Greywind

Ah. I know. You're wondering... what is a place like me doing in a girl like this?

“You had dinner with him?” “Several times during my stay. I don't get what the big deal is. I've had dinner cooked for me by Jason Scott, too.” “Wow.” Charley grinned. “That's the best you can do?” With a mouthful of burger, Archie said, “Well, excuse me that I don't sit at dinner with the rich and powerful!” “I'm sitting right here,” Charley bantered back. “You're rich?” “No, but I could be if I wanted to be. Rob a bank here. Rob a crooked cop there.” Charley waved it off. “Anyway, I read through the file. It was intriguing, to say the least. We were into the second week of the process when...” * * * * * Ulysses wheeled himself into the lab. “Status!” “Systems are nominal. So far she's stable. We're unsure what caused the growth, but it seems to be continuing. We don't know how big she'll be by the time we're done,” a scientist answered. “Is there anything that will need any of your attentions in the next fifteen minutes?” “No, sir. Only if there's a failure of some type. I don't expect any with the built in redundancies.” Nodding, Ulysses said, “Then everyone out. Now.” The scientists and attendant technicians filed for the doors. He wheeled himself in front of the tank that held Charley. From a compartment in his chair, he took out an earpiece and put it in place. “Charlemagne, can you hear me?” She nodded. “Good. I have some bad news for you, girl. I cannot complete our agreement. Your friend in dead. From what my people tell me, she died of a heroin overdose. They are digging deeper. Do you want them to take any actions on your behalf?” Charley shook her head violently. “Don't hurt yourself, my dear. We will continue. When you are done you can seek your vengeance.”

Well, sometimes about... ...and sometimes about...

When she was done, the clothes she had scattered were gone and she found the dresser and closet had been filled. She opted for a simple skirt and blouse combo with tan hose. Her makeup she did demurely. Light, natural tones. The shoes she chose were modest heels. Amanda retrieved her and led her to the penthouse. “Ah, Miss Bascomb. A pleasure to meet you finally. May I call you Charlemagne?” Charley nodded. “Interesting name. How did you come by it?” His full head and facial hair were white. There were a few lines around his eyes. What belied his age were his hands. “My father was a history buff.” “That will be all, Amanda.” Amanda retreated. “Please, have a seat. I would seat you myself, but as you can see,” he said indicating his wheelchair. “It's alright,” Charley said slipping into a seat. “Dinner will be served shortly. I suppose you are wondering who I am?” Charley nodded. “I am Ulysses Madacar. This,” he lifted his hands expansively, “is the heart of my kingdom.” He signaled to a server to pour wine. “Am I a prisoner?” “Unfortunately, yes.” He waved the server off. “But you don't have to be.” That piqued Charley's curiosity. “Do you have any interest in power, Charlemagne?” He lifted his wine glass, swirled it, and took in the bouquet. “Your namesake forged an empire in Europe. I offer you the power to never be a victim again.” “What kind of power?” Ulysses smiled. “I will have a dossier on the project delivered to you so you may read it. What we plan. How we expect to carry it out.” Charley reached for her own glass. “Why negotiate with me if I'm your prisoner?” Ulysses smiled wider. “I am a businessman. I made a deal with a man. Someone would be brought to me to undergo a change. That person is you. You are not my prisoner.” “Why me?” “You would have to ask that other man, I'm afraid. I was not made privy to his reasons.” Ulysses drank. “Ah, dinner comes.” A server pushed a trolley up to the table. He lifted covered dishes off and set them before each. He removed the lids and retreated. Steak made Charley's stomach rumble. “How do I know you're telling the truth?” Cutting into his own steak, Ulysses said, “I will not lie to you, Charlemagne. I have little reason to. Once you read the project file, I hope that you will be completely willing to participate.” Charley toyed with her fork. “Before I agree to anything, there's something I want,” she said. “If I can.” “There's another girl where you got me. Her name is Rachel Adams. Bring her here and I will do whatever you want.” Ulysses smiled. He made Charley think he was someone's grandfather. “I will see what I can do.” Their meal passed with friendly conversation.

… Everywhere is freaks and hairies Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity? … Tax the rich, feed the poor 'Til there are no rich no more … I'd love to change the world But I don't know what to do So I'll leave it up to you … Population keeps on breeding Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy Life is funny, skies are sunny Bees make honey, who needs money? Monopoly … I'd love to change the world But I don't know what to do So I'll leave it up to you Oh, yeah … World pollution, there's no solution Institution, electrocution Just black or white, rich or poor Them and us, stop the war … I'd love to change the world But I don't know what to do So I'll leave it up to you

Give me what you can tonight Time is all we have to play Tell me you can't live without me Tell me every day by day by day nothing last forever, only fades way day by day Give me what you can tonight I'm back tomorrow anyway Show me some appreciation Show me every day by day by day The chance you gotta take, the price you gotta pay Day by Day. And if you break down , I will remind you, Ohh of what you were yesterday. You can break down, I'll be behind you every,every every, every, Day by Day by Day.

I must've been through about a million girls I'd love 'em and I'd leave 'em alone I didn't care how much they cried, no sir Their tears left me cold as a stone But then I fooled around and fell in love I fooled around and fell in love I fooled around and fell in love Fooled around and fell in love It used to be when I'd see a girl that I liked I'd get out my book and write down her name But when the grass got a little greener on the other side I'd just tear out that page But then I fooled around and fell in love I fooled around and fell in love, since I met you baby I fooled around and fell in love I fooled around and fell in love Free on my own that's the way I used to be But since I met you baby, love's got a hold on me (Fooled around and fell in love) Woo it's got a hold on me now, yeah (Fooled around and fell in love) I can't let go of you baby (Fooled around and fell in love) I can't stop loving you now (Fooled around and fell in love) Hey, 'cause I fooled around I fooled around (fooled around) I fooled around (fooled around) I fooled around (fooled around) (Fooled around and fell in love) Fooled around, fooled around, yes, I did (Fooled around) I fooled around (Fooled around) Oh, I fooled (Fooled around and fell in love) I fooled around, I fell in love (Fooled around) Hey-hey (Fooled around) I fooled around (Fooled around) And I fell in love

Charley drank. “Part of me wonders...” “Wonders what?” Archie shrugged. “I don't want to get ahead of your tale.” “The building was luxurious. We pulled into the roundabout and...” * * * * * “This is where you get out.” The first time anyone had spoken to her since they had left Vegas. One of the other passengers opened the door and held it for her. He even went so far as to offer her his hand. She was escorted into the building. “Miss Bascomb, come with me, please.” The woman was of middling height. Her hair was severely pulled back. She wore black except for the white dress blouse. Suit, heels, skirt, and sheer hose. All were black. Even the frames of her narrow glasses were black. A silver lapel pin of the Nova Research logo was the only piece of jewelry Charley saw. The woman led her to an elevator. She pushed the button for the twelfth floor. They rode up in silence. When the doors opened, the woman stepped out. She didn't look back to see if Charley followed. A door was opened. The woman stepped back and indicated that Charley should precede her. It was a richly appointed apartment. “This is your sitting room. A television is in this cabinet,” she opened it, revealing the screen. She closed it. “There is a large selection of movies you can call up.” She headed to a door and pushed it open. “This is your bedroom. Your clothes will be brought up shortly. They will be put away for you. Through there is the bathroom. There are no phones in your room. I am the only one aside from the maid allowed entry. Any questions?” Charley looked at her. “What do I call you?” “My name is Amanda.” “Am I a prisoner, Amanda?” Amanda stared pointedly at her for a moment. “Will there be anything else?” “I guess not.” “I will return for you in ninety-three minutes. Clean yourself up. Be dressed.” Amanda turned towards the door. “And what if I don't?” “Then you will be washed and dressed as if you were a child, Miss Bascomb.” After Amanda departed, Charley checked the door and was surprised to find it unlocked. But where would she go? Rachel was still being held a hostage. She was several hours from wherever the plane landed. And she had no idea what continent she was on. She explored her rooms, seeing what was in the closet (empty) and the drawers (equally empty). There was no clock she could see. Charley started stripping. Tossing her clothes on the floor on her way into the bathroom. Faced with the choice of a deep tub or a multi-head shower, Charley opted for the shower. The falling water hid her tears.

Ambassador, there are so many things in the universe that are and so many things that aren't. If I were to take the time to deny all the things that aren't, we'd be here for centuries, wouldn't we?

Are they worthless? Those who receive them are not worthy of being recognized?

“The next morning I was loaded into a van. I was lucky enough to get to see Rachel before I left. No one spoke to me. From the van we moved to an airplane. We spent several hours on the plane. When the plane landed I was hustled into a hangar. I was taken into an office suite and ordered to strip. There were three women with me. They measured me and took clothes off different racks. Blouses, suits, skirts, shoes, lingerie. They had me outfitted and several suitcases packed. “The cases were taken and loaded on another plane. I was ushered along.” Charlie raised her nearly empty mug and got a server's attention. “That flight was a lot longer. Wherever we landed, it was hot and dry with sand blowing.” The server brought her another mug. “Thanks.” Archie watched Charley, trying to find any clues in her expression. “Everything was transferred to a black Hummer with the Nova Research logo on it. Spent a couple hours in that watching the landscape when you could see through the blowing sand. Altogether the trip from Vegas to wherever was about 3 days.”

Deathwalker!

There was a time When I was in a hurry as you are I was like you There was a day When I just had to tell my point of view I was like you Now I don't mean to make you frown No, I just want you to slow down Have you never been mellow? Have you never tried To find a comfort from inside you? Have you never been happy Just to hear your song? Have you never let someone else be strong? Running around as you do With your head up in the clouds I was like you Never had time to lay back Kick your shoes off, close your eyes I was like you Now you're not hard to understand You need someone to take your hand, hey Have you never been mellow? Have you never tried To find a comfort from inside you? Have you never been happy Just to hear your song? Have you never let someone else be strong?

Yes. Most inhabitable planets in Marvel seem to be eggs.

The Stones jacked up Thanos, Stark, and the Hulk. It'll heal if it heals.

Tom Abernathy closed the door to Marlene's office behind him. “You wanted to see me?” “Yes, Tom. Thanks for coming. I realize that, nominally, you and your office cover the upper Eastern seaboard.” “Yes, Ma'am.” “How much contact do you have with other offices?” He approached her desk. Tom put his hands on the back of a chair facing her desk. His fingers started tapping. “Tom, sit. You're going to annoy me. It's bad enough when my husband hovers.” “Yes, Ma'am.” “Tom, you've dealt with me since I was Charles' personal assistant. You call me ma'am one more time and I'm going to throw a banana at you.” Tom sat. “May I inquire as to what this is about?” “You may.” Marlene slid a file across her desk. Tom opened it and started browsing the contents. “Her name was Rachel Adams. She was living in Las Vegas. To the best of my knowledge she was a prostitute.” “I see that. What is it you would like me to do?” “You were involved in the investigation Charles had done when Trese came into our lives.” “Peripherally,” Tom said. “I was made aware, but since Trese hadn't come into my area of business, there wasn't much for me to do.” Marlene smiled. “Tom, what I want is the same detail that was put in Trese's case put into Miss Adams' case. I want to have copies of her arrests, medical records, autopsy report, but most importantly, I want to know final disposition. If she was cremated I want to know. If she was buried, I want to know exactly where.” “May I ask why?” “It matters to a friend, Tom. It matters to a friend.”

I'd rather regret the things I've done than the things I haven't done.

You had a plenty money 1922 You let other women make a fool of you Why don't you do right Like some other men do? Get out of here and get me some money too? You're sitting down wondering what it's all about You ain't got no money they will put you out Why don't you do right Like some other men do? Get out of here and get me some money too? If you had prepared twenty years ago You wouldn't be a-wanderin' now from door to door Why don't you do right Like some other men do? Get out of here and get me some money too? I fell for you jiving and I took you in Now all you've got to offer me is a drink of gin Why don't you do right Like some other men do? Get out of here and get me some money too? Why don't you do right Like some other men do? Like some other men do?

No one in the world Ever had a love as sweet as my love For nowhere in the world Could there be a boy as true as you, love All my love I give gladly to you All your love you give gladly to me Tell me why then, oh why should it be that We go on hurting each other We go on hurting each other Making each other cry Hurting each other Without ever knowing why Closer than the leaves On a weeping willow, baby, we are Closer dear are we Than the simple letters A and B are All my life I could love only you All your life you could love only me Tell me why, then? Oh why should it be that We go on hurting each other We go on hurting each other Making each other cry Hurting each other Without ever knowing why Can't we stop hurting each other Gotta stop hurting each other Making each other cry Breaking each other's heart Tearing each other apart Can't we stop hurting each other Gotta stop hurting each other Making each other cry Breaking each other's heart Tearing each other apart Can't we stop hurting each other

Setting details are the spice of the game. I make a rogue. Now I need enough information from the GM to tell me what nations/cities/towns/villages might be nearby that I might have come from. What was the population like? Mixed or isolationist. And so on.

Door closing behind her, Charley unslung her purse and set it on a table inside the door. Stepping out of her shoes she made her way to the window. New York was lit up. Lightning flashed through the clouds. Rain was closer to falling. Toying with her necklace, an angel with its wings upraised, Charlie was lost in thought. “Mentor?” “Yes, Charley?” “Play music for me.” “Preferences?” “Something mellow.” The Carpenters started flowing from speakers. Karen was singing about rainy days and Mondays. “Apt,” Charley whispered. Turning from her window she went into the bedroom. On her dresser sat a jewelry box. She opened the top and took out an antique looking key. She closed the box. At the foot of her bed was an equally antique looking hope chest. The key slipped in the lock and turned easily. She lifted a tray out and reached into the bottom. Charley took a box out of the chest and replaced the tray. She closed the lid of the chest. The key she set on her jewelry box. The box in her arms she carried like it was a great weight. Charley set the box on her coffee table. Pulling the table closer, she put her legs up on the couch beside her. Her fingers absently caressed the pattern on the lid. “Hello, Rachel.” She set the lid aside. Maybe if she asked nicely, Warren would fix the box for her. She tossed the idle thought to the side, knowing it was just an attempt to distract herself. The box contained a photo album. Charley took that out and set it behind her legs. Under the album were loose photos, chains, charms, tassels, gumball machine rings and figurines, refrigerator magnets, and postcards. All that was left of Rachel and Charley's relationship with her. Charley fished out a large red crystal heart on a chain. She stared at it for some time. Charley began sorting through the loose photos. Some of them made her smile. When she finished with the photos, she put them back in the box and took up the album. The chain of the heart was tangled through her fingers and the heart rested against her palm. She flipped the cover of the album open. The photos told the story of her relationship with Rachel; meeting in college, similar classes, similar interests. Some of the photos were of them posing for art classes or photography students. A photo of the two of them sitting in a restaurant. Their first official date. Charley slowly flipped through the pages. Carefully studied each photograph. Holidays and birthdays. Random dates. Random snapshots. Until she came to the last page of photos. There were more pages in the album. All blank. Rachel had stuck a note that read “Road Trip!” in the page without photos, marking her intent when they got back. Even now, the road trip seems to keep going. “Mentor?” “Yes, Charley?” “Is Jason in?” “Yes.” “Is he awake?” “He and Marlene are watching a movie.” Replacing the album in the box and covering it with the lid, Charley slid the table back. She stood, picked up the box, and held it close to her chest. “As long as I'm not waking them.” Mentor asked, “Would you like me to announce your imminent arrival?” “No. Thank you.” Charley made her way out the door and down the hall. She took the elevator down a floor. By the time she made it to Jason's rooms she counted herself lucky she didn't run into anyone else. The door chimed and almost immediately opened. “Come on in,” Marlene said. “I hope I'm not interrupting anything,” Charley said. Marlene shifted her legs out of Jason's lap. “Not at all. Just watching an old movie. Would you like something to drink?” Charley shook her head. “Did my share for the night, but thank you for the offer.” She looked at Jason and smiled. She could tell his eyes were picking out details. Like the fact she had been crying. “Have a seat.” Charley settled in a nearby chair. “What can I help you with?” For the second time that night, Charley recounted her story. When she was done she passed Jason the box. “This is what I have of Rachel.” Jason took the lid off the box. Marlene shifted to see while Jason flipped through the loose photos. “What is it you'd like me to do?” “I've got entirely too much empty wall space in my apartment,” she explained. “You want me to paint you something of Rachel?” Charley nodded. “I'd appreciate it. You can hold on to the box as long as you need to.” Marlene pulled a braid of hair out of the collection. “You and Rachel?” Brown and blonde were woven together. Smiling, Charley said, “Rachel did that. Cut some of our hair and braided them together. She had one and I have that one.” “What happened to her?” Marlene asked. “Died from a drug overdose. I never found where she was buried.” Charley stood up. “I'll let you get back to your movie.” “You're welcome to stay,” Marlene told her. “Thanks, but I'm tired.” Jason put the photos back in the box. “I'll scan what I need and I'll have this back to you in a day or so.” “That's fine,” Charley said. “Good night.”

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old Sometimes I'd like to quit Nothin' ever seems to fit Hangin' around Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down What I've got they used to call the blues Nothin' is really wrong Feelin' like I don't belong Walkin' around Some kind of lonely clown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down Funny, but it seems I always wind up here with you Nice to know somebody loves me Funny, but it seems that it's the only thing to do Run and find the one who loves me (the one who loves me) What I feel has come and gone before No need to talk it out (talk it out) We know what it's all about Hangin' around (hangin' around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down Funny, but it seems that it's the only thing to do (only thing to do) Run and find the one who loves me (ooh) What I feel has come and gone before No need to talk it out (to talk it out) We know what it's all about Hangin' around (hangin' around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down Hangin' around (hangin' around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get Me down

General genre. Then season with spices from the GM's world as needed.