Valentine, and I'm treating many of the cast and crew of the high school drama club. Do you have enough room?"

(What is B/G?)

The mother replied "oh yes.  It's strange because I never see him practicing.   He's a good boy - unlike his father.   I'm sure he'll make me proud. "

Bryan is stunned she mentioned his father.   She always told him, he was dead. 

17 hours ago, Mark Rand said:

"You're welcome," she says.  "Thank you for asking, but I don't need any assistance.  In fact, I have to get home.  My cat, Cleo, is probably wondering where I am."  She then walks over to Bryan's mother, and says, "Your son is an excellent musician."

(Do I play the mom?)

"Thank you for the compliment.   That's my mom over there.   Did you need help with anything?"

(Not sure what you want my character to do.   He's shy and no one knows he's Cornerstone.   He needs a connection in his non hero ID. )

Bryan played every note perfectly and his mother,  who was in the audience,  didn’t seem as upset as she did when he told her about his powers. 

Bryan is way too shy to be in the drama club. But he is in the band which is providing music for the play.  

He tries not to be noticed as he gets his coronet out and sits down. 

14 hours ago, Mark Rand said:

"About what?" she asks.  "Did something happen at school?"

 

(I turn her over to quozaxx for the rest of this conversation and conversations relating to it.)

Bryan takes a deep breath and turns into Cornerstone. 

"What in the..." she cried out and Cornerstone changed back into Bryan. 

"I have powers mom."

She sits down hard.  "Great, now you'll turn out just like your father. "

"What do you mean?  I thought he was dead."

"He's a super powered criminal.   "

"Mom.  I'm not going to turn into a criminal.   In fact I helped Defender capture a bad guy today.   I'm part of the Junior Justice foundation.   I get paid for it.   I'm one of the good guys."

"You are one of the good guys?"

"Yeah mom.  I am.  I'm not a little boy anymore.   I can do this.  Please don't worry about me.   "

"I don't know...  I won't stop you,  but if you turn out to be a villain. It would break my heart."

Bryan hugged her.  "I won't mom.  I promise...  so. My father isn't dead?"

"I've said too much.  It’s better off you thinking he's dead.  The subject is closed."  

Bryan reluctantly dropped it.

Cornerstone knows he needs to tell his mother about his secret life.  So he heads home. 

He makes sure his room is clean and even cooks supper.  His mother will suspect "something " is up. 

He starts to gets really nervous when she pulls up.   She is alone.   "Um. Mom. I need to talk to you. "

To Serve and Protect is the next book I will comment on. 

The premise is simple.  A hero group (the Protectors) get a hold of a mystical pendant that changes each member after they touch the pendant. 

The go from a group that captures villains into true killing vigilantes.   The now desire to "purify" the earth by destroying all evil.   Even if it means destroying everything else as well.

Now there are a few unanswered problems in this book.  First, it is obvious it is not a mental attack,  but rather a transformation attack.   This is obvious as one of the Protectors is a mentalist.

But the book doesn't tell you how many d6 the attack is.   Plus there is a good chance that the player's characters will be affected (by just touching it)

It also doesn't mention how to change people back.  Many players may not mind playing a vigilante but most don't want it to be permanent.  Obviously just talking to the infected doesn't work. 

So, options...

You could have the pendant have only 12 charges.   This would be enough for all the members of the Protectors plus a few scientists (3rd section)

But either way there should be a way out of that mental state.   A different pendant they must find, a ritual to perform,  magic, and other options as well. 

You could even have the characters be able to be talked out of it.  Maybe an attack that knocks them out sets them straight.   That is up to the GM, but should be challenging for the player's characters.   

I do wish they had addressed this,  but alas,  what can you do?  That's all for now. 

Cornerstone began to wonder how often he would get paid.  It was a yearly amount, but surely the money was more gradual.

He began to play on his new phone. Trying to figure out what he would tell his mom if she ever found the phone. 

Cornerstone fills out his report. 

After realizing the situation was over. Cornerstone headed back.   He was trying hard not to "geek out" as he spied the "real" heroes. 

He quietly went back to the airbus.