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Theo Anders and the Black Exaltation[Worm/Exalted][Hiatus]

Reader mode
Found out today. That perfect apartment? Yeah got it. Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Expect an update or more likely a silly omake or three. Coz hypetrain has no brakes and its probably just as bad for me to write while I'm on it as when I'm upset.

Still updates should start to get regular again after the move around Aug 1. And we can move past the party, tdps Xmas obligations, date with Lisa, and start to get to tdp going out and kicking ass while getting booty.

Smiley face spam. Can someone do that for me? Phone makes it tough. Just one post though. Don't want to get too crazy.
 
Skitzyfrenic said:
Found out today. That perfect apartment? Yeah got it. Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Expect an update or more likely a silly omake or three. Coz hypetrain has no brakes and its probably just as bad for me to write while I'm on it as when I'm upset.

Still updates should start to get regular again after the move around Aug 1. And we can move past the party, tdps Xmas obligations, date with Lisa, and start to get to tdp going out and kicking ass while getting booty.

Smiley face spam. Can someone do that for me? Phone makes it tough. Just one post though. Don't want to get too crazy.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

That's GREAT! :):D:):D:):D:):D
 
16- Finding and Saving Friends
  • Threadmarks
    • The various affluent guests step aside as you escort Sabah across the floor. The men in well-fitted suits grin and offer friendly nods at your passing, swept up in your confident noble yet amiable charisma, the beautiful women at the sides of those men look after you with heated eyes. The woman you are escorting, Sabah, does her best to match your confidence, loosely holding on to your arm, her head held high. Her eyes linger tellingly on the striking young redhead speaking to Shadow Stalker, and you can't help but admire the girl's beauty too.

    You chide yourself internally. You've been thinking with your loins frequently tonight. The silk evidence burning a hole in your pocket, this time, however, you push that desire down. You have another interest in the group you are approaching. Still, you are a gentleman, and you resolve to give Sabah the opening she needs to begin wooing the redhead.

    Your favourite Ward is hands-down Vista, so while Sabah will attempt to feel out Shadow Stalker's (and her friend's) sexuality and openness, you want to have a chance to make friends with Vista.

    It would also be the world's biggest feather in your cap if you managed to recruit the Shaker 9 for the Empire. Soon to be YOUR Empire.

    That you won't mention at all.

    Not that you would need to, Vista has many accolades across her career, though the most violent was her fight with Hookwolf. Plus, she is as badass as she is cute. Though, you get the feeling that complimenting her looks won't get you as far as talking about her skills and achievements.

    You open for Sabah, with a winning smile that causes a blush to bloom on the redhead's face and a generic but sufficient introduction. As it turns out the redhead is a burgeoning model, she certainly has the looks, and the two quickly begin discussing fashion, much to Shadow Stalker's obvious displeasure.

    Still, your eyes drift to the side and focus on the young woman clad in teal and white, the one you are eager to speak with, the heroic Vista. Not only is she your favourite Ward, she's the city's. At your first glance, she appears to be enduring the attention of a small group of young teens with good humor. However, she wants to be somewhere else, and you can tell. She is definitely not enjoying herself as much as it seems.

    That isn't the only thing that seems off about the girl. A frown flits across your face, something about Vista doesn't look quite right.

    You use quick and discreet glances, you don't want to come off as a pervert, to pick out small details about the longest serving and famous 'little sister' of Brockton Bay's Wards. She holds herself with gravitas. She has a less mature but eerily similar presence that many of the older women in your life have. There is discipline and weight there, and it most certainly isn't faked.

    Your glances become a bit more frequent, but no less discreet as you pick out other pieces to the puzzle.

    You pull heavily on the little bits of knowledge Sabah's sketchbook offered and from personal observation. It takes a moment, but you realize that the Ward's costume and make-up has been designed and tailored to make her look younger, smaller, and trying to be older. It emphasizes and rounds her soft face; draws notice to her slender figure, and petite frame. It shaves years off your initial estimate of her age in a rather bizarre reversal of what you have come to expect from young women.

    And, though it is rather cleverly done, the 'fake' padding on her chest is not as fake as it appears.

    If you had to guess, you would say Vista was within a year of your age. Either right on the puberty track or a late bloomer.

    "I know I'm pretty," Vista grabs your attention with a jibe and a bright white smile, "And intimidating, but you don't have to act like I'm gonna bite."

    You apparently weren't as discreet as you had hoped.

    She wants to talk to you a lot more than the people she's currently interacting with, because she thinks you're handsome.

    "My apologies, Miss Vista. I'm a fan, but didn't want to come across too hard and have it be misinterpreted as..."

    You make a motion with your hand and give her a sheepish smile. She gives you a knowing nod. You'd wager you aren't the first person who didn't approach her all that openly in an attempt to not across as a pedophile.

    You stick out a hand, and give your best smile.

    "I'm Theo."

    If you thought the blush the redhead was sporting after your smile, its nothing compared to Vista's. The girl's legs give a visible weak wiggle before she pulls herself together, surreptitiously takes a deep breath and slips her much smaller hand into yours and gives you one of the firmest grips you've ever received, with a wide, youthful smile. The PR people must coach her in making the youngest looking smile possible.

    "M- Vista," she returns the courtesy of a name with a visibly wince at almost revealing her name.

    And frankly you are glad you don't have to deal with the pain in the ass signing NDAs at the PRT HQ would be.

    "Like I said earlier, a fan. A big fan, to be honest. Your exploits against the villainous and criminal elements of Brockton Bay give me hope."

    Every smile you give her is genuine as you discuss her various achievements in Brockton Bay, doing your best to avoid her bigger ones with the Empire, but certainly mentioning some of her smaller ones.

    It wouldn't do for her to gain the same opinion of you, inadvertantly, that Glory Girl has. And you very much want her to be your friend. It is going swimmingly, and soon you have Vista and her previous hanger-ons laughing and chortling at your jokes. Kid Win and Aegis are holding their own courts but you can see them watching you out of the corner of your eyes. They want to make sure Vista is safe.

    The conversation is cut short when you hear a thud followed by a harsh voice and the sound of clothed flesh hitting the tiled floor.

    "Back the fuck up! She's straight!"

    You whirl and see Sabah on her butt, clutching her chest, and Shadow Stalker standing menacingly over her. The redhead behind Stalker has a hurt and surprised look on her face before it morphs into one of feigned disgust.

    "You were hitting on me? Ugh. I can't believe I let you touch me!"

    To say you are rather upset is probably understating it. You were a prince, and she, your courtier, was under your protection. This could not stand.

    What do? Remember Vista is watching and will likely participate, as will Kid Win and Aegis. But you can score points with all of them. Even Stalker.
    [] Write in

    =====

    For this write in, include things like Theo's stance on this, and charm usage. Is he blantly upset and aggressive about it? Is he passive aggressive snooty to the max that leaves no wondering about his intentions? Does he leave it to the rest of the Wards? Does he spend 7 personal motes to become the scariest motherfucker (metaphorically as opposed to literally cloaked in the grim shadows of Death.) on the block and cut Shadow Stalker to the fucking quick? Or does he just use the 2nd excellency? What does he suss out with Exquisite Etiquette Style? Does he burn mores on Scathing Cynic attitude?

    =====

    Scoping out Vista's costume went really well, but you barely made her your friendly acquaintance.

    XP Gain: 2xp

    XP Purchases:
    [] Purchase
    -[] Write in

    [] Bank
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Ah, forgot something. Totally didn't think about that. Gonna adjust, makes it a bit less SS gets the PRT bent over, and a little more potty mouth hero.
     
    Sophia knows where her leash ends. She might have trouble with words, but she's not full stupid. She might tug at the leash but...

    Now, she's a bit of a foul mouth protecting the innocence of a female minor from an older female sexual predator! Or something.
     
    Hrm.

    How well do you think we could get Sabah to co-operate with framing this for the general public as if she wasn't hitting on them?

    Cutting down SS for being a bitch is one thing to the observers. Cutting her down for an unprovoked attack allows her to be slammed down much harder.

    Not necessarily lying about Sabah's sexuality, though probably not drawing attention to it, but more lying that it wasn't a factor in her conversations with them.
     
    Gentlmen, ladies and assorted creatures of QQ... I fear this can not stand.

    Plan Bii will involve the following...
    3 motes first to Scathing Cynic Attitude
    followed up by 1 mote to Exquisite Etiquette Style
    and then after that 6, may be 10 motes to 2nd excellency

    so 10 to 14 motes spent from personal mote pool...
     
    In order to help people develop plans of their own:

    Re: other Wards
    As far as they can tell right now? SS struck a civilian while defending another. Probably not the way it should have been done. They are going to do a 'wtf? what happened? make with the 'splainy!' SS is probably going to get yanked off the floor, or something. Emma will back up SS. And this is if someone else takes social initiative.

    Re: Witnesses
    Not a lot of people looking in that direction at the time, SS isn't very popular. Most people were paying attention to other things. There is a lot of attention on them now though. No one to really back up Sabah.

    Re: Emma and Sabah
    Sabah and Emma were actually getting along, Sabah occasionally doing the light touch thing that Emma reciprocated once or twice. Emma might not be into Sabah but isn't not okay with the seemingly friendly type touches from another woman. Just thought Sabah was touchy type, not flirting.

    Re: SS view on the conversation
    Sophia sees this and doesn't want to loose Emma because Emma is 1) useful, Sophia won't lie she is 2) Sophia's biggest fan 3) Sophia's probably only friend.

    Re: Emma's hurt
    Sophia is the only girl Emma finds attractive (currently). Basically, SS is a -hero- and she is -Emma's- hero. And so hero-worship taken to slightly lusty levels. Emma is still like 90%+ hetero, and dates boys and stuffs.

    Re: Getting what is TDPs due
    Emma is going to back up SS, and leave Sabah out in the cold. This is getting rather close to the events that led to Sabah's trigger event, and Sabah is having a hard time dealing with it. TDP is going to have to step in if you want something to really come of it. If the Wards/Protectorate/PRT handle it, SS will get yanked off the floor and she'll get more shit duties.

    Re: TDP and the Wards present, inc SS
    It will go a long way to see TDP standing up for his friend, to KW, Aegis, and Vista, if nothing else. If TDP reaches a certain level of hunter/predator Sophia will be angling for info on him for reasons.

    This will finish the major interaction, and force a minor to be taken as well, as you will have to answer questions from the PRT/Protectorate and Max. Will have 3 and 4 respectively afterwards.

    If you have questions that I haven't answered, ask.

    =====

    If you ever have questions about something ask. If you have comments about shit that I've written, say it. I do lose track of myself and my writing sometimes. Allow me the chance to address issues. You can ask in the thread, you don't have to pm.
     
    Skitzyfrenic said:
    In order to help people develop plans of their own:

    Re: other Wards
    As far as they can tell right now? SS struck a civilian while defending another. Probably not the way it should have been done. They are going to do a 'wtf? what happened? make with the 'splainy!' SS is probably going to get yanked off the floor, or something. Emma will back up SS. And this is if someone else takes social initiative.

    Re: Witnesses
    Not a lot of people looking in that direction at the time, SS isn't very popular. Most people were paying attention to other things. There is a lot of attention on them now though. No one to really back up Sabah.

    Re: Emma and Sabah
    Sabah and Emma were actually getting along, Sabah occasionally doing the light touch thing that Emma reciprocated once or twice. Emma might not be into Sabah but isn't not okay with the seemingly friendly type touches from another woman. Just thought Sabah was touchy type, not flirting.

    Re: SS view on the conversation
    Sophia sees this and doesn't want to loose Emma because Emma is 1) useful, Sophia won't lie she is 2) Sophia's biggest fan 3) Sophia's probably only friend.

    Re: Emma's hurt
    Sophia is the only girl Emma finds attractive (currently). Basically, SS is a -hero- and she is -Emma's- hero. And so hero-worship taken to slightly lusty levels. Emma is still like 90%+ hetero, and dates boys and stuffs.

    Re: Getting what is TDPs due
    Emma is going to back up SS, and leave Sabah out in the cold. This is getting rather close to the events that led to Sabah's trigger event, and Sabah is having a hard time dealing with it. TDP is going to have to step in if you want something to really come of it. If the Wards/Protectorate/PRT handle it, SS will get yanked off the floor and she'll get more shit duties.

    Re: TDP and the Wards present, inc SS
    It will go a long way to see TDP standing up for his friend, to KW, Aegis, and Vista, if nothing else. If TDP reaches a certain level of hunter/predator Sophia will be angling for info on him for reasons.

    This will finish the major interaction, and force a minor to be taken as well, as you will have to answer questions from the PRT/Protectorate and Max. Will have 3 and 4 respectively afterwards.

    If you have questions that I haven't answered, ask.

    =====

    If you ever have questions about something ask. If you have comments about shit that I've written, say it. I do lose track of myself and my writing sometimes. Allow me the chance to address issues. You can ask in the thread, you don't have to pm.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Ohohoho, very interesting information all around.

    In particular, the bit on how SS views Emma. If TDP picks that up, and emphasizes the useful aspect with that Exalted skill in the resulting verbal throwdown, that could lead to some very interesting places.

    'Useful for what' could lead into Emma's assistance in covering things up, 'is useful' could lead to driving a wedge between SS & Emma, probably several more possibilities I'm not socially savvy enough to see...

    This could turn into an opportunity for some major powerplays all around, both immediately and in the future. The Wards, the Protectorate, capes in general, the E88 in particular, Taylor if she ever comes into TDP's awareness, the social set, New Wave given Mr. Barnes' sharing a firm with Brandish...an opportunity to cripple a flock of birds with a single cut, to butcher a metaphor!
     
    [X] Plan Bii

    What do?
    [X] Write in
    -[X] Work out what happened. Why it happened and then retaliate with ABSOLUTE force politely. See below for stunt
    -[X] Use personal motes for Scathing Cynic Attitude [3m], Exquisite Etiquette Style [1m], 2nd presence Excellency [6m], leaving you with 5 motes.

    XP Purchases:
    [X] Bank

    [X] Stunt [sometimes, you gotta smack a bitch and hope she drops some dice]
    You are a prince, let none gainsay this.

    By your words are those lower than you uplifted into the light.

    By your words are those lower than you cast down into absolute darkness.

    You are a lord amongst lords, your mien and behaviour stated this simple fact to the world. And it was accepted by all who saw you in your deeds and actions.

    Your keen eyes discerned the heart of the behaviour around you. You could see the hero worship that the redhead had for Shadow Stalker, of the mild dislike the other Wards had for the former vigilante. Of how she saw the redhead as hers... you saw it all.

    You sighed and smiled apologetically at Visa. "My apologies, I fear we will need to talk later."

    With that, you strolled imperiously past the other Wards. Past the socialites to be, the looks spoke of their judging of how you would handle this.

    You smiled warmly at your companion as you extended a hand to pull her, your Sabah, up.

    Your anger raged. It burned fiercely and strongly... before you pushed it down, into the depths of your heart... where it froze into cold anger.

    You smiled at Shadow Stalker, even as you dismissed the redhead. Your dismissal was absolute, she might be attractive, and yet with her words, she declared that she was nothing more than a lackey, and thus not worth your attention or words any more than someone's misbehaving lapdog was. More than that, your demeanor made it clear to everyone else that she was not worth their time either.

    Perhaps, if she had apologized or hadn't backed the wrong horse, she wouldn't be drifting into becoming the social pariah amongst the very social group she aspired to. But first impressions mattered and hers was now the pretty shallow girl who was fit to only be eye candy if she could keep her mouth shut.

    The way a person stood, the way a person spoke... it said volumes. "While I admire your... zeal in desiring to protect the virtues of the girl that my companion was speaking to, I do not believe it was necessary to assault her given the misunderstanding you seem to have."

    And it was true, you could see the words that you utter precolate into the consideration of those around you, shifting perceptions and attitudes. Why, Sabah wasn't in the wrong here. Shadow Stalker had simply misunderstood and overreacted with an attack on a harmless civilian.

    After all... "Not when my dear Sabah here is a fashion designer and the girl over there mentioned she was a model for some... minor fashion magazines and catalogs of assorted small clothier stores."

    You kept a steady look at Shadow Stalker and gestured as you spoke, not backing down in the face of her defiant glare. She was a cape, yes... but she was also in a position where she couldn't leverage her power, where she couldn't fight... where she was nothing but prey fit only to be run down by noble hunters. This was a patent and obvious truth.

    You were a prince, yes.

    But more than that, you were THE alpha male and your very essence sang that out to the world, that you were the prince charming for those who treated fairly with you and yours. But for those who stood against you, you were the worse of devils, the Infernal Dark Prince who bedeviled and belittled them with words wielded like a sword.

    "Now, while I can certainly understand and sympathize that you're used to a more... aggressive environment, I believe you owe my companion an apology." You tilted your head and kept a careful eye on the Ward. It was possible that she could snap, would attack you... and yet, you were ready for that, prepared to fend her off with the toothpick sword from the last hors d'oeuvres you had. But you suspected that given an out, she would take it. "And that would be that, yes?"

    There was a titter of nervous laughter from one of the girls in the background.
    You are a prince, let none gainsay this.

    By your words are those lower than you uplifted into the light.

    By your words are those lower than you cast down into absolute darkness.

    You are a lord amongst lords, your mien and behaviour stated this simple fact to the world. And it was accepted by all who sees you in your deeds.

    Your keen eyes discerned the heart of the behaviour around you. You could see the hero worship that the redhead had for Shadow Stalker, of the mild dislike the other Wards had for the former vigilante. Of how she saw the redhead as hers... you saw it all.

    You smiled warmly at your companion as you extended a hand to pull her, your Sabah, up.

    Your anger burned cold, absolute zero, and yet you smiled at Shadow Stalker, even as you absolutely dismissed the redhead. Your dismissal was absolute, she might be attractive, and yet with her words, she declared that... she was nothing more than a lackey, and thus not worth your attention or words any more than someone's misbehaving lapdog was.

    Your smile at the Ward was warm, even if it didn't reach your eyes. And yet, it was obvious to everyone that you were absolutely furious. "You say that as if what goes on between a fashion designer and a... model matters to you, miss Stalker."

    "Unless..." Your eyebrow rose sardonically.

    You were a prince, yes.

    But more than that, you were THE alpha male and your very essence sang that out to the world, that you were the prince charming for those who treated fairly with you and yours. But for those who stood against you, you were the worse of devils, the Infernal Dark Prince who bedeviled and belittled them with words wielded like a sword.

    "Unless your interest in the young lady my companion was speaking to is more lurid and sordid than one expects from an upright Ward." You tilted your head and kept a careful eye on the Ward. It was possible that she could snap, would attack you... and yet, you were ready for that, prepared to fend her off with the toothpick sword from the last hors d'oeuvres you had.

    There was a titter of laughter from one of the girls in the background.
     
    Biigoh said:
    [X] Plan Bii
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Probably going to do the usual bii bandwagon as is, but if you don't mind, had a few ideas that could maybe improve shit:

    Maybe adding a comment at the start about Vista? Something small like TDP giving her an apology for having to leave her so abruptly, or even just a small nod to her. Nothing huge but just a small thing to help set the scene and our way of letting her know that we've got shit under control.

    When TDP is walking over, maybe mention how some of the other Wards start to head over but upon seeing TDP they decide that uh, he looks like he's got this shit handled.

    And as for what he says to Sophia, it just seems so blunt and unsubtle. "lol ur just projecting" just feels like TDP is going for the low hanging fruit and well, is probably the kind of reaction she's expecting to see. Maybe instead play it off as her misunderstanding things like you started to do, and then just deflect to how you understand that as somebody that's so used to seeing threats everywhere that we she might have read into things a bit too deeply. Instead of going in all hostile and making a scene, just smooth things over and compliment her.

    he main reason why I think that would be better than going in aggressive is simply because if we go in looking for a fight, she'll hit back. And sure we can easily tear her to shreds and come out the winner, but well, not only would that burn bridges that we don't need to but odds are Sabah will either get hit in the crossfire now because of it, or something will happen later when we're not around to help her. Obviously it wouldn't be anything as obvious as Shadow Stalker going after her, but instead it could just be Emma talking about how threatened and violated she felt when the strange woman cornered her at the party to her coworkers. Hell, even just Sabah being outed would probably be bad enough for her and would mess with her hard.

    The best part though of playing shit nice, is that Sophia will know exactly what we're doing, and she'll be smart enough to know that if she tries to push things, she'll come off as the bad guy. And odds are she'll probably respect us for being able to pull something like that off.
     
    Well then in that case, time for the usual:
    [X] Plan Bii
     
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