-Day 2-
Middle of Night, Parksville, Kingsley's house

“That’s all right; you didn’t wake me,” Dan whispered, offering no further explanation. He was baffled by that weird dream, and couldn’t help wondering if it meant anything. For now, that would have to wait; right now, his primary concern was comforting his wife. “And please call me Dan. After all, we’ve been through a lot the past few days.”

"Um...okay," Jenny replied. Calling an adult by his first name felt a little odd to her; she'd been raised to show them respect. Still, Dan was right about all they'd been through since the supernova.

But she wasn't ready to share the kind of talk with him that she had with Angie. Now that he was awake, that would have to wait for another time. "Good night," she whispered.

"Good night," Dan replied.

Moments later Angie had fallen asleep in his arms. He lay awake contemplating his weird dream for a time, until sleep claimed him as well.

Day 3-Morning- Burg- Josh

Nothing has changed yet. Chaos still rules the streets and the government is nowhere near enough by itself.

These thoughts ran through Josh's head as he made his way towards the Lawrence Manor. He was on the rooftops again, the streets were too exposed and lawless for him to get to his destination in a timely maner.

The total trip took him over an hour to get from his apartment to the sprawling grounds dominated by the huge house. When he arived, he walked up to the front gate and stopped, looking around uncertanly. Finally, he pushed the buzzer next to the gate and waited. If the buzzer was out then he would try and make his way through grounds to the main house. If his hunch was correct though, the buzzer should still be working. Or at least a new one had been put in place of the old one.

Day 3: Burg, morning
Lawrence Manor

The familiar chime of the front gate monitor alerted Jennings to the guest at the bottom of the hill. Setting aside the toast and juice he was preparing for Master Lawrence and Miss Browning, the butler made his way to small video monitor nestled in the kitchen wall.

"Lawrence Manor, Jennings speaking. I'm afraid we are closed to any visitors at this time, unless you have an appointment with Mr. Lawrence."

As he spoke, the butler moved the mini joystick on the monitor control pad. Unbeknownst to anyone on the outside, the two large stone lions guarding the front gate contained mini cameras in their eyes. An early "upgrade" Malcom had made to the grounds when he first inherited the estate.

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Arida: Day 2
de Mon Castle

Darkness... usually comforting but this time seeping with an air of dread. He was alone. In the center of a room or was it a room? Everything was dark... no, not dark. Black. Pitch black. Sounds echoed here as though the place was made of metal or at least was a huge theater.

Another laugh. This time a demonically joyful laugh. "Dear, dear boy... you've seen me all your life and yet you still do not know? OUR time is coming.... remember this." As the voice spoke, two glowing eyes emerged from the blackness and quickly engulfed Chris's surroundings.

Christopher Howard awoke with a start. It was still early morning, before the sun had fully risen above the horizon and when the world is covered in a blueish hue. He was still in one of the guest rooms of Candice de Mon's castle. The fireplace was now nothing more than smoldering embers, barely giving off any heat or light.

"Good heavens, man... it was only a dream. Get some rest." the bounty hunter said aloud to no one as he laid back down. As he drifted back to sleep, Chris vaguely remembered having dreams like the one he just had when he was younger... much younger....

Day 3-Morning- Burg- Josh

"I am am here to talk to Mr. Lawrence about the sludge monster that he dealt with yesterday."
As he talked, Josh glanced around for any hidden security systems. He did not know alot about Lawrence as a person and he did not want to end up being turned into a pile of ashes or something if it turned out that the man was willing t kill to keep his secret.

Day 3: Burg, morning
Lawrence Manor

The young mans bluntness caught Jennings slightly off guard, but he recovered in an instant. "Pardon me for a moment...." with a quick press of the mute button, the elder gentleman quickly made his way to Malcom's quarters.

"Master Lawrence, there is a young man at the gates that seems to know of your... escapades from last night." Jennings informed his employer as the younger man stretched while fully waking up.

"Does he look like a government official or a hitman?" Malcom asked with a yawn.

"No sir. He seems to be of the "everyday people" type, though by the looks of his clothes he seems to have had it rough the last few days."

"Haven't we all..." Lawrence muttered as he got out of bed and stood in-front of the large closest. "Go ahead and let him in. I should be able to handle this, but keep that lucky bat of yours on standby if I need any assistance." he added with a wry smile as he put on one of his many housecoats.

"Very well, sir. I shall and I will. Though let's hope for his sake I am not needed." Jennings deadpanned in his usual manner before heading back down to the kitchen.

"You may make your way to the front door... And please stay on the path." Jennings said into the microphone before turning off the monitor and heading to the front door to await the guest.

Day 3-Morning- Burg- Josh

The gates opened and Josh headed through.
On the way up the path he looked around, wondering how the place could be in such good condition after the Supernova. He figured Lawrence had probably "Ragnarok Proofed" the place in case something of the sort happened. Although, it was most likely to have been to deal with an attack on the city or mass riots in the streets.
The walk took only a few minutes before he reached the door. Josh knocked on the door and waited.

Day 3: Burg, morning
Lawrence Manor

After the first knock, Jennings opened the door and ushered the young man into the mansion. "Follow me, please." the butler said as he escorted the stranger into the study where Malcom was waiting behind his writing desk.

"Thank you, Jennings. That will be all for now."

"Very well, sir. Ring if you need anything." with that, the butler left the room, leaving the doors to the study cracked open enough to hear if anything went amiss.

After watching Jennings leave, Lawrence turned his attention to the young man standing before him. "Please, take a seat." he motioned to the two chairs in-front of the desk. After a short pause while the stranger took a seat, Malcom spoke.

"Jennings tells me that you believe you saw me last night fighting a... what was it?... slime being or something." Lawrence paused for a moment then continued. "Honestly, I don't see how you could have come up with that. Just because I'm a billionaire loner does not mean I'm a caped crusader or the like..."

Day 3-Morning- Burg- Josh

"No it does not. but you left behind several clues to an observer astute enough to make them out. First of all, that bike of yours. That technology does not come cheap. Second, the people who had access to that type of technology are very limited in this city. You being the most likely choice if one looks at your past history of caring about how the city is running on a everyday person level. Third, the mask and suit, either lots of people know who you were or you were planning on lots of people knowing who the "Masked Crusader" was.
And last of all, the way that you acted with tho police and other government forces already trying to fight it. This lees points to you as it points away from what would be the main suspect. If you had been part of a government task force or just getting funding from them you would have been there much earlier and helped from the start.

Burg: Day 3, morning
Lawrence Manor

Malcom smiled at the obvious detective skills of the young man in-front of him. Someones been watching their Sherlock Holmes... "Very well, for the sake of moving on, let's say I am that masked man from last night. Why have you have come to see me? Is there a bounty on my head already?"

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While Lawrence was busy with the new guest, Selena had made her way downstairs. Upon hearing a discussion going on between Malcom and... someone new, the red haired avenger quietly made her way to the kitchen. "Good morning, Jennings. You don't happen to have any toast around, do you?"

"Good morning, miss Browning. Actually I do. It was originally for master Lawrence... but he is rather preoccupied at the moment." the kind older man set a plate of toast and a glass of juice on the small table in the kitchen for the girl.

"Thank you." After putting some butter on the toast and taking a sip of juice, Selena asked who the guest was.

"Some local boy. He apparently saw what you and Lawrence did last night in the industrial district... or so he says."

Day 3-Morning- Burg- Josh

"if I was here after a bounty then I would hardly come walking up to the gate and telling you what I saw now would I?
I'm here to warn you that if I can figure it out then others are probably not far behind. I just happened to be the first to see you in action. I also came to ask if I could join you. This city needs more then the government is able to give and I think you are the one who is going to take up the slack. I want to be a part of that, I feel like I can make a diference, I just need the opportunity."

During this, Josh had leaned forward and was now on the edge of his seat, his voice gaining more urgancy as he neared the end.

~Day Three~
~Parksville~

Josiah had not expected to be the first person awake, but the light that came in between the curtains of his parents' bedroom window seemed to be aimed for his eyes. He got up, folded up his blankets and pillows and placed them in a corner, and got dressed as quietly as he could; his parents were still asleep.

As he shut the door to their bedroom behind him, he noticed his sister standing in the hallway.

"Glad to be home?" he asked her quietly.

Michelle grinned. "Oh yeah. I was thinking - " Her brother sighed, possibly guessing already what was on her mind, but she ignored him. "We should make breakfast for everybody. And don't you pout, Josiah Kingsley! You know Mom'll do it if we don't, and she's been through enough lately."

"I'm not pouting! I know better to argue with you at 6:40 in the morning."

Still grinning, Michelle started towards the kitchen. "What d'ya suppose they'll like?"

"I have no idea. Pancakes - everybody likes pancakes, right?"

Burg: Day 3, morning
Lawrence Manor

After the younger man had given his pitch, Lawrence waited a few seconds before responding. The kid before him seemed the honest sort and someone that might be good to have around... still, Lawrence already had Selena as a "partner" and wasn't all that interested in starting a Superhero Fan Club. Especially since it would naturally draw attention to himself for suddenly having an influx of visitors.

After a long pause, Malcom finally spoke. "Alright, kid. You're in. I'm not doing this to start a superhero daycare, so don't go telling all your friends about us." After eyeing the young man, Lawrence continued. "You're also here on my good graces. If you step out of line or anything of the sort, you're out. Got it?"

— Day 1 —
Judicia, Erbaine
Laramie's House

Liam's last post
Laramie's last post // Leon's last post

—
Liam bit back several sarcastic responses upon seeing Leon. Don't you know how to knock? A part of his mind, the rational part, tried to dismiss this thought. It was a supernova. Everything was in chaos. Naturally, nothing would be as it should.

His rationality was short lived. Yeah, right. That was the point: It was a supernova. Who wanted to be rational at a time like this? Who could be rational at a time like this?

Leon stepped inside and addressed Laramie first. Liam's glare bounced between Leon and Laramie. Then he looked at his shoes. Then the ceiling. Then Laramie again.

Leon and Laramie's voices faded into oblivion as he tuned them out. Liam bit his tongue. Hard. An image flashed through his mind of Liam chasing Leon out of the house with an iron skillet and a broomstick. It was tempting.

Leon's voice startled him back to the situation at hand. "Hi, Liam. I didn't know you would be in here."

"Hello, Leon." Liam did his best to mask his irritation at the interruption. "I didn't think you'd be here either." The words tasted like acid as they came out. Nothing was going the way it should. Laramie wasn't coming with him. Then here was Leon, waltzing in like he owned the place. What a great day.

Leon continued. "Are you doing ok as well? I-I guess this is weird, coming out of a person like me, who often says little to you unless Laramie is around. Er, not that I mean I don't like seeing you around, but I guess I'm closer to Laramie than you."

Closer to Laramie than me? The thought screamed through his head. What?! "You know Laramie better than I do, hmm? Listen, punk, no one knows her better than me." He paused, his breath coming out hard and short. "That said... maybe you can put some sense into her head, then. Since I'm not succeeding." He sent her a bitter glance. "Since you're such great friends with her and all, maybe she'll listen to you." His glare was rock solid.

Leon addressed Laramie again. "Seriously, I am sorry. I haven't been feeling very well after that incident earlier today. I bet you and Liam haven't been experiencing any feelings as bad as mine."

This gave Liam pause. Several images flashed through his mind. The backpack incident. The Hand-Switch. Oh yeah, life had just been dandy. No strange feelings here. "You think you're not feeling well?" He held up his bandaged hands. "Think again."

Day 3-Morning- Burg- Josh

"If I was going to blab to my friends, I would hardly have come here to warn you of how easy it was to figure it out. In any case I will do as you ask Mr. Lawrence. No talking, no doing anything stupid."

The man was slightly more harsh then Josh had originaly expected, but he could hardly blame him. After all, vigilantes had never been looked on with approval by the government and the supernova was unlikely to change that.

Day 3: Burg, Morning
Lawrence Manor

For the first time in their talk, Malcom smiled. The kid reminded him of himself when he was younger, somewhat. Granted, he was a bit more of a "risk taker" in his younger days... "Alright, I suppose if your going to stay with us you can call me by my first name. Since you're not another hired hand."

Lawrence stood and walked around the desk to where the younger man sat. "Follow me and we'll get some breakfast mr..." he left the question hanging for the new arrival to tell his name.