[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

[CCrusaders] Roger says, "yeah I'm not really sure what else would make sense or fall into the power range really"

[CCrusaders] Roger says, "Maybe I'll just keep an eye on it and if it seems like I'm pushing this too far, we can decide welp that must be that stunt"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "As for power range, you can choose any enhancement for the Illusion power, or pick any base power as a power synergy provided it makes narrative sense."

Wanda has arrived.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Woo."

[CCrusaders] Wanda is ready to kick ass.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Watch it, young lady."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, right, Slinger is missing today. So I guess everyone is here!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yay"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "Aww, Grandpa"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "awww"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(btw when I said Yay, I didn't mean 'yay Slinger's not there')"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"

GM says, "When we last left our heroes, they were in the brand new Catherine Crowne Memorial Park. On the ground, is an unconscious woman in a smoldering pastry chef's uniform who calls herself the 'Half Baker'. As police backup arrives, Commissioner Webb is directing them to take her into custody."

[CCrusaders] Zircon asks, "Is someone still wrasslin an invisible person or something?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "They've been knocked unconscious, but yep."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "And I have the device from their forearm!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Which I try to figure out."

Hunter disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

GM says, "People are filtering out of the park, including Red and his daughter Chinh. Meanwhile, there's another body on the ground: the crowd hasn't noticed yet, but an unconscious teenager is just now fading into view on the grass."

GM says, "He has on a light blue jacket with mysteriously bulging pockets."

Zircon exclaims, "Hey, I know that guy!"

Zircon says, "(Because, hey, 'I know a guy')"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Spend a fate point"

GM says, "The mayor is climbing down from the stage, and you can vaguely hear him mumbling something about 'not how this was supposed to go at *all*'."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "okay I'll spend that"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Alright! Who is he?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "shit"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Or I can tell you!"

GM exclaims (at Zircon), "Hey, you know this guy!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "yeah why don't you go and I'll jump in maybe"

GM says, "He's Jamie, a teenaged punk who's been trying to get into the local crime scene. He's always been a bit of an underdog, from what you've seen. And you've never heard of him having any kind of superpowers or special tech, so it's pretty weird that he was somehow invisible today."

Zircon says, "Jamie, Jamie, Jamie... what have you gotten yourself into now."

GM says, "(And, speaking of tech: Eben also has an armband that he wrested off of Jamie while he was invisible.)"

Eben examines the armband!

Wanda empties out Jamie's pockets.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Basic gadgeteering says that I can tell what a device generally does just by looking at it."

GM exclaims (at Eben), "So, with your super gadgeteering powers, you can easily see how this device must operate!"

Zircon says (to to_party), "The coppers are probably busy enough with Half-Baker there; maybe we can help them out by taking Jamie away from the noise and having a little chat with him."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Cat, bring the car around"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

GM says (to Eben), "It's clearly a medical device, and from the display and buttons, it looks like it's designed to control the dosage of some kind of medication. There's a needle on the inside, and a glass vial slotted into the outside, so that green button must inject a measured dose of whatever's in the vial into whoever's wearing it."

GM says (to Wanda), "You find a gold watch, a brooch, and several wallets."

Wanda says, "Hey guys, this is just junk."

Eben shakes his head. "Well, I guess we know what he was doing while he was invisible...

Eben says (to Wanda), "Uh, dear, those things don't belong to him."

GM says, "And as you've been doing this, most of the park has emptied out. Aside from the cleanup crews dismantling the stage, you're all that's left at this point."

Wanda says (to Eben), "Oh! I don't get why he'd want that. It's not edible."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "The commisioner isn't still there?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I take it Wanda's pockets are full of crickets?"

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "You can use valueable things to *get* food!"

Zircon says, "Maybe we can go settle down over at Old Man Eben's garage; always lots of room in there"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Unless someone's got a personal set or something"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "He's on his way back to the station with the Half Baker."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Makes sense."

Eben says (to Zircon), "Sure, sounds good to me."

Jacob nods.

GM exclaims, "OK, next scene: Eben's garage!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I'm sort of serious about the cat driving"

GM says, "You're all there, along with Jamie, who's just starting to come to."

Wanda has opened a pack of dried crickets, and is munching on them.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure! But he's not here, so I'll try to save his first actual driving scene for when he can join in :)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "heh"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "well yes okay"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I had a LARP character who carried cheesy dried crickets as a snack :)"

Eben asks (of Wanda), "Hey, aren't you in Intro to Chemistry? Can you tell what's in this vial?"

GM says, "'Wha... what happened...? Oh. Crap.'"

Zircon asks, "Heya Jamie. Rolling in the big leagues, are we?"

Wanda asks (of Eben), "Intro to Chemistry? Damn, wasn't that *today*?"

Eben says, "Yup! I mean, not that I know your schedule. I'd guess it's today. Since you brought it up."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I don't have the Academics skill, but I guess I can roll it anyway (Mediocre level)?"

Zircon asks (of Jamie), "Why don't you just tell us what you've been up to, nice and easy?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Yup. Are you trying to Create an Advantage here, maybe?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Can I spend a fate point to invoke Family First and say that my mother's been helping me with chemistry?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "yeah, create an advantage"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. Oh yeah, she made the skinsuits, right? Makes sense to me."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Cool."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I think there's probably an Aspect here around being in Eben's Garage Lab or whatnot, in my opinion"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, wait, it's Jacob that has Lore."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah"

GM says (to Zircon), "'I, uh... I was just trying to get into the Princelings, y'know? This was my big tryout. I guess I failed. Big time."

Zircon says, "Princelings, eh"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "Can I roll now, and add the +2 from spending the Fate point"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "or do you want me to wait?"

Eben asks (of Jamie), "They give you this thing?"

Eben holds up the armband.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Good point, let's say the garage has the aspect 'Random Half-Built Devices Lying Around' as well, if anyone wants to use it."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "The Crusaders: all bad cops, no good cops"

Wanda takes the vial, and takes a closer look at it...

Wanda rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 -1 | Mediocre (0)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "+2 = Good."

GM says (to Eben), "'Yeah. It was supposed to keep anyone from seeing me. Oh, man, I am going to be in *so* much trouble with the Prince.'"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Uh, Fair"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "If your result is +2, that's a success!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Okay I really want that guy to be a clone or whatever of the real Prince"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims (at GM), "woo!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "thanks mom"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "with Aspects like Raspberry Beret and So This Is What It"

GM says (to Wanda), "The way it swishes, it's viscous, and from the smell, it seems organic. You would say this is definitely 'Of Biological Origin'."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Sounds Like When Doves Cry"

Eben thinks.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And now if that aspect becomes relevant in the future, you can invoke it once for free. Or invoke it lots of times by spending fate points.)"

Zircon asks (of Jamie), "So where'd you get this fancy tech from, kid?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "cool"

Eben says (to Zircon), "The Prince, like he said."

Jacob asks, "Who's this Prince?"

Zircon says, "Okay that checks out."

Eben asks (of group), "So, hmm. Do we let him go ahead and join in exchange for information, ot just send him to jail for petty theft?"

GM says, "'A woman, they call her 'Doctor Betty'... she works for the Prince. He runs the gang. I've never met him myself, but he's got a rep as a pretty nasty guy.'"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "^ot^or"

Zircon says, "(stage whisper) I always wanted a guy on the inside of the Princelings. I think we should let him run with it, keep him on a short leash."

GM says, "'Jail? Oh, man, I bet the Prince has people on the inside. If he knew I've been talking to you, I would be done for!'"

Jacob shrugs, in a "not my problem" way.

Wanda examines the vial's contents. Her mother's attempts to help her with her chemistry course have left enough of a mark that she can identify roughly what sort of substance it is. 'Hey, Grandpa, this thing's some sort of biological liquid. Like some sort of secretion from an animal, or something like that.'

Eben says, "Hunh."

Zircon says (to Jamie), "Well it could be our little secret."

GM says (to Zircon), "'Yeah? Oh, man, I would so owe you one.'"

Zircon says, "But if they got anything big planned, you let us know, alright. And don't steal anything bigger than you can carry."

Zircon says, "(stage whisper) This kid isn't out there murdering anyone or anything. Let's not ruin his whole life today."

Jacob says, "Sure."

GM says, "'Sure, definitely! Thanks, man! I gotta meet with Betty tomorrow, and if they let me in, I'll tell you guys anything you need to know!'"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you letting him keep the stuff he lifted?"

Eben says (to Zircon), "Yeah, there's too much crime as it is--it could be handy to have someone on the inside."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I have it. He can have it if he likes."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I presume he has to show *something* to get in, so Jacob is all right with that."

Zircon says (to Jamie), "We'll let you keep the cash here but we can't have you stealing Old Mother Sirkowsky's identity or anything."

Eben says (to Jamie), "OK, here's the deal. I'm keeping the stuff and returning them to their owners. But here's $150; you can say that's what you got from em."

Zircon says, "Yeah, that's the ticket."

GM says, "'Alright, that's great! Thanks, guys!'"

Zircon checks his pockets real quick. "Dang, kid, you got some moxie."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "And I'm rolling Crafts to Create an Advantage of Tracked Armband!"

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 0 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Ha ha, nice!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And that's a success!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims (at Eben), "Way to go, Grandpa!"

Zircon says, "Alright get outta here you scamp."

Eben futzes with the device a little, then gives it back to Jamie.

Wanda slips the vial into her pocket.

[CCrusaders] Zircon exclaims, "Together we fight crime! Sort of! In the long run!!"

GM says, "So Jamie heads out, with his armband intact, his pockets full, and a smile on his face."

Eben says (to Jamie), "You need to get in touch with us, you can talk to a bird, probably."

Eben says (to Jacob), "That OK with you? Probably safest for him."

Peregrine arrives at home.

Jacob says, "Yeah, sure. Tell them you're a friend of mine."

GM says (to Eben), "'I can... OK? Um. An actual, like, bird bird?'"

Jacob says, "Yeah. Pretty much any local bird."

Jacob says, "They'll know where to find me."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "keep an eye out for pigeons sitting on stools."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can they convey simple messages only? Would he need to attach a note to a leg for more complicated things?"

GM exclaims, "And so Jamie heads out, with etc.etc., and a moderately confused but still generally pleased look on his face!"

Zircon says, "Maybe we should give the Commish a call"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Birds can be pretty smart, I'm sure they'll remember longer messages."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Excellent ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Just hope they don't get distracted by something shiny."

GM exclaims, "OK. Let's say, next scene: dinner with the Commissioner!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "So home for me!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "love these twirly 60's-Batman transitions"

GM says, "Everyone is gathered around the dinner table, with the Morris/Webb family."

Zircon regards the bowl of fresh buns with suspicion.

Eben exclaims (at Webb), "So hey, you never got to make your big announcement today!"

GM says, "The main topic at the table is the affair at the park and this new super villain, who is fortunately safely behind bars at the moment."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or at least ModerateVillain."

Wanda asks (of Webb), "So, Dad, who *was* that crazy woman?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

Wanda says, "Why was she attacking the Major? He's just a fat man in funny clothes."

GM says, "'We're not really sure yet. When they managed to wake her up, she wouldn't tell us anything about why she was there, or what her plan was. She's obviously hiding something, but we just don't know what.'"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Um, *Mayor*, not Major, of course"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Sure, the Major could have fended them off easily. Whoever he or she might be."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "But it makes sense for me to get them mixed up anyway"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(Crap, I hope I didn't just accidentally invent a new NPC.)"

Eben asks, "Hrm. Did the techheads figure out how she animated the gingerbread?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Since I Don't Understand Human customs"

Zircon says, "So someone else saw those gingerbread men walking around too? Whew."

Eben gives Zircon a funny look. "Kinda hard to miss!"

GM says, "The commissioner chews thoughtfully. 'Well, they didn't find any kinds of gadgets on her. So our best guess is that it's some kind of inherent superpower.'"

Wanda says, "Cool."

GM says, "'Just to be safe, we're keeping any breads, cakes or other baked goods out of her meals at the jail until we find out more.'"

Zircon exclaims, "Perhaps it was.... MAGIC!!?!"

Eben exclaims, "Well, I'd recommend feeding her only meat and vegetables, then!"

[Crows-Nest] Zircon asks, "But did you check her for... a yeast infection?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Ow."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I imagine Zircon making jazz hands. "MAGIC!""

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "heh"

GM says (to Zircon), "'Hmm, that could be. Do you have any ideas on dealing with magical criminals? That's a bit out of my range of experience, so far.'"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "yeah about half the time I'm that magic guy from Venture Bros"

Zircon says, "They can be very tricky indeed, but we try to police our own."

Zircon says, "Still, I can't say I've ever heard of her..."

Eben says (to Webb), "Well, if you need another suppressor, I might be able to make you one. Or just send her upstate; they probably have more resources for that kind of thing there."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I know a *guy*, you see"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Spend a Fate Point"

Zircon asks, "Has the mayor made any new enemies lately?"

Wanda says, "I didn't know he had old enemies."

GM says (to Eben), "'That's a good idea -- I'll try to pull some strings and get a secure transport. See if we can at least get her out of *our* hair!'"

Eben exclaims, "I never liked his taste in hats, and I'm old!"

Eben laughs uproariously at his own joke.

Wanda blinks. Jokes are one of those human customs Wanda still struggles with, sometimes.

GM says (to Zircon), "'Well, it *is* an election year. I should probably send someone to question Sarducci, since he's running against him again.'"

Zircon laughs sort of politely.

Zircon says, "Sarducci, eh"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Surely no relation to The Amazing Sarducci"

Eben asks, "Oh, right--you guys were going to make some sort of announcement, right? What was that about?"

GM says, "'Yeah -- I mean, as far as we can *tell*, his casino and restaurants are all legit and above board.'"

Zircon says, "Why, I'm booked into his casino for a stage show tonight, as it turns out."

Eben exclaims, "Well, they're on the docks, so they kind of *have* to be! Ha ha!"

Eben looks around. "Because the pier is made of boards. Sheesh."

Jacob coughs.

GM says (to Eben), "'I wish I knew! I'm as curious as you are.' He looks a bit grumpy about that. 'Rumor has it, it's going to involve law enforcement somehow, so I think I *ought* to know all about it, but...'"

Zircon says, "I've got some complimentary tickets; I'd be happy to know there were a few friendly faces in the audience if things get all pear-shaped."

Eben asks, "Hunh. Did they schedule a new announcement, then?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Oh man he's gonna robocop us"

GM says (to Eben), "'Not that I've heard -- but you might be able to find out more from the Mayor's office, I suppose.'"

Eben says (to Zircon), "Sure, I'd love to come! Er, if you want me there. Sorry about last time."

Zircon says, "Think nothing of it, my good man"

Wanda asks (of Zircon), "Is that that thing where people pay to see things that aren't there?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I'm imagining Eben's Gadgeteering kicking in, as he slightly-too-loud explains to Wanda exactly how all the tricks work."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Hehe"

Zircon says (to Wanda), "Yes, but sometimes they pay to not see things that are there! So you see it balances out."

[Crows-Nest] Zircon says, "FAAAAAKE he says too loudly"

Jacob says, "I have nothing better going on. I might as well drop by."

GM says, "'Oh, by the way... one more strange thing happened today.'"

Jacob asks, "Oh?"

GM says, "The commissioner reaches into a pocket and pulls out an envelope. 'Someone left this on my desk, along with a note.'"

Eben asks, "The note wasn't in the envelope?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "oh no, not the Riddler!"

Eben asks, "Isn't that how you normally deliver notes?"

[Crows-Nest] Zircon says, "the note was a D-flat"

Eben says, "Unless the note was D-flat! Ha ha ha."

GM says, "'Asking me to find "the mysterious heroes from the incident in the park", and to deliver this sealed envelope to them.'"

GM says, "He looks around the table suspiciosly."

GM says, "'Obviously, I assume no one *here* would know anything about that.'"

Eben asks, "What, like, the giant spider and the cat?"

GM says, "So I'm just going to leave this on the kitchen counter for now and worry about it tomorrow."

GM says (to Eben), "'Yes. Like the giant spider and the cat.'"

Zircon says, "Yes; who were those dashing, handsome, beautiful, and competent young people? We may never know."

GM says, "He gives another one of *those* 'I will deny knowing anything' looks around the room."

GM exclaims, "And there's a 'bing' as the stove goes off, and whatever dessert Eben had going in the oven is ready!"

Eben asks, "Oh, that reminds me! We found these wallets and other valuables stashed behind a bush at the park--looks like someone was doing some pickpocketing, and dumped the remains. Can you get them back to their owners?"

GM says, "'Oh! Oh, yes, thanks -- we did have a few people reporting things missing today. This will help a lot!'"

Eben nods.

GM says, "'I suppose it's too late to ask you not to contaminate them with fingerprints.'"

Wanda says, "I don't have fingerprints, Dad."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee."

Eben says, "Hmm, I bet I could build a better fingerprint detector, that could find all the layers of fingerprints, so you knew who held it when, and in what order..."

Eben starts muttering to himself.

GM says (to Eben), "'I could find room in the department budget for a device like that!'"

Zircon says, "It's time to make this raspberry tart.... DISAPPEAR! Mwahaha nom nom nom"

Wanda eats her helping with her fingers. Forks are weird.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK, does anyone have anything more for this scene, or should we move on to the next one?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And if we move on, what are you doing next?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think I'm good--I assume we take the envelope."

[CCrusaders] Jacob probably swiped the--yeah.

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I want to read the envelope!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "If all the mundanes can disappear into the kitchen to wash dishes, that would be convenient"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, so that is exactly what happens!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, ".GM this is a good opportunity for a compel...?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "So, read envelope, go to the casino, and check out Chinh's car/crime scene."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(since I have Wardrobe Malfunction, maybe I could destroy part of the letter by accident trying to read it)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "In whatever order."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(so we end up with an enigmatic message)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Ha ha. Alright, let's do that! And have a fate point for it!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(i.e. fire leaks out through my fingertips)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "yay"

Wanda takes the letter too eagerly, and her fingertips catch fire!

GM says, "So, as Wanda opens up the letter, you all notice wisps of smoke arising from the paper, and little scorch marks appearing on it."

Zircon exclaims, "Oh no!"

Wanda exclaims, "Oh, I'm sorry!"

Wanda says, "I got too excited"

Zircon says, "By the Four Fiery Hells of Barnabus"

GM says, "'HEROES: This city <illegible burn mark>eroes. If you <more illegible burn marks> at 356 Oak S<burn burn>uesday morning, at 5:<scorch>'"

GM says, "'Signed: <charred bit>Z'"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "haha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Is that Z part of the signature?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yup!"

Eben sighs. "If we show up at 5:00 AM, it would have been PM, and if we show up in the afternoon, we'll miss it.

Wanda asks, "What if we show up at both times?"

Zircon asks, "There's a 5 in the morning now? What monster could have done this?"

Jacob rolls his eyes. "This is why we need military time."

Eben says (to Wanda), "Then we'll have the Up Since Five AM disadvantage by the afternoon, but I suppose it can't be helped."

Zircon gasps. "The time! I must go prepare. See you at the casino!"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

Jacob says, "Well, we can go at 5am, wait until 6,and then go back to bed."

Zircon mimes throwing a smoke bomb but leaves normally.

Eben exclaims (at Zircon), "We'll see you there!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee."

Wanda says, "Yeah, it's kind of fun to watch people being fooled and actually thanking Zircon for it."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So it's now the evening after the incident at the park. Did you say your show was tonight?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "He did, I think."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah *scrolls back*"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "yeah that works for me"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "So you only have a couple of hours before you need to be on stage!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "But it could be like whenever"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, what day would you like it to be today?)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Monday."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Alright!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "The hottest stage show slot: Monday night."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So what are we doing next?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Just because it means we get a sleepless night before our 5AM appointment (or is it 5PM? Damn Wanda)"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Y'all can faff around the casino floor for a bit"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Good thing you're college-aged now -- your dad would never have let you stay up that late on a school night when you were still in high school!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Or we could cut to the show kinda ending up in the big finale"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "I'd like to spend a Fate Point and have my mother tag along. Family First?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Sure!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Or the GM could have a cutscene here, like some shadowy figures discussing their big casino heist"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(she's a gifted chemist, so she could always help)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "By the way, what's your goal with the casino/show scene?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I.e., what do you want to achieve?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I kinda want to run into Scarkozy, either on the floor or back stage or in the green room or you know whatever"

[CCrusaders] Zircon exclaims, "I probably owe him money!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Scarducci"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I'm never going to get that right"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! And do you have particular plans for what do do if you find him?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "uhh not really just kinda chat him up, see where that takes us"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We're entangled in a web of crime"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, I know what we want in game terms: we want to discover Aspects about him and/or the casino."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "yeah that sounds perfect, Eben"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Like 'Is Actually Legit' or 'Something nefarious going on'."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "'full of flammable money'"

GM exclaims, "So, the show! Zircon, despite it being a Monday night timeslot, still gives it his all -- and the audience, what there is of it, loves it! By the final bit with the elephant, they're cheering and throwing poker chips at the stage!"

Zircon exclaims, "Thank you, thank you! Remember... It's Magic, Dagnabbit! Good night folks try the lamb!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Can I roll Empathy to see through the illus -- Oh, never mind"

Jacob hopes that elephant is being well treated.

Eben cheers, having managed to not reveal most of the secrets of today's performance.

Zircon steps back stage, sweating like he'd run a marathon.

GM says, "All of you, being friends of the headliner, are easily able to slip backstage afterward, where Sarducci, the owner of the casino, is having a chat with one of his dealers."

Wanda forgets to clap, since she's forgotten that's what you're supposed to do.

Zircon says, "(Uh oh, it's Sarducci. He probably want's a piece of me.)"

GM says, "Which he immediately cuts short as soon as you walk in."

Wanda's mother is kind of thrilled to be tagging along 'undercover', as she puts it.

Zircon exclaims, "Ayyyyy, Guido! I was just looking for you. You see that crowd out there? Stellar!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "'Lux! Yeah, nice work out there. A few more nights like that, and you might pay off your debts, finally.'"

GM says, "'Lux! Yeah, nice work out there. A few more nights like that, and you might pay off your debts, finally.'"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Wait, are we all together tagging along with Zircon? Seems like a crowd."

GM says, "'That's what I need. People finally *paying off* their debts. I can't run a business with everybody always trying to run a tab.'"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Me, Martha, Jacob, Eben."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I'm imagining you're all sort of off to the side, within earshot but kind of among the public somehow"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Any of you who wants to be is. But if you want to split up, that's fine too."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Are there higher spots above the curtains?"

Zircon says, "Money getting a little tight? I hear the Mayor might have some new tax plan or something up his sleeve."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Like, maybe I could crawl up the walls and find a good vantage point."

Jacob goes to talk to the trained doves, check that they're being treated well.

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Yeah there's stage lights and stuff up there; a cage that lowers on a rope. I'd say."

Zircon exclaims (at Jacob), "They're just balled-up Kleenex!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Aw, ok"

GM says, "He rolls his eyes. 'The *mayor*. Yeah, he'd better be about to...' But then he stops himelf from saying whatever he was about to say. 'Look, I don't have time to chat, I have work to do.'"

Zircon says, "Alright, alright. I'll slip a little extra into the next envelope this Friday. See ya 'round, boss."

Zircon gives that new dealer the once-over.

GM says, "Sarducci nods to the dealer he was talking to before and heads back toward the offices. She kinda reminds you a bit of Sarducci, really. Maybe a family member? She glances at the group of you as well, then follows him."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "You could use Empathy to discover an Aspect of Sarducci."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Okay"

Wanda rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 0 0 0 | Average (1)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yep, I swapped skills."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. I think the opposition here would probably be +2."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Maybe tag him with Flustered or Stressed Out or Goddamn Mayor Again or something"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I can't since I failed that roll :P"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which means you either don't create the Aspect, or else it gets created but someone else gets the free invoke. So I'm going to suggest that the Aspect is 'Suspicious'."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "No I mean assuming that was a pre-existing condition on him, you could give him a Fate point to invoke it"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Does that mean that the opposite happens, and Sarducci now knows that we have the Aspect 'We're Suspicious Of Him', or something?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Or do what GM says"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Both in that he seems to be hiding something, and also that the way Wanda was looking at him, *he's* Suspicious of you guys."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That makes sense."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(timing!)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "So you have both gained a little info and made a potential enemy!"

Zircon kinda works the crowd a bit, gladhands around, pulls coins out from behind old ladies' ears.

(From Wanda) Martha remarks, 'I think I need to tweak your suit a bit, dear. Your stare is still a little too unnerving, I guess.'

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "It's getting late now -- are you going to be pursuing anything else here at the casino?"

Wanda says, "Aww, Mom."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "whoops the eyelids fell out again"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, right, you could tag the Mom aspect you set up earlier."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I feel good"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of Eben), "You mean, now?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Ready for my 5 AM curtain call... shit"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Either on that roll, or an upcoming roll."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I had just forgotten about it."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Are you thinking of doing some kind of followup activity?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Well, we could try to eavesdrop."

[CCrusaders] Wanda notes down I'm With Mom as an aspect she can invoke once for free. She got that earlier.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of group), "Should we?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I think there must be one last thing we can do"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I would like to use Crafts on the slot machines to determine if they're legally fair or not at some point; doesn't have to be immediately)"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Maybe Guido has always been sweet on your mom"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Sure, this seems like a good time."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What's everyone else doing while he's doing that?"

Eben spends a little bit on the slot machines, paying attention to the odds and mechanics as he does so.

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with Style!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Woo!"

Jacob stands around awkwardly.

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I want to talk to the staff with my mom, see if we together can get something out of them?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Assuming this was Create an Advantage, do you want the normal effect (an extra invoke) or one of your Special Effects?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "OK, go for it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll roll Empathy again and add +2"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Or, wait."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Maybe I should be cleverer.?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Sure. And roleplay it, though -- whom are you talking to? What kind of stuff are you asking?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "How about Deceive?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "i.e. we try to trick the janitor into telling us if anything goes on at night"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I use the special effect as an extra action to be able to tell what *else* in the casino is fishy? Whether the slots are or not?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Mom, use your super Janitorial skills here, come on"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I think officially, Deceive would be used to make people believe something about *you*, while Empathy would be to discover something about them. But you could use Deceive first to set up 'Innocent Face' or something to tag for the next roll?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I want them to believe we're friends of Sarducci"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Family, even"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Or else, Innocent Face works, to"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll try to create Innocent Face."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Hmm. I'm trying to think of how a Crafts check could help with that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I can make up something like the Casino has the aspect 'Secretly Bugged', or if you have something you know is true, just do that?)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "That sounds good."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So Deceive against mediocre +0 to trick the janitor and set up the advantage."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I was imagining seeing some suspicious wires connected to the slots."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says (to Eben), "Or maybe you could tell if these machines are new, state of the art, or old and busted but fixed up, or like nothing you've ever seen, or whatever"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And then Rapport for Overcome, tagging Innocent Face, to get info out of him?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "OK, how about this:"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "One, you examine the slots, and discover they are Perfectly Fair. *But*..."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You *also* discover that one of the machines has a special lever on it, and it's Concealing a Secret Passage!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "Do you want to roll your checks too?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ooh"

Wanda and her mother walk up to the janitor, who's busy sweeping up all the plastic flowers and pocket chips hanging about the floor. Nudged by Wanda, Martha Webb says brightly: 'Hello, we had a lovely evening, me and my daughter!'

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "what checks?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Perfect!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "dang"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "Deceive to set up your Innocent Face aspect, and then Rapport to pump the janitor for info, tagging Innocent Face for a bonus?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Is the janitor's presence going to stop us from going down the secret passage?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(At least, I think that's what you guys were suggesting?)"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says (to Wanda), "I could Illusion us up if you want to pursue that right this moment"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We can do that later--info first! ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Well, there are still a lot of people around."

Wanda rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So the janitor isn't the only one who might spot you."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And +2 for the fact that my mom's helping me."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So that makes my Deceive... Fantastic."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You already succeeded with style ;-)"

GM says, "The janitor smiles. 'Oh, well, I'm happy to hear it. I just keep the floors clean, but I'm glad that you're having a lovely time!'"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "So you get Innocent Face with *two* free invokes for succeeding with style!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yay"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "One for me, one for mom"

GM says, "The janitor blushes. He's obviously pleased that someone has even noticed and appreciates him."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Okay, I don't have any rapport, so it's just a plain Mediocre. But I'll be able to use my free invokes!"

Wanda rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Average (1)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yup! A pile of them!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So that's Superb overall (using both invokes)"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "always a good time for Wanda's Mom Is So Hot"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's say it's +1 to Overcome, but with free invokes, you can succeed with style."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What are you asking him?"

Wanda exclaims, "So, have you heard about what happened at the Park? It's terrible, all this crime!"

Wanda exclaims, "I hope this lovely place has some sort of safety system against all those criminals!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda wants to find out about security measures. Ooo.

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "hey it's that Genre Aspect, "It's terrible, all this crime!""

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I can't imagine why Sarducci might be suspicious. As we case this joint."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Okay, can I keep 1 free invoke from the Innocent Face? Or is that too much to ask?"

GM says, "'Oh, it is terrible!' The old man shakes his head. 'But don't you worry, little Miss. We're perfectly safe in here. Why, every night, I lock up the doors tight, beep-beep in the passcode, and we're tight as a drum!'"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's say, rather than coming up with specific security measures right now..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That you get an Aspect 'Knowledge About Casino Security' that you can invoke as appropriate later, with two free invokes."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "So that's an Aspect I can invoke later?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yay"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Can I tell what wall opens up from the lever?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "It looks like a secret door in the wall behind the slot machine, but you can't see what's behind, and there are lots of people around."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Hey, would it be inconvenient if you all suddently got kicked out of the casino?"

[CCrusaders] GM grins.

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "works for me"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "heh"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "out on the streets at night..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, my plan is to have Zircon make an illusion of the wall as it is, then open it slightly, peek in and open a portal past it, and then close it again."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I would like to suddenly invoke Jacob's Unwanted Menagerie."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "ooooh"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "That sounds legit to me"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "All right."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And have a commotion that gets all of you kicked out and ends the scene here."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "roll play!"

GM exclaims, "Suddenly, you hear what sounds like a seagull near the entrance!"

GM exclaims, "No, wait! Two seagulls! Three! A whole flock of seagulls!"

Zircon says, "I thought those guys were booked in next week..."

GM exclaims, "JACOB! JACOB! JACOB!"

Eben exclaims, "And me without my fancy haircut!"

GM exclaims, "THERE YOU ARE! JACOB!"

Jacob uh ohs. He heads out of the club to find out what's going on.

GM says, "'FOOD! YOU ALWAYS HAVE FOOD!'"

Zircon shrugs like, hey, this isn't me. Honest it's not! Nope.

Jacob digs into his pockets and pulls out a piece of toast. He crumbles it up right there in front of the doors to the casino.

GM says, "'WE FINISHED LUNCH! AND THERE WAS NO MORE FOOD! BECAUSE WE AT IT ALL!'"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hee"

[CCrusaders] Jacob does not give a fuck.

GM says, "Unfortunately, the security guards do give a, um, a fudge."

GM says (to Jacob), "'Are these birds yours? And your friends'?'"

GM says, "'BUT YOU ALWAYS HAVE FOOD! JACOB! YOU HAVE FOOD! WHERE IS THE FOOD?'"

Jacob says, "They're with me."

Jacob mutters, out loud for once, "I just GAVE you food."

GM says, "'We're going to have to ask you and your friends to leave. And to take your pet birds with you.'"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "All the other emo kids are like hey bro where is your flock of ravens"

GM says, "'YES! YOU GIVE US GOOD FOOD! WE KNEW YOU COULD GET US FOOD!'"

GM says, "Oh no. One of them has just found the buffet."

Jacob rolls his eyes. "Fine, fin-- oh shit."

GM says, "The security guards are now actively and quite physically removing you, the birds, and anyone else in your entourage from the premises."

Zircon says, "Ayyyy I'm egressing here"

Jacob says, "Uhhhhhhh. Be right back." He tries to dash back inside. He telepathically calls out, "Get out get out get out."

GM says, "And don't think they'll forget your faces."

(From Wanda) Martha says, sarcastically, 'What a lovely end to a lovely evening.'

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's ok. My birds won't forget THEM either. *threatening*"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And that seems like a good place to end that scene!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yay"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "The janitor is swearing in Spanish just so loudly"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, man, that poor janitor."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "That'll teach him to be nice"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! It's now fairly late at night. I need to go AFK for just a sec, and when I come back, we'll start the next scene!"

Jacob watches as a gull comes flying out with an entire loaf of bread.

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I'm happy to cut to 5 AM. When we resume, I mean."

(From Wanda) 'Anyway,' Martha Webb says, 'What was all that about, Wanda?'

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Eben, sorry to not get to quite resolve your thing but it's a good hanging loose end, I think."

(From Wanda) 'Detective work, Mom.'

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, that's fine with me."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I'm sure we'll end up in there sooner or later"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I've got lots of Aspects now. Neat."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Although I guess 'I'm With Mom' expires now."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Mom's got shit to do, man"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It's still true, but you just have to spend a fate point to tag it again."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ah, so I can summon Mom at any point provided I can justify her presence? Neat."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(for the price of a Fate Point)"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Any of your family! Sort of. Maybe."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Back."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "'Mom's With Me' is more specific than Family First, of course"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And yeah, if it makes narrative sense, I would say that you could spend a fate point to summon Mom with that Aspect."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yay"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "This is wacky in a really accurate-to-comics way, it seems to me"

GM says, "Five am Tuesday morning. It's just after dawn. And after a bit of driving around, you locate the address."

Jacob yawns.

Zircon is wearing sunglasses and is almost certainly asleep behind them.

Wanda is seemingly unaffected by the lack of sleep. Spiders are awesome.

GM says, "It's on the outskirts of the shopping distract. The building you discover is an old store. The sign out front calls it the 'Toy Circus', but it looks like it's been closed for years."

Jacob takes a cautious look around the building, checking for exits and what not.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I mean, I presume we left the car."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "the Toys R Us bandit strikes again in a story ripped from today's headlines"

GM says (to Jacob), "The glass storefront is dirty and grimy, and the front door is locked. But you discover an unlocked rear door around the back."

Eben looks around for a tall building, suitable for putting a portal on.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Hey, I haven't yet undressed in this Issue."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "It's not that kind of comic."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "hee"

GM asks (of Eben), "Sure, let's say there is one. What is it?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "The Umpire Slate Building."

[CCrusaders] Zircon exclaims, "old closed drive-in theatre!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Or that's good too"

Eben says, "And old four-story abandoned boat part warehouse."

GM says, "OK."

Zircon steps out from behind a shadow to stand beside Jacob.

Jacob is startled, but doesn't physically show it.

Eben puts a blue portal on the corner of the warehouse, in case he needs a hasty exit.

Wanda gets out of the car, having scarfed down more dried crickets.

Eben enters the rear door (with Jacob, I assume).

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "just drop a Tired on me right now"

GM says, "Inside, it's fairly dark -- the electricity must have been turned off long ago. But you can still see somewhat from the early dawn light coming in from outside."

Jacob can see just fine in the dark.

GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

Zircon begrudgingly takes his sunglasses off.

GM says, "Shelves in the back room are still piled up with dusty old toys that never sold -- ones that weren't very popular back when they were new, and are now well past their prime."

GM says, "In the middle of the room is a table with several folding chairs around it. And on top of the table..."

GM says, "You see a closed laptop computer plugged into a wifi hot spot, next to a pile of cheap cell phones."

Eben can't, and stumbles and curses a bit, and exclaims 'Zooterkins!' at a loose floorboard.

Zircon says, "What sorcery is this"

GM says, "(The rest of you can probably tell there's a table, at least. And walls.)"

Jacob turns around and says "shhhhhh".

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Wardrobe Malfunction?"

Jacob walks over to the laptop and opens it, presumably the light from it will illuminate things.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Mmm?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob is sure something is about ot explode.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh, never mind, just thought that there could be some sort of fun compel here."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "The laptop is actually on a wardrobe. Which malfunctions."

Eben pulls out his own cell phone and checks the wi-fi.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hah"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Zircon), "Hee."

GM says (to Eben), "It's an open hot spot! Must be battery-powered. You're online."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Jack him into the Matrix, GM"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "oh no black ice"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha. This is 201X! He's probably playing Candy Crush while the rest of you decide what to do next."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Okay one of these phones needs to ring like RIGHT NOW"

Eben checks the network for local devices, and looks for files on them.

Jacob pokes at the laptop. Is it password protected?

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Which Eben knows how to do, even if I personally do not ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Zircon), "I'll call the Pile of Cheap Cell Phones an Aspect. What to invoke it to delcare that?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's ok. I can't really talk to birds ;)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "nah it's alright; other characters are doing their schticks"

GM says (to Eben), "No devices online -- the laptop is plugged into it, but it looks like it's turned off at the moment."

Zircon pokes around the crappy 'magic kits!' that didn't sell.

GM says (to Zircon), "'Amaze your friends! Fool your enemies! Appeal to attractive members of your preferred gender!'"

Wanda finds a musty stuffed toy spider with goofy fangs.

Wanda says, "I don't understand why nobody wanted those."

Jacob turns on the laptop and stands back.

GM asks (of Wanda), "Aw. Now what kind of kids *wouldn't* want to buy a giant furry arachnid?"

Eben says, "OK, I'm turning on the laptop! Get ready to dive if the thing explodes or something."

Eben turns on the laptop.

GM says (to Jacob), "It wakes up, and a window pops up on the screen..."

Zircon says, "If it makes coffee, let me know"

GM says, "'Connecting... ... ...'"

GM exclaims, "After a few moments, the a blurry face appears in the window!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob doesn't ask before doing things. He just does it. See also: bad with people :D

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

GM says, "And a distorted voice comes out of the speakers:"

[CCrusaders] (from Jacob) GM says, "Would you like to play a game?"

GM says, "'Ah. Good. You came. Are you the heroes from the park?'"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Hello, Smithers. You are really, good, at turning me, on."

Wanda exclaims, "We are!"

Wanda asks, "Who are you?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "As a spider she gets +2 to surfing the Web"

GM says, "'Good. Gooood. You can call me "Agent Z". I'm the one who sent you that message.'"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee hee."

[CCrusaders] Zircon asks, "Does he say 'Zed' like a Canadian?"

GM says, "'This city, as you no doubt already realize, is ridden with crime.'"

Eben asks, "And we know you're on our side because...?"

Jacob says dryly, "I hadn't noticed."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sadly, he or she -- you can't really tell -- definitely speaks with an American accent."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Zeeee"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Agent Z, always picked last for Reindeer Games"

Eben records the conversation to try to de-distort later.

GM says, "'Because I want to help you to help this city.'"

Eben asks, "Well, sounds good so far. What do you got?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Zircon versus the Agents of Zientology"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "'I have... resources. And I want to share them with you. For instance:'"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Of course you do; you're the GM!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "+2 to Resources for everyone!"

GM exclaims, "There's a blip, and then you suddenly hear what sounds like radio transmissions. It's the police radio band!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "For instance, check out this table of sweet cellphones! Someday all this could be yours."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hee"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "10-234: exposition in progress."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "snrk"

GM says, "'I can access the city's police, fire, and other emergency systems. I have contacts throughout the city. I have access to Information.'"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "With a capital I?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We can hear the capital I even through the distortion."

GM says, "'If you are willing to work together as a team, then I want to help. Each of you: take one of those phones. It'll let us keep in contact.'"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yay!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Okay I'm pretty sure this is the Mayor but I also want to play along with him"

Wanda asks, "Are they fireproof?"

Eben asks, "Well, that sounds good. Do you know who took Red's statue?"

GM says, "'They're Nokias. Virtually indestructible.'"

Wanda says, 'Okay then,' and takes one.

GM says (to Eben), ""'I don't know. But if you tell me what you know, I can put my networks to work researching it.'"

Zircon shows up. Hey, phone.

Jacob takes a phone and powers it on.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'll assume Cuddlepaws is getting a phone too. Where she'll carry it, I have no idea."

Wanda asks, "Don't we need code names?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "can probably wire it into her helmet"

Eben says, "All I know right now is that it was taken from Chinh's car when she was at [place]."

GM says (to Wanda), "'Good idea. Call me Agent Z. And you?'"

Eben says, "I was going to investigate further later."

Zircon says, "The Z Team"

Wanda says (to Z), "Scarlet Spider."

[CCrusaders] Wanda plays theme.

Eben asks, "Hmm. Do we want to try to be anonymous?"

GM says, "'That is up to you.'"

Eben says, "I guess the standard villain schtick is to threaten our families if we don't."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Of course, half your family is in this room."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "What about that ballet-dancing grandkid?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "And my aunts and uncles?"

[Crows-Nest] Zircon says, "She will be missed"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Zircon), "Ha ha."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "It's up to you guys how anonymous you want to be."

Eben asks (of Z), "OK, 'Z. Is there something in particular you think we can do now?"

Zircon says, "As far as secret lairs go, Agent Z, this is a bit underwhelming."

GM says (to Zircon), "'I'll work on it.'"

GM says, "Then, as if in answer to Eben's question..."

Zircon says, "I know a guy! Interior decorator, very discreet."

GM says, "On the emergency radio band that was still playing in the background, you hear:"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "timing!"

[Crows-Nest] Zircon says, "Code Turquoise"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "and I think Zircon is out of Fate Points?"

GM says, "'Fire in progress! Three story apartment building at 98 Parasol Lane. Send all resources immediately!'"

[Crows-Nest] Zircon says, "Maybe? I honestly don't remember how refresh works in the base game any more."

GM says, "Agent Z says, 'That's quite close to where you are -- you could no doubt get there well before the fire trucks, if you think you're up for it.'"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "At the start of the session, you get a number of Fate Points equal to your refresh."

Eben exclaims, "Let's go, then!"

Wanda says, "Mission accepted."

Zircon says, "Quick, to the Z-Mobile! I mean, the pickup truck."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "You all got once when I compelled Jacob's Menagerie."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "neat!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "And you've used up however many you used up this session."

GM exclaims, "OK: next scene! You are pulling up to the scene of a fire!"

GM says, "You can see scorch marks on the road outside, and a car parked out front is in flames."

GM exclaims, "But more importantly, so is an apartment building!"

Wanda gets out of her skin suit in the car before they even get out, hiding it under some blankets. Now she is... The Scarlet Spider!

GM says, "Neighbors are gathered outside, clearly worried, and waiting for emergency response teams to arrive."

GM asks, "What do you, the heroes, do?"

[Crows-Nest] Zircon says, "looks like... arzon"

(From Wanda) The Scarlet Spider jumps out of the car.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And there's a good compel."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "My Drawback. 'Scary'."

Eben fires a portal inside an open window on the top floor, another one in the ground, and leaps through!

Jacob reluctantly gets out of the car and stares at the flames.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, indeed, I agree."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But I am holding onto it for slightly later in the scene :)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "okay"

Zircon steps through the portal, gets all spun-around.

GM exclaims (at Eben), "You are now inside of a room that is very much on fire!"

GM exclaims, "And I'm going to run this as a conflict, because the Fire immediately 'attacks' Eben!"

Eben calls out, "Hey, anyone here?"

GM removes GM from the initiative list.

GM registers GM at init 3.

GM displays the initiative: GM(3) WANDA/EBEN/CUDDLEPAWS/JACOB(2) Zircon(0)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "The fire attacks with its Fire skill!"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 0 0 | Fair (2)

Wanda leaps into the air with all the strength in her eight legs! She lands onto a second-storey window, and remains comfortably attached to the glass, what with her wall-crawling and all.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "oops"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "If there is room to dodge and leap to avoid it, Athletics; otherwise, I assume Physique?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "You're in first, so you need to Defend. And Athletics will work fine."

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "old guy has some moves"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed, and with Style! So you get a Boost you can use on a future turn!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Which is like a free invoke on an Aspect, except the aspect goes away immediately after you use it.)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And Wanda's turn is next!"

Eben rolls under a burning support beam, and emerges into a relatively unscathed area of the building!

Wanda leaps into the air with all the strength in her eight legs! She lands onto a second-storey window, and remains comfortably attached to the glass, what with her wall-crawling and all.

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Where is Eben relative to me?"

GM says, "Excellent -- with your Athletics, you can easily do that as simply a movement, so you can also take a regular action too while you're there."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Eben is inside on the third floor, I believe. You're on the second."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "okay"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, I'll get a map!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "a 3D map?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Uh. If you tilt your monitor just right?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "https://webwhiteboard.com/board/k5kv625y"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "So what would you like to do for your action?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I want to try to break the glass with my fang."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "+s"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So a Physique Overcome roll."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(since my goal is to get into the second floor)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! But I'm going to suggest that you are awesome enough that you can do that without an extra roll, as part of a bigger action, if you'd like."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Okay, so I'd break through the glass and slide across the floor of the room beyond the glass."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "A la Die Hard."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "How's that for a bigger action?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Alright! And what is the end goal? Are you setting up an advantage like "Well Positioned'? Or are you going to use that as a way of finding people to save (Overcome the obstacle of them being hidden), or...?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Finding people."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! That would be an Investigate roll, against Average difficulty."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Damn, that's a skill I do not have."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Tricky! +0, then."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "After rolling, you can also spend fate to tag an aspect if there's a relevant one."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm just going to roll."

[CCrusaders] GM nods.

Wanda rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 -1 | Mediocre (0)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Now that you've rolled, do you want to tag one?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I am pretty sure that 'Mutant Fire Spider' would be relevant here :) )"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I want to tag my Fire Spider high concept to suggest I have extra strong fangs, yeah"

[CCrusaders] Wanda spends a fate point.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then you roll a +2 and succeed!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Woo."

GM exclaims, "Wanda leaps up to the second story and crashes through the window! After a roll across the floor, she comes to rest in the middle of a family who is trapped up here!"

Wanda uses her fangs to break down the glass, and crawls through the hole and into the blazing inferno.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And now I would like to compel Scary!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ooo."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "ayup"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I accept the compel."

GM exclaims, "...a family who, upon seeing Wanda, screams in terror at the one thing scarier than being trapped in a burning building: a gigantic spider with massive fangs staring at them!"

GM exclaims, "The immediately flee from her into an EVEN MORE DANGEROUS part of the fire!"

GM displays the initiative: GM(3) WANDA/EBEN/CUDDLEPAWS/JACOB(2) Zircon(0)

GM exclaims, "And now it's Eben's turn!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If finding people involves Investigate, I would like to Hold Action until after Jacob goes."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Jacob and Zircon clearly are going to handle the first floor and the ground floor of the building, I guess."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure. You can also try to think up an alternate non-Investigate strategy for finding people."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I might if Jacob doesn't end up on the third floor ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "This is America -- first floor = ground floor :)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "ahha"

GM asks, "OK, Eben is holding, so Jacob?"

Eben calls through the portal, "Hey, Jacob, help me find people up here!"

Jacob runs into the first floor, looking and listening for signs of people. (Dunno how useful looking is, but I'd get a +2 to my roll)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That's fine; you can have missed it."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "screw you you're not my real daaaaaad"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "OK, roll against +1."

Jacob rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 0 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woot!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "He's a great investigator"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's my top skill :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "And if looking helps, that's a 6?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sweet."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you want to declare what sort of people you find, or should I?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "you can, especially if there are pets involved"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Also, from succeeding with style, you can either get a free Boost or use a special effect."

GM exclaims, "You discover a little old lady, huddled in her bedroom, with her two frightened cats!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'll hold onto the boost"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Next: Eben?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK! I am going to argue that if anyone is trying to be found, I don't need Investigate, but Notice!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I already called out; I listen to try to hear if anyone responds)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That is perfectly reasonable!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yay!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Go for it!"

Eben rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Terrible (-2)

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Oy!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I am using my boost for a re-roll!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Nope this floor is all clear"

Eben can't hear anything but the roaring flames, so he continues his roll to a slightly more subdued part of the building.

Eben rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 +1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That's how you do it."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "With style!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you want to narrate what you find, or should I?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "You!"

GM exclaims, "You hear the voice of a small child! When you follow it, you find a six year old boy hiding underneath a kitchen table, calling out for help!"

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) Wanda/Eben/Cuddlepaws/Jacob(2) ZIRCON(0)

GM exclaims, "Zircon!"

Zircon steps into the portal and zooop.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You're now on the third floor with Eben! What do you do?"

Zircon looks around with his mortal eyes.

Zircon rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Good (3)

Zircon says, "Fear not, extremely attactive lady in peril! ZIRCON IS HERE"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Wait!"

GM exclaims, "Oh no, the attractive lady in peril is trapped inside a room! A burning bookcase fell over and is partly blocking the door!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "okay lady you stay here"

[Crows-Nest] (from Eben) Zircon creates the illusion that the flames are gone, so she'll feel better about her situation.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Waiting?"

[Crows-Nest] Zircon says, "you know..."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] Zircon asks, "Is moving and finding my turn, or is there more?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "should I add the attractive lady to the map?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That's your first turn, yeah. You'll have to try to save her next turn!"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Good idea!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "And the elderly woman with her cats, and the family."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "okay, there I stand."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "done"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And I'll add an Aspect..."

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) Wanda/Eben/Cuddlepaws/Jacob(2) Zircon(0)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And now it's the fire's turn! It attacks everyone who's inside the building!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Except for me, who is fireproof."

GM exclaims, "First, it attacks Wanda, who is fireproof and is completely unaffected!"

GM exclaims, "Woo!"

GM says, "Then, it attacks Eben:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 +1 | Average (1)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Athletics to defend.)"

GM says, "Then Jacob:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 -1 | Good (3)

GM says, "And then Zircon:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 -1 | Superb (5)

Jacob rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 -1 | Average (1)

Zircon rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 0 | Poor (-1)

Zircon cough cough.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I use Athletics to defend the boy instead, or roll Athletics to defend both the boy and myself?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(and actually, are the people getting attacked by the fire?)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "The fire has you beaten by two shifts -- do you want to invoke any aspects, or to take the stress?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Is this a place I can use that Boost?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can use Athletics to defend both of you."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob does so.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Zircon), "And the same question I posed to Jacob applies to you, except by six shifts."

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "That sounds severe."

[CCrusaders] Zircon asks, "Right so I can take a 2-physical box hit and a 4-moderate 'Zircon is literally on fire'?"

GM says, "Jacob ties! Which means that he evades the flames for now, but they have a Boost to use against him."

GM exclaims, "Eben easily avoids the fire, swooping the boy out of the way just as the burning table collapses, and gaining another Boost!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I will spend a fate point to use protective, in that I'm defending myself and the woman and her csats?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Zircon), "You can!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I'm convinced we're actually fighting the Human Torch's family without realizing it."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "So far so good"

[CCrusaders] Jacob is still figuring out how this works.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Sounds good -- is that to raise your defense to a full success instead of a tie?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "yeah"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent. Consider it done!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So now Zircon has a new Aspect, Literally On Fire. It's a moderate consequence, and as an Aspect, the fire gets a free Invoke on it."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "No one is on the ground floor, right?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, Jacob is!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "First floor? Yes."

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "You also happen to hear something outside!"

[CCrusaders] (from Jacob) GM says, "The ceiling comes crashing down."

Jacob perks up?

GM asks, "One of the neighbors' voices. Something about... smelling gasoline?"

Jacob oh shit.

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) WANDA/EBEN/CUDDLEPAWS/JACOB(2) Zircon(0)

GM exclaims, "Wanda's turn!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Dammit, Innocent Face only works if I have the skin suit"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Muahaha."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I need to figure out how to save those idiots."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "I would think you just try to grab them with Athletics."

[Crows-Nest] Zircon says, "psychological scars don't count! go for it"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "And the target will be higher since they are trying to run away."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Which, naturally, they will try to defend against! :)"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Okay, Athletics it is."

Wanda says, "Don't be scared! I'm here to save you."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Do I grab one person at a time?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "How many people?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Let's say every shift you succeed by lets you save one person, and there are three total."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Two parents and a kid."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "okay"

Wanda tries to take the kid by the scruff of the neck, using her fangs...

Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Wow!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "And their defense:"

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "But!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I am spending a fate point to invoke Arachnophobia!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Haha."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "So their result is really a 6, which is a tie!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "So do I save the kid or not?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(I forget how ties work)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you leave it as it is, then that means you only save the kid, but with a minor setback."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I leave it as it is."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon exclaims, "They might voluntarily chase after you if you just take their baby and run off!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm going out the window"

GM exclaims, "You succeed in grabbing the kid! But now the parents think you're a giant spider trying to eat their daughter!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Ha."

GM exclaims, "They get a new Aspect: * Avenging Parents!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh no. They can use that to hurt me."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "But yay, exciting"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "They can!"

GM displays the initiative: GM(3) WANDA/EBEN/CUDDLEPAWS/JACOB(2) Zircon(0)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "You're not the mutant fire spider the city wants, but you are the mutant fire spider the city deserves."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hee"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You can also tag it to get them to follow you or something, though."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Out the window? They'd die!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Indeed!"

Jacob scoops up the kittens in one arm and grabs the old lady's wrist. "C'mon!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "What sort of roll might this be?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Not with a portal at the bottom!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "What portal -- oh but they'd have to really land right on it"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Is that an Overcome?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I think so. With athletics? or physique?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I think that since both the old lady and the cats are going to be difficult to work with, this will require Rapport to lead them out."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok"

[CCrusaders] Zircon exclaims, "Haha so they fall into the portal on the ground and get shot into the fire on the THIRD floor now. Progress!"

Jacob rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And like with Wanda, each shift of success gets you one of them."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Passive opposition of +1."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "BUT. I'm going to tag "good with animals" to get a +2"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And... hm."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent! That's a tie!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "One of your birds joins the cats."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you tagging anything else?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Not sure what's taggable here, so no."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Remember, there's an On Fire aspect on the scene."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Would that encourage them to get the fuck out?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which could certainly motivate them to go with you."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "It certainly could!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Timing, ok. I'll tag that."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Motivate the cats at least"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, is that an untagged Aspect?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "It's an Aspect that doesn't have any free invokes on it."

[CCrusaders] Jacob burns a fate point

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So it costs a fate point, but anyone can use it."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The pink post-it. Got it."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Your result is now a +3! Which means you have two shifts of success!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Which two do you save?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "One cat and the lady (I'm not a monster), and hopefully the other cat will follow"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you also use your movement to lead them outside?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yes"

GM says, "Jacob and the elderly woman make their way through the flames to the lawn outside, along with one cat which is perched on his shoulder."

GM says, "She is very grateful."

Jacob says, "Ma'am. Ma'am. Stop hugging me."

GM exclaims, "The other cat also manages to follow them out, but immediately decides to flee by running up a tree right next to the burning building!"

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) Wanda/Eben/Cuddlepaws/Jacob(2) ZIRCON(0)

Zircon exclaims, "BEHOLD as I extinguish these flames with the power of MAGIC!!"

Zircon illusions up the fire on the bookcase and also himself going out.

Zircon rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 -1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I still haven't gone)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, whoops!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(But I'm fine going after Zircon)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sorry! Thanks."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "thanks old-timer"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Zircon), "OK, what are you aiming for here? Creating an advantage?"

Zircon says, "Come with me if you... want... to... LIVE"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Yeah I reckon so"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Alright, against the woman's passive Investigate, that's a success with style!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What Aspect did you just create, and get two free invokes on?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "hmmm maybe something like Things Are Not So Scary In Here"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Alright!"

Zircon says, "Right this way, madam."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Eben!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK! I am going to do some fancy shooting!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Are Zircon and the lady in different places, or did the lady go to where Zircon is?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "They're on opposite sides of the bedroom door."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "How does Eben know this sort of info?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "With an apparently-not-burning-at-all bookcase between them."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "We're all on the same floor."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Just in the next panel over"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "aha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So, Eben's going to help the lady walk through the door"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, my plan is to shoot an orange portal under Zircon, which he falls through and into the air above the blue portal. While he's there, I shoot another one just next to the lady; Zircon pops back through and grabs her, then falls again, I shoot a new blue into the nearby building ground floor, and finally under myself so I and the kid fall through to outside."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Almost certainly tagging Things Are Not So Scary in the meantime ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Whoa confusing"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wow!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "We could do a Contest, maybe?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Or just a straight Shoot with shifts helping me accomplish successive bits of the plan?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Since we're in the middle of a Conflict already, I don't think we should add a Contest in the middle, so yeah, let's say a single Shoot but with a pretty high opposition."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I imagine Eben shooting several times in slowmo."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I think probably a +6 opposition."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sounds good to me!"

Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 +1 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And there are two free invokes available on Not So Scary, right?"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "pteeuwuw now we're on the moon"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sigh. OK! Invoking Things are Not So Scary at least once! Twice if I can!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup, with free invokes, you can use multiples."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yay!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So that's a tie."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So that's a tie, which means you succeed with a minor complication."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Probably getting singed, I would say?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But instead of a minor complication, I'd like to suggest a compel on your Drawback."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "ooooo"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "oooh, sounds good."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "You can shoot me into the cat tree if you want"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha, nice."

GM says, "With several excellent slow-mo shots of Eben shooting portals that span two pages of panels, both Zircon and the lady end up outside of the burning building..."

GM exclaims, "But while Zircon ends up standing safely on the ground, somehow the lady is flung into the air and lands in the tree with the cat in it!"

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) Wanda/Eben/Cuddlepaws/Jacob(2) Zircon(0)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(And the kid and I are out, too, or not yet?)"

GM exclaims, "Fire! Oh, no! It just caught the tree on fire!"

Jacob swears.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Hmm. Did you actually save the kid yet?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "That was the end of my plan!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But it is OK if I was only able to get through part of it."

GM exclaims, "Jacob and Zircon are lucky, seeing as they're outside, but the fire attacks Wanda (ha ha, good luck with that, fire) and Eben!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK. It would have been +8 opposition to get the kid as well, I think :)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So it's probably for the best."

GM says, "Eben:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 0 -1 | Good (3)

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I am however On Fire so the fire can attack me if you want"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I still have the kid in my arms?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Zircon), "Good point! But I think I'll let it not attack you this time."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I defend with Shoot to fall out of the building? Or do I need athletics?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yup! Your defense will defend him too. But, hmm. I think defending with Shoot would require a stunt."

[CCrusaders] Zircon asks, "You got those boots right?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sounds good--I'll do Athletics for now."

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And you are both just fine!"

GM exclaims, "Meanwhile, two very angry parents try to rescue their baby from a monster!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Incidentally, Fire Control allows me to steer existing flames (passive opposition +2)"

Eben, kid still in his arms, rolls past a falling piece of wood.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent. That might be a good action to use on your next turn!"

GM says, "They attack her, using Fight! Which she can defend with either Fight or Athletics."

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 0 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I defend with athletics."

Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "But I know what's next. An invoke?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Ha ha yup!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "So their roll is now a 4!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "I think you have like eight fate points by now."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you use any aspects to improve your defense?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Or you could just eat it"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That's right, I'd forgotten. When someone spends a fate point to invoke an aspect against you, you get a fate point for it. *But*!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But in those cases, you get the fate point *next* scene rather than this one."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "I hope you're noting those down."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(So you don't just get into a fate point fight where you keep throwing the same point back and forth at the GM.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Um... we'll have to re-read the transcript to find them :)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, so if you're not invoking anything, you take one shift of damage!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I tick off one shift of damage."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which you can absorb by checking off your 1-point physical stress box."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Punched in one of your many eyes"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or if you run out of stress boxes, you can start taking consequences, but stress boxes go away at the end of the scene.)"

Wanda reels under the parents' angry blows, but holds on to the kid.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Is it my turn yet."

GM says, "And finally on the Fire's turn..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The fire already went, I think."

GM says, "Everyone outside is definitely noticing an odor of gasoline coming from that burning car."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Unless the car... right."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I mean, 'as the final part of the fire's turn'."

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) WANDA/EBEN/CUDDLEPAWS/JACOB(2) Zircon(0)

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

Wanda says, "OK"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "just throw that baby into the tree along with everyone else"

Wanda says, "Guys. I mean no harm. Look."

Wanda focuses, and tries to clear away the flames surrounding the parents, as a sign of good will.

Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "dang"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "One thing about compels: you can't use your skills to try to undo them."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Against passive opposition of +2"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Clear Path To The Exit, here we come!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I succeed with Style!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So you can try to deal with the fact that they're terrified, but you can't make them *not* terrified of you."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I get that."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, cool :)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Just roleplaying ;)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And that is definitely a Success With Style. Awesome work!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "So my success with style: can I use a special effect?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes you can!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Because I'd like Extra Movement"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sounds good! So you can move through multiple zones."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And I want to invoke Avenging Parents to make them follow me as I dash down a staircase and to the ground floor, all the while the flame part before me."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "wait, do I need to invoke that...?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent! That would be a compel -- *you* compelling *the NPC*."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So you spend a fate point, and it goes into my pool."

[CCrusaders] Wanda gives the parents a Fate Point.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "So with Extra Movement, you're able to get all the way outside!"

(From Wanda) The flame seem to obey Wanda's thoughts, and part before her! She dashes past the parents, who chase after her, all the way down and out of the burning building safely.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo! Three more people saved!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And also, not in a tree!)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I go next?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "woo!"

[CCrusaders] Eben uses his Movement to take he and the kid outside through the portals!

Eben uses his Movement to take he and the kid outside through the portals!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Great!"

Eben sees the burning car, smells the gasoline, and calls out "Everybody clear out! And watch out for fish!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Getting the spectators to listen to you sounds like Rapport."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you trying to create an advantage by giving them a 'Fleeing' aspect?"

Eben shoots an orange portal underneath the car, then activates his blue Ocean portal to take it out!

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah, remember, it's called Collateral Damage for a reason."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, or that!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Mostly I'm... yeah, that ;-) But if I can Rapport some too, I'll do that."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So, mechanically, you can take out a nameless NPC or do a mild consequence to a named NPC. I am going to call the care fire a nameless NPC here :)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Er, car fire."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, that was what I was thinking."

GM exclaims, "WHOOSH! A powerful blast of water lifts the car into the air from underneath!"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Can I end up extinguished some how out of this? I don't mind taking, I dunno, Fishy"

GM says, "It flips over in the air and comes crashing down upside down in the middle of the street with a CRUNCH."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I think that's fair."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "My third and unaforementioned cat! Noooooo"

GM says, "The scene now also has the Flooded aspect."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or at least, the street does.)"

GM displays the initiative: GM(3) WANDA/EBEN/CUDDLEPAWS/JACOB(2) Zircon(0)

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Does the tree go out, or is it still burning?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The tree is still burning."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But there's a puddle several inches deep on the ground."

Jacob notes that the car has been taken care of, and climbs the tree to rescue the pretty lady and the cat. The latter of which, he literally picks up and drops out of the tree. Splash.

Jacob may or may not end up on fire?

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That seems like Athletics, and will leave you in the tree."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Overcoming? with Athletics"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Versus +1."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "No, +2"

Jacob rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Tie!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Tie! You succeed in saving the cat!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But you are slightly singed."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Welp."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "That's what I call a... Hot Topic"

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) Wanda/Eben/Cuddlepaws/Jacob(2) ZIRCON(0)

GM says, "The old lady picks up her other cat and cuddles it. She is so very happy both of them are safe."

[Crows-Nest] Eben sings, "Jacob and NPC#2, sittin' in a tree, S-I-N-G-'-E-D"

GM says, "It's now Zircon's turn! And there is one attractive lady up a burning tree, with Jacob."

Zircon takes a moment to lie down in the water for a bit.

Zircon drops the illusions, etc.

Zircon rolls around.

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "That feels like about enough."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah, leave the burning stuff to Wanda."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK. Does that mean you're not taking any specific actions?"

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "mmmm yeah I think so"

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) Wanda/Eben/Cuddlepaws/Jacob(2) Zircon(0)

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "You could say you took the action to remove 'on fire' from yourself."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Ccr"

GM exclaims, "It's the fire's turn!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "ha, ilac; anyway."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "Yeah, more or less"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, that's fair. We'll call that an easy Overcome and just assume you succeeded without rolling."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Your consequence should change to something like 'badly burned', probably.)"

GM says, "First, the neighbors are all standing around talking in between gaping."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "mmhmm"

GM exclaims, "But you gather from their comments that everyone is out of the building!"

GM exclaims, "However, there is still a burning tree, with a Jacob in it, so the fire attacks Jacob!"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Great (4)

Jacob defends with athletics, swinging to another branch.

Jacob rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 0 | Mediocre (0)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "oh nooo"

Jacob whoops.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Ooh -- 4 shifts of physical stress. Are you invoking any aspects to reduce that?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Is a character aspect invoked once per scene, or repeatedly as long as you have fate points, or?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The latter. You can only spend one point on it per roll, though."

Jacob spends his last fate point to invoke protective, as he was heading towards the pretty lady to grab her up.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, reducing it to two stress!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Chill, man."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "marking that box"

GM advances the initiative: GM(3) WANDA/EBEN/CUDDLEPAWS/JACOB(2) Zircon(0)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda's turn!"

Wanda gives the kid back to its parents, then jumps into the tree to help Jacob & the lady.

GM exclaims, "They scream in terror!"

GM says, "But are happy that their child did not wind up coccooned in your evil web."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So what are you doing in the tree?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I want to grab Jacob (who is presumably holding on to the lady) and use my Cat's Landing to land gracefully on the ground."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "If I can't grab both, I'll grab Jacob."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Because he looks a bit hurt."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! To carry them both sounds like Physique!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's say +3"

Wanda rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success!"

Jacob says, "Mah heroine."

Wanda manages to snatch up both Jacob and the lady in her fangs, then jumps down and lands nimbly.

(From Wanda) She then lets them go.

GM exclaims, "And as she does so you hear the sound of fire engines approaching in the distance!"

Jacob mutters, "Took them long enough!

GM exclaims, "But you realize that everyone is safely out of the building *and* the tree, phew!"

GM says, "Bystanders are hugging their neighbors and making various amazed comments."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We're the Fantastic Four (+ cat)"

GM says, "'Wow, that was amazing!' 'Did you see my car flip over like that?' 'Man. First that thing came flying out of the sky to start the fire, and then these guys appear to put it out!'"

GM says, "And with that, I think we'll draw a curtain on this scene and this session."

Eben grabs the passerby. "Wait--something came out of the sky? Can you describe it?"

Jacob tilts his head, "Flying..?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "whoops, timing."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Aww, we have to stop now?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yay! Thanks; that was fun!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Thanks!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And there's our preview panel for the next issue!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Oooo!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo, nice job everyone!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah, I had a great time"

[CCrusaders] Wanda's roleplaying is getting better.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And I loved the compels."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "So I think the deal with my Moderate consequence is that it'll someday (soon?) become a minor one, like Hairless"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I got to do Cool Portal Tricks, *and* flood the area with the ocean!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So, for fate points: if you ended this session with fewer fate points than your refresh, then you start the next session with fate points equal to your refresh. If you ended with *more* than you started, then you keep the extra."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I got to shape flames! And make epic jumps! And defy fire!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And if I invoked aspects against you, then those FP's I spent (I think I spent three total on that?), you get to add those to what you start the next scene with next week."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "Strangely, I have exactly as much Fate Points as when I started."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You might need to check the transcripts to find out how many there were."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Ha."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh yeah, you also all get to clear out your stress boxes at the end of the scene."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That's *one* tiny stress box."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The moderate consequence will last a bit longer: it will start recovering once you get appropriate medical assistance (or at the end of the scenario, if you don't get medical help before then)."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And I've noted down on my sheet the Aspects I can still invoke with a Fate Point (Mom's With Me, Of Biological Origin (vial), Innocent Face, Knowledge of Casino Security)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "When it does start recovering, you get to rename it to something like 'Hairless' or 'Bandaged Burns' or whatever is appropriate to indicate that it's on the road to recovery."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Excellent."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Please do keep track of those, because I don't think I can keep track of them all myself :)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So next week: did we decide that we're starting earlier, to compensate for lps' Easter guests?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Tale's agreed to it, yeah"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Cool. So we'll play at 1pm next time."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "One hour earlier?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Perfect."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yat"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Thanks again for coming, everyone! (Except for Taleslinger. He sucks.)"

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "I should be good with that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I may still need to skip out a bit early, but I'll at least be able to be there for the first couple hours."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "aww Tale doesn't suck"

Jacob goes east.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Shh, I'm relying on him reading this in the transcript later."

[CCrusaders] Zircon says, "His helmet just ran low on battery"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehehe"