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APRIL CONFLUENCE
APRIL CONFLUENCE
It comes to the precogs in a flash: On APRIL 26th, a confluence will occur in Little Love. Any available metahumans are requested to take a trip to the tiny town and stand guard.
Just as it has the previous four times, an OMINOUS STORM rolls in. Thunder booms and a bolt of lightning crashes into the field below.... but nobody falls from the sky. In fact, nothing weird at all seems to happen. The storm runs its course and in the end, the night is uneventful. The metas standing guard are left wet, cold, and frustrated.
THE ALLIANCE and THE SOCIETY do a thorough sweep but seem to decide everything is fine. Confluences appear to be winding down once again and all breathe a quiet sigh of relief.
Yet unknown to them, the new arrivals have come through… but this time rather than crashing into the ground, the lightning strike has EMBEDDED THEM deep, deep beneath the ground.
The following morning, the residents of Little Love are stunned to find their FRESHLY PLANTED POTATO SEED has reached full maturity overnight. Curious and wary, one brave farmer wades into the towering stalks to investigate the potential cause. She fails to come back out.
A little later into the week, one disappearance has become dozens. The Alliance receives a call stating that SOMETHING has been calling to the townspeople in the crop field. Anyone who sets foot in it doesn’t seem to be coming back out, and the town is small enough as it is already.
Once again, you’re asked to go INVESTIGATE.
Just as it has the previous four times, an OMINOUS STORM rolls in. Thunder booms and a bolt of lightning crashes into the field below.... but nobody falls from the sky. In fact, nothing weird at all seems to happen. The storm runs its course and in the end, the night is uneventful. The metas standing guard are left wet, cold, and frustrated.
THE ALLIANCE and THE SOCIETY do a thorough sweep but seem to decide everything is fine. Confluences appear to be winding down once again and all breathe a quiet sigh of relief.
Yet unknown to them, the new arrivals have come through… but this time rather than crashing into the ground, the lightning strike has EMBEDDED THEM deep, deep beneath the ground.
The following morning, the residents of Little Love are stunned to find their FRESHLY PLANTED POTATO SEED has reached full maturity overnight. Curious and wary, one brave farmer wades into the towering stalks to investigate the potential cause. She fails to come back out.
A little later into the week, one disappearance has become dozens. The Alliance receives a call stating that SOMETHING has been calling to the townspeople in the crop field. Anyone who sets foot in it doesn’t seem to be coming back out, and the town is small enough as it is already.
Once again, you’re asked to go INVESTIGATE.
HARVEST —
Nothing seems off about the fields at first. But a thermal scan reveals just where the missing farmers have gone - they’re IN THE GROUND. Alive, but appearing to be in a deep state of slumber.
And you, new arrival, have been PLANTED right beside them. You may remember a fleeting glimpse of the world rushing by, but that now feels like a bad dream. You’re having a much nicer one down here, surrounded by all your brothers and sisters. You can HEAR THEIR VOICES in the back of your mind, compelling you to stay here with them forever. The earth around you is like a warm embrace. Why would you ever want to leave it? Your body will feed it and give your brethren strength.
Some of you may snap awake at that particular thought. You begin to desperately CLAWING YOUR WAY UP. Your hand breaks the surface and someone screams at the zombie, but someone else is there to quickly grasp your hand and yank you up and out. There are THIN WHITE ROOTS all over you - easily torn off, but unsettling all the same.
And you, new arrival, have been PLANTED right beside them. You may remember a fleeting glimpse of the world rushing by, but that now feels like a bad dream. You’re having a much nicer one down here, surrounded by all your brothers and sisters. You can HEAR THEIR VOICES in the back of your mind, compelling you to stay here with them forever. The earth around you is like a warm embrace. Why would you ever want to leave it? Your body will feed it and give your brethren strength.
Some of you may snap awake at that particular thought. You begin to desperately CLAWING YOUR WAY UP. Your hand breaks the surface and someone screams at the zombie, but someone else is there to quickly grasp your hand and yank you up and out. There are THIN WHITE ROOTS all over you - easily torn off, but unsettling all the same.
PRUNING THE GARDEN
Your captors do not appreciate their garden being invaded. And for every person that’s pulled out of the ground, A MASSIVE POTATO the size of a large dog is disturbed and springs free. They don't appreciate being woken up.
These YOUNG SPROUTS are full of piss and vinegar, ready to fight anyone who comes too close to their nesting grounds. Others are eager to return to the soil, and keen on adding to the collective by taking you with them.
Meanwhile, the remnants of last fall’s harvest appear to have adopted a persona not unlike that of a SENIOR DOG. They want to be left alone and will lash out at any of these whippersnappers intruding on their space. You may find an unlikely ally in a particularly CRANKY SPUD. If you're patient, kind, and maybe a little off-kilter (who are we to judge), you can try to ADOPT one of the SENIOR POTATO MONSTERS. Good luck?
These YOUNG SPROUTS are full of piss and vinegar, ready to fight anyone who comes too close to their nesting grounds. Others are eager to return to the soil, and keen on adding to the collective by taking you with them.
Meanwhile, the remnants of last fall’s harvest appear to have adopted a persona not unlike that of a SENIOR DOG. They want to be left alone and will lash out at any of these whippersnappers intruding on their space. You may find an unlikely ally in a particularly CRANKY SPUD. If you're patient, kind, and maybe a little off-kilter (who are we to judge), you can try to ADOPT one of the SENIOR POTATO MONSTERS. Good luck?
ALIEN CAVERN —
For those of you unfortunate enough to be pulled into the earth, you’re in luck - the potatoes seem to be overestimating how much room they have to work with. The next thing you know you’re falling through the CEILING OF A CAVERN, splashing into a shallow glowing river.
There’s NO WAY OUT, and even if you're able to fly, the hole above you appears to have sealed itself up.
Your mouth is full of dirt. Perhaps you feel compelled to DRINK THE WATER to clear it, or perhaps you swallowed a mouthful as you hit the ground. Regardless, swallow any of the glowing water you’ll BEGIN TO GLOW as well. You’ll also become keenly attuned to the nature in this cavern. You’re probably a little stoned, but your senses tell you all of the organic material appears to possess a RUDIMENTARY SAPIENCE.
Follow the stream to its source and you’ll find an impressive piece of ALIEN TECHNOLOGY. It’s difficult to discern exactly what it does, but as its surrounding area is surrounded by exotic looking plants you guess it may be some sort of TERRAFORMING MACHINE. It looks like the bolt of lightning caused it to go haywire and its pushing energy out into the fields, trying to terraform the planet into whatever its now warped parameters tell it to. A VISCOUS BLUE LIQUID is leaking from the tank and into the water supply. And you may feel regrets about drinking that.
Bring it offline. Once the machine has shut down, the POTATO-BEASTS abruptly crash through the ceiling and burrow through the ground underneath your feet. Your rescuers look down at you through these massive holes and as the sunlight strikes your skin, FLOWERS begin to bloom all over your body.
Someone makes a reluctant call to HQ and tells them to prep the medical team.
There’s NO WAY OUT, and even if you're able to fly, the hole above you appears to have sealed itself up.
Your mouth is full of dirt. Perhaps you feel compelled to DRINK THE WATER to clear it, or perhaps you swallowed a mouthful as you hit the ground. Regardless, swallow any of the glowing water you’ll BEGIN TO GLOW as well. You’ll also become keenly attuned to the nature in this cavern. You’re probably a little stoned, but your senses tell you all of the organic material appears to possess a RUDIMENTARY SAPIENCE.
Follow the stream to its source and you’ll find an impressive piece of ALIEN TECHNOLOGY. It’s difficult to discern exactly what it does, but as its surrounding area is surrounded by exotic looking plants you guess it may be some sort of TERRAFORMING MACHINE. It looks like the bolt of lightning caused it to go haywire and its pushing energy out into the fields, trying to terraform the planet into whatever its now warped parameters tell it to. A VISCOUS BLUE LIQUID is leaking from the tank and into the water supply. And you may feel regrets about drinking that.
Bring it offline. Once the machine has shut down, the POTATO-BEASTS abruptly crash through the ceiling and burrow through the ground underneath your feet. Your rescuers look down at you through these massive holes and as the sunlight strikes your skin, FLOWERS begin to bloom all over your body.
Someone makes a reluctant call to HQ and tells them to prep the medical team.
AFTERMATH —
RETURN TO HQ
After the potato beasts are taken care of (or adopted?) and the chaos from the strange underground Confluence abates, the guild places a call back to headquarters to bring everyone back with a teleportation spell. The spell reaches out for whatever metahumans it can find in the area and pulls.
All the metahumans who were involved in the Confluence — new arrivals and old — to a white training space that has already transformed into a luxurious waiting room. Everyone present receives a cellphone.
Atomight isn't there in the flesh this time, but there is a broadcast over the network to those stuck at HQ:
Once everyone gathered has been looked over and attended to they're directed to:
All the metahumans who were involved in the Confluence — new arrivals and old — to a white training space that has already transformed into a luxurious waiting room. Everyone present receives a cellphone.
Atomight isn't there in the flesh this time, but there is a broadcast over the network to those stuck at HQ:
Thank you for your help out there. We would like to issue an apology for the way you arrived here. To those of you grappling with your new abilities, please rest assured that this room will give you a much needed reprieve. We have staff on site who can work with you to gain control of you new abilities, and nullifiers if you find it's still too much.
You are the fourth set of newly powered individuals this confluence has brought. To those of you who have been flung far from home, we'll put you in connection with the others. Many of them are here today and can advise you of what your new reality is.
We of the Guardian Alliance are committed to doing everything we can to get you home, and to give you some time to get your feet under you. And as this may be your home for a while longer, I wish to formally extend an invitation to those of you who wish to use your powers to defend the innocent to join us.
You are the fourth set of newly powered individuals this confluence has brought. To those of you who have been flung far from home, we'll put you in connection with the others. Many of them are here today and can advise you of what your new reality is.
We of the Guardian Alliance are committed to doing everything we can to get you home, and to give you some time to get your feet under you. And as this may be your home for a while longer, I wish to formally extend an invitation to those of you who wish to use your powers to defend the innocent to join us.
Once everyone gathered has been looked over and attended to they're directed to:
THE DIADEM
As always, there is space aplenty for new arrivals in the DIADEM HOTEL. (Though there's a lot of you now, so you'll definitely be matched with a ROOMMATE, possibly at random.)
The Diadem Hotel is a luxury hotel usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings just to sample. But don't worry! Everything is COMPLIMENTARY, and everyone gets an Alliance credit card to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards appear to have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back.
You might get approached by GUILD REPRESENTATIVES and invited to join. Depending on your character's actions during the Confluence crisis, they might get approached by one guild and not the other. Recruiters are charming and personable, talking up the perks of being in the Guilds (see more on our FAQ and GUILDS pages). They won't be harassing anyone, but a "no, thank you" might be returned with a "think it over" and offer of a calling card. Be careful, though. You only have TWO MONTHS to join a guild and secure guild housing. If you don't join one or the other, you'll be on your own. Oh well. Live it up while you can, right?
The Diadem Hotel is a luxury hotel usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings just to sample. But don't worry! Everything is COMPLIMENTARY, and everyone gets an Alliance credit card to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards appear to have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back.
You might get approached by GUILD REPRESENTATIVES and invited to join. Depending on your character's actions during the Confluence crisis, they might get approached by one guild and not the other. Recruiters are charming and personable, talking up the perks of being in the Guilds (see more on our FAQ and GUILDS pages). They won't be harassing anyone, but a "no, thank you" might be returned with a "think it over" and offer of a calling card. Be careful, though. You only have TWO MONTHS to join a guild and secure guild housing. If you don't join one or the other, you'll be on your own. Oh well. Live it up while you can, right?
IN SUMMARY...
- NEW ARRIVALS arrive in LITTLE LOVE during a storm. At first, the Confluence escapes notice, as these arrivals arrive UNDER THE GROUND.
- At first, sleeping arrivals may feel compelled to STAY underground with their newfound root brethren. Eventually, they realise the error of that thinking and CRAWL OUT OF THE GROUND like freaky plant zombies, covered in roots. "Get this stuff off of me!"
- MUTANT POTATO-BEASTS also crawl out of the ground with arrivals! You may be able to make an UNLIKELY ALLIANCE with one of these creatures and even take it home with you!
- Those PULLED INTO THE EARTH can explore an ALIEN CAVERN completely with glowing, questionable water. Arrivals need to shut down an ALIEN TERRAFORMING MACHINE before being rescued by farmers and potato-beasts. Delicious(?).
- As always, new arrivals will later be transported either to GUILD HQ or the DIADEM HOTEL. Enjoy your new guild perks for the next two months! Decide to join a guild (or not)! Pluck that last stray potato root off yourself and meet your fellow
potatoesarrivals. - Ask any mod questions HERE.
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She knows it's true, logically—despite his reticence to talk, Kate's aware Damian opens up to her more than most people. And she remembers just how happy he was to see her the first time she came back, how worried he was when Maeda snatched her. But still, hearing him say it is another thing entirely. Her heart does an unhelpful little flutter, and she tries to shove it down. Thank God they're not touching.]
You mean a lot to me, too. You know that, right?
[Despite her attempt to seem totally chill, her voice softens with affection anyway.]
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[ that feels painfully obvious. ]
... You could do way better than me.
[ he holds up his hand, letting the fire consume it to provide them more light in this dim corridor. ]
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[But there's a specific implication to that statement. A new implication.]
Say what you want to say, Damian. I'm listening.
[It's a push, yes, but it's a gentle one. Sure, she could make the leap for him here, put two and two together. Usually, she doesn't need things spelled out for her. Usually, she wouldn't need someone to be more obvious. But with Damian, it's important—he dances around things, holds so much just out of reach. With this, at least, she wants a little more.]
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I don't believe in fate.
[ isn't the right way to start this off, he doesn't think. but he's not good with his words the way he is with his fists. ]
But there has to be a reason we keep finding a way back to each other. I feel one, at least.
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I didn't know you were such a romantic, but... I think you're right. I feel it too.
[The urge to touch him is overwhelming, and she would, if it weren't for the empathy bond. So she restrains herself—shifts a bit closer, brushes her fingers against his in the barest contact, just enough for him to get a little rush of anticipation and affection. It's an invitation more than anything else.]
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that's the problem.
he's spent so much of his life around men and women he can't hide from. who can read his very breath for dishonesty. the beating of his heart has been a tell for when he's withholding vital information and they've always called him on it, and he has always told them.
but she doesn't know him well enough to do that.
her fingers reach for his and he reaches back. there's uncertainty there - those deep notes of self-loathing, of unworthiness. the certainty that he's not good enough for her. that he's not good at all. but there's also... hope. a rich, warm affection brighter than the flames covering his iron fingers. the want to be better. for her. ]
I've never been good with people. [ he confesses. ] But... it's always been easy with you.
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Kate laces their fingers together, squeezing gently. There's surprise there, under all the rest of it. She's spent so long guessing at his feelings that this is a relief, like she's been holding her breath for months and can finally exhale.
But she can feel that self-loathing, even if it's subtle, and she doesn't want to let it slide. And if he's being this honest, then she should be, too.]
You're not as bad with people as you think. You try, Damian. You're always pushing yourself to be better.
[She shifts up onto her tiptoes, hesitates for only a second before reaching up to cup his cheek.]
You're a good person. I know you don't always see it, but there's a reason I'm so drawn to you. It isn't a fluke.
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his eyes search hers. not for signs of deceit, but to be sure. his head tilting ever so slightly into her touch. the flames in his hand extinguish and he reaches up to cup it, holding it tight.
no more lies.
no more half-truths. ]
There's a lot I need to tell you.
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What is it?
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Why did you kill them?
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he takes a steadying breath. ]
Sit down. I'll light a fire. It's a long story.
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so he builds a fire. sits himself down beside her and gives himself a minute. there are so many places to start. how he was born - the values he had been brought up with. how dick had worked oh so hard to teach him that the world was more than bloodshed and victory.
but that's not really where this starts. back then he was a child who didn't know any better. once he knew right from wrong, his choices were his own. ]
Did Jason ever tell you about the Joker?
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[Kate leans her shoulder into Damian's, her voice quiet.]
He didn't talk about home much.
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it takes a second before he shifts his arm around her, tentatively offering warmth. ]
Figures. I don't think anybody'd want to talk about how they were beat to death by a clown.
[ he ties for levity but falls short. there's too much bitterness there. ]
The Joker was a lunatic. Crazy isn't what he was. Evil's the only word that describes it. The man lived for hurting other people, causing pain and suffering just because he could. His favorite way of killing people was making them laugh themselves to death. [ a snort. ] He had this obsession with my old man - and it's not like the old man did anything to stop it. He'd catch him and throw him in insane asylum called Arkham, but we all knew it'd be a matter of weeks before he was out again. Nobody put in there ever stayed there.
Every time he got out he'd up the ante, too. First it was a few mass murders. Then killing Jason. And then - he got his hands on this brainwashing amulet. And he tried to use it on Superman - the world's greatest hero and my father's best friend, just to see what would happen.
It didn't work. Superman was too good. But the Joker decided to switch targets. Close as we've figured, he decided that he couldn't break the bat, but maybe he could break the man of steel. And maybe that'd break both of them.
So about a year later, he broke out of Arkham again. He had Clark -- Superman -- kill his own pregnant wife. And the second her heart stopped, a nuke detonated in the center of his city. We lost friends, family -- everything. There weren't even bodies left to bury. Just irradiated rubble.
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Not that the rest of it gets any better.]
You mentioned the nuke before, but not...
[Not the rest of it. Not in detail.]
I'm so sorry.
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[ damian tilts his head back and stares at the ceiling.]
But it's foundation. Because when Superman punched a hole through the clown's chest and ended it then and there, everything changed. When he proposed decommissioning Arkham and moving the inmates somewhere they'd never break free from I was onboard. It should have happened a long time ago.
My father and I got in an argument about it. He wouldn't listen to reason, he wouldn't even offer up a decent counter argument. So I sided with Superman and the rest of my family - just Dick at that point, everyone but our butler was already dead - sided with my father.
Dick and I got in a fight. There was an accident -- and Dick died. But even saying that, it was my fault. My father disowned me on the spot... and Clark took me in.
[ he hesitates. then finally looks at her. ]
... We ended war. We solved world hunger. Started to fix climate change. And I kept telling myself that this was good, and we weren't going too far - but we took over the world, Kate. I... took over the world.
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She brushes his hair back from his face, tucking it behind his ear.]
How old were you when your father kicked you out?
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[There's a hint of intensity there, because she wants him to understand that. Everything she's heard about the way Bruce treated him makes her furious. But then she hesitates. Clark is a topic that's harder to breach.]
I'm not going to say everything you did was out of your hands, but... You know Clark manipulated you, don't you?
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his father had said those same words. granted they had an equally manipulative slant to them, but he'd said it. ]
I bear the blame too.
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Did you ever try to stop him? Disagree on anything? How did it go?
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[ ... ]
If I had doubts, Clark picked up on them. We'd talk it out.
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