"As you wish, madame." Lawrence says, before withdrawing. Vanessa's dreams are troubled, filled with images of her being pulled by a leash as she's ravaged. She bolts up the next morning, covered in sweat and realising she came in her sleep.
"Mmh, aaahn!" Waking up with a slightly erotic voice, Vanessa shuddered. N-no, it must be because of the leash he used. There's no way that I'd... She tries to deny the weakness of her godlike powers. But as she realized how drenched her crotch was, she blushes, running to the bathroom before Lawrence arrives with her breakfast. Vanessa cleans up, and puts on her usual dress. If Lawrence hasn't arrived by then, she heads down to eat in the dining room.
"Then I suppose we can look at giving you a better cut. But that also requires a good follow through. Act in good faith, and I will in return." (Sorry. Just can't really think of lot's to say for this whole bit.)
Lee uses the opportunity to 'escape', opening the window to shoot a line out to the opposite building. Lana moves in, wrapping her arms around Sonata and hugging him, pert breasts pressing against his flat chest. "Thank you for not fighting Lee - and for trying to rescue me. Here." She hands over a business card with a number of it. "I'll send you Lee's, too." She kisses Sonata's cheek, and goes off to make her phone call. Back at the small apartment the label's given Calista, Sonata looks around - nothing much has changed, no intruders (though that's hardly surprising, given the fact that he's barely started superhero-ing). A voice message informs her that the all important recording session has been moved up to tomorror.
"Are you certain you're alright, madame? You seem rather pale, if I do say so myself." Lawrence questions as he brings her meal
"I look forward to seeing how our business relationship pans out." The cop smiles, eyes on her chest. "I'll be in touch." He stands. "Oh, and the Death's Heads are planning a raid on your biker buddies this afternoon - thought you might be interested. Call it a freebie." Throwing some money on the table, he leaves the bar.
"Ah, it's just what I found in our freight ship." Vanessa replied, explaining what happened in the cargo hold. But keeping the fact that she was "raped" hidden from her loyal butler, she also hides the fact that she's discovered her weakness. At least hides it for now, I'm not sure if it's a real weakness... it could still be that leash he used, it could be a special artifact. She makes an excuse to herself, as she sits down to eat.
"A monster, imported on our own superfreighter? How troubling." Lawrence frowns. "Perhaps we should look into who exactly this shipment was intended for. Or, we could look into the identity of this gang leader - such a bombastic personage shouldn't be too hard to identify, one would think. Or..." Lawrence says quietly, "we could leave the matter for another hero to deal with - while you go after less dangerous game."
"Indeed, it seems they aren't able to control it. At least not very well, since the moment it escaped, they all panicked." Vanessa nods, "For now, I suppose we should look in to it... yes, collect what information you can. Then send it over to a hero, Infinity will be the best bet I suppose." She added, a little downhearted that the thug so thoroughly beat her.
"As do I." Not thrown off or even bothering to cover up from his leering, she weighed what she heard over the course of still finishing her meal. She had just sat down after all. But as she ate, she went through her phone to give a notice to David. If they were wise to it, that meant they could make a move of their own. After she finished her meal and met up with David, she had covered the next process of her plan. They didn't know exactly when they would be hit, but she hadn't alerted everyone just yet. Any too sudden movements and they might think they were tipped off. Instead, she had went with the plan to make it look as if they were gearing up for a massive push on their territory, leaving the raided target lightly defended, leading Death's Hand to believe they would be hitting them exposed while they were out expanding....that would be when they make their move back by flanking them from behind after they made their attempt to take the base and they could hit them from the front and back. It also meant she could experiment with her powers again. She'd half the human guard for the ambush strike team to hit their cars and backstab them, but they wouldn't be totally undefended. Spawn some of her plant beasts and have them bury themselves underground to suddenly swarm......they would be devastated.
"No need to feel down, my dear. Every Fitzgerald has experienced setbacks - but you always beat them in the end." He squeezes her shoulder reassuringly. "As you wish. Oh, two pieces of news before you head out, as well: Firstly, it appears that a certain Mr Melchett is in a stable condition in hospital. It's still unknown what the long-term effects of the shooting will be for him mentally, however. Secondly, Vincent Postlewaithe has asked for a meeting at his office at company headquarters." Lawrence says as he picks up the empty plates.
Sonata is startled by the hug at first, watching Lee leave the building, before returning it to her. "Without you here, he would've tried to fight me anyway, so thank you too." Entering the apartment, Nico sheds his black bodysuit, ecstatic at how well that went. He sends Lana a text, but the sudden rescheduling of Calista's recording session fills Nico with dread anew. He showers, definitely needing it after all that running, and heads to bed, but the mixture of fear for Calista's career, hope for Sonata's future, and the fantasy of a threesome with Lee and Lana prevent him from getting much rest.
"Thanks for believing in me, Lawrence." Vanessa smiles, nodding as she regains a bit of her usual confidence. And as her butler informs her of the news, "Tsk. Keep me informed about that bastard." She hissed, followed by a frown as Vincent wanted a meeting. "Haa, very well, I suppose I should go meet him." The heiress grumbled, "Oh, before you leave, Lawrence. Did you find out anything hidden within those documents?" She asked, figuring that if she couldn't see it, maybe he could find what was wrong with Oscar's will.
Spoiler: Plant Roll D100: 60+20 (Plant Skill) Using her powers, Malady is able to create several subterranean monsters, these ones actually able to distinguish between friend and foe. The bikers attack at several locations, totally surprised by the creatures that burrow out from beneath the concrete to snap at their heads, as Malady's thugs introduce themselves with rifle fire. David calls her to one location, however, where the ambush failed. Outside a strip club, Malady sees dead bikers on both sides, and her monsters - frozen solid. "They had a costume on their side." One man breathes.
Nico awakens to the sound of his alarm - the radio turning on automatically as it beeps. After hearing the end of an old R&B song as it beeps, Nico finds his attention drawn to the DJ banter that comes next. "Barely after it began, the Lana Caruso crisis was resolved - her kidnapper beaten by some new cape calling themselves 'Sonata', according to the traumatised popstar. I have to say, this is pretty impressive - resolving a hostage situation that quick must be some sort of record! What do you think, Arnold? Are we going to be hearing a lot more of this Sonata?" The pleasant voice of Elvira Brown, a popular DJ known for her segments about superhero news, comes through the speaker. "I think you're jumping the gun, Elvira." Arnold, her 'grouchy' partner, gives his take. "I mean, this 'Sonata' person wasn't even able to apprehend the kidnapper. From what we've heard, they've shown no special or interesting powers - I think, whoever this person is, they're gonna be a one-hit wonder."
"Yes, indeed, madame. I think I've stumbled onto something. I don't want to trouble you until the picture is complete, however. I'll brief you properly on your return." He smiles.
"I see, good work Lawrence." Vanessa smiles at the piece of good news. "Right, did Vincent give a time for the meeting?" She asked as she stands up, "With everything that's going on, I think it'll be safer if I drive myself today. You stay here, make sure the corrupt cops don't try anything funny."
That's....new. She had done this so carefully. It was clearly to great effect as most of their attempts failed miserably. This meant they were stepping up their game and their more important figures couldn't sit by idly. But she wasn't going to either. "Find a discreet doctor for the survivors." She examined the ice. She hadn't dealt with an ice based powered person before. Her plants were at a disadvantage in a conventional battle that way....she'd still undoubtly be able to beat them like she has with every upcoming nuisance before, of course. "What did they look like? Where did they go? What other powers can they throw out?"
(Love the puns) Nico is annoyed at his dreams of spending a night between the two pop stars from yesterday being cut short, but hearing the radio immediately more than mollifies him. They're talking about me! Yes! And they like me! Well, except Arnold, but he doesn't like anyone. He jumps out of bed with glee, happily going about his routine, and ensures that Calista's appearance is as perfect as ever. She checks her phone for any messages, then goes to the recording studio for her second attempt at her first single.
