Bill smiled at Mittens. "Thanks for the offer, but it's been tried. I have a new family now." He smiled at Darren, Bella, and even Meg. "You keep what I said in mind though, and remember this is a victory, sometimes we pull through by the skin of our teeth but you still pulled through. And for what it's worth, I have this power where I just sorta... know when and where I'm needed. So I know you had it handled out there, because I wasn't needed."

Miss Adventure will never get used to hearing the word 'wisdom' used in the same sentence as her name.  Still, she's quite glad that Wraith considered the 'fun' argument valid and shoots him a great big smile.

It's troubling that Ethan isn't allowed to know how someone can kill him, but considering that the knowledge is being passed on to an unknown like Wraith, it's probably so incredibly unlikely to pull off that it really doesn't matter who knows, just that Ethan is being kept in the dark because he lost some silly bet long ago.

Mits gives an impressed whistle in reply to Daystar.  "Wowzers.  You continue to prove your detectively prowess.  You and Wraith are gunna make a phenomenal duo."

Zewuh?!  Immortal Ethan doesn't dismiss a silly Mittens theory?!  It feels like... respect!  Mits is unsure how to handle that, and just tries to be proud of her outside-the-box thinking instead of beat up on herself for being so off-the-wall as to come up with something even an immortal hasn't seen before.  Oh right!  He did say he easily wraps people around his finger, didn't he?  Don't care.  It's nice to be treated with respect.  Besides.  Nothing wrong with being wrapped around a hero's finger.

And speaking of which, being eye-level with Excelsior while hearing affirming words from him is an experience like none other in Miss Adventure's many many escapades.  Mixed with the sad news that this elephant has given up on escaping from the emotional rope that keeps him from reconciling with his Dad because it's been tried before, then followed up with heroic positivity, is quite the roller coaster.

Mits grins impishly, reaches to put an arm around Excelsior's neck and grind the opposite fist into his massive deltoid like she's teasing a little brother, "Worth a whooole lot, Billie!  Hard to put into words what it means to me.  Let's just say, consider yourself an official Mittens Meowsketeer family member!  So call on me when next you need to circle the world instantly.  I'm only a phone call or text away!"

Much as Mits can appreciate Ethan's lovely lady wanting to kick out the guys for some girl time, she's enjoying hanging out with these awesome folks way too much to  sign on to the idea.  Probably best to just keep quiet on the topic, though.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:44, Fri 07 June 2019.

When Kevin mentions the theory that the owner of the museum could have knowingly put people in danger, Wraith gives a slow nod as if this thought had crossed his mind as well.

The rest sounded like research-backed thoughts. Between Mitts' kudos on Kevin and the way Kevin talked, Wraith was quickly liking this guy.

He then looked at Lin and says, "Understood."

The girl said take a couple MEN... so Wraith figured that meant he could stay. He's a boy.

And he's a boy who wants to know the answer to his question that requires Ethan not be present. Speaking of...

Wraith looks at Ethan. "Thank you for speaking with me and introducing me to Lin." He briefly considers mentioning the man with the goatee that was just moments ago, helping Mitts and Wraith with some criminals, but he decides against it for now.

Mittens smile was returned with a skeletal thumbs-up since his hooded, veiled face has no discernible features.

Before Daniel was able to ask for the restrooms the waitress had left. Daniel was a bit annoyed but then just got up and started looking for the bathroom.

Daniel found it suprisingly hard to look for the bathroom so he stopped one of the waiters. "Sorry to stop you, but do you know where the bathrooms are?" At this point Daniels face was becoming a bit red and his leg began twitching because he really had to go.

 The waiter nodded, and indicated the doors (with the clearly marked signs above them) for both restrooms.  There were not only English labels, but braille, Chinese (Mandarin) and Greek!  They were just at an angle from where he had been sitting to be a little hard to spot.

There was a bit of a sad smile on his face as Ethan speaks, though it was unlikely being directed at him.

"Sometimes, Miss Adventure, reanimated mummies are just reanimated mummies.  The city has a way of throwing multiple challenges at you, that was one of the first lessons I learned.

Alfred, egress."

He would have a little time before the Osprey would be near.  Unless.

"Thank you, Director Sharpe, for the information.  As for 'rough around the edges' I think my Mentor and the city that shaped him created that phrase.

Miss Adventure, with the wards in place are you able to open any portals?"

He continues to rock Bella, though that sad smile broadens just a little as his head dips down towards hers.

"I am sorry, but you need to go back to Aunt Meg for a bit.  I have something to take care of."

As he speaks he heads over towards Meg, looking to her briefly to confirm she would be able to take Bella off his hands.  He realized she was going to be planning some shenanigans with the others but she seemed excellent at multitasking.
*edit*

Looking towards Wraith and Miss Adventure, his face does start to go a little flat expression.

"Crime scene investigation is a science.  Therefore you come up with theories based on what you observe and your past experiences.  They are validated through the collection of evidence, a process that I am in the early stages of.  So, in your own investigation and the experiences you will no doubt encounter, keep that in mind.  My thoughts now are simply theories as to the crime.  Looking to those as the truth could blind you to the actual truth."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:49, Sun 09 June 2019.

In reply to Mittens (msg # 473):

Bill took the card. "Why thank you, I appreciate it." Bill looked up at Lorelei. "Can the 'confirmed bachelors' count as honorary women? We did come bearing baby after all. We're mostly here to see Meg."

Ethan nods at Kevin, offering his hand for a firm shake. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. And let me know if you could use any of those resources." Ethan quickly leaped up the stairs, offering Lorelei a quick kiss. "And that's my business concluded my love, it's back to the office for me. I'll see you tonight." And with a wave to the rest of those gathered he headed out the door.

>>To Safehouse 17>>

 Lorelei laughed, and said "You two count as females for THESE purposes, so you stay.  Besides, you might enjoy plotting with us."

  Meg gently took hold of Bella, telling Kevin "Of course.  She's always good to stay with me, I'm Aunt Megs.  Stop on back when you are ready."

  Lin nodded, and told Kevin "Try nnot to forget to laugh, it helps one cope.  Trust me, I have had plenty of practice."

Seriously.  What is UP with Maverick's super suit?!

Mittens smiles to Daystar's question, always super eager to be helpful to fellow heroes.

"One of those very affirming things I keep running into is that good-guy wards don't interfere with my superpowers."

Well... except this one time.  But we don't talk about accidentally breaking inter-dimensional laws or having a run-in with a being of immeasurable power that enforces such laws.  On the bright side, she's yet to meet the bad-guy ward that could interfere with her pretzeling space-time too.

"Where to?  And by the way you sound exactly like the detectives I watch on reality cop shows."

To Bill she gives a big smile and thumbs-up.  "Anytime!  And you know you're always welcome in any pow-wow Mittens has any say in the roster for."

OHMYGOSH I can't believe I just shoulder-nuggied Excelsior!!!  And got away with it!

Mits is loving that Lorelei keeps mentioning "plotting," but is guessing that there isn't any real mischief involved.  But cannot help it that her curiosity is extremely piqued by now.

He sets Bella in Meg's arms, a little reluctant to do so, but it he had something to take care of.  He brushes a finger against Bella's hand gently before getting back to business.  With his hands free, he returns Ethan's handshake.  Looking towards Lorelei he had to inwardly grin a little.  Not knowing her deal, she did seemed to handle the fact Ethan was centuries old very well.

Reaching into his pockets he takes out a cellphone, a pocket watch and an asthma inhaler.  A few shifts of pressure from his hand and the cellphone pops open, looking over the screen.  Giving Mittens Latitude and Longitude coordinates as well as an altitude of six hundred feet.

"Three minutes.  Alfred, adjust speed and altitude."

"Of course, Sir."

The voice sounds like an older man with a very formal British accent and far to clear to be human.

Setting the inhaler into an opening formed by the cellphone, there is an audible 'click' as it shifts into place.  The phone moves just a bit more with this action and a few more movements by his hands.  The pocket watch gives a few tones as it flips open in his hands.  Setting the device into an opening on the 'cellphone' there is one more click.  He gives a slow breath as he gets his mind and body situated.

"It has been a few years since I have had anything to laugh at.  Gotham has a way of taking what ever joy you may have and feasting on it.  And I did not have much joy when I was dropped off there to begin with.  But, thank you."

One more breath and he calms himself, pushing those memories that simple confession threatened to reinvigorate back down to where they had been all these years.  Aiming the grapple towards the ceiling.  The hook very obviously in the shape of a bat.

"Miss Adventure, a portal about ten feet in diameter.  If you please."

Daniel thanked the waiter and went into the bathroom.

A few minutes later and exits the bathroom with a satisfied look on his face. "the bathroom was so nice as well."

He sat back down on his table and took out his book once more and opened to the page he was reading, after reading for a while he had stumbled upon a legendary weapons described in the book. Daniel took out his note book and pen and began writing the weapon on his note book. "I hate the process of adding things to the notebook, but at least the story on these books are fascinating, I just hate it when I have to stop reading just for a dam weapon." He whispered to himself.

Daniel was doing this while waiting for time to pass by.

  Lin's wry smile was clear, and she said "You learn a couple tricks for handling life's shit in over four millennia of life.  Laughter is a very good one."

  Lorelei grinned at Kevin, and said "You so should help the guys keep my ornery old pirate busy for a while."

"ok let's see, I've now added wukong's staff, the Kunwu, and Erland Shen's spear. *sigh, I guess that sould be enough for today." Daniel puts away his both his notebook and book on chinese mythology.

"Honestly, today has been a delightful day except for the time I got a bit carried away, he." Daniel cheeks lit up in red after rembering the events that had occured and on the fact the cops looked like fools letting him escape so easily.

The waitress had walked by and asked. "Waitress, whenever possible may you bring the bill please."

  The waitress smiled, and brought him a folder with the bill.  The prices were, really, incredibly reasonable, especially given the portion sizes!

Daniel was delighted by the prices, he would've though that the price would be extremly high due to the quality and the amount of food he ate, but to his suprise it wasn't like that. He looked a the waitress once more putting the cash in the bill and asking, "do you accept cash?"

  The waitress nodded, and got his order rung up so he could either continue to linger, or go on his way, his choice, the Cafe catered to guests of both kinds.  All of the staff were friendly and helpful, although some of them looked younger than the normal minimum of  to work.

Mits salutes Daystar.  "Comin' right up!"

She makes magical gestures and conjures up a portal that has sparks spraying out the sides just like Dr. Strange's sling ring portals.  Nothing more magical than a second portal behind the first that leads to a hand drill that spins a wheel with several lit sparklers duct taped to the edge, but oldschool practical effects can be very convincing.

"As always, I'm just a jingle away.  Don't be a stranger, Daystar."

Mittens considers Lin's wisdom and thinks maybe that being silly has more value to the people around her than what she gives it credit for.

"I can think of a few ways to keep a pirate busy.  A treasure map with 'see other side for X' written on both sides.  A compass that always points west.  A leaky boat.  A hide-and-seek game with a ninja.  Challenge them to find the North Star while traveling The Strait of Magellan.  A peg-leg butt-kicking contest..."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Thu 20 June 2019.

Bill gave Daystar a nod. "Good luck, and I'm sorry for any pain our meeting might have caused." He looked to Lorelei. "Does he need kept busy right now? He said he was going back to work, and he was really just hear to consult with our friend here."

   She grinned, and said "If he actually goes back to work, no, but I don't want him investigating our plotting.  He will find out the results soon enough.  And you guys can plot too, since you're game."

It actually occurs to Wraith that his identity would be near impossible to keep from other immortals since they can "sense" each other like they do. He makes a mental note of it and watches as the heroes are dividing. He makes no mention of whether he should or should not go and simply stays.

[Into Post]

Marcus stepped into the cafe, straightening his suit jacket. He was a little overdressed for a place like this but he didn't care. He scanned the interior with a smile on his face, "it looks nice, don't you think?" Marcus glanced to his right and remembered he was by himself.

Marcus sighed and got the attention of the nearest waitress, "excuse us, ma'am, may we seat ourself or should we wait?" He gave her his prize-winning smile.

** In the Back Room **

Kevin gives an attempt to smile but it doesn't even get close to his lips, let alone bringing any light to his eyes.

"It is fine, and I am sure you will be seeing me around."

A small bandana is pulled up from under his shirt, dark and undecorated to cover most of his face.  From the neckline of his jacket, a small hood is stretched up and over his head to shadow his eyes.  Just because he did not shield his identity from those that entered the room doesn't mean he wanted some lucky glance from a satellite or someone stargazing to see obviously 'Kevin' soaring out of a portal.  A glance is given to Lorelei, though no response follows.  Two wires are pulled from the grappling device, one being attached to his left shoe and the other hooking to his belt.  Setting his right foot over the left he exhales as the sound of gas and wire escaping the grapple as it is fired can be heard.  Shortly after it passes through the portal there is the sense something cloaked soars past it, confirmed with a quiet 'chunk' of metal on metal.  Almost immediately he is lifted off the ground and carried quickly through the portal by the invisible Osprey.

The grapple beginning to reel him towards the ship even as it continues its path back to the city.  He fades completely from side as a port opens in the bottom of the craft, allowing him entrance.

>>>> Downtown Weston >>>>

  The waitress answered sweetly "Sit anywhere you like, this is a self-seat place, unless one calls ahead and reserves one of the private dining rooms.  The menus are brought once you sit down.  Welcome to Apokryphos Cafe and Coffeehouse."

Marcus smiled to her kindly, "thank you very much. We'll just sit here then." He made his way over to one of the empty tables and sighed, relieved to be taking some weight off. Marcus had resigned himself to do something that he had wanted to since he arrived at the city. He was going to finally register. He wasn't sure what had made him want to but he knew that if he had these gifts he might as well use them.