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 Pharoah Dynasty
An ancient sorceress is on a quest to bring her long-lost warrior-king to the modern era in a bid for global domination. Can the heroes of the modern world stop her before all is lost?
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.
Clearly he had rattled her, but somehow Hades suspected that it was not just what he had told her.
>"So the issue is when perfect recall meets memory manipulation."
"Partially, I did not have perfect recall before it was gifted to me during training. That is why I cannot recall many details about the early days of my training."
>"Have you ever considered the memory manipulator put a couple extras in your head? Just to mess you up?"
"I have considered that. I considered it unlikely that she would ahve gotten hold of martial arts styles that have not been taught or have been lost for over 500 years. The memories of family, I am not sure. still the little details that i can recal seem far too mundane to be manufactured, but I could be wrong."
>"Have you ever considered that you might be better off not knowing? The mind does put some fail-safes in place on purpose. Does it really matter who you were once? Do you not like who you are now?"
Hades stopped and thought. Not that he had not gone down this path many many times. "Noel, I am who I am today, I am enjoy what I have accomplished, but I also realize that my past, perceived or actual, manufactured or genuine still affects me today. Part of me wants to know what other skills or talents I may have forgotten, the other part wants to know if they are real or not. As an assassin, the more I know about myself the more I am aware of potential weaknesses. I have been in situations where certain words or phrases have triggered mini flashbacks. I cannot afford to have a lapse in concentration during a mission. I would like to learn if any of by brothers are still alive. Finally I want to know what they did to me, partly to learn more about my abilities and limits and partially to learn if they left any embedded safeguards or trigger phrases in me." He smiled, "In a sense Noel I envy you, you are who you are today, what you forget affects you less, it may affect how those around you interact with you but you can choose to forget things. For me the past continues to have an affect on me, regardless of how complete my memory of it is."
Noel seemed to deliberate for a moment, would she back out?
>"Sit. Please. This might take a while."
As Hades sat and made himself comfortable, softly he said "Thank you Noel. Don't take on more than you can handle at once, and, regardless of the outcome..." He paused, the words not coming easy to him, nevertheless they were heartfelt and genuine. "Thank you, my friend" He would say no more.
"Noel I am not saying that you are an assassin nor that you are becoming one. I am merely stating that you are remarkable. You are a professional and you adapt to situations quickly. You don not loose your nerve easily and learn quickly."
>"If you know all that, why do you need me? Are you missing a name? Or something specific?"
At that he turned sharply. His eyes catching the fire light drilled, no bore intently into her own. His whole body tensed slightly. His hands clenched slightly. As he spoke his hands clenched and unclenched, not just opening and closing, but subconsciously into different attack poises, tiger claw, bear claw, phoenix palm.... His eyes blazing with pent up frustration and anger.
"There is still so much I do not know." His breathing rate increased. His body seemed to be poised, coiled tight like a spring. "I recall the unusually sensation of pain and something vaguely resembling a changing of perspective, like the world seeming to grow larger before I started training. I do not know where we were trained, there was extensive documentation on each of us there, each of us had whole filing cabinets devoted to us. I am reasonably sure that the leader was an omega level super-intelligent mutant, the second in command a genetics manipulator and the third a memory manipulator. Your memories were her plaything. I recall that I always knew more than they taught, styles that were extinct always accompanied with hazy memories, like shadows of being trained in them in a different age and locations that are no longer on any maps in the world. I was given photographic memory and almost perfect recall." The cork was out and the information kept coming, he was staring at her as if my force of will he could see answers in her eyes, or perhaps he was staring past her, transfixing Noel in place by force of will. This was probably the most intense anyone had seen him. He had shared this with no one, it was private, it was personal, but somehow Noel had drawn? Provoked it out of him. The gene was out of the bottle, the Pandoras box opened and would not go back in.
"I can recall every moment from when I first met my wife Lucy until I held her as she died in my arms during the second world war, pregnant with our first child. She was my first wife. How then do I vividly dream and have shadows of memories of holding my two sons and my daughter in my arms and have flashes of them at different ages? Why does even thinking of them bring with it a strong, irrational sense of anger and revenge. I vaguely recall another woman, but the memories are so vague that every time I try to grasp for them they elude my grasp. For months I dreamed vividly of fighting in battles so much older than my supposed paltry 200 years of age. I finally recalled a name of a person that I fought along side, after 10 years of research and much money I suspect he was a military person in times past at least 1500 years old? What was done to me at the training facility? How was I changed? What did I forget? Who was I once? All these and more Noel, Iammissing."
Hades took a deep breath as the tension slowly seemed to leave his body, his hands relaxed. he blinked and looked past Noel, no longer drilling her with a laser like intense stare. He seemed to come to and realize where he was. He took another deep breath and seemed to relax more, or was it that his iron self control had once again slipped back into place. He wondered if he had scared her, startled her. "My apologies." Was he apologizing for startling her, more likely for loosing control. He paused, searching for the right words. "Now you know why I have tried for years to find answers." The main challenge was that his memories of some of the things were so vague that there was no way he could even describe them to anyone, perhaps Noel would have better luck being able to almost "see" through his eyes. "Are you ready to do this?" Asked Hades as he took one step towards Noel.
Hades knew the instant he had been made and stopped discretely following the girl. He was confident that he was not recognized, he could count on one hand the number of people who could identify him by his face. In the intelligence communities he was regarded as part myth part urban legend. Many suspected that the title of "Hades" or "Reaper" was passed on from assassin to assassin or perhaps it was a group that operated under one name. If any of his hits had appeared on the papers it was usually under the heading "Tragic accident befalls XXX" or "XXX dies of heart attack" etc. Though now his interest was piqued. It had been years, no decades since someone had made him, the last time that happened they had been on the lookout for him. He had decided to go to this party last minute under an iron clad alibi. How did someone so young come to be so skilled? Training? perhaps she was an immortal like himself. Regardless he would wait to see if there was an opportunity to speak with her.
Hades knew better than to follow her, most likely she had assumed that he was there to stop her or steal her kill. No matter he did not need to tail her to find her. He had surmised her target, and where he was, she would be not far behind. the party had moved to an out door courtyard where a stage had been setup. Hades stayed in the shadows and discretely looked around. The setting sun illuminated a small glint on a balcony. A scope reflecting the light only for a second. Many would have missed it but for a veteran like Hades that was all the confirmation he needed. the mood in the party was expectant. There was an announcement, a senator had arrived with the local police chief in tow. Hades could guess the rest. The police Chief would want as much political support for the new META program, especially in the light of reports that there had been problems with the robots differentiating friend from foe (see You Made Your META). This was also a play to get more of New York's rich and famous behind the program. There was at least one model of each type of robot on display, although to prevent any mishaps each one had a retainer who could give it direct commands. There was at least one helicopter overhead. No doubt part security partly to record more footage for Purposes. Hades wondered if the girl would still take the shot. As if to answer his silent question a cry followed by multiple screams pierced the air. From where he was Hades could not tell if her target was merely wounded or killed. What was certain was that security clamped down, Hard. Soon there were officers and bots going from person to person checking invitations and scanning for weapons. Hades wondered if the girl would need help getting out. He doubted that she could pull the lost little girl act now. Then again it was known that sometimes assassins would help each other...
****Elsewhere*****
In a dark alley way, George cracked his knuckles. There was a big to do attended by the rich and famous. If any of them went for a walk, well he and his gang would be waiting. This could be his night to mug a rich person. He grinned evilly.
>"When will these tests happen? I feel like we just got started." "True, it was not too long ago that you started learning but you are a fast learner. To answer your question the tests will happen when I feel that you are ready and you feel like you are up to the challenge. Although until you past these tests I will not teach you any additional styles or weapons."
Hades/Victor turned to the bird/boy. From what he was saying the boy could copy powers by touch, interesting, that could be a great advantage. He would need to think of a suitable style. He had one in mind already. One that might suit the boy. After he, like Alex passed his first tests he had a much more interesting and challenging style in mind but that would be for later. He turned to both of them and said. "That will be all for today. Alex next lesson is recovery move training." Turning to the bird boy he said "Next class in on Thursday and will be in the gym. If you still want to learn come with loose comfortable clothing and a signed form."
*******Two days later****** Hades awaited the arrival of his students. For this class he had requisitioned a corner of the gym. There were some thin mats laid out on the floor. There was a sparring corner with wooden dummies of to the side and stacks of blue crash mats of varying thickness. Hades had dimmed the lighting in the sparring corner so that it was mostly in shadows. Off to the other side of the gym the doors to the outside were closed, however they must have been open as evidenced by a pile of leaves that had been swept up and were waiting to be taken away. The rest of the gym was being used by around two classes of students of varying ages doing P.E. While he waited for his students Hades decided to warm up by doing stealth attacks. In the sparring corner he would move from shadow to shadow. He was at home in the shadows, that was one of the first skills he had mastered all those years ago, how to be invisible while moving in the shadows. On the wall there was a hit counter. To the casual observer it would seem that at random intervals the counter suddenly jumped as the system registered a hit on one of the dummies. Hades finished his warm up as he saw his students arrive. He emerged from the shadows and waited for them by the mats.
Hades reflected that it would be good to have a potential ally like Aura. From what he had heard she was high up in the Order command chain.
"Aura, after fighting with you today, if you need help in the future let me know. I believe I once had the pleasure for fighting along side your brother, Abyss." He handed her a card with an email address that lead to an encrypted account. Same with the phone, it lead to an answering phone. Of course depending on what she needed his help with payment in the form of favours, money, information or material.
"I may not go as far as to advocate the extermination of the entire human race, but I know that there are challenging times ahead for mutants, especially in this city. The META program will not work. It does not matter if it gets as bad as the registration camps, there will be an increase in persecution on both sides. When will humans learn?"
Hades sighed and suspected the answer would be never.
Hades smirked at Noel's slightly smart alec comment. "Wait a minute, one of the more boring people to observe in recent memory?" He raised an eyebrow. "Considering that no thanks to you, and in no small part myself, since we met we have, between us, been shot, stabbed, been hunted like prey, huntede as the hunters and in general lived an action packed life worthy of a Jason Borne film." He smiled, perhaps the wine was relaxing him. "If that is what you consider boring I would like to know what you consider interesting and exciting. Although for an assassin that is a moderately exciting week. I have had worse." He turned from the leaning against the mantelpiece and staring at the fire ti face Noel. "You on the other had are possibly one of the most interesting people to observe in, well, years." As Hades talked he set his wine glass on the mantle piece and counted off the points on his finger. "You used to work in security, were trained by no less than a master swordsman, have never been involved in shadowy world of assassins yet have taken to it like a duck to water." He paused for a breath. "You went from a bar fight which turned out to be much bigger than either of us imagined, did not freak out when we were attacked by a group of assassins and did not even flinch when we ended up hunting another nest of them." He took a breath, "And now you are poised to see through the eyes of an immortal assassin which, if done incorrectly would permanently ruin either me or you. For which you seem remarkably calm."
"You are a mystery." She was intriguing. Hades had never been on for long conversations, especially since Lucy passed away. The world of assassins tended not to be a very verbose one, well aside from when he was in disguise. Somehow Noel had begun to draw him out of his shell. Upon reflection he had probably become a bit boring, all work and little play. Lucy always accused him of that, well her and his .... first? wife. That was... a long time ago?.... the memory was hazy as if someone had tried to overwrite it. Hades shook his head slightly and composed himself.
"Hazy memories aside, I remember being in what I presume to be an orphanage, but before that there is a strong sense of pain and a... changing in perspective? Anyhow I was with a group of perhaps 500 children. we were trained from young, to be assassins, to move in shadows, we were trained in various weapons including rifles, sidearms, military equipment and machinery as well as knives, improvised weaponry and garrotes." He paused. "We were trained to incapacitate, to would and kill, and we never used anything but live rounds, those who were weak or too slow, died. By the time I was 20 there were less than 100 of us left, we started doing missions after that. We got into to containers which were then dropped on location and we went from there. We were never allowed to know where the training facility was. Then there were the numerous injections and the Gene therapy." Hades shuddered slightly. "One of the staff members had the ability of genetic manipulation. It was she who stopped out body clocks and helped unlock and shape our abilities." He paused to gather more thoughts, his eyes distant. Dimly in the corner of his mind he was aware that the time for the kiss was approaching and he could not honestly tell what he felt about it.
Posted by Hades on Oct 15, 2015 8:50:49 GMT -6
Noel likes this
The Syndicate
DarkRed
Heterosexual
Single
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Feb 11, 2022 11:05:42 GMT -6
Hades
Apologies for the lack of posts of late but I have been slammed with a few high visibility high importance projects of late. I will try to get out posts when I can. *Cough cough nods apologetically to Noel, Alex, Ghost, Jude, CS and Aura*
Hades speaks in #ec4511 Thanks Ghost for the second Sig
Perhaps Hades might be a better as a prisoner guard. Victor Wong technically did not arrive until he was hired to train Alex after the attack. Up to you, which would you prefer Alex?
Hades speaks in #ec4511 Thanks Ghost for the second Sig
Ambrose seemed to sigh then loose interest. Hmm that was something to file away.
>”About that, For what reason whatsoever would you be of any interest to me? You may have figured out by now that Acutech is of no matter to me. It was you, Mr. Glont - who was the curiosity. But now the puzzle has a resolution, and there’s nothing that you can provide that I don’t already have. So what sort of business could we possibly have together?”
Another note to file away ab out Ambrose Jaager, for someone who had or claimed to have great vision he seemed remarkable short sighted. If this potential Jarl was that short sighted then perhaps Hades should just close the meeting and move on. Inwardly Hades sighed. It was apparent that Ambrose had a limited understanding of human nature. He decided to give Ambrose one final chance.Perhaps he was as ignorant as he appeared to be.
"Well Ambrose," Said Hades, using his first name, indicating a lessening of respect for the person he was addressing. He spoke without any trace of pride, devoid of self importance, this was not opinion, this was fact. Truth be told he spoke the words with a little trace of ....boredom. "I have more than a melennia's worth of experience in the art of war. I have trained armies, led armies, I have started and stopped wars, civil, national and international. I have watched civilizations crash and burn and new ones rise up from the very same ashes. I know that you are recruiting people for a cause, what exactly that cause may be is as of yet unclear." Hades paused thenlooked Ambrose in the eye. "So my question to you, Mr Jaager" -emphasis on the Mr- "is, what of interest could you possibly offer me?" This was Ambrose's one chance, after that Hades would vanish into the wind.
Hades ghosted through the party, unnoticed, not standing out at all. Hades was a master of disguises and tonight he was a slightly elderly gentleman who had donated generously to the charity event. Not too much mind you to draw attention, but enough to be invited to the VIP section.
His gait was that of a slightly arthritic elderly gentleman. He was dressed for the occasion, shirt and tie, jumper simple yet well tailored jacket, flat cap, black leather gloves and a walking stick made of dark wood completed the picture. he was here for a number of reasons.
Firstly as a well known assassin, he was often passed rumors of hits that might happen, especially when the client hoped against hope that Hades might offer to do it. Once in a blue moon, for his own personal reasons, by it an odd eccentric sense of morals or a desire to perhaps serve justice, Hades had taken jobs well below his level. Since then some people viewed Hades a little like a lottery, you might just get lucky. Hades paid them no need. It was a good way to keep tabs on what was going on though. The other reason was that it was always good to get out and keep in touch with the goings on of prominent figures. The police chief was going to be here, as well as some of those responsible for pushing through the META program.
Hades passed through the crown with practiced ease, drifting here and there listening, watching. That was why the nine year old caught his eye. She was an anomoly, something out of place. She was not acting like a typical nine year old, she was too... focused. Single minded determination, as she appeared to be searching for someone. A nine year old could be searching for her parent but this one moved so much more confidently that any nine year old had a right to feel. She acted almost like a predator. Hades decided to discretely observe her from afar.
Hades wondered why Noes was standing so formally, it was almost as if he was a commanding officer and Noel was reporting in. Then it clicked, she was uncomfortable very uncomfortable. Hades was relieved upon learning that Noel could be selective in her recollection. He was also... touched at her offering despite the potential cost should it go wrong. >"If there is something that you want me to help you forget.." "Thank you for the offer Noel but I would prefer to remember." >"I too would prefer that you not murderize me. I'm really hoping to avoid that. I could even forget all of it, if that was your preference." Hades smiled at this. he to would prefer that Noel not forget all, although the offer was touching. He was enjoying the interaction far too much. He really needed to get out more. But being an introverted immortal assassin sort of got in the way. >"I have not changed my mind. The offer is still on the table." Hades was silent for a while. He had offered Noel no small amount of trust in even revealing the topic to her and even more in implying that he would allow her to look through his memories, knowing what little he did about them. If she wanted to she could make him forget so much. Then again the flip side was that if something went wrong he could do the very same to her. Normal mortal minds were not designed to cope with the sheer volume of memories of an immortal mind, especially one cursed/blessed with a photographic memory and almost perfect recall. Perhaps he should mention that little tit-bit at some point. "Noel, please sit, this is not a briefing and I am not your commanding officer." Hades smiled as he said that. He was doing that more often. He was starting to let his guard down a little. Only a little mind you but lowered it was none the less. He paused, weighing his words carefully. "I trusted you enough to broach the topic with you and you responded with no small amount of loyalty, both of which are rather rare in my profession. Thank you."
She owed him nothing, perhaps she felt a misguided sense of gratitude at him offering her a roof perhaps she was enjoying the relationship like he was either way, it was nice to have someone else around. Hades rose, "In that case, perhaps I should start by telling you what I know and what I suspect, that way when you....rifle though my memories it will be easier to concentrate on the pertinent ones." Was he being reckless, he had no defense against Noel, she could literally make him forget everything. Was life so boring? or was it because here was someone who seemed to be on the way to becoming a friend and most importantly had a better chance of actually understanding him, knowing him than most. The ability to literally see his memories negated the need to explain many things. Of course it was all so very likely that she would turn tail and run if she truly knew him. His was a face that had seen so much pain, that had caused so much pain. He had seen cities burn, he was a heartless killer, yet inside all of that he was not overly cruel, he had simply been raised with different principles. At least the second time he was raised. "You are the second person in the world that I have ever recounted this tale to. Wait here. I would prefer not to tell it with a dry throat." The wine might also make the inevitable a little bit more natural.
Hades returned with a dust covered bottle. He poured for each of them half a glass of while and a glass of water. He then sat down to compose his thoughts. To call the wine alcohol would be the atrocity of the century, it flowed like liquid silk. It was a wine to be sipped, a wine to share among friends. "Now where to begin...."
Hades speaks in #ec4511 Thanks Ghost for the second Sig
The moment that Ambrose looked at his phone, Hades assumed that he had just read the note. He would have to have a few choice words with his research team. The attempt at code was pathetic, but it would change the situation now. Hades usually decried any advanced technology when going into unfimiliar territory, there was always the danger of being hacked.The moment that Ambrose spoke his suspicions were confirmed. Although Hades suspected that Jörmungandr was more performing a mental leap, an educated guess than a conclusion backed by hard evidence.
>"Well, Now that you know quite a bit about me, I'd say it's only fair that you share a bit about yourself, Mr. Glont. Or would you prefer Hades? We like to make sure people are comfortable here, so there's no need for pseudonyms."
Hades inclined his head in ascent. He saw no gain in toying. "Very well Jörmungandr, although I suspect you know a great deal more than you are letting on." The look that Hades returned was no less predatory in nature. The atmosphere in the room changed. Two apex predators observing each other. It was not a contest, each was a master in his chosen field, Hades had little interest in becoming a business morgual, he respected the killer instinct with which Jager Worldwide had risen to its current position. Just as he suspected that Ambrose had little interest challenging him on the assassination and hand to hand combat scene. No the atmosphere in the room was more like.... evaluation, with each side almost measuring the other, evaluating, observing.
Hades had long graduated past a simple gun for hire. He picked and choose his jobs according to his rules. At time he had done some jobs for free, when those in need had not the means to pay, other times he accpeted jobs for the challenge. Yet other times he accpeted jobs because of the long term affect it would have, to start or stop wars to stablize or destablize economies and regions. Often it was years after the fact before anyone realized that a hit had been made. Even then often evidence was suspect or circumstantial. It was a worth noting that more than 50% of Hades hits were not attributed to him, or indeed anyone.
"So, now that we have that out of the way shall we get down to business?" Again this statement was probing, a test in a way. Did Ambrose realise what was being asked?
Hades had heard romours of the META program and knew that it would likely escilate tensions between mutants and humans, it would lead to bloodshed, conflict and atrocities on the scale of those comitted in the mutant registration camps. Humans never learned. THis time though there would be no force like the Kabal to rally around and lead. The Order was a shadow of its former self, with barely anyone there, the leadership scattered and absent. The X-men while noble in their ideals would continue to try to make peace until they themselves came under attack or suspicion then, late in the game they would probably fight for mutants. Was there yet another player in the game?
There could be only two reasons that someone like Hades would meet in such a public fashion. Either someone had paid him a mind boggling amount of money or had hired him at great cost to take Ambrose out in a public way or Hades desired a face to face meeting for another reason. The former was unlikely as it would be foolish to challenge a dragon in its den although Hades had successfully done so before. Hades had long heard romours of recruitmentdone in secret and his interest was piqued. His visit was more like a potential Thane who might offer his services for a time, who has come to evaluate a potential Jarl. Was the Jarl intelligent enough to recognize this?
Hades speaks in #ec4511 Thanks Ghost for the second Sig
>"Yeah, does this fighting style have a name or did you make it yourself? Cause I don't think I've ever seen anybody use it."
"It is something that I put together a while ago. I tweak it slightly to suit the student. It is a good well rounded style blending offence and defence, I don't believe I ever made a name for it. I also decided to teach you this style to counter any fear of daggers that you might develop. Often times when someone has been almost mortally wounded by a weapon they develop a fear of it. Next time someone comes at you with a dagger it is such a fimiliar weapon that you have the tactical advantage." What Hades did not mention was that he had also chosen it because he felt that the style suited Alex's nature and style of movement.
>"Also, what do I do if the attacker has a weapon with a longer reach or a gun?"
"Then you either negate his advantage by moving out of range, taking cover and using your power retreat, or you close the distance to get within the gun's range of efficacy. There is also the option of throwing your dagger but that lesson will come after you have passed your first two exams. For now I would advise taking cover and either retreating or forcing him to come to you. You could also throw up a screen of insects, he cannot shoot what he cannot see."
Hades was pleased, Alex was a good student, he learnt fast and asked good questions. He would be ready for the exams and then, after he passed them..... He would have many choices as to what he wanted to learn next. This bird creature though was an unknown. From what he could gather between the squawks and trills and chirps, the kid would enthusiastically get the signatures, Great. From what he could gather the boy either had a random power every day or perhaps grabbed it off others. That could be very...interesting, Hades interest was peaked.
"So does your power change randomly, or do you copy it off others? Also I will need to see you in your natural form. I need to see how you move. I teach each student basic defense suited to their nature and movement. If you are still interested then you are welcome to join." He would find out how dedicated and good this student was in time. Hades was a patient man. At the boy's last question, Hades smiled. "No, I will not test you now, I will teach you a set of self defense moves and train you how to use them, I will then test you on them. If you pass the two exams then you may ask and pick an advanced skill that you wish to learn." He turned to Alex. "Alex, there are probably a few more applications that I want to teach you and then when you are ready you may sit your exam. The first part is sparring against me, I will only use what I have taught you. To pass you must survive 1 minute with no yield. The second test is one of application, the pass condition will be similar but I will choose my weapon and style. I could very well choose a paintball gun and see how you applied my advice, or it could be anything from a morning star to just my fists. Any other questions? If not that will be all for today."
Hades speaks in #ec4511 Thanks Ghost for the second Sig
Hades week has passed constructively. He had successfully made a rather important and well guarded Mafia boss...well disappear. So it was with quiet satisfaction that Hades returned to the safe house that he currently shared with Noel. He returned to find...that she had...prepared a meal...for him. This was....nice, to be honest he was not sure quite what to think. It had been so long since he had allowed anyone to get close enough to do something... nice for him that was not related to business or favors of professional courtesy. The thought of letting anyone get close brought up...memories. Hades sat down to dinner. He commented on the superb preparation of the food. In response to Noels expression he smiled
slightly and replied, "I can appreciate good knife work regardless of the context." The food tasted not bad. Hades was in less good humor when Noel informed him about Gunter Von Krause. He had his suspicions but as Noel laid out the evidence out piece by piece it became clear. The one who had sold him, them, out was none other than the information broker Gunter Von Krouse. Hades had worked with Gunter for a number of years although they had never met in person. He knew that as soon as Von Krause learned that Hades was still alive he would not rest until Hades had been captured or confirmed killed. Noel seemed to have realised as much from the information she presented. Houtwardly he showed no reaction other than the slow clenching and relaxing of his right hand. He took his time digesting this information and finally looked up at Noel. "You realize what this means right? Von Krause will keep coming after us until either I am dead or captured or he is." He let that statement and the resulting implications hang in the air.
After that was settled, and one can read more about it in the thread Of Mercs and Men, Noel one again changed the topic to something a lot more... personal.
>"Uhm. Before you left, you mentioned something personal. I want you to know that I'm ready to take on your next challenge so long as you are. You know I can read memories, but what you don't know is the whyfors and the hows? If you need something personal, I need to know a little of what I'm looking for. I get a sort of automatic index while I'm getting a read, but only while I'm reading. If I break contact, there's a window of opportunity and then... as good as chaos without me being able to direct how I dig into the memories. I've got to taste something related to what you want. If you're looking for something that was said or thought, lips are a good gateway. Hands for passwords. That kind of thing."
Hades lent back to think over what she had said. By this time they were sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Hades had been silent for a while. Thoughts were flying through his head, too many to count. "Noel, I have been doing research into... my past, there seem to be inconsistencies between what I remember and what actually happened and I would like to learn the truth." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "Before you agree, there are things that you might want to consider. I would not have you agree to help me while remaining ignorant of the risks involved." How much had she gathered of him. "I assume that you know by now that I am a professional assassin, that I am at least over 200 years old and that my actual age likely spans millennia." He watched for her reaction. "Then there is your power. The advantage of your ability is that what memories that and object or person possess are an open book to you, there are no half measures. there is no holding back. Noel I have lived a very long time. I have killed many, I have helped stabilize and topple government, I have helped to start and stop wars, civil and international. I am a keeper of secrets, some of which would cause the deaths of many if they ever saw the light of day, others that would see you and me exiled from numerous countries around the world and be hunted by their military."
This next part was also hard. It was not that Hades was unaccustomed to asking for help or backup, it was that Noel had started to become...well something close to a friend? Perhaps more, Hades was blessed and cursed with a photographic memory. He remembered every kill, and also the death of every friend, he had been married once, twice, a number of times. What did it matter. Every one of them ended the same way, She could spend her lifetime with him but he could not spend his lifetime with her. The same applied to offspring. The same with friendships. Noel was unique in that if he let her, she of all people would come the closest to understanding him, all of him, all how many thousand years of him. The idea was both frightening and exciting at the same time. There was a reason why Hades often just seemed to live for work for long periods. It was easier to keep the memories at bay. Hades was weary of changing the status quo. "The fact is Noel, if you choose to help me, you will learn information which, if you ever revealed, would force me to.... ensure your silence. Something that I would very much regret having to do." Hades was not good at expressing....emotional things. The truth is he would be very sad if it came to that but he also wanted Noel to know what she was potentially getting herself into. He paused, looking into the fire. "Knowing this, is your reply still the same? I understand if you have changed your mind and will think no less of you as an ally and ....... friend." Wait had he just said that out loud? Outwardly he betrayed little if any indication of the turmoil that was going on inside. What had he gotten himself into.
