Terdisas is glad to be back to the guild.  There tend to be lower odds of running into an irate ogre in it than outside of it.  The building is still standing, so Mittens and Emerald if they have already entered have not developed EmoMcMuffins of enough scale to devastate scenery yet.

  "I suppose at the very least, you will stick around long enough to get paid for your actions Maverick?"

Maverick nods to answer Terdisas. Then looks at Lucky. "She's older." he enters the guild. Emerald is there. Adding to the crowd is May, who looks to see the bunch and waves with a cheerful smile and then looks with anticipation at Maverick. "A new face..." she comments quietly and eagerly.

Timothius and Raichel, of course, enter with.

Mittens apologized to Emerald off panel about the rudeness from earlier, and the two of them look to be getting along well enough.

"Hi there, May," Lucky greets, "This here is Maverick.  He helped us take out a big nasty that was stealing cattle.  Maverick, this is May.  She helped rescue Raichel and Timothius a few days ago."

  Teridsas gives a pleasant smile and wave to the Kobold, "Hello May, it is good to see you."  He is also glad to see the apparent lessening in Arg between Mittens and Emerald.

  "Now, would purchasing a beverage for you be considered a kind gesture or something worthy of suspicion Maverick? I still can not tell."

Maverick gives a light bow in greeting to May, then answers Terdisas with a nod. "Yes. But I won't refuse such an offer from you."

May says, "Wow, kid! Nice resume you got there! I heard about a few kids around here trying to play hero. One of 'em happens to have been born with magic power. Another just thought he had what it takes, but he didn't have it. Another seems to be going around being a hero in-town by making sure authorities are alerted when nobody else alerts them."

May is being talkative as usual.

Maverick says, "Thanks. Your heroics were well timed, ma'am."

He turns his head as Liberty enters and walks over to him. Maverick looks around, goes to sit by May, having Liberty sit at his other side. Liberty, of course, waves to Lucky and Terdisas. "Hey, guys."

Mits of course sits with her sibs.  She writes them a note. 

Lucky waves back to Liberty with a smile.

"Hi there, Liberty," he answers, "You know Maverick already, then?"

  Terdisas smiles slightly, "I suspected as much, I shall be right back."   It's coco time!  Hey, he wanted some too.  "I suppose some could take it as a life lesson that the child doing the 'least' is accomplishing the most?"   He says in regards to May's comments.

  They return shortly with drinks, offering to Maverick.  "Hello Liberty, I hope you have been well since we last met?"

 [Not Private: with GM tag, I can see your private lines.  Not that I'm snooping of that was anything snoop worthy, just a reminder.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:19, Sun 10 Apr 2011.

Liberty nods. "Maverick's my brother." she says frankly. Her appearance and commentary on the recent law concerning responsibility is making more sense.

Maverick says, "Thanks" to Terdisas. He, of course, sips the drink and offers a sip or two to Liberty.

Timothius passes a note back to Mittens.

May grins from what Maverick says about her. Then says, "Thanks! So I heard about some kind of cattle thief? Tell me how it went down?"

Liberty says, "Someone else care to do that for him? He doesn't like talking much."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Sun 10 Apr 2011.

"I'd be happy to!" Mittens exclaims, jumping to her feet.

She then recounts the events in her own Mittens-like manner, embellishing the detailed account of the combat with sound effects like 'whoosh!' 'kapow!' 'slash!' 'wham!' etc.

"After combat I complimented Maverick's battle prowess and deduced he was a human orphan child from various clues.  I wished him luck on surviving such a situation.  Lucky of course was too lovey-dovey to let go that orphan boy might die in the fires of adventure, so he tried to dangle the carrot of 'some adventurers would raise a kid in a tomb of horrors' to try and convince the kid to consider adoption.  Angel and Emerald offered to be such.

"Emerald suggested we come here to chill, and Mav said 'So long as you don't turn me over to those evil people at the orphanage.'  I was all, 'If they're evil let's go kick in the door!'  Lucky was all, 'No they're not evil.  I was all, 'Why wouldn't he wunna go there?'  Then Maverick was all, 'Friends and family are prisons.'

"Needless to say, I did not take such a statement very well.  So I sarcasmed and mocked.  This offended.  Emerald ran off and I ran after.  I made up with Emerald but have not had the chance to make up with everyone else.

"SO!  I apologize for my fail diplomacy to everyone.  But now that I know Maverick has a sister, I'm curious to know how she feels about his statement that 'Family is prison.'"

Lucky sweatdrops.

"That's not very nice," he says, "Liberty, Mittens is most likely misinterpreting what Maverick said.  She doesn't know it's natural for an orphan to be afraid of being adopted.  What if the new parents are mean?  What if they don't like what I believe in?  What if I'm a disappointment to them?  There's lots of reasons.  I should know.  I grew up without parents.  I had a lot of time to think about it.  Mittens, don't nitpick an orphan's feelings."

Mittens facepalms.

"So it's heroic and just to say 'Family is prison?'  Or does that rule only apply to orphans?  You're making assumptions too.  You're assuming his experience is the same as yours.  Could be I'm right about assuming the kid meant what he said.  Or am I giving him too much credit, Liberty?"

Lucky heavy sigh but holds his tongue so others have a chance to speak.

  Terdisas was also curious about the 'Family sux' outlooks effect on the revelation that Libery, who so far as he knows does not suck, is his family.  But now neither he, nor Superbird have to be the ones to ask, score!

  "I am somehow getting a dejavu feeling from Mittens's commentary."   "Chirp, Oh, Im sure you have NEVER made similar statements.  ever."  "Quiet you."

May punched and stabbed at the air as Mittens narrated the battle. Then the whole "offending" topic comes up and May has a frozen smile as if Mittens cast ice on her. She then has a "I'm not sure about this" frown ( http://luija.com/wp-content/up...on-frown-300x279.jpg ).

Liberty looks over at Maverick, waiting for his answer.

Maverick says, "If I add the word 'usually', my statement will make a lot more sense. Liberty, as her name suggests, sets me free. But most would show their love through telling us we are too young to help people and thus, hold us back."

Liberty says, "Maverick believes since he didn't use the word "always", that the word "usually" was insinuated. So his was a matter of grammatical error. So... Maverick? May as well apologize for the misunderstanding that led to more than just Mittens offended."

Maverick says, "I apologize for the misunderstanding."

Emerald eyed Terdisas with a "I wonder what he's hiding" kind of look. But says nothing, respecting his privacy. May unfreezes and looks at Mittens expectantly.

Angel is just leaning against a wall, happy none of this has to do with her. Timothius and Raichel remain quiet as well.

Mittens lifts her hand.

"Lift hand!" she says.

Lucky huhs?

"Apology accepted!  I disagree with his 'usually' opinion unless he has an entirely different definition of 'prison' than mine but I'm satisfied that this clarification allows for my siblings not be accused of being prison."

She leans over to arm-around her sibs.

"Uh... good," Lucky says, "Glad that's resolved.  Liberty.  Have you and Maverick even been to the local orphanage?  If so, what happened there that he wouldn't want to go back?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Sun 10 Apr 2011.

  Terdisas is 'hiding' past stupid ways he has mistaken statements in the past.  Some of which are likely documented on this very board.  Not very dramatic hidden thing, but there yah go.

  "I am fairly certain at the very least there are rules regarding concealed weaponry at the orphanage, for starters.  Though I hope that sort of thing would be the worst of it."

Liberty nods in affirmation of what Ter says. "Really, the orphanage does what a loving set of parents would: Denial. Maverick and I would not be allowed off their premises unless escorted by an adult, who wouldn't allow us to go do things like what Maverick did today. Besides... the point of an orphanage is to feed and clothe kids while getting them parents where possible. Maverick and I don't want parents that keep us from heroics and we can feed and clothe ourselves. So why bother going to an orphanage?"

Emerald says, "A good orphanage, like the local one, is a lot more forgiving than the streets. But if you say you can support yourselves... well then the only other thing I can say is that the people who work at orphanages generally act as a substitute for parents... teaching right from wrong and stuff..."

Liberty says, "Like everyone else, Maverick and I are convinced we already know what's right and what's wrong."

May folds her arms, giving that expression again.

"Are there other capable kids at that orphanage being denied the right to help others?" Mittens asks, "If not, me and my family will be going there and having a serious talk with the one in charge.  Being a hero has no age minimum.  That's what I learned in my family."

Lucky headshakes.

"No one at the orphanage is denied the right to be a hero," he says, "Quite the opposite.  They're strongly encouraged to be heroes.  I could list off a whole host of heroic things those kids and the staff do together.  What I think Liberty is getting at is that brutality is not encouraged.  There's a big difference between running around brutalizing baddies and actual heroics, riiiight, Mittens?"

Mittens glance-glances.

"Ahem.  One can of worms at a time, please."

He looks over to Liberty.

"Family, friends, and community are more than just tools for survival.  If feeding kids is all that mattered, they could easily be given jobs in the coal mines that pay a survivable wage.  Or they could be taught wilderness survival then kicked out of the city.  But that's not a nice thing to do to children.  What if that adult escort were an understanding hero like Emerald?  Would you be willing to follow her example?  Your own understanding is not something to take for granted.  It needs to be kept sharp by associating with good people like her.  I can tell you had good adults in your background.  What would they ask you to do with such an offer?"

  "As a man who's primary method of problem solving when words fail is 'shoot them with lightning', I somehow doubt even my most persuasive arguments would meet credibility qualifications for how Violence is not a requirement for going out to accomplish heroics."

  "Chirp, so.  Giving the adult homeless wilderness training and kicking them out of the city is cool then?... Wait, that's definitely taking something the wrong way, tweet."

Liberty says, "Our parents are dead. They can't ask us to do anything. I'm not wasting my talents. And neither is Maverick."

Maverick looks over at Liberty as if she said something abrasive. The pair's eyes meet for a time and Liberty seems to relax slightly.

Liberty says, "Look, you can no more ask me to put aside my talent in particular than I could ask you to never read or listen to people. I'm a psion. To not use my talents would literally be asking me to not use my brain. And for Maverick, stealth is life. The moment people start poking around, looking for him and somehow, magically, finding him without him willing it? He will feel as if he just died. But asking us to put aside the brutality? Ask it of yourself first. As for Emerald being an escort and a possible mom..."

She looks at Emerald. Then scans the people present in the room. "It wouldn't be a bad idea. Maverick and I will be escorted by anyone and everyone in this room if you have us in your adventuring party. Just as you escort each other. The parent title would go to the one who seems to fit the bill the best or seems to take to us the most. And who we fit the bill for and take to."

Mittens shrugs.

"I'm not your parent," she says, "And thank goodness for that.  'Cause it won't be on my conscious if you go and get yourselves killed while I'm not around.  But if you do something stupid like walk toward a dragon cave unprepared while I'm watching, I will try to stop you like I would anyone else doing something stupid like that.  I may not try as hard as the rest of the people around here because I'd rather not die trying to rescue a moron, but nevermindthat.

"Additionally, I'll only pick kids to join me on a dangerous mission when there's no time to pick a capable adult and the kid happens to be significantly more useful than a burden.  Which is very rare.  Heck, even adults that are significantly more useful than a burden are rare, hanging around this place giving a different impression notwithstanding.  I'm not in the business of taking kids to dangerous places.  Someone else can have that on their conscious."

"No one's asking you to not waste your talents," Lucky answers Liberty, "I'll talk to the head of the orphanage and arrange a place for you to sleep at night with no locks that keep you in if you're not ready to live with Emerald.  And no, treating adults is not OK either, Superbird.  As for putting aside brutality, I already have.  Had that cattle thief died, I would have healed him.  Timothius too from thing's he's said before.  Heroics is a much bigger thing that just killing people you think are bad.  Emerald for example repaired a whole bunch of people's reputations with her music.  She'll be a good teacher to show you that how to put your talents to use without getting yourselves killed."

  "While I do not exactly have a low opinion of myself, I doubt I am suitable parent material either as I am now.  Though at the very least I hope to not be a terrible role model in general."

  "Chirp, I don't think Maverick of Liberty are the sort to hide behind Lucky while he gets stabbed anyways."

Maverick says to Mittens, "Instead you will have your siblings on your conscious. And I remember you taking a child with you on a killing spree recently out of revenge."

Raichel says, "People do stuff they wouldn't normally do when they are angry."

Maverick doesn't reply.

Liberty mulls over what Lucky says and says, "...sounds good."

Angel finds all this fascinating in a morbid sort of way.

Emerald says, "I'll come with you so the orphanage staff know who you're talking about, of course."

Angel looks at her crossbow and then to Lucky. "I could teach the kids about keeping distance to further insure their safety. I hardly ever get hurt in battle m'self."

May glances at Terdisas. "Pff... you're a great role model, Terdisas!"

"Exactly!" Mittens answers Maverick as if she agrees with him, "Revenge and prevent them from getting away to hurt people some more, but mostly revenge.  Maybe.  No.  Not really.  If revenge meant more innocent people getting hurt than otherwise, then no.  Wouldn't go there.  Interestingly, Timothius objected more to the technically young-adult's methods than his age..."

"I'll tag along," Lucky says, "I'd like to pay the place a visit anyway.  And I agree with May.  You're generosity is an example of the kind of non-violent heroics I'm talking about.  Please don't tease him about using smart tactics, Superbird.  You wouldn't condemn Angel for her methods, would you?

"And thanks for the practical offer, Angel."

  "I shall keep in mind that you will show great restraint to any who kidnap and maim your sister then Maverick.  A sign of respect worthy maturity"  What? He had to join the 'sarcasm hidden in an honest comment' club regarding Maverick sometime.  Thank you, giagantical Bluff bonus.

  The sorcerer smiles at Lucky and May "Thank you, Intellectually I am aware of this, but there are times where all focus more on their shortcomings instead."

  "Chirp, well duh I wouldn't tease Angel about it.  She's cuter than bossman is."

Angel smirks at Superbird. "Thanks, Superbird. And no problem, Lucky."

Maverick just glares at Terdisas.

Liberty says, "Right. So. Orphanage." she grabs Maverick's hand and goes to follow Emerald and Lucky. She speaks in a hushed tone to Maverick, "I think he was just trying to say restraint is a good thi-... stop thinking like that, Mav."

May scriggly-faces and watches them.

Timothius stays behind with Raichel and Mittens.

Lucky follows Emerald and them out to go to the orphanage.

"Score one for the goodguys!" Mittens boasts, "Stubborn independent orphans successfully tricked into doing something for their own good!  Not that I'd know anything about being stubborn and independent, right?"

She re-glops her sibs.

"Thanks for sticking up for me, Rai."

  Terdisas has long since accepted the reality of people who give countless amounts of sarcasm and moral lectures being unable to deal with even a fraction of such sent back their way.  Though the fact Maverick is a child as opposed to a grown man eases this somewhat, this doesn't change the fact Maverick is just as (or more) likely to stab him over opinions.

  While there is quite the crowd of people he knows at the Guild to talk with, Standard Operating Procedure as it seems to have developed means 'Follow Lucky just in case'.  Yes, even on a trip to an orphanage.