The X-men run missions and work together with the NYPD, striving to maintain a peaceful balance between humans and mutants. When it comes to a fight, they won't back down from protecting those who need their help.
Haven presents itself as a humanitarian organization for activists, leaders, and high society, yet mutants are the secret leaders working to protect and serve their kind. Behind the scenes they bring their goals into reality.
From the time when mutants became known to the world, SUPER was founded as a black-ops division of the CIA in an attempt to classify, observe, and learn more about this new and rising threat.
The Syndicate works to help bring mutantkind to the forefront of the world. They work from the shadows, a beacon of hope for mutants, but a bane to mankind. With their guiding hand, humanity will finally find extinction.
Since the existence of mutants was first revealed in the nineties, the world has become a changed place. Whether they're genetic misfits or the next stage in humanity's evolution, there's no denying their growing numbers, especially in hubs like New York City. The NYPD has a division devoted to mutant related crimes. Super-powered vigilantes help to maintain the peace. Those who style themselves as Homo Superior work to tear society apart for rebuilding in their own image.
MRO is an intermediate to advanced writing level original character, original plot X-Men RPG. We've been open and active since October of 2005. You can play as a mutant, human, or Adapted— one of the rare humans who nullify mutant powers by their very existence. Goodies, baddies, and neutrals are all welcome.
Short Term Plots:Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
The Fountain of Youth
A chemical serum has been released that's shaving a few years off of the population. In some cases, found to be temporary, and in others...?
MRO MOVES WITH CURRENT TIME: What month and year it is now in real life, it's the same for MRO, too.
Fuegogrande: "Fuegogrande" player of The Ranger, Ion, Rhia, and Null
Neopolitan: "Aly" player of Rebecca Grey, Stephanie Graves, Marisol Cervantes, Vanessa Bookman, Chrysanthemum Van Hart, Sabine Sang, Eupraxia
Ongoing Plots
Magic and Mystics
After the events of the 2020 Harvest Moon and the following Winter Solstice, magic has started manifesting in the MROvere! With the efforts of the Welldrinker Cult, people are being converted into Mystics, a species of people genetically disposed to be great conduits for magical energy.
The Welldrinker Cult
A shadowy group is gaining power, drawing in people who are curious, vulnerable, or malicious, and turning them into Mystics. They are recruiting people into their ranks to spread the influence of magic in the world, but for what end goal?
Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
Adapteds
What if the human race began to adapt to the mutant threat? What if the human race changed ever so subtly... without the x-gene.
Atlanteans
The lost city of Atlantis has been found! Refugees from this undersea mutant dystopia have started to filter in to New York as citizens and businessfolk. You may make one as a player character of run into one on the street.
Got a plot in mind?
MRO plots are player-created the Mods facilitate and organize the big ones, but we get the ideas from you. Do you have a plot in mind, and want to know whether it needs Mod approval? Check out our plot guidelines.
There was more jostling and shoving and Zek stopped making headway. And he started feeling like a sardine stuck in a little can. No, no, no, no. His new tail started lashing about, basically beating on people’s legs like drumsticks. He couldn’t breath. Yes he could No he couldn’t. He needed air!
His wings snapped out, right into several faces. “Watch it, man!” “%$^# you!” “What the--” and several other expressions and expletives emerged from the crowds.
Zek whirled and tried to fight the press. His wings whapped several more people and he tripped. How did you move with these things? But Zek didn’t want to spend any time processing that. He just wanted to get away. He had to get the girl, but the other guy was already doing that. Zek could just, uh, go for a vantage point. Block off exits. Run and hide and cover his head.
And the music kept pounding and the lights strobing, flashing, and raking.
He didn’t realize he had his head down until he crashed into someone. He stumbled back and nearly fell. And now his skin was starting to feel itchy. He started scratching at his chest. But the itching wasn’t just there. And then it started becoming pain.
He hissed and stumbled again. He really had to make it off the dance floor. He didn’t remember it taking so long before! He was disoriented, confused, half-blind and partially deafened and dead gods now in pain. Then his legs started working funny and he fell forward. On scaly, feathery, changing hands.
“What the fuLUGHRRR--”*
*At that moment Zek’s new mouth became an even newer beak.
There was a flash of light and the motorcycle vanished. Zek brushed his hands together and readied for his next move.
Zek swaggered into the bar like he was a regular there. He wasn’t, though. Not by a long shot. He’d stopped hanging out in bars after he got his job as a bouncer. He got enough of that kind of atmosphere and at least then he was getting paid. But he wasn’t actually here for fun.
He had a job to do.
Jeff “Polecat” Wiesel had skipped out on bail. He was in trouble for assault, theft, and some vandalism. He was a known biker and word on the street was that he was part of an informal crew of other bikers, who seemed to spend all their time just getting drunk and acting tough. Also, according to Jeff’s MyFace profile, he really loved his mama.
Zek had finally tracked Jeff down to this bar. Jeff was apparently something of a regular actually, which made his patterns too easy to follow. Which was boring, but hey! Easy money, right?
Zek casually trudged over to the bar and took his hands out of his dark brown trenchcoat pockets. It really wasn’t the best season for it, but it was late enough to not seem too unusual. Also, when he’d scoped out the place the night before it had been on the chilly side to him. So trenchcoat it was.
He made his way over to the bar and nonchalantly flashed his ID. “I’ll take a water. On the rocks. And make it a double,” he said with a straight face. He caught the bartender’s slight smirk and roll of his eyes before turning around and leaning back against the bar.
He found his target quickly. Stereotypical biker dude playing pool with his friends. Also seemed to have snow on him. Wait, was it winter already? Zek blinked then frowned. Nah, probably just had some ice. A cool smile appeared on his face. He’d let Polecat play just a little longer and then Zek was going to ruin his night.
Zek tried forcing himself through the extremely unsettling loudness and attempted to follow the guy currently inside his body.
Yeah, he lost him quick.
It didn’t help that the floor was decently crowded, that neither he nor the other guy were extremely tall, nor the fact that he now had giant flippin’ wings and a tail, throwing him off balance and smacking into folks as he walked. And the music was distracting, too, but that didn’t actually change anything.
So now he just had to find Lady IDless, in a dark club, while being blinding by lasers and flashes of light. A regular Friday night, actually.
Very quickly Zek found himself caught up in a current of people as they seemed to migrate toward a particular spot of the dance floor. And he was starting to hear some whistles, catcalls, applause, laughter and more. Not all of those were normal in a place like this.
And then the press of people started getting to him. His new wings started unfolding a bit and refolding back. His tail started waving, swatting ankles all over the place. And there were a lot of ankles. He was surrounded, people smooshing up close to him on all sides as they started moving. And the music didn’t stop pounding.
“Aaargh!” he grumbled as he planted himself. He couldn’t keep going. Starting to feel like he couldn’t breath. Too many people tightly packed together by their own volition and in the music. And with eyes and ears much better than he was used to and with big ol’ wings!
He got jostled again as folks tried to move forward even as he tried staying still. Without thinking he shoved back, and then shoved another person. “Watch it!” he snapped. He needed to get out of there.
Well, whaddya know, shouting didn’t do anything to stop the guy. It was, however, what you were supposed to shout in these kinds of ridiculous events. And it also alerted innocent bystanders that things were happening and hopefully kept them clear of the madness that Zek was really hoping would ensue.
His target turned out to be pretty athletic though. Zek had just enough time to appreciate the guy’s technique as he spun the frisbee before having to say, “Ow!” as the frisbee bounced off his ankle. Well two could play at that game! Zek threw a golden orb at the guy. And missed by yards.
Next time he’d actually aim.
Then a giant rolling man appeared and seemed to have some beef with Zek’s target. “No way!” he breathed as boulder-man took out his target. Was that….HERMAN? Where did he come from? How did he know--when did he--what?!
Zek stopped momentarily to blink and take in the situation. So Herman seemed dead set on rolling all over the big guy. Actually, they’re both big guys. Muscleman was egging it on though. Zek mulled it over for just a few more seconds. Herman didn’t seem great at changing angles, so Muscleman was probably going to be able to keep dodging until he got away.
Unless Zek did something.
A savage grin lit up his face as this time, he took aim. He waited for Muscleman to start moving again and then threw a scarlet orb, aiming for a couple of yards in front of the guy, where it suddenly became a picnic table tipped on its side. Boom. Instant obstacle.
Zek decided that in hindsight, it was not a good idea to point at the person you want to get. All it did was alert them that they wanted. Like in this case. Turns out Zek really could see better since he could clearly make out the girl’s expression at the exact moment her gaze landed on him and Birdman.
He could also clearly make out her leaving.
And then Birdman started after her, but Zek didn’t really have any better ideas.
“Sunglasses in the pocket, got it,” he said. He didn’t know which pocket, but if it came to that, it looks like he would be going exploring. Right after he caught his balance.
Zek tried to launch himself from his chair into an immediate swift and purposeful stride, but his new wings got excited and splayed open behind him. The expected weight nearly dragged him down and back. “Ack!” he said before he could catch himself. The tail was surprisingly helpful there, but still! How did Birdman deal with these fifty-leven extra appendages?
Birdman was already well ahead of him by the time Zek got used to the wings and managed to fold them in so they didn’t create drag or lift. Then he, too, entered the dance floor section.
And immediately clapped his hands to his far more sensitive ears. “How do you live like this!” he nearly yelled. “Who cares about sunglasses! I need earplugs!” The pounding of the EDM made him feel like he’d just caught an elephant in an orb and oh please makeitstop!
Zek’s new jaw actually dropped open for a split second before he caught himself. Is this guy for real? he thought as Birdman continued to enact Freaky Friday. Before apparently trying to strangle himself. Did Birdman have an actual birdbrain, too? And there! He kept sticking his fingers up and counting off them and flipping Zek’s biological head all over the place.
Then Zek realized he wasn’t paying attention. Wait, a gryphon form? Oooh, that could be cool! And then Zek got an idea, an evil, dastardly idea. Would it really be so bad to not switch back? Think of all the stuff he could do with wings and enhanced senses and flight and--a can-do attitude?
Yeah, no. This ended tonight.
But Zek could still have a little fun. As sincerely and seriously as he could manage, he told Birdman his powers. “Yes, my voice got damaged in a slam poetry competition back in college,” he said, “It’s actually a very painful story. There are a bunch of sounds I can’t do anymore, but apparently I’m now fluent in Latin. Or at least that’s what people tell me, since I apparently only speak it when I’m unconscious and then only in a deep raspy voice.” Zek shrugged. What could you do?
“You also have a blue tongue, an owl’s neck, and you turn invisible if you shut your eyes for longer than a blink. Anyways, it has to be the girl. Pretty sure she’s majorly miffed at me and, I dunno, you got pulled into by virtue of being there,” Zek said quickly. He shrugged again. “And she has to be the cause of this because if she’s not then I have absolutely no idea what to do and we’re stuck like this forever!”
By the end of his rant, he was practically dripping with over the top optimism and sickly sweet assurance. And if that happens, well, I guess I won’t need to take the bus or an Uber again. His new tail waggled a bit at that.
Zek momentarily stared as...Carrick?...turned Zek’s original head around. And kept going. And for once, Zek got to see firsthand how unnerving that could be.
He definitely needed to remember to do that to folks more often. “Well, Mr. Carrick, I’d say you’re a guy who’s about to enjoy getting back in his own skin because we are definitely going to find this girl and get her to undo this,” he said confidently. He didn’t think the chances were extremely high, actually, but no point letting Birdman know that. For all Zek knew, the guy would probably try to fly away and break Zek’s real neck by tripping over a table or something. And since his neck was so flexible, that was a real feat to accomplish, too!
“So we’re looking for a broad a little bit taller than meee-yoou are right now,” Zek drawled. “‘Short dress, heels, kinda skimpy but not too trashy, enough to accentuate her assets without putting all the goods completely on display, if you catch my drift. Long blonde hair, great shape. Like, really great shape.” He rattled off the description almost offhandedly with just a bit of surprise. He was now pretty glad he’d taken the extra time to keep looking her over!
“In fact, she looks a lot like the girl at the bar over…” Zek was starting to point. Then his mouth dropped open, and this time he didn't put it back. He was full-on pointing, too."Gadzooks, it's her! Let's get her!"
Posted by Zek on Jun 11, 2020 15:52:25 GMT -6
Ranger likes this
Gamma Mutant
Dinner first!
[redacted]
461
33
May 18, 2024 7:01:58 GMT -6
Zek
“Oh, dead gods!” Zek said, already making a mental list of the damage control he’d need. Like that laaame excuse Birdman gave for his (Zek’s!) sudden departure. Amateur! I’m working with an amateur here! Ugh! But Zek couldn’t really do anything about it right then. For all they knew, he was just some random bird guy and honestly, he didn’t feel like explaining everything to them right now.
Also, he needed to figure out what was happening first, so he’d be able to explain it to them. And for that, he needed Birdy.
Zek tried pulling the wings back in as they headed inside and they...somewhat...complied. “‘Fraid I can’t make promises about that,” he muttered sheepishly. Also, now he understood the gangliness because he kept wanting to pitch over backward! Fortunately the tail was there to maintain some semblance of balance.
But they finally hit the lounge area. And the guy was yelling. Zek hissed, “Dude! Keep it down! Yelling isn’t going to help!” And now Zek really needed to get switched back just to shut the guy up! “Here, come this way,” he said, beckoning with a hand and wobbling over to a table.
“Yeah, so now we need to figure out how to switch back,” he said. “You wouldn’t happen to have brainswitching powers as well as animal bits, huh?” he asked. He’d never heard of someone having such disparate mutations, but he didn’t know everything.
Then a thought struck him. “The girl!” he said, snapping the fingers. “The last thing I saw was the girl, Miss I-Don’t-Have-A-Real-ID! And she said something about not knowing who I was...”
By now they were attracting attention, and not just because the line was starting to stall. On one hand, you had an idiot who didn’t know how to use his suddenly extra body parts, making his wings and tail fan out and move every which way. And they were big wings, too. Like an eagle’s. If the eagle was the size of a lion.
On the other hand, you had a guy in a suit looking like he was possessed as he twisted his neck impossibly far and danced in circles to...check out his butt?
Zek couldn’t blame him - he had a pretty nice butt.
His body started moving toward him in a very gangly manner and right as he approached himself, he (in the Birdman’s body) started to open his mouth but he (in his original recipe body) slapped himself across the beak kisser.
“Oi!” he said. “Cut that out! I am awake, you twit!” he spat. Then he registered movement out of the corners of his eyes. Oh yeah, the other bouncers were starting to react to what looked like one of their own just smacking a guy for no reason.
He felt something moving. Oh, his tail! It was whipping around. He quickly threw his hands up and raised his voice, “It’s okay everyone, I’m fine!” he said. “Zek and I are old pals! No harm, no...fowl!” He couldn’t resist.
But then Zek quickly lowered his voice. “Dude, I think we just got Freaky Fridayed. Real quick, say there’s an emergency and you have to go on break. Ask Jerry to cover for you. We need to talk and out here probably isn’t the best place.”
He stared into his eyes (which were very attractive, if he had to say so himself). “Got it?”
“Yeah, um, I know exactly who I am,” Zek said. “And if I forget, I’ve got a little card that says who I am. It’s called an ID. Which you’re apparently unfamil--er--” Suddenly his mouth stopped working. His eyes widened as he looked at the girl and then everything went black.
Something was odd.
Little points of light began to appear and suddenly Zek was amidst a sea of stars and a strange creature was floating by. And then everything changed. Suddenly he was seeing himself as if in a gym. Then he was seeing flashes of more strange creatures flying left and right, appearing and vanishing. Over and over this happened, occasionally with glimpse of himself, out-of-body style, throwing his orbs and catching and unleashing the creatures. And there was music, too.
It was a pretty trippy minute or so.
After a final vision of throwing an orb right at himself, he saw a flash of light. And then everything looked normal again.
Except he was now in front of the club’s doors, instead of in front of the line. “What on Earth was..” Zek trailed off. He sounded funny. He coughed and cleared his throat. “I say, I’m a--”
He caught a glimpse of himself in the windows of the door. “--birdman?”
Zek whirled around, his wings snapping out and flailing around. And that wasn’t all that was flailing. “I have a ’tail?!” His eyes widened. “Wait a second…”
He looked down at himself. Jeans, black sneakers, a recently familiar shirt…
“I’m the birdman,” he groaned, his eyes finally looking up. And seeing himself looking every bit as confused as he felt.
“Hey!” he said to himself, or at least the version of himself he could see. “Dude, what’s going on here?”
Zek permitted himself a small smile as the girl started to crack. He kept the smile even as he took the next ID and passed the person. And the person after that. Most folks who came could get in, no problem. Underaged people or already soused people were usually the only times he stopped someone. The other bouncer in charge of letting folks in, Jim, usually stopped more people than Zek, but Zek just blamed it on Jim’s personality.
Next up was a sight to see, that’s for sure. “Awesome wings, dude! Not too crowded though, we got another hour or so before it gets real busy,” Zek said as he accepted the ID. The guy looked young, but the ID looked right. Somehow Zek doubted that it was commonplace to fake an ID for someone with wings and... differently colored eyes? He glanced up. Yep, the guy had two eye colors.
Pretty cool.
“Alright, man, you’re good to go,” Zek said as he handed the ID back. “I recommend you to not fly inside. Lots of lasers, hate for you to go blind.” He grinned again and let Birdman through.
He held up a hand to the gaggle of girls who were up next. “One moment, ladies,” he said suavely. He turned to Ms. Young-and-restless. “Sooo,” he drawled. “You figure out who you are yet? I don’t have all night.” His smile vanished. “If you can’t provide a valid ID, I’m officially asking you to leave.”
And he just stared at her, his arms loose at the sides. He couldn’t just have someone hanging out at the line. Too distracting. And annoying.
I did this before in a previous life as "Sundance Signatures & Graphics" but since I'm using a different account and all the images on the other were hosted by Photobucket (may it rest in pieces), I'm revamping.
I get bored easy and I have access to Photoshop. I'm taking requests for signatures, cover images, and avatars. Other things too, I guess, but I reckon that'd be a case by case basis.
I'll use the default sizes for graphics, but if you want things done in different dimensions, let me know.
If you want something, here's a handy-dandy template you can use to let me know what ya want.
Character Name:(Which character is it for? You may get strange results if I guess.) Play-by:(This way I know who to find images of.) Type of Graphic: (Sig? Avi? Cover? Both? Two? All? Neither? Other?)
Desired Text:(Is there a quote you like? Do you want your character's name? Or just part of it? Whatever you want )
Additional Details:(Anything else in particular that you want me to include in the graphics? A theme, a vibe, a particular photo, a specific font, or something else?)
If I end up doing something that isn't quite what you envisioned, needs tweaking, or should be burned with fire, just tell me and I'll change it. I don't take offense that easily And if you want multiples, or a different one every day, that's fine too! I honestly like it when people tell me about even little tiny things that aren't quite right (or just downright bad-looking) - it's helps me get better.
YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO USE ANYTHING. Even if you ask for it
You can post requests here, PM me on-site at Zek , catch me on the Discord server and/or DM there at Zek, or send me handwritten notes attached to the legs of homing pigeons - they'll know where to find me.
Here's a preview gallery of some of my work, old and new on this site. Some of the sizes no longer adhere to modern standards.
“Hey, hey,” Zek said in response as he took the ID and started to give it a look over, glancing at all the right spots. But then he frowned. You know, something didn’t seem right. Zek glanced up and purposely kept his eyes moving up. He was starting to get a feeling. Not quite a sense and too small to be a hunch. Just a feeling.
He looked the girl over again. She fit the vibe of the club, for sure. Very attractive, great physique, seemed comfortable showing it off and was even dancing a bit in line. Nothing immediately jumped out at him. He stared at the card again. The picture was good, she matched it well enough.
So what was it?
He glanced up again. Oh, that was it.
Somebody was looking a little too cool for school. Avoiding eye contact. Trying too hard to not look at the ID, which she’d probably want to take back if she was like anyone else. She wasn’t with anyone, so nothing else to pay attention to. She didn’t even seem that impatient. She seemed...like she was genuinely trying to not show anything at all.
Zek stared at the card again. Now he had an idea of what he was looking for, he started finding some small imperfections. He smirked. “Hold your horses,” he said. “Gotta say, ma’am, this is some good work.” His smirk turned to a full on grin. “This from Stanislav? Or Rousseau? Too good to be Donny’s. Anyways, I’ll be adding this to my collection. Just need six more and I’ll have all fifty states!” His smile was know full on mocking.
“So I’m going to need to see an actually valid form of ID or else you’re gonna have to dance your little heart out somewhere else, m’kay?” Zek smiled sickeningly sweetly. His eyes never left her face though. “Best be quick, I got a long line and the night’s passing quick.”
Everything started moving very quickly, after the long drawn out bit of summoning the ghost dogs finished, that is.
I guess we know why they’re called Wild Hunt now. Zek only had the moment to spare for such idle thoughts. After all, he wasn’t even ten feet from the wolf dude when three green ghost dogs were suddenly blocking his way.
Panic and alarm crashed through him and reflexively he threw an orb at them.
The orb hit the middle dog and there was a flash of light. It vanished. And daggers started piercing his brain.
Zek nearly doubled over. “Aaaagh!” he yelled as he clutched at his head. That vague space he felt/sensed, where something he’d caught should be, felt like it was on fire and struck by lightning at the same time. Immediately he brought the orb back, pulsing into scarlet light for just a moment before flashing. And some green vapor appeared for another moment before evaporating.
The other dogs had leaped back when their comrade vanished. Zee stared at them with wide, pain-ridden eyes as they stared at him. He unleashed a stream of invectives. “What was that?!” It was like the time he’d stuck a fork in the power socket.
“I am not doing that again,” he swore as he straightened up. He’d deal with the migraine later. Because as he straightened up, so did the other dogs.
Zek didn’t notice the wolf guy get clobbered by a flying backpack. He was too focused ont he dogs. But he did hear the sound of thunder, the feedback of an amp or something. Music to Zek’s ears. The dogs fell back again and Zek didn’t waste the time to start scrabbling backward, checking his surroundings. Couldn’t stop the dogs directly (without, like, brain damage or something), but that just meant he had to get creative.
Balls flashed in his hands and got tossed at some straight-backed dining chairs. He stopped his backwards retreat and throw another ball at a table. It vanished too. Then he started to charge at the dogs, yelling as loud as he could He brought his hands up and after a brief red glow, a chair was in his hands.
He began swinging into the ghost dogs with all his might. It was like fear therapy. It felt right.
Posted by Zek on Jun 8, 2020 19:44:17 GMT -6
Ranger likes this
Gamma Mutant
Dinner first!
[redacted]
461
33
May 18, 2024 7:01:58 GMT -6
Zek
The night was starting to come alive.
Full darkness had descended upon the city and things were starting to come out to play. Gone were the straight-laced folks who worked their steady office jobs to pay off college loans or suffered through the rat race of life. Gone were the worries and stresses of the daily grind - those were fears for daylight.
Tonight, it was time to party.
And one such place that drew the crowds was a modestly sized stone-faced building on the corner of a street known for its restaurant land entertainments. The building resembled a hybrid of a church and a castle, both welcoming and imposing, complete with towers on the far corners and a steeple right on the true corner of the street, where the entrance was. Stained-glass windows, illuminated by neon lights from the inside completed the effect.
The club’s main areas were a softly lit area shortly inside the door, where one could sit down in intimate company and speak without shouting. It had a feeling of class, evoking the romance of kingdoms and royal favor.
There was a cathedral-like space with balconies all around and a stage at the far end, backed by massive screens. This was the room cloaked in darkness yet pierced by hundreds and thousands of lasers and spotlights, a technicolor acid trip, filled variously with house music, electronica, and live performances.
It was designed to entire and allure at every turn, promising rapture and thrills with every moment.
This was Nightshade.
This was also Zek’s “day” job.
Zek barely glanced at the guy’s ID before waving him through. The guy was a regular, here all the time and always chatty. Somehow Zek had even ended up as MyFace friends with him. ...He really needed to delete MyFace.
Zek turned his attention to the person, automatically giving them a look over, making sure they weren’t already drunk or violent or whatever. He checked their ID, yep, good to go. “You’re good,” he said, already turning to the next person.
As usual, the line had about thirty or so people waiting to get into the building. The night was still young, so the club wasn’t anywhere near capacity yet and as such, only a few other bouncers were on duty with Zek, another one vet people, a third to be on hand in case anything unusual came up or needed to deal with something Zek and the other bouncer couldn’t take care of, and a fourth to be present as a go-for and to relay communications. Of course, all the bouncers had their radios and earpieces, but having a dedicated comms person overseeing everything made it less likely that anything (or anyone) would slip by and allow Zek and the other guy to focus on the clientele.
Zek shot his arm out, nearly clotheslining a guy. “Sorry man, I’m going to ask you to leave.”
“Aw come on!” the guy slurred. “Whatsa matter? I’m over twenty-one!”
Zek snorted. “Probably. But you’re obviously clearly intoxicated.” He grinned. “Got started on the Friday partying early this evening, huh?”
The guy started to say something, but Zek just ignored him. “Please leave, sir,” he said. “Alright Miss, ID please,” he said, allowing the crowd and social pressure to keep the guy quelled. Zek still kept an eye on him, though, but otherwise made sure he exuded total confidence that the man would not enter. And if he tried, well, Zek hadn’t made anyone vanish yet that night. And they always left an impression on the crowd and made him happy.
Zek’s eyes immediately fell on the mace that had also fallen. His brown eyes went round. “I’m keeping this,” he said, walking up to the van behind Juniper and dropping an orb on the morningstar. It was his now. He was probably going to have to soak it in bleach, and then maybe acid and holy water, but he wasn’t passing up that beauty.
He stuck his head into the van after the blonde climbed in. “Yeesh!” he exclaimed. “You’re not exaggerating! It looks like a flea market threw up in here!”
A bag of peanuts had spilled across the floor in the back. A pile of coiled ropes, cables, and chains were covering a folding chair that had fallen against a kerosene container. The walls had a lot of hooks for stuff and bars and straps, probably serving dual purposes for holding other things and as handholds for standing folks.
As Juniper moved further into the van, Zek climbed in himself. “You really attract the most interesting people,” he commented, nudging what looked to be the battered head of a rat costume. There didn’t appear to be a costume itself, though. And oh look, there was some bleach! He might not even have to go back to his apartment to clean his new favorite toy.
“Like, you need some mouse traps? Duct tape? Paintbrushes? Socks?” he said, listing off a highlight reel of what he could immediately see. Then his eyes widened as inspiration struck. “Oh hey! Check the glove compartment! Maybe there’s some money in there!”