Miss Adventure gives Dane a sly smile.  "Heard of Sam Adams' one-of-a-kind brew, 'Utopias?'  Was featured in the show, Modern Marvels.  Imagine 56 proof brewed naturally in barrels.  No distilling."

She proudly offers a small glass.  "Limited edition."

To Seraph Mits shrugs, "Some strongly dislike puns enough that for them the threat would be real.  I happen to love 'em."

Seraph has Mits' number from that earlier scene with the adorable robo-pup, so Mits slides her business card over to Dane.

"I'm useful for quick trips to Disney World, Fort Knox, and other such legendary places should the need arise."

Miss Adventure stares a moment at the Mystery Guy (Whom she can't tell is watching Seraph.)  "Dude who looks like an anime Matrix character with slushie and cotton candy.  When Mittens asked for the Men in Black, this is not what she was expecting."

(( Couldn't find the Modern Marvels segment, but here's a quick blurb on Utopias:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgN9uP4AGtc ))
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Mon 30 Mar 2020.

“So I’m not being paranoid; I am being watched. Let’s keep an eye on him and see what he does.” Seraph said as she finished her leg.

  Since his wraparound mirrored shades obscured his eyes completely, watching what he was watching was impossible, but he was facing the duck pond where little toy sailboats were floating around, and eating his cotton candy and slushie.  Dane could tell that he was highly aware of his surroundings, like a combat veteran who had only recently gotten out of the hot zone, but he wasn't actually doing anything anyone could object to.  Unless someone just objected to him period.    He did tilt hid head up to seem to bask in the sunshine, a wry smile crossing his features.    Setting his slushie on the bench beside him, he fished out a cell phone and called someone, his voice not audible from where his observers were, but it wasn't a long conversation anyway.

Lifelight smiles at Seraph and says softly, "Mittens is right. Some people dislike puns. But I know lots of puns, so if you want to hear any I can tell them to you."

She slowly looks over to Dane and softly says, "I can loan you some drones if you would like some extra eyes."

Upon people drawing attention to Andy, Lifelight smiles and says, "Maybe that is his superhero costume."

Lifelight hugs Serena's arm. "It might be him. It might be someone else. But there are many good reasons to watch you. Especially among the children at this festival. But if it would make you feel better; I can go talk to him."

Maverick is doing his best to hide how thrilled he is Dane is treating him like an equal and handing over contact info.

With people drawing attention to the strange visored man, Maverick offers to Donny to go on a walk with him and then goes to casually walk around the duck pond like other kids and offers that he and Donny could feed some ducks even. But he slowly makes his way to the stranger's location, though keeping a distance of ten feet. Close enough to listen to the guy, far enough to be able to dodge from any sudden attack.

Walking right up to people to evesdrop while openly visible himself isn't Maverick's usual style, but today is about enjoying himself with his buddy at this festival anyway. So honestly, this method of spying is a lot more casual and light-hearted for the boy. Though also probably best given the crowds.

  Matt focuses on either the most important, or least important things about Mittens's new dealings with the kids. "Mittens, for the sake of their dignity, please don't suggest they wear reflective vests with name tags." wrong timeline full of mutant teenagers, Matt.

Miss Adventure chuckles.

"Alright.  I won't suggest anyone wear safety vests in this case.  Lifelight so cuute!  'I'll go talk to him to make you feel better.'"

Buuut patience for mystery already spent.  (That sure didn't take long.)  A goofy puppet slooowly peaks up near the trenchcoat man and waves.  (( https://media.giphy.com/media/...d2zA9cCyTS/giphy.gif ))

"In my experience this is the quickest way to determine if Mystery Sunglasses Guy (M.S.G.?) is a threat or not.  If not a threat, he'll simply be annoyed with Mittens' silly antics and vanish never to be seen from again.  (Whatever became of that Awesome Sniper Guy?)  Sad that so many shadowy types can't handle comic relief girl.  Here's hoping that when Maverick becomes a man he doesn't follow their example.  Maybe by then Mittens will have crossed the Despair Event Horizon and she will never know if Mavvy would have remained her friend in spite of her eccentricities.

"Watch out if the guy isn't annoyed with Mittens.  That's a hint that he's more psycho than her."

"He" meaning M.S.G.  Not Maverick.  We already know Mav is more psycho that Mittens a perfectly innocent boy you needn't worry about.

Dane eyed the brew warily, but never one to back down from a challenge, he said, "Thanks!" and took a drink. Not a sip.

His eyebrows went up ever so slightly, and he grinned at Mittens. "Well, that'll put lead in your pencil. Delicious."

  Before the puppet, Mav managed to catch only the tail end of the phone conversation, but it included the (prosaically enough) normal "I should still be here for a bit, may go snag some more carnival food, but this spot by the duck pond is a good one.  I'll look for you."

  He eyed the puppet with wariness, and casually reached into his coat for a moment, then did something, before the puppet was sprinkled with iodized table salt.  He then said, his voice a deep rumble that sounded like tectonic plates "Be you evil, begone in the name of light, be you harmless, you may stay."


OOC: This is Gargoyle, he has spent the last decade or so out of town, but he was a NAD when they were around.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Wed 01 Apr 2020.

Words cannot express the overwhelming joy a fangirl such as Mits experiences at a time like this.  After all the awesome heroing and fun times with friends, when Rampage himself expresses gratitude, enjoys, and compliments her gift, Mittens is rendered speechless.  Had this happened when she was younger, Mittens would likely be launched into orbit with an epic Yahoo that would rival a Rock-A-Doodle solar flare summoning, giant villain defeating warcry.  But years of Zen Space Samurai discipline has forged the over-zealous girl into one that can tone all that down lest her over-the-top celebration be off-putting.  So instead a mere squeak escapes her throat. (( https://youtu.be/elXxAWOBn_0?t=12 ))

"G-glad you like it," Mits manages to answer, her shaky voice betraying the volcano of happiness hidden under the surface.

And as if getting a smile from Rampage wasn't enough to test the restraint of a Zen knight...

Scene transitioning over to the puppet.

Suddenly it all makes sense!  Mittens is a huge nerd when it comes to topics she's in love with, such as the exploits of big-name Superheroes.  So she immediately recognizes Gargoyle's distinctive voice and mannerisms from all the many New Age Defenders reports, interviews, movie and TV adaptations she's obsessed over.  Of course Seraph would sense the half-demon even if he's a champion of a holy order!

Once again, had this been Miss Adventure of yore, the puppet would likely have reacted with a Kermit-like "Yaaay!" flail.  Instead it gasps in surprise.

"You're Gargoyle!  Of the Order of The Holy Shield!  Ohmygosh such an honor to meet you, hero!  Thank you for allowing me to stay.  Um...  If you'd like to meet my friends, I'd be happy to introduce you to Rampage, Seraph, Lifelight, Matt, Donny Derring, and Maverick.  You mighta heard of some of them, they're kinda famous too."

Due to how Mittens is voicing the puppet, everyone at the Seraph table is able to hear what's being said.

  A wry smile appeared, and he rumbled "I didn't realize I was that well known, but I'm game to meet folks if they wish.  I will however, say that when Mom gets here, she gets hug priority.  I figured it was a good occasion to meet up and just enjoy being around people in a non-emergency or occult situation."  He peeked at the puppet over his shades, those eyes of bottomless ebon with floating purple fire pupils clearly why those shades hid them most of the time as he added "Most of us are sort of spread out now, you know.  Ozzy and Ex, I  believe, are the most famous, but I did get a tip from Adri that 'The last Fury will fade into the stars soon', so I thought I'd make sure I visited."

  As he spoke, a middle aged woman (black haired like him,  but going gray, with a ready smile and lighter complexion spotted him, and called "Andy!!  Good grief I always forget how huge you grew to be.  Bigger than your father, and forever a goth now."  Which got him to his feet and he stepped over to her, enveloping the woman, clearly his mother, in a hug as he said simply "I love you, Mom, but you tend to forget I'm a big boy now."  His mother was a petite woman, and she was dwarfed by his six six frame.

Seraph couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm Mittens displayed. Her excitement, enthusiasm, and general zest for life was rather contagious. She stood up and looked at her friends. "Shall we go meet this man before Mittens pops?"

She waited for her friends before walking over to meet Gargoyle.

Lifelight is happy about the idea of meeting another hero. Happier still when she sees the hero reunite with his mother. "Yes." she answers Serena.

Lifelight walks towards Andy. She could hover, but she enjoys walking, especially in a park and near a pond.

Since there are other, more forward heroes around, Lifelight will happily let others take the fore in the social engagement.

Seeing the turn of events in the favor of heroes and relaxation, Maverick smiles some. He continues offering nibbles to the ducks in the pond, sitting and relaxing while having a good time with little Donny. However, he does continue listening in.

  Andy, his arm still around his mom, turned toward the approaching ladies, his eyes still hidden behind those mirrored shades as he said Looks like the up and coming generation wants to meet me, even if I am not as famous as some of the others.  I want to drop in on Meggers too sometime today, but you have to tell me more about your fella you said you are dating, Mom."  His imposing, ebon-leather clad self definitely NOT the image of the typical hero clad in spandex and bright colored costumes.  He lifted a hand, palm up as he said Lets go meet up with Mav, Donnie and their friends, Mom.  I'm apparently worth a squee or two for being famous.  Not something I ever really imagined."  His wry smile was clearly also amused, and those ebony nails of his gleamed in the light, his coat gapping enough to reveal the t-shirt with a picture of a winged Demon very similar to how he looned in his trueshape.

  More than their history of herosim, being the sort of person to love their parents joking about what a huge nerd he remains is a clear sign of Andy's positive qualities.

  "Bringing casual wear to work is becoming much more popular these days, but that just makes the classics stand out that much more. So it's a bit of a win win fashion situation."  Though to be fair, the wall eyed stare of the sailfish stadium mascot is much less cool than demon T-shirts.

Mom gets hug priority?!  OMG the cuteness!  Mittens' brain is fried by the adorable scene that follows.  Not surprising he's on a nickname basis with Meggers, but that's still cute in it's own right.  Wait, does he know Maverick on a nickname level already?  Wow!

"But that shirt sure tempts Mittens to wear some of her own fan merch."  (( https://i.imgur.com/xj3tMgR.jpg ))

Introductions are made, some just for Mom's benefit since Gargoyle apparently knows Mav and Donnie.  "This is my Space Buddy, Matt.  This is my spy buddy, Maverick.  This is our strongman buddy, Donnie.  This is my angelic buddy, Seraph.  This is our lovey buddy Lifelight.  And this is my new beer buddy, Dane."

"Meeting two famous heroes in the same day would be plenty for Mittens to pop.  That they're approachable and overflowing with awesome personality..."

Miss Adventure uses a party popper.  POP!

  Andy chuckled, and said lightly "Given that I met Meggers when the NADs were still new, and she was one of the four who literally went to Hell to retrieve me, nicknames are a given.
 She's also one of the few people who are likely to live as long as I will.  Pleased to meet all of you new folks, fear not, this particular old salt is friendly.  Mittens, I know Matt at least was staying at Meggers' place, have you seen her lately?  I have to admit I can't say I've actually seen her in at least two years."

  His mother, shaking her head at the famous thing, said "I nevver imagined Andy would be a famous hero.  Pleased to meet all of you, and I hope you're enjoying a little downtime here."

  Matt would know, Megaira hadn't been home a whole lot, she'd been away from home more often than not for at least the last four years, and actually catching her was difficult at best anymore.  Something was keeping her busy, but it wasn't active heroing.

"Well--Mittens popped. I was trying to avoid that," Serena said in a very dry voice before looking at Gargoyle.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Seraph." Her voice had lost some of the hissing, crackling it had when the brats were being little tossers. She looked at his mum and nodded. "Ma'am, a pleasure to meet you."

  "Thanks, trying to be more sociable than I used to has been paying off." Which is why he resists the urge to call her Mrs The Gargoyle's Mom

  "I get the feeling Meg's latest hobby project is taking up a lot of her time, though I'd feel rude explaining it when she'll do a much better job of it when you do manage to catch up... Also, for clarification, I'm not from Space. I just spent a lot of time there with Mittens."   Well okay, because for as jaded more people are getting, just blurting out 'She's building an Ark ship to lazily drift humanity into the stars' in a public place would probably still sound crazy to bystanders.

  "Still, if I run across them before you do, I'll let them know you are hoping to catch up."

Dane stuck his hand out. "Dane Sinclair. Good to meet you."

Then he smiled, and inclined his head toward Gargoyle's mother. "Good afternoon, ma'am. Nice to meet you as well."

Maverick gives a nod to Andy and his mother when introduced. He gives the mom a bright smile and says, "We are enjoying the festival. Then again, being kids at a children's festival, Donnie and I are probably enjoying it in particular."

He shakes hands with Andy and with Andy's mom. "Either of you going to play any of the games they got going here?"

Lifelight hugs Mittens. "I will hold you together, Mittens." she says in her normal soft tone.

Lifelight offers a handshake as well. She has a bit of a spaced out look even though she is smiling. "It is always good to meet new friends."

"Mittens went to Hell, once.  During Hellfest.  There was a hearse parade.  They had some really funny bumper sticker messages.  But I'm guessing you're not talking about a tiny town in Michigan.

"But yes!  Saw Meggers just a couple days back at her Cafe."

Miss Adventure winks at Seraph then smiles broadly and salutes Gargoyle's Mom.  "Andy's one of my absolute favorite role-models!  Like, since I was little!  Hence my popping.  Here..."

She offers them both a contact card.  "Consider distance not a problem for seeing each other on a whim.  Mittens can portal you together in the wink of an eye!"

Mits is still surprised that her schedule hasn't already completely filled up with requests for as freely as she makes the offer.  Granted, she tends to make the offer to people who are pretty independent and fully capable of getting to point B on their own terms.  It's the thought that counts?  Maverick bringing up games to play gets her tail to wagging, but...

"Eeep!" the high-strung girl squeaks when glomped by Lifelight.

Miss Adventure blushes sheepishly.  "Um.  Thank you.  Lifelight.  You're adorable."

  Andy's rumble of amusement would probably have sounded acceptable coming out of an earth golem or a stone statue as well, and he shook the offered hands with genuine pleasure at meeting such friendly folks.

  His mother shook the offered hands as well, and said happily "Getting to have Andy stop in is a pleasure, getting to see some of the new generation of heroes who have taken the job of protecting the innocents is even better.  Andy's told me a little about Megaira.  If you, Matt, are lucky enough to catch her, well, tell her thank you from me as well, please?  She helped to make sure Andy was never completely alone with his differences."

  Andy shook his head, taking his shades off to reveal his eyes at last, those bottomless pits of blackness with floating pupils of purple flames.  "Mom, it's not like the other New Age Defenders didn't all have their own secrets.  Vic and I just happened to have talents that lay in the more occult spheres than most things usually lie."  He shrugged, and looked to Dane to say wryly "I do believe you and I could do that rare barcrawl, and you'd never get drunk enough to 'test' my reaction speed like some folks have.  And I almost never drink.  Or if I do, it scares the other patrons when I head home."

  To Mav, he answered "It wouldn't be fair for me to do it, but if Mom wants, I will pay her games at any of the booths.   She always wants to win a goldfish, and I can't seem to keep a pet goldfish for anything."