---> From The Cirandon Hotel

Wraith follows behind Mittens. To those seeing Mittens and Wraith appear in the cafe through a portal, there is a catgirl (Mittens) followed by a four-and-a-half-foot tall wraith, complete with writhing shadows, billowing ragged cloak, and no perceivable face.

The little wraith looks around at the people in the cafe before turning his hood in Mittens' direction. In a reverse-reverb voice that sounds like Tassadar from Starcraft, he says, "I like this place. It feels relaxing while clearly being a bulwark of terror to all that is evil."

  Meg 'petted' the water-weird that was Bella as she said "Well, it's been a little complicated, but I need to step up building on the Pandora.  I still have some things to get done, but it will probably require a couple trips out of orbit, and over near Mars again.  Since I have Bella, I'll probably take the small ship I already have built to test things out with, since it makes it easier to keep an atmosphere around folks.  Which, as a note, Bill, I will need you to mention to some of your other friends that I need some really super psychologically stable people to crew the Pandora.  I am sure they can help us find them."


  Bella blurbled, and said "Blabia Dada abragh nava kamma urva."

  Lin hugged him back, and said "You'll be four hundred and thirty three, Ethan, and you STILL have a lot to learn about women.  To Lorelei, who hasn't HAD an eon of birthdays yet, every one is still important, so shut up and take your wife making a big deal of it like a man."  She poked him firmly in the chest to emphasize her point, then added "The fellow you need to meet is in the Cafe with Meg, he's legit, and he did come in from another dimension, although he was born originally in this one.  It gets complicated.  But he is no threat, he's on our side."

  One of the waitresses asked politely "Do you need a table for two, and menus?"

In reply to Lin (msg # 399):

Ethan sighed. "Yes big sister..." He relented. "So is that confirmation that IS what you ladies are up to tonight?" He said with a sly smirk.

He frowned at the mention of other dimensions. "Alternate universe type dimension or different plane of existence type dimension? The last time we went to the realm of darkness was NOT a fun time."

He started down the stairs with Lin in tow. He stopped when he saw Wraith. He leaned in to whisper to LIn "Am I mistaken or is that small person one of us?

In reply to Megaira Kattakara (msg # 398):

Bill nodded. "I can talk to some of my contacts at the UN, I'm sure plenty of countries will want in on this. Or I can arrange for you to speak in front of them if you like?" Bill grinned at Bella and waved at the little water-being.

As Daniel began kept avoiding people while still remaining invisible he felt a grumble in his stomach. He hadn't had any lunch. Daniel couldn't simply go to the Hotle for a meal as the police would probably still be there so he decided to head for the Apokryphos Cafe. Some of his friends at the workplace had recommended him the place and he was jokingly told that he would perfectly fit in there as there was Greek and Chinese themes.

Daniel this time actually checked no one was watching and decided to take off his helmet. "Damn this thing is useful" He said under his breath.

To not be seen by any possible police patrols Daniel entered the place contemplating at the architecture of the place and it's Greek/Chinese theme. Daniel found an empty table with a free seat which Daniel decided to take. The place seemed quite and it would take a short while before he would get any service. Daniel reached into his bag to pull out the book he was reading before he was so awfuly interrupted. He opened the book and continued his reading while waiting for service.

  Lin answered primly "I shall neither confirm nor deny any possibility on that.  What I can tell you, is that you have a lot to learn about being married."  She poked his shoulder teasingly, then answered serenely "Yes.  To your swashbuckler, he is the spy."

  The staff at Apokryphos wasn't the type to let anyone wait long for service, and one of the
 staff (awfully young looking) was there in very short order asking him politely "Hello, would you like to order anything?  We have a full coffee and tea selection, as well as food, and I can get you a menu if you like."  The place was definitely a mix of Greek and Chinese, in ways that made it clear the person who did the decor was intimately familiar with both cultures.

Daniel suprised upon seeing how quickly service had arrived softly put his book down and looked at the employee. "I would enjoy having some tea and with that may I please know what the special for today is if you have any."

In reply to Lin (msg # 404):

"I should talk to him, best not to find out like I did. You go ahead and let your person know I'll be coming." Ethan entered the cafe proper and all in attendance would recognize him as the Director of the DPA as well as one of the three living members of the Secret Defenders and co author of the book that brought the clasified WW2 superteam to public attention. He approached the boy in the strange clothes (Maverick). "Excuse me young man, could we talk? I think there's something you should know. Unless you already found out but I'm guessing probably not."

Seeing as Wraith has joined, Mits gives a thumbs-up to the waitress.  Just as she was about to answer Wraith's comment, she hears a familiar voice and looks in Cyclone Sniper's direction.  Upon seeing him, she nearly falls over.

"I agree," Mits answers Wraith in a whisper, "Don't look now, but Grenade Guy from earlier is here."

She pulls a wide-brimmed hat out from hammerspace and puts it on in an attempt to keep Daniel from spotting her.  Far from the most effective disguise, considering that the hat was custom made to allow for her ears to poke through.

But then Secret Defender Ethan addresses Wraith, and Mits stares in slack-jaw shock.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:55, Fri 17 May 2019.

Wraith nodded to the offer for seats, and to Mittens upon her pointing out that the guy from earlier was there. Then Ethan approached.

The faceless hood tilted to indicate he was looking up at Ethan. "I would be honored to speak with one such as yourself, sir. Mittens here needs a friend, however. Would it be possible you could speak openly with her present?"

"It's a personal matter, so it's up to you who knows, and you may want someone you're close to for this revelation anyway." Ethan took a deep breath and looked Wraith right in the eyes, or where the eyes would be were his face not covered in shadows. "Are you aware you are an immortal?"

Staff:


Daniel Took a second to think, "Well I'm a simple man so I'll go for some green tea, Also you don't have to tell me the special for today, I have confidence in the quality of this place and before you ask I don't want anything else."


Staff:


Daniel feeling more relaxed opened his book again and continued his reading breathing a sigh of relief.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Fri 17 May 2019.

Kevin smiles a little sadly as Bill speaks about Superman.  He takes a few breaths just to center himself again.  Slowly that mask of stoicism flows over his face.

"Mars is a beautiful planet, it has been years since I saw it.  Frankly, Bill, I was hoping we would not meet.  A new friend of mine spoke highly of you and I do have to say, the comparison between you and Kal… Superman, is very accurate.  And you have out of orbit capabilities for flight, Meg?"

He shakes his head slowly.

"With great power.  There is an avenue of training I have as an option.  An option I was not going to take before I could speak with you, Bill.  There is a tool I can use to help protect against these Ninja Yokaizords.  I did not make the name, but it is catchy.  This tool comes with a risk.  The last member of my family to use it, he gave in to power and fear.  If I go in that same direction, you will need to take me out.  Meg, if you can get me out to where the ships entered our solar system, I may be able to get some readings on the direction they came from.  If you have not done that already.  They may have captives.  All life is precious, no matter what planet it comes from.  We are all in this Universe together."

  In a few moments, he was delivered a steaming pot of water and a cup with tea-infuser already steeping some green tea that smelled absolutely wonderful.  This stuff was real green tea, clearly from China.  The real deal.  The food came with it, a dish of mixed Greek and Asian origins that was absolutely unique, made from thinly sliced and cooked lamb pieces, fresh (cooked) vegetables that were in season (bamboo shoots, snow peas, baby corn, water chestnuts, carrots and peppers) in a sauce that blended the two cultures amazingly.  This place was like no other restaurant he'd ever seen, with the unique food here.

  Bella turned to look at the door as Lin entered, and said happily "Yaya!!"  Which made Meg look, and smile at her mother, he two of them still incredibly alike, to the point it was hard to tell them apart at all from a distance.

  Turning back to Kevin, Meg said "I do have a ship that is capable of traversing the entire solar system and more without difficulty, it was the test for a great deal of the larger versions that will run the Pandora.  I would be happy to take you for a trip in the runabout, if you wish.  And while you take your readings, I can see about doing a GEM scan too."

  Lin smiled, and said "Ethan's here, I told him you were here, and vouched for you, so he'll be in in a few, we found another one like us, and he's making sure they know what they are before, hopefully, they find out the hard way."

Mits is blown away like a monkey being shown a card trick!  (( https://youtu.be/4ydGVpHoTHM ))

"Oh.  My.  Gosh."

As much as she wants to flip out over how epic and cool it is to know an immortal, her conscious manages to keep her in check.  What if Wraith is the sort to take revelations like this hard?  Does he even have someone he's close to?  Is she going to wind up emotional support for yet another hero going through a huge life-changing event?  The rush of conflicting emotions are not sitting well with the butterflies already break dancing in her tummy.  Miss Adventure vanishes for a moment with a sign that says, "BRB" in her place.

Meanwhile, the question of, "If a crazy catgirl were to scream at the shore of a deserted island, and no one's around to hear it, does it make a sound?" is put to the test.

Moments later, Mittens returns, looking frazzled, the bottom of her fancy dress wet with seawater, and her breath smelling faintly of vomit.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Sat 18 May 2019.

"Thanks, you to-" Daniel cuts off what he was going to say before making himself look like an idiot.

The Waitress walked away to attend another customer.

Daniel took a second to contemplate the food, he had probably never seen such quality food, it even seemed to rival what his mom would have cooked for him, though he knew he was probably exaggerating when it came to his moms cooking.

Daniel put his book down and began eating.



Never in his life had Daniel eaten such good food, the tea was at the perfect temperature and the mixture was flawless. The ham was perfectly cooked and the vegetables were perfectly seasoned. Daniel spoke under his breath while still having some food in his mouth, "bloody hell, not even ma would cook this well" a small amount of tears began flowing froms Daniels eyes as what he was eating seemed to be a gift sent from the gods.

Long story short, the meal didn't last long.

In reply to Kevin Jordan (msg # 412):

"While I appreciate the comparison I don't think..." He stopped mid sentence looking very confused. "You sound as if you know him personally"

"Thank you, aside from doing my part to protect life here, it would be nice to see space again.  It is peaceful out there."

His right hand flexes slightly, showing the internal struggle far more than his face and words do.  His thumb nervously scraping against the ring on his right ring finger.  Lin thankfully distracts him.

"I understand, discovering something like that about yourself can be very difficult.  If another time would be better, or talking to another representative I can accept that.  Though for that meeting, I would like to get changed into something more concealing of my identity."

He does his best to just focus on Bella for a bit, the innocence of a child, the happiness.  He missed that feeling.  Taking a breath he looks towards Bill.

"Unlike my Mentor, I am known for my occasional slip up, especially when emotion comes into play.  Growing up I spent a lot of time on a little farm just outside the limits of Smallville, Kansas."  A soft breath is expelled as his thumbs moves away from the ring as if it cut him.  "I was in Metropolis visiting, a very close friend, the day Uncle Kal fell defeating Doomsday.  If I am going to up my training, I do need an answer."

He looks down to his left pectoral where beneath his shirt, a certain being sat in the shape of a dragon tattoo.

"From both of you.  Sorry I have not spoken much to you, I have been used to walking this path on my own for some time."

Wraith is speechless for a moment. He is about to answer Ethan when Mittens disappears. His hood looks at where she was. He looks back at Ethan. "I am unsure why she reacted that way. My apologies. To answer your question... no. I was not aware. What does that mean exactly?"

When Mittens returns, Wraith can only guess as to why she smells the way she does, but he reflexively moves to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, forgetting for a moment that thanks to his costume, that means a creepy skeletal hand is now gently resting on her shoulder.

"Here, let's take a seat." Ethan led them to one of the open tables and at down. "It means a number of things. For one, you can regenerate from most any injury , You are immune to disease, and eventually you will stop aging completely. You are not completely invincible, there are ways to kill an immortal. I cannot tell you what they are, as I do not know them, Lin can, because she does. It is also very difficult for an immortal to conceive children, but it is possible. In addition you will find yourself drawn to and superhumanly talented in a particular set of skills, usually under an archetype. For example I am a swashbuckler. I am skilled in both melee and ranged combat, primarily swords and pistols. I am naturally very stealthy and acrobatic, and a nimble fighter. I am also natuy very charming and skilled at manipulation."

  When he was done, one of the staff came and collected his dishes, and asked him courteously "Would you like anything else?  There are also desserts available, as well as Italian ices, and ice creams."  Clearly, the young lady being his waitress was an attentive and good server.  She only looked to be about sixteen, at best, and he could have sworn one of the young men over by the coffee-bar area looked even younger.  Daniel could also still smell the food in the back, and there was clearly more of the dish he'd just had an excellent helping of (someone had Chinese ideas of portions, enough that if he ate it all, he was a well stuffed patron) available, and the waitress added helpfully "We also offer carry-out if you decide you want some more for later.  Miss Kattakara always says that we should never send customers away hungry if they don't want to be."