Paragon University ((Open RP))

[VacaHombre]

2 hours ago, American Valor said:

 

Jem smiled then stopped she remembered the hand shake and wasn't sure it a hug was good

 

 

The other girl's presence flared for a moment before pulling back as she bowed.  Something about it made Rasputin's scalp tingle.

 

"Goodbye, Jem," she said, returning the girl's final wave.

 

-Don't forget me-

 

Rasputin's mind wasn't quite THAT transitory, but still...

 

She sat back down, fishing a small, leather book from one of her vest pockets.  Opening it, she flipped through the sketched portraits it was filled with until she got to an empty page.

 

Retrieving a pencil from her bag, Rasputin spent 10 minutes sketching out a rough portrait of Jem and the Gram.  She studied the finished result for a bit before returning the book to her pocket and gathering up her things.

 

She disposed of her plate while Grout ate the napkins.  The creature crawled back into her bag as she made to leave.  Rasputin paused once more, reaching into the neck of her shirt to pull out a necklace.

 

It was a braided, leather chord with a clear stone mounted in silver in the middle, surrounded by a few small animal bones.

 

Or at least, the stone was originally clear.  Right now, if one looked closely, sickly green mist seemed to swirl within its depths.

 

"Not too bad," Rasputin said, returning the necklace beneath her shirt and pulling her hat back on as she left.

[Tenaxa]

18 hours ago, American Valor said:

"Can you not tell Max what I said." Alex looked at Tori

 

Tori sighed. “Of course Alex. Just between you and I.” She gives him a reassuring smile and nod.

 

“Guess we should pay attention to class though. But if you ever need help with this material let me know.”

 

Tori settled in and listened, continuing to take notes on her laptop. She also pulled up hero alerts as she often did. She kept an eye on gang activity, especially in the Row and any further news about the Outcasts in Steel Canyon and near campus.

[American Valor]

PCU - Metahuman Studies Class

 

 

The Professsor stopped speaking placing the chalk down and then returned back to looking at his students. He watched as many followed suit. Notebooks closed, textbooks and papers went into backpacks. The Professor noted which students were out of place like his football players. They were late as per usual he would amend the attendance record showing they were there. His eyes fell on the clock in the back of the room as he spoke.

 

"Next week will be lecture presentation by Dr. Sanstad all information will be on the test. Class dismissed"

 

He said as the bell sounded.

 

John closed his book and placed it in the bag shutting off the recording equipment and stood up moving next to J-Tom. Max stood up and covered the distance to Alex and Tori with a smile. Alex had just finished putting his stuff away as Max leaned on his desk.

 

"Alex Tori, Tori Alex, How was your weekend Tori?"

 

Max said with a grin. 

 

"We met that's John and Jjj..." 

 

Alex responded with, as Max offered an open arm hug to Tori.  John met Tori with a head chin up move. While J-Tom slid under Max's arm to plant herself between Tori and Max's possible embrace.

 

"I'm Jenn."

 

Jenn smiled with an extended hand. This athlelicly built woman with shoulder length brunette hair hazel eyes and a heart shaped face stared at Tori. 

 

 

[Tenaxa]

PCU - Metahuman Studies Class

 

Tori closed her laptop and stretched. Stuffing the laptop in her bag she stood up as Max came over with his entourage.

 

8 hours ago, American Valor said:

"Alex Tori, Tori Alex, How was your weekend Tori?"

 

“Weekend was…uh, good. Busy.”

 

8 hours ago, American Valor said:

J-Tom slid under Max's arm to plant herself between Tori and Max's possible embrace.

 

"I'm Jenn."

 

Jenn smiled with an extended hand. This athletically built woman with shoulder length brunette hair hazel eyes and a heart shaped face stared at Tori. 

 

Tori returned John’s nod and was just about to give Max a hug when Jenn slipped into the way.

 

Tori couldn’t help but grin at Jenn’s strategic move to claim Max as hers. Grinning she wondered if Jenn was going to pee on his leg to mark her territory, as well. Jenn was very pretty, Tori noted, and definitely was

 

Taking Jenn’s hand, Tori shook it with a grip a little more firm than necessary.

 

“Nice to meet you Jenn.” She said, smiling, then looked back to Max

 

“Nice win this weekend. What poor shmucks are you going to roll over next?”

 

[VacaHombre]

Art History went by as enjoyable as ever.  Rasputin liked studying the artwork from the past.  History vibrated up from the earth, through her feet and pleasantly tingled her spine.

 

The professor could be a little dry at times, but his words spun from his mouth and exploded like fireworks in such a way that Rasputin was always entranced.

 

Afterwards she sat at an empty bench near the art building sketching idlely in her sketchbook.  Grout took the time to hunt for beetles, grubs, and pinecones.

[American Valor]

PCU - Metahuman Studies Class

 

 

 

Max frowned at Jenn's move he would have scowled but he did have to give her points for style.

On 8/24/2023 at 10:10 AM, Tenaxa said:

“Nice to meet you Jenn.” She said, smiling, then looked back to Max

“Nice win this weekend. What poor shmucks are you going to roll over next?”

John sighed visibly, Alex shruged. Max's smile returned as he bear hugged J-Tom to him and kissed her neck. Then in one simple twist and spin he set J-Tom down next to Alex. Max turned back to Tori offering the the orginal hug with a grin.

 

Jenn was still in hug mode when she realized what happened. As Max stepped in to give Tori the hug, John filled the gap.

 

Max turned and pointed at Alex then J-Tom and John.

 

"Class, Lab," Shrug and Grin From John "Lab"  

 

Max pointed to himself "Free track. What about you Tori?" Max continued to grin.

 

"John's going to Lab I can skip, if your hungry." J-Tom said quickly

 

John shot Max a look and then placed his hand on J-Tom's shoulder. 

 

"Lets get to class J-Tom, Alex. Max practice field or lunch?" John add flatly.

 

"Lunch everybody, pass the word pizza and beer."     Max said with a smile at Jenn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

((OOC: Sorry for the long overdue post RL issues have kept me away from the cyberuniverse Glad to be back.))

Edited September 5, 2023 by American Valor

[American Valor]

The Green near the Drama Cafe'  

 

 

 

On 8/25/2023 at 11:14 PM, VacaHombre said:

Afterwards she sat at an empty bench near the art building sketching idlely in her sketchbook. 

 

Slowly a few people began to show up in the area sitting around reading poetry, chatting and sketching. Closer to an outdoor patio area a few Students began setting up to play music As a young looking Asian girl help a older skinny black kid set up his drum set, Jem came rushing up to them. She spoke quickly to them as they finished up the small drum set up. As Lui pulled her Keyboard out and put it on a stand, Arron began setting down a two three beat, Jem waved to Rasputin calling her over while she took out her bass guitar and set it quickly picking up the beat laid down by Arron and Lui.  Gram jumped out into her case and just watched.

 

"Don't be haters today we are doing What I Like about you. I'm Lui on the boards, Arron on the drums and Jem on bass. So put your hands together for the Lotus Rockers!"  Lui Finished the intro's as one guy clapped hooped and hollared.

 

They were bad not run them off the stage bad but bad enough that they cringed a bit, and Jem's impromptu solo didn't help. They finished the song and several other people half clapped, glad they finished. Jem looked out to see if Rasputin was still there,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by American Valor
word correction

[VacaHombre]

As more people started gathering, Grout irritably retreated to Rasputin's backpack.  The dour looking girl was thankful the creature preferred solitude.  Less time prying him away from other people's shredded pant legs.

 

14 hours ago, American Valor said:

Jem waved to Rasputin calling her over 

 

Rasputin had already packed up her art supplies when Jem beckoned her over.  Shouldering her backpack and carrying her supply bag, she made her way over to where they were setting up.

 

Should she call out a greeting?

 

No.  Distracting.  Unnecessary.  Jem had already acknowledged her presence.  Simpler.  A wave.  Like Jem had done.  Yes, that seemed appropriate.  She did so.

 

Rasputin clapped before and after their song.  It was stiff, mechanical, and looked as though she were mimicking the motion (which she was).  During the performance, her bulbous, dark eyes never wavered from the band.  She didn't focus on anything specific, but stared fixedly at the entire tableau.

 

It was interesting.  She was pretty sure she... liked it?  Yes, 'like' was the word.  The music was... the music.  But what caught her attention was how the music wove through everything else.  The passions of the band members on stage flowed and twisted about each other like a lava lamp.  The emotions of the crowd, good and bad, flashed through it like bolts of lightening.

 

It was... alive.  Messy, imperfect, and ALIVE.  A great, roiling, writhing mass of life encompassing their little area.  The only dead spot being the girl in the ratty yellow vest and worn cargo pants.  But that was just who Rasputin was.  A gray spot amidst the psychedelic colors of the world.  As a child she used to wonder if that should bother her, but it didn't.  She was who she was, and that was that.

 

14 hours ago, American Valor said:

Looked out to see if Rasputin was still there

 

Rasputin repeated her rehearsed clapping motion as the song ended.  When Jem caught her eye she waved again.

 

Social cues.  Friendly encouragement.

 

Jem seemed to appreciate her attempts at a smile before, so she repeated the gesture.

[Tenaxa]

Tori just sighed at the circus that was Max and his entourage. Tori waited as they sorted things out.

 

On 9/3/2023 at 11:21 PM, American Valor said:

Max pointed to himself "Free track. What about you Tori?" Max continued to grin.

 

“Me? Oh, I’m free for a while.” She stopped, wondering if that was going to trigger more reaction. “I’m just going to go chill out on the quad. Nice day to sit outside."

She packed up her things and started to slip away. "See you all later." 

 

Tori really wanted to talk to Max about things - see if he had any update on the stuff they were looking into. She gave a glance back to see if he'd follow. 

 

 

Tori wandered out of class, taking her time down the hallway to allow Max to catch up if he wanted. A mass of students poured out of a large lecture hall and she ducked into a little alcove to avoid the mass.

 

She glanced at a bulletin board with various notes on it. Activities notifications, clubs, tutors for hire…and models wanted for art classes.

 

“Huh.” She said out loud as she pulled out her phone and scanned the QR code on the add.

 

They probably wanted the classic curvy woman’s body, which she was not. Tori looked down at herself; flat-chested and straight. More built like a guy. People always joked about her ‘man shoulders’ and bouncing a quarter off her abs. Not sure the art department would want that but couldn’t hurt to apply.

 

Once the crowd had passed she wandered out to the quad. Finding a comfy bench under the shade of a tree, she started filling out the online application.

[American Valor]

PCU - The Green near the Drama Cafe' 

 

 

 

Jem smiled brightly seeing Rasputin and called the others over quickly.

 

"Hi Ras, this is Lui, Aarron and that's Peter. Everybody this is Rasputin the artist." Jem smiled.

 

 

 

Lui nodded and Aarron gave a rimshot hello pointing at Rasputin. Peter gave a slight wave as he said

 

"Hi."

 

Then he turned to Jem and the others. 

 

"Okay guys I need you to focus. That was meh and you know it. So this one cover Holding out. 

Lui start the vocals, Aarron and Jem back up vocals, keep rythem on Solo." 

 

Peter said with a smile.

 

The band started again this time the music and vocals sounded smooth and generally pleasing. 

As Lui belted out the lyrics to Bonnie Tylers famous song, Arron and Jem rocked the song hard with a repetive rip edge sound..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[VacaHombre]

On 9/19/2023 at 12:35 AM, American Valor said:

PCU - The Green near the Drama Cafe' 

 

"Hi Ras, this is Lui, Aarron and that's Peter. Everybody this is Rasputin the artist." Jem smiled.

 

"Hello," Rasputin greeted the others in her monotone voice.  "Nice to meet you."

 

She retreated slightly as they started another song.  Finding a spot to sit that still afforded a good view of the band, the dark-eyed girl pulled out her sketchbook.

 

Her pencil moved about the paper in quick, sharp swipes.  An image of four figures began to take shape.  They bore a likeness to the ones performing but seemed to be oozing (or melting into) a veiny, fungal type substance that spread into the area around them.

 

That area was less distinct, made up of masses of muscle and skin.  Wherever the fungal ooze touched it, the fleshy mass was surging up.  It swirled up and around the figures in the center, branching out into almost tree-like shapes.

[American Valor]

written with Tenaxa

PCU-The Green

 

Max came out with a light stroll as he hit the open area he dropped his shades in place and started looking for Tori.

 

A minute later he walked up to her with a smile.

 

"Hey sorry about that, That's J-Tom, I mean Jenn."

 

Max smiled at Tori

 

Tori looked up and grinned at Max.

 

"She's really marking her territory." Tori chuckles. "Not sure why, she's got all the goods." Tori winks at Max.

 

She starts to say something else but bites it back, deciding maybe that would be inappropriate.

 

Max looked at Tori while she was commenting on Jenn and sorta chuckled. He stretched his hands up over his head, as Tori continued.

 

"So, you got some updates or what? I had a crazy weekend so time to get back to work."

 

"Oh a crazy weekend was it? Well let’s head to that beer and pizza place just off campus cause;

A, need a slice, B, Want a beer, and C, yer not gonna make me drink alone are you?"

 

Max had reached and was now hanging from a branch looking at Tori.

 

“I would not leave you hanging.” Tori chuckles. “Stone-Craft Pizza is the name of the place. Let’s go before you pull that tree down.”

 

Tori gathered up her things and pocketed her phone and headed across the quad with Max.

[Tenaxa]

written with American Valor

 

PCU-Stone-Craft Pizza

 

Tori gathered up her things and pocketed her phone and headed across the quad with Max.

 

As the two walked Max checked Tori out again it was second habit to him he did it without thinking twice. She had a strong tomboy vibe going on similar to J-Tom a little less fat if that was possible, mostly as she put it flat chested, Jenn wasn't much bigger both woman were very athletically built.

 

"So for the record Jenn is Irish, and has a very mean right hook.  I mean if we were an item then I bet you punch out anybody who challenged your claim, not that I'm claimed or anything"

 

Max said still smiling.

 

Tori chuckled. “Max, you have to understand. I fight for a few very specific reasons.”

 

She holds up her fingers as she counts them off.

 

“First, to protect people. Second, to defend myself. And third, for fun and challenge. And that third one is a distant third, but I do like testing my skills.”

 

She looks Max over. “Plus, if we were dating and someone was hitting on you, then I’d hope for a three-some.”

 

She turned and continued walking, trying to stay casual. She tried to keep a straight face as she dropped that bomb, but her face cracked and she grinned and giggled.

 

She pulled the door to Stone Craft Pizza open, still grinning

 

Max chuckled as he entered he paused,

 

"You pick the cheerleader, I'll make it happen.

 

Max said with a smirk and wink at Tori. She just laughed as they entered.

[American Valor]

PCU- Stone-craft Pizza

Written with Tenaxa

 

Max walked over to the bar with Tori and started chatting with the manager pointing to the closed off area. Minutes later Max headed to the private party room carrying a pitcher of beer on a tray of mugs, leaving Tori to carry the first pizza that was ready.

 

Tori rolled her eyes. Of course Max knew the manager and could arrange for the private room.

 

She chuckled to herself as she picked up the pizza as well as some extra napkins and such, and followed Max. Guess there wasn’t going to be much studying done today.

 

Max set out the mugs and then poured two beers. He sat down at the rear table against the wall and watched Tori carrying in the pizza.  Max grinned,

 

"Your crazy weekend or mine?"

 

Tori sets down the pizza and serves a couple pieces onto a plate and slides it over to Max then serves herself.

 

“Well, mine included a drunken night in Pocket D with some new friends. That took a weird twist and I am not even sure what I’m dealing with there. More mystery and intrigue for sure.”

 

She bites into the pizza, thinking as she chews.

 

“I should introduce you. You’d like them. They are a bit crazy but a lot of fun.”

 

Max devoured the first slice and had started on the second while Tori was filling him in on some of her weekend. He grinned when she mentioned he needed to meet her drunken girlfriends to party. This Max would enjoy that but this Max was just a character.

 

"That sounds like it could be fun, you all have invites to next week football bash."

Max said while finishing that slice and grabbing another.

 

"So" Max looked at Tori for a moment before continuing, "On my way to the airport I ran into a few friends of ours they were very chatty once properly motivated. Seems our 'Friend' has been marked for death by several groups and he is worth enough to make me think about collecting on him myself."

 

Max took a bite of pizza.

 

Tori paused as she brought her glass to her lips, then slowly lowered it down. “Marked for death is not a trivial thing. And from several groups? That’s a lot of attention to garner.”

 

She picks up the glass and takes a long drink.

 

“You’ve piqued my curiosity. Do you have more info or are we as blind as those groups looking for them? And who are those groups?”

 

Max finished chewing. "Well, Marcone's, some new player Tsoo, that may be more of a mistake, I think Crey and Malta. Plus a few independent looking for a fast 25 mil."

 

Max finished that slice and eyeballed Tori.

 

“No surprise there’s a lot of attention for that kind of bounty. Good or bad, right or wrong, this is pretty extreme for the target.”

[American Valor]

written with Tenaxa

PCU Stone-Craft Pizza

 

Max sat back and drank more beer, before reaching for another slice of pizza. He watched Tori to see which way she would be leaning towards. Max had reviewed her hero record after their first meeting. Tori rep as Tenaxa was solid with the FBSA and the PPD in befriending him she placed her status with them in question should they find out. Max of course had already come up with a plan should that happen. Max toasted Tori and took another swig.

 

“Honestly, sounds like whomever this vigilante is, they need help. Every two-bit metahuman mercenary, criminal or thug is going to be after them.”

 

Tori sat back, thinking. “Not that I agree with this vigilante’s methods. He’s kinda brought this on himself. Maybe he could be convinced to lighten up a little.” She says, now only picking at her food.

 

Tori scoffs. “Shit, I always think I can save everyone. What do I know. I do my thing, everyone else does theirs.”

 

"Well if they just locked them up. Arrest all the fascists, disbanded groups like Malta and the Tsoo, and buried criminals who deserve it forever, then maybe he would, but until then I don't think so."

 

Tori cocked her head at Max.

 

There it was the black and white of it, Max's smile faltered the tiredness somewhat visible in his face, before he smiled again, he hoisted his beer.

 

"Too Long Life"

 

Tori raises her glass and clicks his glass.

 

“One of my best friends spent a couple years in the Zig. One of the sweetest people I know. Pretty sure she didn’t deserve to be locked up forever. Or attacked by some vigilante. I mean, sure there’s people that deserve it but if you’re going to work as judge, jury, and executioner, you better not make any mistakes.”

 

She takes a long slug of her beer.

 

Two waitress entered the room one carrying two more pizzas and the other two more pitchers of beer, followed by people, who came in and grabbed tables.

 

"Woot woot, Firstto the Zaa."  Manny called out.

 

"Great study hall, Max, thanks" Summer said walking in with Alex, who was followed by J-Tom and John. Both the latter were carrying more pizza and pitchers of beer heading to their table. Max waved and smiled as people showed up. He turned towards Tori;

 

"You gonna hang for a bit longer? If so remind me to tell you about Saul sometime."

Max said while drinking more beer.

 

Tori looked over the now large group. The cheerleaders already hated her and heck, Manny probably did too. Not sure that one could form opinions on his own. But she figured what the heck, why not cause a little drama.

 

She looked at her beer that was still about three-quarters full. She focused for a moment and threw it back, finishing it.

 

Stifling a burp she looked at Max. “We might as well join your friends. Looks like it is going to be a long afternoon.”

[American Valor]

written with Tenaxa

PCU Stone-Craft Pizza

 

It was early afternoon, and the off campus pizza place was busy with normal business and a private party. There was a large assortment of cheerleaders disguised as students as well as football players, and others. Max walked the tables saying Hi and introducing Tori to everyone who asked while refilling their mugs every few tables. A few tables he just worked as if running for public office.  Finally they made it back to their table where Alex, John, Summer, Jenn. and Sandi sat.

 

Lucy one of the waitresses walked over to Max before he sat down and whispered something to him. Max looked around with a smile and nodded in the direction of the bar and signed a slip for her. Lucy smiles and hurried back to the tables. Max sat down between Sandi and Jenn, leaving an open seat between Alex and John. The pizza was half gone before another had reappeared, even though Max and Tori were only on the third mug of beer the pitchers were emptied just as fast. Max noted, the arrival of new waitresses and how the simple gathering had become a circus of uncontrolled chaos, Max could work with that.

 

Sandi smiled at how Max worked the crowd with his new friend Tori, apparently he planned on keeping her around, that was interesting she thought.

 

Tori greeted the people Max introduced her to. There were way too many for her to remember names and she was only mildly interested. Football players and cheer leaders were not her people really.

 

She chuckled to herself at that thought. She hung out with demons, human-animal hybrids, robots, wizards and warlocks, cyborgs, elementals, and any number of other strange beings on most days. Making small talk was sometimes tough for Tori when there were bigger things to worry about.

 

She sat herself between Alex and John, nodding hello to Alex.

 

"So, Tori, is it? How did you meet our Maxie."  Sandi asked with an innocent smile, meant to disarm someone.

 

Tori was a bit taken aback that Sandi would ask her a question. Smiling back, she realized she couldn’t tell the complete truth.

 

“We, uh, met in the library. Believe it or not, Max does actually hit the books sometimes.” She chuckled a bit. “And we just found we had some common interests, like martial arts.”

 

"Yep, teen superstar, Always like have women who can can handle themselves without help." 

Max smiles and takes a swig toasting everyone. The banter continuing around the tables for the next few hour while everyone eats and drinks.

 

Midway through Max and Tori slipped away unnoticed, Max having signed the open ticketslip for the pizza and bar tab with a 22% gratuity included.

They made plans to meet up for a patrol...

Edited February 24 by American Valor