[Wednesday, October 22nd. 5 PM.] [You've all been called to base with promise of a mission this evening. Solaris and Sister Admin are in their usual places, waiting for everyone to arrive.] [It's been a couple of days since Abby's sudden reappearance, and though it might take a bit of getting used to someone quite different from Mizuki, it feels rather good to have the team back intact.] [What new challenges will tonight bring? Only one way to find out.] [Session Start] * Horus walks in, and on time for once! "Evenin'," she says as she goes to take her standard seat at the table. [Correction: It may or may not feel good to have the team back intact! That's really up to the players.] * Jacqueline has apparently chosen to star in her own remake of Black Like Me, because a a dark-skinned woman of moderate height, bedecked in white slacks, a white turtleneck and a white beret is strolling out of changing room to take Jacqueline's seat. Uh... hello? * Horus looks at Jackie as she says that, because who the hell is she? * Abby floats over from her dressing room, and does not look like someone else. She looks oddly at the Jackie-sitter. "... yeah, uh, I'm down with 'what'?" * TheRedcoat walks in, takes a seat, and cocks an eyebrow. * Jacqueline daintily crosses one leg over the other, leans back in her seat and folds her hands in her lap. She looks Horus up and down for a few moments more than necessary and then with an inflection that might well leave little question as to who's behind the black face she says, "Hel/lo/, darling." * TheRedcoat smirks. "Ah. Much less disturbing than the other option." I'd've been heartbroken if Christian had decided to change his sex to fit in. * Horus snerks. "Seriously." This is followed by, "Hey, Hyde." [Solaris nods at Jacky. "I see you've got them working?"] And I'm one step closer to the Panther within. ["Good." She turns to the team. "As Sister Admin mentioned, we've got a mission for tonight. Before we get to that... Jacky was working with Druish Princess on replicating the black hole bombs Dr. Potts-Chambers made for us right before you engaged those sky pirates." She grins. "Who, I should add, are securely in jail, facing three pages worth of charges."] * TheRedcoat sneers wolfishly. ["Jacky, you want to fill us in on that meeting? Any progress?"] * Abby shrugs and rubs her neck. "Weird. And I thought I had image problems." * Jacqueline shrugs a shoulder as she casually says, "Shockingly, we got nowhere. I say that it's 'shocking', of course, as an expression of sarcasm because the lovely princess was too busy needing a proper roll in the hay, or coming off of a bender, or whatever in the world distracted her from doing her job." [Solaris frowns. "I'll talk to her... regardless. The mission." She takes a deep breath. "You're going to be going undercover tonight. The big Fashion Week show in Bryant Park. We've got fairly solid intel that a powered operater from Europe is in town looking to cause trouble, and I'd like to send a message to non-locals that it isn't open season around here."] * TheRedcoat raises an eyebrow. "Oh?" ["I asked Jacky to whip up disguises..." She gestures to Jacky to continue for her.] * Horus looks like she wants to say something about that, but she holds her tongue and lets Jackie pick up the conversational slack. * Jacqueline reaches into... nothing, seemingly, withdraws a palmful of small pins and flicks them to each other person in turn. "Press your thumb over the little red jewel at the center and think of the form you'd like before putting it on," she says simply. [Sister Admin walks over. "You'll be going in as editors for Canada's biggest fashion magazine 'Fashionable, Eh?'. Appearance is up to you, names are up to you, though I'll need them before you go to get you into their systems and onto the invite list..."] * Horus catches her pin. "Huh, okay. How much time do we have to think up alla this?" [Solaris interrupts. "Only catch is that your appearance must be female. The reason for which..." *turns to Horus* "Show starts at eight. Briefing should last another fifteen, twenty minutes tops."] * TheRedcoat snatches hers out of the air and weighs it in her hand consideringly, a little smile flickering over her face. * Horus nods. * Abby takes the pin in hand, with a little manouvering, and then looks over at her and says, "So, Jackie, does it solve my arm problem?" [Sister Admin continues. "The reason for which is that the operater we're after can control the minds and bodies of men. Which is why Christian is doing something else tonight."] * TheRedcoat starts and blinks. "Wait. From where in Europe?' * Jacqueline smirks thinly. "You won't be able to do much with it, but it'll be there." ["All across. Someone you've run into, if my information is right. Cyborg supermodel by the name of BabeLon V ring a bell?"] * Abby nods slightly and says, "Alright." (*punches Jesse with a Vorlon Encounter suit.) * TheRedcoat lets out a puffed laugh. "A bitter pill indeed." [Sister Admin rubs her neck. "I honestly don't have that much information on her. I know about the powers I just mentioned, and I know her cyborg parts have some weapons and such, but anything you can tell us about history, habits, weaknesses..."] * Horus looks to Redcoat curiously, turning the pin over in her hand. * TheRedcoat leans back in her chair nostalgically, putting her hands behind her head. "So the diva devotchka is up to her fifth upgrade now, hm?" * TheRedcoat frees a hand for a second to tip up her hat at Sister Admin. "Of course." She was a supermodel some time ago. Very famous. Had a diva fit in an oxygen chamber that led to terrible career-ending injuries. * TheRedcoat scratches at her cheek. "From what I hear, some scientifically-minded friend of hers enhanced her with machine parts. * Abby grimaces slightly. "Sounds fairly painful." Yeah. So what's the villain angle? Probably. Ah, well, what else are you going to do when your glamorous career has ended in becoming a half-machine and "cyborg" is not the in look? You rob high-end venues for upkeep money and zap fashion shows in your spare time because you're bitter. * TheRedcoat looks off into the middle distance. "Ran a job against her once in Prague...it wa--" She remembers herself and breaks off. * Horus waves it off. "Sounds like she deserves whatever's coming to her," she says. "'Specially if she's controlling guys to do it." * Abby looks over at her a moment, then nods slightly. "This isn't a Magus thing, just general good deeds, yeah?" * Jacqueline says 'beneath her breath', "The kind that'll result in endorsement deals one day, perhaps." [Solaris nods. "As Sister Admin said, Christian won't be coming along, since we'd rather she didn't get control of him in the middle of a fight. He's gonna be helping out Lt. Stone with something while you guys do this." She nods at Abby. "Yeah. It's the kind of thing that, since his people have backed off a bit, we can afford to spare time for. Rack up a few wins, show people we're still in the fight."] * TheRedcoat straightens up in her seat a little and clears her throat. "So have you heard anything about her entry angle?" * TheRedcoat then snorts at Solaris' line. "Don't tell him you said that, the implied compliment will likely do him no good." Don't see why not, Red. [Solaris snickers as Sister Admin responds: "Not really, no. With her ability to control any male there, entry shouldn't be a problem. Plus we know she has some sort of shapeshifting ability..."] Fuckin' great, like how much of one? * TheRedcoat pffs. She only controls beautiful men. The same way she can only change into beautiful women. * TheRedcoat flicks a strand of hair over her shoulder. "Who can't be more than scantily-clothed." Wait, wait. She can become random beautiful women, but is angry about being unable... to be a random beautiful woman? Ahh, but she was convinced that her original form was the *most* beautiful woman possible. Then why not just change into that? And since she has to duplicate someone else's appearance rather than creating one out of nothing... Oh. * Horus presses her fingers to her mask's forehead. "Right then." * Abby chuckles. "She should work on having a twin and leave everyone else alone." * TheRedcoat nods. "There are several theories on what she does to steal women's DNA for these purposes...oh, well." Her last several cloning attempts have...not come to fruition. * Abby nods slightly. "Well, at least she's trying." She shifts her grip on her staff. "I'm ready to try this out." [Solaris nods. "Take a little while to figure out an appearance you're confortable with, then give Sister Admin the name you're gonna use. Remember, nobody there should know who you are; any guys could be under her control, and she could have henchwomen anywhere."] * TheRedcoat nods. "And often does." She is a little...high-maintenance. But very intelligent. * Jacqueline stretches her arms casually above her head as she murmurs, "Brutalizing stupid, vapid and plastic women with little to no provocation." I would /almost/ do this pro bono. * TheRedcoat opens a hand at Jackie. "She isn't on your level, but not a foe to underestimate." Her job was...quite mentally invigorating. 'Not on my level'? * Jacqueline smirks softly to herself. As you say, you are a supergenius. Not many people *are* on your mental level. * Horus looks at her pin, obviously thinking. And she manages to keep herself from rolling her eyes, not that it would have been easy to see with the mask and the glowing and everything. Go her! [Later on that night, at around 7:30, the team finds themselves waiting on line to get into the backstage area, where there's a big reception for all the fashionistas and celebrities before the show starts.] * Jacqueline cheated by already having been described! But her name is Niobe, all the same. * Abby , as Florence Colburn, has chosen an olive-skinned woman with a narrow face, brown eyes, long black hair with a slight wave hanging loose down her back, and a ruby red A-line dress that has a modest neckline and a long skirt that goes beyond the knee. The dress has short sleeves and black gloves covering most of the rest of her arms. * Horus is curvy as usual with tan skin and chin-length, straight black hair that's longer in front than the back, as well as light make up and glasses. She's wearing heeled sandals, a long-sleeved cream blouse that shows off her shoulders and a bit of cleavage, and a slightly frilled, angled brownish skirt with a sash. Polished stone bangles are around her wrists. Her chosen name is Marcia Cruz. * TheRedcoat has chosen the form of a tall, willowy woman with tanned skin, light blonde hair in a Rihanna cut. She sports large Cavalli sunglasses, a slightly poofy gold-and-white Lanvin top with slit sleeves and a neck sash, a charcoal gray cashmere Donna Karan shawl, and a tight black layered wrap skirt from Prada. Accessories, Louboutin black/white/gold stilettoes with peekytoe exposure, bright red Miu Miu chained purse with gold detailing. And a cigarett (And a cigarette, but a fancier brand.) [You quickly get to the entrance and give your names to the girls at the door. Once they find your names, they look the lot of you over as they wave you in. "I didn't know they *had* fashion in Canada." "Yeah, I thought it was all red flanel and bear pelts." "Not bad though." "Especially for Canadians." "So true."] ["They're nowhere near as bad as the guys from that Canadian men's fashion magazine." "Gawd. What was that called again?" "'What Wayne Gretzky Wears.'" "Oh, right. Ick."] * TheRedcoat smokes in the face of the door girls. "You forget we've ties to la France, cherie." * Horus eyes the doorgirls' badges long enough to make it clear that she's memorizing their names, then turns to 'Florence'. "First impressions," she says loudly enough for them to hear. "Not very appealing." * TheRedcoat strides right in, ignoring the girls. [The girls ignore you in favor of making catty comments about the people behind you.] * Jacqueline takes exactly as much time as is needed to condescendingly pat one of the girls on the head in passing before moving beyond them. * Abby smiles just a touch, then as they head in, she replies to Horus, "Not bad. I don't think I've been keeping up with my cutdown practice." * Horus smiles back. "Better get it in gear, chica." [Inside, the backstage area is packed with similarly fashionable people of both genders. Lesser models, not pretty enough for runway duty, serve light food and drinks, hoping to get noticed. A giant ice fountain in the shape of Anna Wintour stands in the center of the room, shooting champagne from an outstretched hand.] * Abby chuckles and murmurs, "It's been a while." * Horus eyes the fountain as she adjusts her handbag. "For serious?" [Off to one side is the dressing area for the models, where a few of the top models and designers are holding court for the press. On the other end, you see a large crowd of male models in various states of dress and undress milling about.] * TheRedcoat wrinkles her nose at the ice fountain and makes a genteel gagging sound in the back of her throat. She turns away from it to grab a canap?. * Abby gestures with her right arm and replies lowly, "Yeah... you don't really win cutdown fights when you're missing a limb. Well, you kinda do." * Abby then says more normally, as she picks up a random drink, "Good at shutting people up." * Horus grabs a drink for herself. "Well. We're on a job, so I'm going to hit up that press conference." With that, she heads over thataway. * Abby nods slightly, looking up at the sculpture a moment as she lets Horus walk off. * TheRedcoat eyes the other options, follows the canape with a light drink, and steps over to the eye ca--er, the male model section, adjusting the small professional camera bag heretofore unmentioned because it's only brand name is Nikon. [Horus walks over to the press conference! Several major supermodels and big name designers are being interviewed by fawning media, asking about their social lives and for hints about their soon-to-be-revealed lines.] * Horus paces about a bit before she finds a good viewing/asking position and starts her recorder before pulling out a pad and pen. [As they get closer, Redcoat and Jacky notice that the male models at the edge of the crowd seem to be awestruck and struck dumb, in addition to being various types of delicious. They can't quite make out who the object of attention is, though.] * TheRedcoat looks intrigued by this development and edges even closer, pulling a small notepad out of her clutch! [Horus manages to get close to one designer, who's apparently new on the scene but considered one of the hot up-and-coming talents. The young woman's from Brooklyn, and says that her influences will be obvious once the show starts, because she's up first.] [Meanwhile, Redcoat and Jacky bravely push their way through a mass of toned men, getting closer. As they get nearer, the men look, if possible, even more starstruck, and it quickly becomes apparent why. They finally reach a small break in the crowd where they can see above and around the male models...] [... and see Tim Gunn, sipping a glass of champagne, doling out fashion advice.] * TheRedcoat raises an eyebrow, looks around a little more, and shrugs and continues eyeing the male models. You know. Just in case. [He's wearing a fantastic grey pinstriped suit with a white french cuffed shirt and a silverish tie.] * Horus lets other people ask questions as she takes notes. Or pretends to, anyway. This pre-fashion fashion stuff is on the dull side. * Jacqueline glances at Tim Gunn, and then at Redcoat, and then at Tim, and then at Redcoat again. She says beneath her breath in French, "He /must/ be one of them." * TheRedcoat wrinkles her nose and responds in the same language. "Truly? A tad too old for her tastes, I think." [A voice comes over a loudspeaker. "Ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to start. Please take your seats." The models and designers start to scatter, and Tim Gunn starts to walk off. "Sorry to leave you, boys, but I'm needed on stage. Host and all. Best of luck!" The male models cheer, then head back to their dressing rooms.] * Horus heads over to Abby so they can get seats together. (Jackie and Redcoat are who knows where!) * TheRedcoat sighs as the pretty, pretty men go away and then turns to Jackie. <"Hmm? Oh. All right."> * Abby looks down from the statue at Horus. "Any juicy gossip?" First designer up's new and from Brooklyn. * Horus sighs. "Really, got shit. Where's Niobe and Audre?" * TheRedcoat walks up from behind them. "Just checking out the material for the "Other Side" article, cherie." * Abby thumbs towards where the men once were. "Yeah. They went on the traditional manhunt." [The four of you eventually make your way to your seats, right as the lights begin to dim. Your seats are... not great. Your almost at the edge of the tent; there are people farther away from the runway, but not many.] * Horus murmurs to Redcoat as they find their seats, "Hope the view was at least good." * TheRedcoat just lets out an "mmmm-hm" and a small chuckle, a little lighter than Redcoat's usual. [Tim Gunn comes on stage, and has the crowd eating out of his hand as he warms them up and introduces the first designer, the aforementioned woman from Brooklyn, who takes the mic.] * TheRedcoat cocks her head and raises her brows a little, but changes her reaction to be more, "let's see what she's got" than "huh, what d'you figure." [The woman grins. "What you're going to see tonight is not what I was originally going to present. Two weeks ago, inspiration struck me, and caused me to completely revamp my line. To refocus it. I want to empower women, to let them feel beautiful and strong at the same time. To feel classy, but still capable of getting a bit dirty."] * TheRedcoat gets a pen out to go with the notepad and the cover. [The first model comes out, wearing an awfully familiar looking red coat, open with a sash, over an ornate black bikini top and knee length black skirt, with a red fedora. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my Le Manteau Rouge!"] * Horus blinks at that, then nudges Redcoat with her elbow, since the woman's still pulling out her pen. * TheRedcoat looks up, groans, and covers her eyes. "Mon Dieu..." [The model preens, turns, and walks off, followed quickly by a procession of models in Red Coats of various lengths.] * Horus flips back on her notebook, checking if she got the woman's name. Of course she did. * Abby hrms and says, after a moment, "Iconic." * TheRedcoat puts her stuff away and her head into her hands. ["The model for the modern woman, ladies and gentlemen... classic but modern. Beautiful but tough. Every woman should look like a hero. With Le Manteau Rouge, now they can!"] [The crowd murmurs in approval. In front of you, several people frantically discuss how much they're willing to pay to get such wonderful clothes on their racks as soon as possible.] * Jacqueline ever so slowly leans towards the Redcoat's seat, and once she's in ear shot of her, is whispered with a playful smirk. * Horus scrawls something quickly in her notebook and shows it to Redcoat. It says: "At least you can hide in a crowd of yourself." * TheRedcoat starts rubbing her temples at Jackie's remark and only continues to do so after receiving Horus' notes. <"I think I'm getting a migraine."> * Horus shrugs and flips to a blank page. [As the last of the models walks back off the runway, the music fades... and then the model comes flying back out, crashing into the first row. Out steps a gorgeous redhead, in dark blue stockings, garter belt and lingerie, flanked by about a dozen buff male models in their skivvies. "NO NO NO! This is bad enough, I will not have it turn into some sort of fawning tribute to that hat-wearing harpy!"] [As she appears, the more attractive men in the audience suddenly stand and start rampaging around, throwing the area into chaos as people scatter everywhere.] * TheRedcoat sighs in relief at Babelon's antics, and takes advantage of the chaos to stealthily make her way to the stage. [Redcoat starts making her way towards the stage, and manages to keep upright as the crowd surges in all directions, but it's slow going.] * Abby watches her struggle, then sidecomments, "... it seems like rising above might be the smarter choice." * Jacqueline mutters, "Shooting them all and sorting out the gorgeous mess would be the smartest choice, but it'll be /delicate/." * Horus stands, and she's probably not alone in panicked women standing. What's different, however, is her offhand gesture which sends the hunky boys guarding the nearest exit crumpling to the ground in a burst of light. [Meanwhile, Tim Gunn takes back the microphone from the designer, who's frozen in fear up on stage. He turns to the woman. "I'm concerned... for your safety." BabeLon V turns and sees Horus zapping the mind controlled men, and scowls.] [Tim Gunn, meanwhile, grins, opens his suit jacket, and draws a pair of SMG's. "Superheroes, you have five minutes... TO LIVE!" Because Two-Gun Tim Gunn is coming for you!" And he and BabeLon both begin to cackle.] * TheRedcoat wrinkles her nose in disgust and pushes on. * Horus sighs. "Fuckin' great. Might as well make myself the target." And with that, brilliant wings sprout from her back, and she flies straight up, her fashionable Canadian self growing brighter all the while. [Session End]