United Heroes MUSH - User contributions [en]

14788/Smashfest!

2023-04-07T02:12:08Z

Gigas: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2023/03/12 |Location=Upper West Side, Manhattan |Synopsis=It should have been an easy heist for The Juggernaut but when The Incredible Hulk gets involved, nothing is ever 'easy' resulting in Alice getting a front row seat to her very own kaiju battle. |Cast of Characters=282, 9025, 338 |pretty=yes }} {{Poses |Poses=:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>It's a not so beautiful day in the neighborhood..\<br\>\<br\&g..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2023/03/12
|Location=Upper West Side, Manhattan
|Synopsis=It should have been an easy heist for The Juggernaut but when The Incredible Hulk gets involved, nothing is ever 'easy' resulting in Alice getting a front row seat to her very own kaiju battle.
|Cast of Characters=282, 9025, 338
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>It's a not so beautiful day in the neighborhood..\<br\>\<br\>Well, perhaps that's a bit misleading. It's actually quite nice out. Blue skies. Mild weather for this time of year. Massive plumes of dust and debris billowing through the air. The ground shaking and sundering and the screams of bystanders and the non powered as they flee the area. So yeah - it's a nice mix of pleasent chaos.\<br\>\<br\>Indeed, the streets infront of The Citizens Bank looks like a concussive bomb recently detonated. The pavement is sundered and filled with craters. Fire hydrants spew torrents of water.. and massive footprints are embedded into the ground ...having treaded over and flattened police cars, sundered up the steps leading into the building..and then through it..the structure almost looking like it was ripped in twain. A loud noise of wrenching metal and grinding concrete can be heard coming from within the building but most people are wisely getting the hell out of there. Just another day in New York, right?

:'''{{#var:9025|Alice (9025)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Alice had just been in the bank to deposite cash, the business there concluded minutes ago. When she was exiting, the detonation of the ground throws her off the feet, and she ends up on the ground. "D...damn..." she mutters, trying to scamper for cover into the shade of a different vehicle, her hair full of glass and concrete dust. As she ducks halfway under the Citroen C4 Cactus, its black panels in the slight green sides standing out quite a lot, she tosses her backpack off the back and next to herself, a hand seeking into it.\<br\>\<br\>It'll take a little as black acrylonitrile butadiene styrene starts to flow up along her arm, solidifying first as a bracer around the wrist and upper arm, and then growing out into a kite shield... slowly.

:'''{{#var:338|Bruce Banner (338)}} has posed:'''\<br\>He was trying to be better. \<br\>\<br\> Trying to be normal. \<br\>\<br\> Trying to be /calm/. \<br\>\<br\> But nothing can ever be so kind to Bruce. The ground shakes like an earthquake had hit, and the sounds of screaming were deafening. Someone fleeing the scene sprints past Bruce. "What's hap-" \<br\>\<br\> *BOOOOM!* \<br\>\<br\> The rumble of detonation knocks Banner off of his feet and his head hits against a rock as people start sprinting over and around him, nearly trampling the poor soul. \<br\>\<br\> An eye snaps open, brown shades convert to green irises. \<br\>\<br\> A deafening roar echoes through the city, shattering glass as footsteps that sound like rumbles echo through the ground.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>It seems like everybody's just been having a bad day lately. A certain Mr. Cain Marko had been back in New York..laying low, hitting the bars, the clubs and even his old stomping grounds for personal affairs. That last bit got him chewed out by a Mr. Scott Summers despite his attempts at being on his best behavior and even being encouraged to be better by not just one, not two, but three red headed ladies who thought he could do better with hinself. \<br\>\<br\>Well old habits die hard and now he's got some steam he needs to blow off. Said personal business was a tip about a special item of some personal value to him that may be kept in this vault..and lucky for him, today he just so happened to be passing through. Unlucky for everyone else..The Juggernaut is back in town.\<br\>\<br\>So indeed, he is the source of the concussive shockwaves.. the earthquakes and the massive footprints that shake the blocks and set seismometers off elsewhere in town. It's meant to be a quick in and out but no harm in having a little bit of fun in the process. "Everybody out whose gettin' out!" he roars as he treads through the lobby of the bank and upon reaching the vault..he reaches forward and plunges his fingers into its reinforced steel like it were silly putty. His back muscles swell, his physique inflates and engorges and there's a horrible sound of metal screeching and wrenching as he proceeds to pull the entire bank vault free from its moorings.\<br\>\<br\>"Aww..nothing like a little stretch to clear the head.. Hahahaha... But gotta run!"\<br\>\<br\>It's then that he hears the ..other roar nearby and feels the building shake from its rolling thunder and he pauses in thought due to actually not being the source of shaking for the moment. "Huh.. Figures."

:'''{{#var:9025|Alice (9025)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Still in cover, Alice was working on getting that shield to be about large enough to count as a large kite shield, cowering next to that Citroen. It's not steel or offers the protection of high tech, but it is a piece of solid material to block dust and debris. But at best it is a defensive tool in her hands. Maaaaybe a little inspiration by a 1941 patriotic cokic hero called *Shield*? Or just because it was the classic and she knew how to use it?

:'''{{#var:338|Bruce Banner (338)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Figures indeed. \<br\>\<br\> "HUUUUUUUULK!!!" \<br\>\<br\> The Green Behemoth comes crashing down from the sky, massive feet landing hard on concrete roads to make a crater. Thick Green muscle peeks out of the dust that he made upon landing, glowing green eyes peer through the Juggernaut-shaped hole in the bank to see Juggernaut himself wrenching at the vault. The Hulk beats his chest like some kind of pissed off gorilla. \<br\>\<br\> "JUGGERNAAAAAUUUTTT!!! HULK SMASH RED MAN!!" \<br\>\<br\> Hulk's voice could be heard for miles. The unstoppable force is about to meet the immovable object. Alive is doing the best she can to survive this meeting, her glowing kite shield noticed but ignored by the Hulk. \<br\>\<br\> He has a bigger target, all things considered.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>The crimson behemoth can make himself heard for miles as well but such rage just isn't his speed or trademark. Cyttorak might like that ut Juggernaut's more of the schoolyard bully variety of rampaging monster. Quip driven, smarmy and egotistical even in the face of a roaring embodiment of gamma fueled power.\<br\>\<br\>Still, he roars back a thunderous, "Beat it jade jaws! I'm on the clock 'ere and I aint got time to play with you and send you packin with your tail between yer legs!"\<br\>\<br\>There's a final wrenching roar and a ripping of the earth, walls and ceilings as the bank vault comes completely loose and swings up overhead to rest above the colossal..a massive improvised weapon which he shifts to one arm and cocks backwars. His muscled limb swells, muscles rolling like rising mountain ranges as he stretches back and takes aim at Hulk..preparing to shot put the entire vault at the green goliath.\<br\>\<br\>Until he spots Alice nearby. "What the--- Get outta here girl! Don't be a hero! Can't you see I'm busy? This look like Mutant Town to you?!"\<br\>\<br\>It's a distraction and an opening for Hulk, that's for sure. Seems like the giant exemplar has some memory of the brave little mutant even though she may not recognize him.. Being that he's some ten feet tall and six wide right now in comparision to the more ...'svelte' .. 7' she met some days ago.

:'''{{#var:9025|Alice (9025)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Alice ducked next to the car with the shield to cover herself from debries flying, Alice acutally... stares at the Juggernaut as he leaves the bank, yelling into her direction. "But..." she stammers, glass rainign from the plastic shield as somewhere above another window breaks.\<br\>\<br\>Squeezing her eyes shut a short moment, the redhead swallows, then opens the eyes again, some determination forming on the face as she straightens her back, the shield still raised as she shakes her head. "But you can't just destroy everything!" she yells back, even as she is showing that she is fighting herself to stand, under the cover of that black shield. The free hand reaches down, plucking a spool of black plastic from it and tossing it towards the juggernaut, but it only gains flight when....

:'''{{#var:338|Bruce Banner (338)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Juggernaut takes his eyes off of Hulk for one second. \<br\>\<br\> It May be enough. \<br\>\<br\> Hulk won't hurt Alice. Banner's subconscious influence on the dominant personality is enough to guarantee it. Instead, The Hulk leaps like a green bullet towards the Juggernaut, fist reeled back in preparation to punch Cain straight out the building with a sickening impact. He'll punch through the vault itself if he has to. \<br\>\<br\> Even freshly transformed, the Hulk is /absurdly/ strong. And Cain largely standing still in hesitation? \<br\>\<br\> Could be all Hulk needs to give him a terrible day. \<br\>\<br\> "HULK SMASH!"

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>That trademark cry. It's a warning but...not enough of a warning. IF braced, Juggernaut is basically nearly as immovable as he is unstoppable. Those of his strength level or near it have even hurt their hands striking him. BUt right now and with an angry Hulk leaping at him?\<br\>\<br\>KATHOOOOM!!!\<br\>\<br\>The impact pushes the crimson giant upf rom his feet and sends the vault, which Hulk did indeed rip through part of, spinning up into the air as Juggernaut goes tumbling backwards. It's a feeling he dislikes. To put it mildly.\<br\>\<br\>The back of the building explodes as the armored bruiser goes flipping through it, doing a full rotation and then landing in the next street over just beyond the building to skid backwards. Parked cars are flattened or sent tumbling away like bowling pins as a huge trench digs up around him as he slides back. His face grimaces into a look of consternation and then rising ire.\<br\>\<br\>"So you wanna play rough...do ya..?"\<br\>\<br\>As to the bank vault. It comes crashing back down. VIolently ripping through what remains of the front of the building. Missing Alice but still sending debris and shrapnel falling and spraying as it tilts over and comes to a resting place in a crater of its own making.

:'''{{#var:9025|Alice (9025)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Ducking and shifting that kite shield for cover when the piece of vault comes crashing in, the car next to Alice is hit and thrown down the road in a spew of metal, plastic and debris. Wincing, she checks if she was allright, then realizes the whole battle has shifted through the building. With a little groan she dusts off a little, checking if she at least could help someone to evacuate after this turned an arena for Gamma-Monster versus God-Avatar.

:'''{{#var:338|Bruce Banner (338)}} has posed:'''\<br\>*BOOOOOOM!* \<br\>\<br\> Hulk's fist meets steel and alloy before it finds Cain Marko's nigh-invulnerable face and sends him sailing through the air with that punch. Muscles flex as Hulk slams his fists into the ground, hard enough to make the cars on the street bounce upwards. \<br\>\<br\> Then? \<br\>\<br\> He's sprinting forward with surprising speed as powerful legs project him forward at speeds that defy logic, sprinting towards the Juggernaut with each step putting a hole in the street. \<br\>\<br\> Yes Cain, The Hulk wants it rough.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Window's closing, JJuggernaut. Extraction in.."\<br\>\<br\>"hold yer horses! I got a bodybuilder shaped nuclear explosion on me, alright??"\<br\>\<br\>JJuggernaut's pushes up to his feet, growling into his earpiece. He doesn't mind fights. HE wants fights. But he's a 'bizness man'. One for whom timelines and actual purpose matters and his purpose here is all sorts of messed up. \<br\>\<br\>No harm in taking his frustrations out on a convienent green punching bag. "I'll have this over in just a minute." he growls, his voice deepening and rumbling with the rising apocalyptic strength of Cyttorak as his scion boils with glee at Cain's rising anger and urge on towards more destruction. He sees the blur of Hulk as the green colossus comes lunging at him and he sneers and walks forward to meet the incoming green missile. \<br\>\<br\>The Exemplar of Physical Power makes no attempt or effort to move out the way and instead meets Hulks impact head on, be it shoulder check or fist. A loud *BWAHOOOOM* resounds, shattering windows, sending cars hurtling away and blasting a huge sinkhole crater around the two behemoths.\<br\>\<br\>Juggernaut...keeps moving forward, his unstoppable nature on full display as he brings around a vast hairy arm and clenches a fist to produce a sound like sequioa's splintering as his knuckles crack, "Let's see how you like my SUNDAY PUNCH!" With that, his fist comes hurtling around, thundering at Hulk like an meteor. It is fortunante that the two giants are clear of Alice.

:'''{{#var:9025|Alice (9025)}} has posed:'''\<br\>The two guys fighting, Alice does her dandest to stay clear of them for like twenty, thrity feet, instead darting to the aid of an old woman that had fallen in the initial blast. Helping her up while keeping debris away from her, she tries to usher her to a safe area somewhere down the road...

:'''{{#var:338|Bruce Banner (338)}} has posed:'''\<br\>An impact thunders as the Hulk's fist meets Juggernaut's skull, hard enough that it /should have/ tossed him through the next building! But instead, Juggernaut doesn't move an inch. \<br\>\<br\> That's a /problem/. \<br\>\<br\> In fact, Hulk's massive feet drag against the ground as he gets angry, gets stronger...but doesn't stop Juggernaut quite yet. Instead, Hulk eats that swinging fist, striking the Hulk across the face and planting him into concrete. A tooth is spat out as Hulk growls. \<br\>\<br\> "RAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!" \<br\>\<br\> He pushes up, leaping into the air and trying to tackle Cain with him.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>If enough strength to stop and arrest his momentum is even possible without some sort of external aid or extenuating circumstances. Such is being the emobdiment of the unstoppable force and physical power. Magic cheats. But thats neither here nor now as at the moment it's not enough and even the leap is once more met against the crimson behemoths irrisitible power as he presses forward into it and pushes back and down - arresting the jump with a colossal arm that bulges a bicep to horrifying sizes as The Exemplar pushes against The Hulk. Thetwo colossal behemoths send shockwaves out that race through the city. Their combined strength making the quakes and noises of their struggle evident throughout the metropolis. It may take cunning in addition to this rage to attend to this.\<br\>\<br\>"You're gonna have to do better then that!" roars Juggernaut gleefully, attempting to wrap a monstrous arm around Hulk to hold him even as his body pushes forward into him and brings another punch thundering up. This one a titanic bodyblow aiming for the jade giants midsection while his other arm attempts to keep the goliath pinned. Another building looms behind the two titans as Juggernaut nears it, uncaring in his path of desruction and leaving a widening trench behind him and Hulk as he plows forward. \<br\>\<br\>"One minute, Juggernaut!" yells his handler into his ear pieec. "Abort or we're leaving you!"

:'''{{#var:9025|Alice (9025)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Alice meanwhile gets that old grandmother to the safety line that some cops have pulled up, not that a little bit of plastic tape would prevent damage from coming over. "It's the Juggernaut... and he's fightign the Hulk," she explains with few words while behind them, the two giants clash in dust, screams and yelling. "The Juggernaut wanted to take... whatever is in the one vault that is buried under the citroen over there... the poor theing..." Maybe that helps the cleanup crews later...

:'''{{#var:338|Bruce Banner (338)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Magic is a bitch. \<br\>\<br\> Rule number 1: Magic will always find a way to screw you over in the best possible way. Hulk is stopped dead in his tracks as Cyttorrak proceeds to encourage Juggernaut's strength. The fist comes out, smacks him right in the ribs but the Hulk does not fall. Hulk growls at Juggernaut, using his strength to let go of Juggernaut's hand and he tries to use Juggernaut's forward moment against him for a throw right into the ground! \<br\>\<br\> "HUUUUUULK STRONGEST THERE IS!!!!" \<br\>\<br\> The Hulk's eyes ow a brilliant green as his strength increased tenfold once again with a massive roar. \<br\>\<br\> Rule #2. \<br\>\<br\> Forward momentum is a bitch.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Juggernaut's eyes narrow at annoyance at Hulk's refusal to go down. He'll just have to start hitting him harder. No problem. He can crank the dial. He can always crank the dial.\<br\>\<br\>Then his eyes widen.\<br\>\<br\> Rule #3 - Attempting to divert or redirect the momentum of The Juggernaut is -not- a good fall back simply becaues of how much momentum you're trying to redirect. Too easy a strategy for a problem not meant to e resolved with sheer physical force. \<br\>\<br\>However there are many addendums to that rule and one such rule is being a very angry Hulk. He's one of the few that can attempt this stunt and enhanced strength or no..it's not easy. \<br\>\<br\>But this is still The Hulk. \<br\>\<br\>"Augh, i'll break your in half!" he bellows in frustration as he's tipped up over Hulk and the raw power of the Exemplar's momentum and strength sends him careening into the ground and away from Hulk, forward and into the wall he had been trying to drive Hulk into. It explodes in a violent eruption of destruction and violence. Then half of the building begins to come down. Fortunantely it'd long been emptied but nevertheless, kilotons of rubble begins raining down onto the crimson goliath in a non stop cascade of debris.

:'''{{#var:338|Bruce Banner (338)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Success! \<br\>\<br\> The Hulk tosses Juggernaut straight to the ground as he bounces off the ground and ends up smashing into a building, being buried by kilotons worth of rubble. Hulk roars towards Juggernaut's (seemingly) downed form, as if in victory, before police show up and raise their weapons at the Hulk. \<br\>\<br\> "PUNY MAN!" Hulk screams, it's enough to knock the cars aside.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>An epic toss indeed. A second round will see if it is successful again..\<br\>\<br\>But not today. The rubble shifts violently. A sudden explosion of seismic force that violently shakes several city blocks. The police wisely back off as Hulk screams at them and overturns their cars simply by the force of his roar.. The additional earthquake doesn't help either.\<br\>\<br\>The source..an angry tunneling Juggernaut. He wants to keep that fight going but his purpos for being here is lost and his extraction window is up. \<br\>\<br\>"I'm on my way. You better still be there." he rumbles into his comm link just before emerging up from the ground in an explosion of cement near Central Park. He then begins a steady run for THe Hudson.\<br\>\<br\>"Next time, Jade Jaws...what you felt today will be like love taps compared to what's coming.." He sneers before ultimately leaping, clearing several buildings from his earth shaking jump..an then disappearing beneath the river surface.
}}

14840/Lightning Cooked Hot Dogs

2023-04-07T02:10:54Z

Gigas: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2023/03/23 |Location=Central Park, Manhattan |Synopsis=Boys Will Be Boys |Cast of Characters=282, 107, 55 |pretty=yes }} {{Poses |Poses=:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Central Park and the immediate area around it is not unknown for the occasional bizarre happening. It's just part and parcel for life in this town and that's even without the added component of mutants, metas, monsters and mayhem. In fact..at the momen..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2023/03/23
|Location=Central Park, Manhattan
|Synopsis=Boys Will Be Boys
|Cast of Characters=282, 107, 55
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Central Park and the immediate area around it is not unknown for the occasional bizarre happening. It's just part and parcel for life in this town and that's even without the added component of mutants, metas, monsters and mayhem. In fact..at the moment things seem to be rather quiet and..well ordinary and mundane. So naturally that's too good to last as those near to the Central Subway entrance get an eyefull of what's coming next and begin to clear out and make room as if pushed aside by the sheer presence of the impending newcomer.\<br\>\<br\>Indeed, the arrival of one Citizen Cain Marko to any given area usually invites some form of fanfare and visual spectacle. Even restrained as he is now, he still passes for little more then a wrecking ball with arms and legs and to watch him emerge from the subway station nearest to Central Park is something akin to watching Godzilla slowly crest up through the surface of the ocean, so massive is the man and so small the wide eyed and mildly terrified looking crowd of people that are at present encompassed around him are in comparison.\<br\>\<br\>Once he reaches the street level the crowds begin parting around him like waters surging around a mountainous landmass as he comes to a stop to look the area over. For his part, the behemoth looks un caring and dismissive of the world around him, dressed with a vest that somehow stretches across his gargantuan body, jeans, tee shirt and baseball cap that shows tufts of his red hair from beneath it. A cartoonish image of the aforementioned Godzilla sits on his expanse chest. One might wonder who tailors his clothes. \<br\>\<br\>An even bigger mystery might be how the hell he managed to fit onto and ride the subway to begin with.

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>It's far from any kind of literal Eden, but metaphorically, in the heart of the greater New York metro, Central Park is close enough to be respite from the concrete jungle, or a magnificent point of coalescence for revelry; and advertising! The Mighty Thor strides as a strange mirror and dramatic dichotomy to Cain's arrival, a long but unhurried step carrying the God of the Storm down the sidewalk. He's in the process of devouring an ice cream cone that once, in the long long ago, also featured chocolate and peanuts. \<br\>\<br\>Dressed in a tight gray sweatshirt and worn denim, Thor isn't as immediately remarkable-- but here and there he's approached for an autograph or a selfie, which he amicably indulges, or graced with a wink or a smile. These, he oft returns. The smaller of the two divinely imbued titans catches sight of the metaphorical Godzilla as a group of tourists parts urgently before the Civvienaut, and Thor's response is somewhat unusual for those gathered. \<br\>\<br\>Rather than keep his distance and shoot a surreptitious photograph, or get clear of the unnervingly large redhead, the Asgardian Avenger cuts a path directly towards Cain, the brilliant focus of his gaze even on the larger fellow even as Thor continues to diligently devour his frozen treat. Ah, Midgard; for such a backwater, it proves a land of endless surprises.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Near the edge line, where the sidewalks of the concrete jungle give way to the walkways and paths that wend and wind their way through the park, is a hot dog vendor busy minding his own business and setting up a new set of goods and wares to replace the ones that were sold in the last late afternoon rush of purchasing he just experienced. It's been a good day so far and without incident which is always a good thing. \<br\>\<br\>So imagine his surprise when a great shadow falls upon him with all the gloom of rumbling stormcloud..and the vendor straightens up only to find his eye level staring tight at that cartoonish image of Godzilla plastered like a billboard image across the vast expanse of Cain Marko's torso.\<br\>\<br\>"Augh.." mutters the poor man, stumbling back a few steps and tilting his head up to look at the sunglasses sporting shadowed face of Marko ..who himself is ignoring the man but instead slowly and methodically looking over the menu offerings while rubbing his chin in mild thought. His sausage sized fingers scratch absently at his chin, producing a sound not unlike a steel wool brush dragging across concrete as his unshaven brick of a jaw works itself back and forth as he ponders his snack options. \<br\>\<br\>Then the approach of Thor is noted by the vendor and the poor man blinks a few times, utterly speechless. He looks back and forth between the approaching Storm Lord and the red haired behemoth and does so enough times that Cain finally speaks, growing irrate but as of yet not aware o Thor's approach.\<br\>\<br\>"Relax, will ya? i didn't come over here sayin' Fee FI Fo Fum or something, did I? I just want a hot dog and some chips."

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Who -is- that un-masked man? Cain in a veritable conduit for godly power, for the might of unmaking, and it's all but impossible for a being such as Thor to miss. Perhaps unwisely, the Asgardian reacts to this with far more intrigue than apprehension, pacing Marko's advance into the park for a time, and then gaining ground on the mountainous fellow as Cain comes to a stop at the hot dog stand. This gives Thor ample time to savor his ice cream, and perhaps better suss out the situation; though the jury remains out on that aspect. \<br\>\<br\>"A fellow of such unusual girth requires a most substantial weiner!" The Asgardian declares, coming up towards the stand a respectful stride or three off Cain's right flank. "I suggest the chili and onion, myself-- though I am told it can be quite the trial for the digestive systems of the less resilient." But that doesn't seem to be Cain... one certainly hopes. Hulk with an upset tummy is not a thing anyone wants to witness. \<br\>\<br\>"Do not be too harsh with the poor fellow, their species has a natural prey response confronted with much larger animals; a tradition of hunting mammoths and alligators without equivalent strength, as I understand it." It's very jovial. It's very forward. This is Thor we're talking about, here. The statuesque blonde throws the hot-dog vendor a reassuring wink that seems to perhaps HALF land.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>It -kind- of works. If nothing else it pulls Cain's attention away from the hot dog vendor and prevents the man from starting to shake in his boots at what he perceives as Cain's rising ire. "R-right.." he stammers before, without being asked if it's alright, just sort of automatically starts putting together said chili and onion weiner while also absently reaching out and grabbing a random bag of BBQ chips, managing this while not pulling his wide eyed gaze away from the two mystical titans.\<br\>\<br\>For his part, Cain simply blinks a few times and then slowly turns, grinding his feet into the ground and rotating around like some sort of monstrous sherman tank mounted atop a turn table.\<br\>\<br\>He blinks a few times once he lands his eyes upon the speaker. His reddish eyebrows cranking high over the top of his sunglasses and his ice blue eyes widening ..and then narrowing abit. This is all ultiamtely accompanied by a slight smile tugging at the sides of his mouth as if a private joke lingers in him that can't wait to come bursting out to the forefront..but he remains restrained.\<br\>\<br\>"Oh yeah..?" he finally rumbles, "..I mean..I guess that makes sense. " \<br\>\<br\>The vendor holds out the hotdog..nervously..and Cain turns and inspects it..and then he takes it. Challenge accepted one supposes. "I think I can handle it." he concludes, smile growing to a grin as his other hand pulls out a few bucks to pay for it all. Like a good law abiding citizen.

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Thor smiles right back-- though rather than some devious (or dirty) inner joke, this gesture seems borne of sincere affability. One does try to be a responsible diplomat, after all. "I harbour no doubts." The God of Thunder concurs, nodding encouragingly towards Cain. \<br\>\<br\>"Come, walk with me a moment?" It's toned as a question, but treated as somewhat rhetorical; a suggestion from a man used to just getting what he requests, as a rule. Thor gestures towards an increasingly wooded path, and renews his even pace of godly leisure along that vector. "A warrior of such great and cosmic might must have intriguing purpose in this city; Hail you from this realm?" It's 'are you from around here?', Thor. Though that might further stretch the stretched undertones of this interaction to undue bulge. \<br\>\<br\>"I am Thor, the Odinson; King of Asgard." It's a humble introduction, by his standards. A nearly casual shrug of politesse. It's a somewhat sore subject now, anyway-- or at least a sad one. Once a bastion amongst the Realms, now the Asgardians are refugees in lands they once stewarded; in realms they once, more distantly, ruled.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Keep the change, pal." \<br\>\<br\>Cain's boulder grinding rumble vibrates down into the hot dog vendor who nods lightly and then finally lets out a breath as Cain turns and begins to approach Thor. He shakes his head, light headed now and still shaking as he collects the five and begins to eeeaaassee his hot dog stand further away from the two giants even though Cain is departing and moving closer to Thor. No doubt he will gain much cred amongst his fellow vendors once this story gets spread and increase his NPC ranking.\<br\>\<br\>"Yeah I thought I recobnized you. Nicetameetcha." Cain's vast presence rolls up closer to just before he takes a good chunk of the weiner and ponders how to answer Thor's other comments. His eyes squint slightly though if it's at the taste of the hot dog or at trying to fumble up an excuse to account for Thor clearly sensing the cauldron of power that boils within Cain is perhaps a question.\<br\>\<br\>So..a deflection then: "King tho'? I didn't know you were -king- of Asgard tho'.. I guess they need to get to updatin' the school books or something yeah?" \<br\>\<br\>He waves the hand holding the half eaten dog around, physique creaking and groaning as his muscles press like grinding tectonic plates against each other and his garments despite his casual movements. "Cosmic what now?" he finally notes, "...Sounding a little outta my paygrade Thor. Whatcha implyin'?"

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>In the long-term, it's a story the sausage peddler can tell and re-tell to the disbelief or awe of many. In the short-term, it might be time to find a restroom. By the standards of most, Thor is a big man. Relative to Cain? Well, he stands taller than most when face to chest with the Juggernaut, so there's that. Rather than the outward reflection of godlike strength, the Asgardian King stands as a statuesque, dense package, each motion that of a masterful warrior with millennia of experience. Every subtle tension coursing with the quiet growl of distant thunder. \<br\>\<br\>As eager as Cain is to deflect from answering the line of initial questioning with any directness, Thor is to deflect back from delving into exactly what's changed to make him King-- or exactly what he's been left King -of-. In fact, he just elects not to answer. The confused, innocent act Cain effects? Well, Loki may count Thor an easy mark; but he isn't THAT simple. \<br\>\<br\>"Indeed! A conduit of nigh-unfathomable strength, perhaps the willful expression of a being beyond the normal bounds of this time and space?" He has more than his share of lore and exceedingly ancient and mystical history to draw upon; but it's still not Thor's area of expertise. "Or have you been struck from beyond with power and responsibility still beyond thy ken?!?" Could this be the awakening of a new, mythic hero!? Just to test his certitude, Thor reaches out to give Cain a testing, carefully firm shoulder-shove.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Well now, this matter has become more complicated and fast. Not everyone knows that Cain is The Juggernaut and it's allowed for some degree of mobility when he's not 'clocked in' so to speak. He gets by. Maybe at most a mutant or meta, especially if he's hanging around Mutant Town but..that's still not the freakin' Juggernaut. It's one thing to be assumed as just some giant mutant brawler or a particularly gifted human athlete but Thor here is just cutting right to the chase.\<br\>\<br\>And then there's the fact of Thor's affiliation. Any one of them could pop up, some of them may even be on terms with Xavier or have quick access to certain databases wherein sussing out his identity would be no problem and then..the jig is up.\<br\>\<br\>Not that Cain -really- cares, when all is said and done. The problem with thinking that you're invincible is that ego can trump common sense every now and then. The only thing really bothering him about his identiy being realized is that it might mess with his ability to do things like..go to the bank, the local strip club or a the mall, book a flight or something on an off day.\<br\>\<br\>So when Thor attempts the light shove.. he doesn't move. It's not in his nature to 'fake it and Thor finds his shoulder shove is met by unyielding brute strength and bracing that plants him as firmly immovable. A reflexive action on Cain's part really. He even absently finishes off his hot dog as this takes place.\<br\>\<br\>Then: "Nnngh. Whoa, whoa, hey now there blondie. Gettin' kinda personal there. You didn't even pay for my hot dog." His other hand waves around the unopened chip bag as both arms ultimately lift into a massive rolling shrug. A sound like industrial leather being stretched as his sinew creaks and the giant relaxes the restraints just a bit. "...So you -can- see magic eh? No foolin'! That's cute. Well guilty as charged I guess. You could say I got a connection with something straight outta a D&D book yeah. Might even need to drop the 'Nigh' off of Unfathomable Strength..not that I'm braggin'. Just the way it is."

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Do you lack in riches with which to procure further savoury slathered sausages?" Thor seems authentically concerned about this; for at least a moment. No one should go hungry! But it seems a particular catastrophe on the scale where the Juggernaut operates! There's not a lot of surprise when Cain resists the half-hearted shove-- it just confirms what Thor already suspects, after all. Especially when Marko proceeds to not brag. \<br\>\<br\>The God of Thunder's smile widens, and he nods with a conspiratorial wink, "Of course, of course my even larger friend! My mistake!" One might get the distinct impression that certain Asgardians may have heard this angle before... and even learned to just go along with it. \<br\>\<br\>"I suppose..." Thor's voice drops in volume, once again as if he's partaking in a magnificent secret worthy of protection, "Much depends on the relative perspective from which one seeks to fathom such." Which is his own contribution to not bragging, and just examining the situation as it is! \<br\>\<br\>To his credit perhaps, the Stormbringer does not immediately expound on the nuanced distinctions between 'seeing' magic and having exceptional, divine senses and an eon of acuity to the champions of the cosmos and sources of immense energy. The line between cosmic science and mystical pantheon can become very murky at the high end, after all; it's a course's worth of dissertation, minimum. "Which brings us back to the /purpose/ of this vast strength..." Perhaps something in Cain's evasive attitude is just a slight bit ominous to the boisterous blonde.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Well now, this is about to get 'fun' now isn't it. Avengers don't seem to be about to show up and there are no X-Men in sight to ruin his potential play..and so Cain slowly let's that shark like grin return once more. He absently brushes his fingers off as he considers Thor's words and then rumbles with a strange sort of cadence that manages to combine cheerful and ominous all at the same time: "Ooooh..I can 'fathom' alot!"\<br\>\<br\>The giant then feigns a touch of disappointment at Thor not taking his words at face value, "I mean..c'mon...I thought you were impressed at first. Now you trying to make me feel all puny or something?"\<br\>\<br\>He waves his hand and looks away, scoffing slightly before pausing for effect and then looking back to Thor. "As to the rest...Purpose? Hm.."\<br\>\<br\>That part is..interesting perhaps. Cain actually has a moment of mild self reflection but then begins to ru through his rolodex of potential answers."\<br\>\<br\>"Can't something just exist just to exist? Why power gotta have a purpose? Maybe it just 'is'?" Look at him getting all philosphical.\<br\>\<br\>"I aint here on some sorta mission, if that's what you're asking. At least right now.. You could say I'm just..between jobs."

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Puny?" Thor seems legitimately confused at the accusation, or the very idea of it. "No, no-- warriors of such mettle are rare in any Realm, my larger friend of the unspoken name." Rare also is for such sass to be toned with such direct truth. Respect and indictment in one even turn of a phrase. Maybe he IS Loki's brother. \<br\>\<br\>"The purpose of some weapons, some warriors, is indeed to rest until they are needed; until the time presents. But all too often the listlessness speaks of distress of the soul; to find one's place in any world requires more than the most magical compass." It's a great conundrum of life. Of power. Of being Worthy. All philosophical, indeed; Asgardians may be known for that. "As to my self, I am intrigued, more than impressed. At least as of yet!" Thor clearly -expects- to become impressed, rather than scoffing at the idea. \<br\>\<br\>It is, after all, why he's stalking strange redheads into Central Park. "If you've no ventures to satisfy-- let me challenge you to a bout, or many rounds of drink!" Blue eyes dart right, then left. Then Thor frowns, a profound and thoughtful frown. "Perhaps not /here/ though." Someone is BOUND to yell at them about that. Humans are very touchy creatures. "Do you possess the power of flight?"

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Uh.."\<br\>\<br\>He's slightly off guard now. Thor is a meathead, this much is clear, but there is just that much open, friendliness and seeming sincerity that Cain begins struggling somewhat now. He didn't come here looking for a fight a or to cause any mayhem and..it's a line of questioning that's somewhat entertaining and not particuarly offensive either. Juggernaut can be a social guy when you just..treat him normally. It doesn't take much to set him off but..really Thor's done nothing wrong..is -doing- nothing wrong.\<br\>\<br\>Inside of him, however, something stirs with boredom and anxiousness. Pushing at Cain's more violent urges and disappointed in this lack of satisfaction. There -is- the fact that Thor has identified Cain as more then mortal and yet now seems to be..not giving him his due. Of course this is all not necessarily intentional but it's enough for that one little part of Cain to latch onto and tumble over and over again. He -could- just agree to get some drinks and laugh about it..\<br\>\<br\>Or..\<br\>\<br\>"I don't fly." THis said hastily and then even faster, "And I don't need a lift either. Here..I tell ya what. I'll give you a demonstration. Rigth here. Right now. But..we don't need to wreck anything, naw. I got self control. Not like that green toddler of yers, right?>"\<br\>\<br\>He tosses the bag of chips over his shoulder. The fact that he never got to eat it forgotten in the middle of a sudden urge to mischief rising up in him "Whaddya say?"

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>From where Thor's standing, he doesn't even realize he's ruffling Cain's feathers. It is what it is-- where most of the city, most of the world, even most super-powered individuals react to the Juggernaut with fear, mistrust, or at best wary care, to the God of Thunder the Avatar of Cytorrak's presence is something else entirely. That unusual instance where he gets to meet, perhaps, a peer. No exponential proliferation of Kryptonians can make that sensation less novel to the Midgard-loving King of Asgard. \<br\>\<br\>At the same time, that utter lack of intimidation factor has a substantial impact on the dynamic; and even affable directness can ring as condescending or dismissive. It is, after all, all fathomed on scales of relative experience and perspective. \<br\>\<br\>Cain's counteroffer, however, leaves Thor visibly, profoundly crestfallen. After this moment, he nods his head in only mildly reluctant acquiescence. "Well of course one /can/ without wrecking anything..." It just seems definitively more boring, doesn't it? \<br\>\<br\>"But yes, of course, I am being presumptuous!" Tony says he does that a lot. "As you wish, mote it be!" And with that, Thor shucks off his hoodie, a simple dark blue tank top beneath it. The Asgardian cracks his neck, and lithely rolls massive, tightly corded arms out to his sides. Next to Cain, perhaps Thor does not look as large as he normally does-- but ultimately, the scale of their builds is not so different, if at distinct settings on the 'height' slider. Dense, and not in the head in this case... confident... Mighty.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Greeeaaaat!"\<br\>\<br\>Cain's voice belts out a cheerful rumbling note of happiness at Thor's willingness to go along with his proposal. His massive arms raise to their sides, his physique swells and the very air seems to vibrate from the pressure of his movements, as if he were switching off restraining bolts one at a time. He brings his hands back together again, producing a heavy meaty *THWAM* that truly shakes the immediate area around them as he looks Thor over and then rumbles with glee, "Don't be so glum, chum! I promise to make it entertaining. And look..we won't get in trouble! I mean..well.."\<br\>\<br\>Cain makes a few non committal gestures, "There might be a little bit o'collateral damage but you know...Damage Control..gotta keep 'em employed, right?"\<br\>\<br\>His shark like grin returns as he slowly and ponderously considers Thor. The truth is..in another time and place perhaps they might have simply become drinking buddies with the occasional sparring going on between them. Cyttorak boils in the brutes blood, true enough, but there's something else going on as well. Cain's always been full of malice. Cyttorak stokes what's always been there and so irked, the giant doesn't simply want to show Thor how strong he actually he is. He wants to humiliate him.\<br\>\<br\>"Let's start with somethin' simple. You. Just hold your ground. I'll try pushin' you back. Just a little push. Say..." He gestures vaguelly beyond Thor, "Back to that tree over there. You try and stop me. Okay? If you can manage that.. we'll escalate it. Maybe go ahead with your plan."

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"You are undercutting your previously claimed precision." Thor notes, somewhere between jovial and prophetic. As far as Thor is concerned, he may in fact have just met a new drinking buddy and sparring rival! Of course, even with a keen grasp of the level that Juggernaut may land on, Thor's own confidence and capabilities are well tested, and perhaps TOO thoroughly trusted by the Asgardian champion. \<br\>\<br\>As to the challenge itself? "That is suspiciously specific!" He does grasp the trap before him, but then... that's sort of what he asked for, isn't it? Bracing his stance, one thickly corded arm locks to his side as he squares a shoulder off with Cain, nodding once. "Shove away, Anonymous Avatar!" the God of the Storm encourages, with perhaps an off-putting amount of enthusiasm given the Juggernaut's supernaturally accentuated, seething ire. \<br\>\<br\>Rather than simply stand his ground and hold against the charge, when Juggernaut closes to point blank, Thor will hurtle forward, flying just off the ground, and meet charge with shoulder tackle, fully committing to a full-on collision with Cyttorak's chosen champion, a rumble of mystical power coursing through him as the hint of lightning crackles in the statuesque blonde warrior's eyes.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Is he a dumb jock or a warrior-god of the storms with thousands of years of experience? The answer is 'Yes', of course, give or take levels of what it means to be a 'dumb jock' but Cain isnt' quite so perceptive and so when Thor clearly clues in on his 'cheat code' so to speak, he just grunts inwardly. The Odinson is just insiting on innocently taking the fun out of all of this. He can't even be legit in his anger and ire and he knows that..which just makes his anger and ire all the more intense.\<br\>\<br\>In other words, petty and spite. He's just being petty and spiteful now. Neither are a good combo with someone with Cain's temperment on a -good day- let alone when his defenses are low and Cyttorak is there amping up his bubbling fury.\<br\>\<br\>"Hey, I'm the picture o'innocence." he protests before gearing up for this event, making a show of pantomining the act of doing a bear hug as he loosens his arms up. Each pump of his gigantic limbs seems to almost inflate him larger and larger. His physique swelling and ballooning as his rising anticipation manifests more visually. He then begins moving forward, taking a step and ..suddenly there's a Thor all in his face with lightning in his eyes. \<br\>\<br\>He wasn't expecting that. Neither was the immediate area around him. The impact kicks off a shockwave and a rumble of the earth that rips the terrain up, bends trees and sends some nearby pedestrians off their feet from the ground bowing and surging like a rippling carpet. A loud *KABOOOM* rips violently through the park. Causing car alarms to go off in the distance.\<br\>\<br\>Cain...doesn't move an inch backwards though the Odinson no doubt suspected soem sort of cheat here. Indeed, Thor finds himself fully stopped in mid air against the torso of the colossal man who, though slowed, continues moving and pushing back against the god of storms. Cain'sn eyes, revealed now as his shades have been blasted away, widen with some surprise though. The sudden ferocity and Thor just blasting into him like that wasn't how he imagined this.\<br\>\<br\>"Heeeey..that wasn't too bad!" declares the giant. His other foot raises to begin another step, leaning his full weight into Thor and pushing onward. " You weren't kiddin' huh...What else ya got blondie?"

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>At first, Cain dictates the force of that initial impact, and Thor matches it. It's with more satisfaction than surprise that he finds himself still driven backwards, and the shockwave that could pass for an unpredicted earthquake? That barely seems to register with either combatant, even if it likely SHOULD trigger some alarms for at least one of the muscly men. "I can do this all week!" It certainly SOUNDS like bravado-- and to be fair, it definitely is-- but no one's lie detector is likely to raise too much fuss. \<br\>\<br\>For just a moment, both arms flex, both palms press to Cain's upper chest, and the God of the Storm unleashes his own proactive might more fully. The ground rumbles protest, the air itself flees the crucible. It's tempting to test a blow, but well. "Those such as we cannot possibly engage in righteous combat in a place such as this without innocent terror or blood." Sadly, it is in fact as he thought. \<br\>\<br\>Perhaps MORE sadly, Cain really isn't quite what Thor HOPES. Still, his reversal slows, NEARLY stops-- but mysticism intercedes and step after forceful step, the Juggernaut gains ground; just likely not the trainwreck worth of ground that the massive marauded EXPECTED to gain. Kicking upwards, Thor extricates himself from the collision and hovers a short span above, raising a hand to the sky. "I know of only one thing that might stop such a formidable trick!" In a very literal sense, in this case. \<br\>\<br\>From the mostly sunny sky, clouds swirl and gather, a dark coalescence of extremely savage thunderstorms raging around a localized, central point. Lightning surges within, striking that bullseye of the storm repeatedly, nigh instantly, and like a bolt itself the iconic warhammer roars from on high, settling precisely into Thor's grasp. "Try to budge THIS!" And with the hammer leading, Thor crashes back to Earth, driving the cosmic masterwork back at that central point, more intent on opposing Cain's motion than on delivering actual impact. Luckily for everyone involved, more than likely.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Bearing in mind that Juggernaut's initial interest wasn't in going at Thor like an out of control incoming meteor.. the fact that Thor resists as much as he does..indeed causes the giant man purses his lips and wrinkle his nose in some surprise and as the resistance increases and escalates and he finds himself needing to actually start to put some effort into the process and even in that..when he expected to be just shoving Thor across the landscape like a rag doll - the thunder god yet persists in his resistance..and Cain frowns. Really, really frowns. \<br\>\<br\>An urge to just cut loose boils up within him now and he starts a prepatory antic but Thor pulls away just in time, kicking up into the air and Cain stumbles forward a step or two before staightening up in surprise and confusion. \<br\>\<br\>"Guys stronger then I thought.." he mutters, calculating this all in his mind. The irony here being that THor is actually one of the few beings who -could- manage to push the giant back with a full release of the might of the hammer and the godforce within. \<br\>\<br\>"That almost felt like grapplin' with ol'Jade Jaws and we'd hardly gotten started.. hey what the-!"When the lightening show begins, Cain actually tenses, bracing himself now as he looks on and then around him and then he -really- frowns as that hammer shows and the roar of the storm centralizes itself fully on Thor. "..Hey..you're actually kinda crazy!" he declares in surprise at the sudden escalation. Either Thor truly has some faith in this large stranger he just met..or he's just nuts. The answer here is probably yes.\<br\>\<br\>He has no time for another quip because once again Thor is upon him..this time with the hammer leading the way and once again there is a raging impact. A storm of kinetic force that ..though it could be much worse..is still pretty bad considering who is dueling here.\<br\>\<br\>The sound rips and roars across the park. Trees fall and the ground sunders as the force transfers through the target into the area around him. There is a flash of light and a horrendous boom.\<br\>\<br\>And Juggernaut..for it is Juggernaut in full regalia now..holds his ground and is not moved back. The empowering of the Exemplar of Physical Power welling up and the earth ripple and recoils as the now nearly ten foot giant looms up like a mountain range on both the physical and mystical landscape before Thor. He is not..happy. Now, reading the hammer as a serious attack versus an attempt at this 'game'. "So you wanna play rough, eh!?"\<br\>\<br\>His fist hurtles around, coming from his side in a straight forward slamming blow usually reserved for gamma powered rivals, distorting the air around it and ripping up the earth yet more just from the swing as he bellows, "Let's see if ya can handle my Sunday Punch!"

:'''{{#var:55|Kara Danvers (55)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"~I caaaan shooow you the woooorld!" Kara Zor-El is twirling in flight with her short pleated skirt fanning out from her hips as she cuts through clouds above the surface. She moves fast enough that her passage leaves a trail through the condenced atmospheric pressure. A super sonic chem-trail! Wooshing down as she sings, rolling over with her ankles crossed, a dramatically long pause in her passage to raise her cellphone in the air to snap off a Selfie! PEACE SIGN! Big cheesy grin! \<br\>\<br\>"~Shining shimmering, spleeeendid!" Her course is directionless. From Metroplis to Central City, all the damn way around Gotham to keep from invading that dark smear of chemical infused nastiness, towards New York across the bay! This isn't her usual stomping ground, but she's on a joy-flight. Clear her head. Listen to some disney music in her earbuds. \<br\>\<br\>Typical Kara stuff. \<br\>\<br\>When there is suddenly a sound like the earth itself protesting! Hell no, it says, we wont go, it says. The ground itself becoming the victim of two inhumanly powerful beings locking horns like a couple of excited Billy Goats. Followed quickly by the howls of dozens, if not hundreds, of citizens who are caught in the cross-fire. They scream, the sounds of their panicked howls, it hits Kara as she passes within a few hundred aerial miles of Central Park. \<br\>\<br\>So she kicks into gear. ROCKETING forward with a *CRACK BOOM* that displaces the cloud around her and has her skirt fluttering with her cape behind her. Licking the sky and fluttering fabric as she descends like a tiny 5'5" missile. Just as the crack of lightning descends around her! She twirls out of its path and rolls over in a forward aerial flip that lands her in a precarious position dead infront of the fist Juggernaut is hurling towards the Dreamy AF God of Thunder. \<br\>\<br\>There will be eye-lashes fluttered. \<br\>\<br\>Later. Right now... she brings both of her hands up and sets her back foot to brace herself. The massive marauders knuckles hit her in both extended palms... and the impact is almost seismic. A KA-BOOM of kinetic force defused across her fists. Both high cut boots dig down into the ground, pushed back against the force of such a titans powerful force... \<br\>\<br\>Until the tiny, demunitive, blue on blue, red caped Blonde headed figure stares up at him from over knuckles as big as her whole-ass fists. "Yo... What in the FRIK!" \<br\>\<br\>"Do you need a hug, man? Can we not destroy New York, is that a thing we can not do?" \<br\>\<br\>> Supergirl has entered the chat.

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Deadlock. It's exactly the outcome Thor truly sought here, at the end of the day-- so it just prompts a widening grin... one that's punctuated by a wary darting of eyes two and fro. At least people are fleeing, right? Not being crushed by tree shrapnel or hurtling rocks. So far. Then... the God of Thunder looks back to is quarry. His quarry who's conjured is own suit of iconic armor, and become much more notably recognizable. \<br\>\<br\>Well then. It appears that the titan Thor thought to befriend and parlay into grand adventure and superheroic daring is actually... the JUGGERNAUT. That's certainly a bitch. The moment of-- finally-- surprise and betrayal is writ large on Thor's face, and he would likely have simply eaten the sudden more overt hostility square in his stalwart jaw if not for Supergirl's timely super-fast intercession. \<br\>\<br\>Instead, his lengthy mane flutters wildly behind him, while the taut cloth of tanktop and denim instead cling to the Thunder God's musculature as he staggers backwards, absorbing the wave of invisible force. When he sees who interceded on his behalf, MOST of Thor's smile returns. "Ah, yes, good-- I believe." This isn't the sporting bud of camaraderie after all, is it? So interruption is fine, instead of dishonorable! "Such unfounded anger! I rose to meet your challenge, this is not even the beginnings of 'rough'!" Promises, promises. \<br\>\<br\>The dissipating striations of mystical stormclouds above swirl together anew as a rumble of thunder reverberates around them-- most people have experienced a REMARKABLY close and intense clap thereof, but this time? This time the thunderclap is /literally/ directly above them. This IS ground zero. In a shimmering refraction of light Thor is cast in the brilliance of a rainbow from the storm, his form consumed by electrical current akin to starlight somehow translocated to a terrestrial surround. \<br\>\<br\>As the bolts clear, his form is resplendent in form-fitted mail and intricate, ornately etched armored plates. Around his waist is cinched an unusual remix of plated faulds, its own enchantment singing even above the mystical resilience of the entire suit. Thor's head is enclosed by a winged helm, and the first sunbeam of the breaking clouds finds him to brilliantly offer encore to the God of Storms' profound shining. \<br\>\<br\>"Were I you-- Juggernaut-- I would accept the generous hug from the magnificent-- the OTHER magnificent blonde-- and count thy divine blessings!"

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Confusion. Pure confusion reigns. Juggernaut's eyes, still crackling with the crimson energy of his patron as his suit and size had barely finished appearing, widen even larger as his fist is caught and he finds himself staring, face to face with..uh...um..\<br\>\<br\>"..Did you change yer hair..?" No wait. That wasn't right. He blinks in more confusion and then rears back while bellowing, "Wait, wait, wait. What kinda trick is this! You folk just gettin' wilder and wilder about setting up your ambushes!" \<br\>\<br\>He pulls back, the ground now lurching from the simple movements and presence of the behemoth as he steps backwards a few paces and points at Supergirl, "..You got some nerve. You sucker punch me in that dive just cause you were bored and now you come up in here and get in my way?" He gestures wildly towards Thor, "He hit me with a hammer!!"\<br\>\<br\>At this point he sees Thor approach and hears his veiled threat. Juggernaut fully turns and glares at the man only to realize that he did indeed catch that look of betrayal and he processes that for a moment, looking mildly chagrinned. "Look, blondie.. I was just going for a walk, alright? You got all into it.. how could I resist! It was a joke, yeah? Just a joke.. And for the record, yeah I was holdin' back but I figure so were you. I didn't come here to turn this place into a crater."\<br\>\<br\>Cyttorak grumles in disappointment. Juggernaut. Always holding back from the true potential of destruction within him. Morales and scruples. Who needs 'em.\<br\>\<br\>"So..uh..truce..?" That shark like grin returns as he lifts his arms to his sides and looks at each of the blonde titans.

:'''{{#var:55|Kara Danvers (55)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Confusion? Hecka no, Kara is relieved. She's fairly certain that she could, eventually, tire Juggernaut out... or like... punch him to Mars if she really let loose.. But is that going to solve world hunger? Is that going to help her catch up on six months worth of television program on her TIVO? (That's how long she was in space guys). No, no it will not. It will lead to her having a torn costume, messy hair, and probably falling on her butt in front of the /really/ frikin' hunky God of Thunder. \<br\>\<br\>The demunitive Kryptonian lets her hands drop when Cain opts to pull his fist back rather than wack-a-mole her to China or something... A look of distress becomes one of mild relief. While her tiny little behind is standing in a ditch carved in Central Park when she caught his fist. \<br\>\<br\>With absolutely no effort at all, she leaps up and hovers out of the 2 foot divot in the ground and settles down upon fresher, not cratered, grass. "Okay, first off.. I know we look alike, but she's my sister." Clone really, but whose splitting hairs right? She holds up a finger, "Second, you think I look like her?" Two fingers. She reaches up to size up her chest, moving them back and forth as if marketly pointing out the difference. \<br\>\<br\>"She doesn't wear the S." Perverts. \<br\>\<br\>Palms come together in a brush, so she can turn the full force of her big blue eyes on the wavy blonde hair slowly swirling in the wind of a thunderclap before Thor's head is covered in his Wing-ed helmet. She shakes her head, tracing that luxurious golden hued silky smooth mane, in slow-motions. To everyone else she's just staring, with a big dummy grin on her tiny little face. At least compared to these two mammoths. \<br\>\<br\>Kara? \<br\>\<br\>    Hey Kara? \<br\>\<br\>She blinks and looks around, clearing her throat. Peering around, "It's cool everybody!" Waving to terrified people who had been flung hither and thither, "They're friends now. See?" Pointing at Cain, "Totally be ef efs."

:'''{{#var:107|Thor (107)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"/YOU/ rammed into Mjolnir!" Thor protests. "These were the explicit terms of thine own challenge!" It's an important distinction. A mark that must not stand against the honor of the hammer-- and maybe the Asgardian as well. Besides, if he had really HIT Cain... well. There's even more impact force and fallout involved in something that mad and uncouth! Guardian of Midgard, out here safeguarding New York, ladies and gentlemen! \<br\>\<br\>Strictly speaking, of course, the two titanic godlings collided with one another on that exchange, more than anything. While Thor might be more than willing to continue to escalate, and perhaps TOO confident of his abilities to stand toe to toe with Cain, the perils posed to people around them, and perhaps the structural integrity of swathes of Manhattan, is plenty to pause any wrath or reprisal. \<br\>\<br\>For a long, tense moment, the King of Asgard holds his stormy gaze intent upon the Juggernaut, before double-taking into Kara's... careful study of him. "Yes..." Thor blusters out in affirmation, cleverly buying time for whatever he actually wants to declare. "Just look at her 'S'!" Nailed it. \<br\>\<br\>Suddenly, the God of Thunder is a bit overdressed for the situation, but it's only the helmet that dissipates into the ether as its magic is released, and the Stormbringer settles back to Earth, stepping forward to provide a unified front with Kara. "And I am now more certain than ever that power such as ours /demands/ purpose-- and that your lack of Self feeds this volatile frustration!" At least he recovers by speaking, well... some manner of sense. It's hard to call him WRONG. \<br\>\<br\>"Away from the path of petty spite and avarice, we could be friends. We /should/ be friends." BFFs must mean something different on Krypton; but it's close enough for the hides of those unfortunate enough to spectate too closely. Glancing aside to Kara, though keeping Cain in his peripheral vision, Thor lowers his voice, almost humbly. "Thank you for your intercession; this surely would have gotten quickly out of hand." Because it definitely hadn't yet, Thor. Relative perspective is clearly the theme of the day.

:'''{{#var:55|Kara Danvers (55)}} has posed:'''\<br\>The pair argue over who may or may not have thrown the first punch and Kara's blue eyes shift betwixt them with a back/forth motion like she's standing between two mountains who are adament that the other is responsible for an Avalanche. Which calls for a little Kryptonian intervention. Stepping up with a palm up in either of their directions! \<br\>\<br\>Enough that if they stepp forward they will land their chests agains her hands. And if not, she's just hovering there between them with the international sign for, 'Guys come on, think of the TIVO'. With a deep, exagerated, sigh. "LADIES! Ladies... you're both very pretty okay?" \<br\>\<br\>She looks to Thor... and smiles, shrinking on her shoulder in a sheepish little shy girl eye-lash flutter (told you that came later...) Then over to Cain.... well she's not grimacing. But look at Thor's hair okay? Seriously. \<br\>\<br\>Just want to run your teeth through it. \<br\>\<br\>Then her phone chirps... and she reaches back after holding up a finger and flicks open the screen with her thumb... whatever she reads changes her disposition entirely. From jovial little ball of energy to something edging dangerously towards terror. \<br\>\<br\>She brings both hands up and responds. Thumbs rushing across keys... staring at the screen for seconds, minutes, hours? \<br\>\<br\>She looks between them. "Don't." Finger held up to Thor. "Fight." Finger turned towards Juggernaut... Then there's a CRACK-BOOM and Supergirl takes flight with a flutter of explosion of air in her wake.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Everybody wants to just try punching him into orbit or Mars or assuming they can just hit him with magic hammers but the minute he cuts loose and a city is leveled or a continental shelf broken or tectonic plate moved. suddenly they want to throw him in The Raft in a stasis cell or just banish him to Limbo or whatever. Double standards.\<br\>\<br\>His teeth grit as he hears Thor but the gritting expression fades into a simple tight lipped frown. He's heard this far too often of late. \<br\>\<br\>Clearly he needs real friends. Not friends that will j'accuse him of being the terrible person he is and constantly try and encourage him to do better with his power. No, he needs friends like..uh..Sinister? Magneto? \<br\>\<br\>"For God's sake.." he finally rumbles, "...what is this, a counseling session?" \<br\>\<br\>His next words die on his lips as takes note of Kara's expression and then registers her final words and then the shockwave of her departure. "Hey what the--I guess she realized she was late for her date at the mall or something.." \<br\>\<br\>He then turns his back to Thor, not caring either way it seems. "I'm leaving blondie. You want a -real- tussle?" he pauses and turns slightly, moving liek a semi truck trying to look over its own shoulder, "..I can arrange that. Maybe you got a point. Maybe I do need to focus a bit more. Lemme think about it.." His grin, shark like once more, has returned as the wheels are clearly turning in that brain space of his. "..You know..a regular ol'Fight Club."
}}

14895/Rewriting the Rules of FIght Club

2023-04-07T02:08:35Z

Gigas: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2023/04/05 |Location=Bushwick (Mutant Town), Brooklyn |Synopsis=A colorful night in Mutant Town yields colorful people for some fightin'. |Cast of Characters=282, 16, 202, 72, 17 |pretty=yes }} {{Poses |Poses=:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>He's not a mutant, he swears! \<br\>\<br\>Given how often a certain Citizen Cain Marko can be found wandering about Mutant Town...one might presume otherwise. There's..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2023/04/05
|Location=Bushwick (Mutant Town), Brooklyn
|Synopsis=A colorful night in Mutant Town yields colorful people for some fightin'.
|Cast of Characters=282, 16, 202, 72, 17
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>He's not a mutant, he swears! \<br\>\<br\>Given how often a certain Citizen Cain Marko can be found wandering about Mutant Town...one might presume otherwise. There's also the fact that even at his most svelte and delicate----the man is a friggen monster with a body that could flatten an entire defensive line of a football team and mass that can send a troupe of sumo's flying if he sat on the opposite side of the bench they were on. He'd have to be completely divested of the magic of the gem to not be at least ginormous even when not in full armor regalia ..and that aint happening soon.\<br\>\<br\>so while he can wander the streets of New York he's less likely to get camera phones clicking when in Mutant Town. But he's still the biggest person in a sleazy underground meta-mutant fight club and gambling bar that he frequents from time to time. An abandoned subway serves as its home for quick and easy set up and shut down cage and ring fighting and some of the more violent types can blow off steam with the watchful eye of management and mutant healers on hand to assist if need be. In fact, the last time he was here.. Power Girl tried to put him through a wall and wrecked the place. She learned one does not simply punch The Juggernaut..\<br\>\<br\>At the moment, the behemoth slouches near the rear of the joint. No fights are on the ticket but he eyes the place and it's activity with the appriasing eye of a T-Rex contemplating its next move. Needless to say, most people are giving him a wide berth.

:'''{{#var:16|Rogue (16)}} has posed:'''\<br\>If anything was going to get Rogue into trouble, it would likely be the fact that she's allowed herself to visit this underground fight ring a little more often than she likely should. In fact, the last time she was here she had to pretty much promise Juggernaut that she wasn't there to shut it down, nor that any of her X-Men friends were all around the corner waiting to jump out and take him - or anyone else present - down. She knows that these rings teeter the line of legal or not but as she said before, so long as no one innocent is getting hurt, then she's not got a problem with it.\<br\>\<br\>And since then has likely become a semi-regular face in and out of the ring. Mostly just coming to watch.\<br\>\<br\>So she's left the mansion again with the excuse of 'errands' to fly out to Mutant Town and come visit the shady under the subway. Once there she takes a look around and then eyes land on the Juggernaut himself and this is where she tends to walk. Right up to the giant. "Slow night, it seems..."

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>He must not have fully believed her back then because Cain actually looks startled and truly surprised to see Rogue. He can't help but glance around in search of any of the usual suspects and not seeing any he blinks a few times and then turns his ice blue eyes back upon her..but they lack any threatening crinkle or look of irritation. Just mild curiousity.\<br\>\<br\>"Again?" he rumbles while sitting up and causing the seats he occupies to groan desperately under his movements.\<br\>\<br\>"...Yeah you explained yourself last time but..uh...it's hard to kinda seperate you from Charles squeaky clean image. Figured Cyclops would be handing out demerits or something or hav you on punishment.."\<br\>\<br\>He ponders the situation and then finally gestures with a casual wave towards a seat at the table. No harm in it. Neither are 'on the clock' and he's no grudge with her. \<br\>\<br\>"You missed the blondie trying to clean my clock. Turns out she had a surprise up her sleeves." his smile turns almost shark like again. That big stretching grin, "..Might even be able to give you a run for your money.."

:'''{{#var:202|Logan (202)}} has posed:'''\<br\> Logan is out there in mutant town. And he's watching everything happening. ot saying anything yet, but he has an eye on the pair right now. Although, he did wish a bookie was nearby. Rogue's worth a good fifty between the two of them. So, he does silently curse for not knowing chcaracters like that in this area. He would make a note to find him later.

:'''{{#var:16|Rogue (16)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"What Cyclops don't know won't hurt him. This place ain't anything worse than the Danger Room except I may not walk out unharmed but that's a risk I put myself in." Rogue says this while actually taking a seat across from Juggy.\<br\>\<br\>"Woulda been a sight to see... Wasn't that PowerGirl chick who was here when you saw me last was it?" She looks around a moment and shrugs her shoulders. "Maybe. There's a few who might could at least be my equal. I never said I was better than any of them, I just know what I can do and that I can do it well..." She grins. "I think we still owe each other a scuffle, yeah?"

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"I've liked that 'bout you, Rogue. You got confidence."\<br\>\<br\>Cain smirks abit and then takes a long drink from a massive pint of beer. He seems unaware of Logan's observations, naturally, his attention still mostly held by Rogue now.\<br\>\<br\>"Yeah...that was Power GIrl. I guess her disguise wasn't that good eh? Funny thing is..I ran into Supergirl not long after and then Power Girl again." \<br\>\<br\>He pauses and then adds, "I guess she's a clone of 'er." Just full on gossiping. It has no bearing on the current conversation. \<br\>\<br\>"..Mm...you did promise me a scuffle. I dunno though.." There's still some hesitation as he squints his eyes, "I send you back to the mansion all bruisdd up.. That might get that hall monitor of yours, Wolverine, all up in my business. Course..I been doing some thinking about this all though. Might have a business proposition in mind for the right folks if they are interested..."

:'''{{#var:202|Logan (202)}} has posed:'''\<br\> Logan is watching the pair for the moment. He's listening to the pair gossip about clones, rules and Cyclops. The latter makes him take another pull from his beer.

:'''{{#var:16|Rogue (16)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"I really wish I had stayed that night. Woulda taken her for sure. I know going against you is a crap shoot. And that you and I would likely just rough each other up." Rogue says with a chuckle and then leans back a bit to look around.\<br\>\<br\>"Clone eh? Been hearing that word come up a bit more often than I like recently... though not my circus, not my monkey..." Another laugh as she looks Cain over. "Please. You send me back to the mansion with bruises, they'll just ask what happened and I can give them plenty of reasons to not look into anything further."\<br\>\<br\>"As for that hall monitor Wolverine, he can't be up in business he doesn't know about..." Obviously not aware that Logan's there, watching her with Juggy. "So how's about we liven up the night a bit? Go a couple rounds. I could use the excercise and practice..."

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Rogue, Rogue, Rogue. Not that I..don't think you're a tough gal and all but need I remind ya that I take on your entire team of mutant kids and pretty much the only thing that can scratch me is if Chuckles gets lucky? My dancin' card includes ol'Jade Jaws and Thor. Not that you don't got your tricks... Certainly wouldn't want to push you to far. MIght be bad for us both.."\<br\>\<br\>That siphoning ability of hers. Even he's not immune to that though a little to much juice might be bad for her. Cain's not exactly someone you want in your head...\<br\>\<br\>"She's Kryptonian. Less your Danger Room's been really juicin' you up..I dunno girl. And if it has, where can I sign up> I want a membership.."\<br\>\<br\>He grins abit and then gestures with his drink to the ring, "Anyway, fine. Lemme stop walkin' all over your dreams. You wanna punch me? Let's go.." He slowly stands up now and then adds, "I'm thinking about gettin' into this business myself.."

:'''{{#var:202|Logan (202)}} has posed:'''\<br\> Logan is hanging in his spot and he's casually drining his beer. Then there's that comment. "Hall Monitor?" he thinks to himself and that makes him finish his beer. Quickly. He'll leave some bills. Then he starts to pull out his phone trying to leave otu a backway. There's one text message sent to Rogue, "Hall Monitor?" is all it says. Just enough for her to know that the Hall Monitor has eyes and ears, and she might have stepped in something not so great there. At least he's not going to tell Cyclops. Rogue knows that much. Cyclops and Logan don't get along despite small shreds of respect shared between them. \<br\>\<br\> He hears something about Juggernaut looking about for some kind of fighting business. However, Logan doesn't say anything. This is a hole Rogue can dig herself out of a litlte bit. Maybe come clean to him about later before he consdiers talking to Cyclops..

:'''{{#var:16|Rogue (16)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Look, I didn't say I could beat you. I've never said I could. I know I'm no actual match against you alone... but I'm sure I can still get a few good punches in before I tap out of the match." Rogue offers this as she stands and begins to walk towards the ring.\<br\>\<br\>Her phone's vibrated at this point and she pulls it from the pocket of her jean shorts - worn over her full body suit - and then she looks around. Perhaps trying to see something - or someone - through the crowd. Then she texts back, "Spying on me now? :P" before putting her phone back into her pocket.\<br\>\<br\>Well if Logan knows what she's up to, at least that'll make a few things easier. She knows he won't tell Cyclops anything because he hates the man for various reasons. She finds the one in charge of the ring fights and informs them that she'll be fighting Juggernaut.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>It's not an -especially- long little match.. here in this meta-mutant fight club that's not exactly legal but not bothering anyone and so being left alone. Rogue and Cain. She's strong. He's The Juggernaut. There is banter. There is needling. There is taunting..but in the end, he lays her out. Not surprising on the one end but on the other end.. it's Rogue. She's not without capabilities and there were a few times there that the noise of her punches boomed true, loud and audible up to the street levels above this abandoned subway station that currently serves as this sort of pop up gambling hall and fight club.\<br\>\<br\>But it's not enough and they both always knew that. This was as much for fun and to blow off steam without the pressure of their respective factions and grudges weighing them down. Now she's gone to deal with Logan's eavesdropping and hall monitor waves..and Cain is busy emerging from the ring to collect his winnings. A massive monumental monolith of a ...well..man. His sinew creaks and groans as he steps back down into the bar proper and laces his fingers together.. stretching and then cracking his knuckles to produce a sound not unlike that of tree trunks splintering. Needless to say the bookies begin nervously counting up his money as his shadow looms over them. \<br\>\<br\>"...Well that was..something.."

:'''{{#var:72|Colleen Wing (72)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"You don't even have to be a meta to fight," Colleen says to Danny as she watches Rogue get flattened with professional interest. "Being meta isn't all it's made up to be. Lotta metas use their specials as a crutch; don't learn how to use it right. That girl's not one of them." She gestures at the KOed Rogue. "She studies. She's just outclassed in raw power. But take alook at that guy." She surreptitiously points to a muscle-bound, 'alpha' type who appears to be sprouting horns from all over his body and is either unnaturally gifted or a serious steroid abuser. "He's so used to people being afraid of the horns he won't know how to deal with someone who isn't. He can be taken apart piecemeal. He's clumsy. He's slow. And he's not wary enough."\<br\>\<br\>She nudges Danny.\<br\>\<br\>"Exhibition match?"

:'''{{#var:17|Iron Fist (17)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Danny was dressed up for this. He wore a tuxedo. These underground fights were usually gallant affairs. He stood in the crowd, watching the fight, and listening to Colleen give a superb commentary. His mind though, he was looking at openings that were being made. Areas he would attack. That was how his mind worked. He was always looking for how to win a fight, what it would take, where to go, when he wasn't just playing with his foe, which was a part of it. "What is the definition of a meta these days anyway?" He asked, since he wasn't sure if either of them qualified. Likely him more than her, but he would put Colleen Wing up against almost anyone. Maybe not the Juggernaut, not in terms of strength, but will and determination, Cain would take a beating in that department. "You want us to volunteer?" He asked as he turned to her, clearly surprised. She did have such a fighters streak in her, didn't she.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Determination? Well ... that'd be an interesting match. Cain has some feats on his list of feats where sheer spite fueled 'determination' would have made most others falter. Being buried underneath a mountain range with naught but your will to keep you moving in the dark, or down in the continental plates themselves..will take some willpower to keep moving and not go mad.\<br\>\<br\>But there are different ways to be determined and unstoppable and Rogue demonstrated that by not giving up against impossible odds and so she was well pegged there. As to Cain? He makes his way away from the cage finally, pocketing his money and happening to pass just by the horned guy who was pointed out earlier. The horned guy eyes Cain as the behemoth passes. Cain doesn't even look his way, seemingly not even noticing the crowd around him as if expecting it to part for him or be moved physically by his passing. The horned guy eyes Cain as he approaches - but suddenly shrinks back and ..steps aside. Cain passes him like some sort of industrial freighter moving past a fishing vessel..soon drawing near to Danny and Colleen by proximity alone.

:'''{{#var:72|Colleen Wing (72)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Like the horned toad dude, Colleen steps out of the way of Juggernaut as he passes by. Unlike him, she doesn't make it look like capitulation. She makes it look like courtesy, making eye contact of Juggernaut happens to look her way and nodding, pro to pro, in respect. Then her attention turns back to the horned toad.\<br\>\<br\>"He's just been humiliated in front of his friends," she says to Danny. "If I go up to him and challenge him now, he *can't* say no. He'll want to. He'll think I'm sporting some super power that he'll have no idea how to deal with. But he won't be able to back down after he did that."\<br\>\<br\>Colleen's eyes swivel to Juggernaut a second and then back to the horned toad.\<br\>\<br\>"Hold my beer," she says, a cruel smile developing on her face.\<br\>\<br\>Now unlike Danny, dressed in his tuxedo, Colleen is very much dressed down. The clothing is nice, but basic, simple, and not dressy. The most decorative it gets is the sleeveless crop she wears under the shrug. The crop top that has very large eyes done up in glossy sequins at chest level with the slogan scrawled underneath: "My eyes are up here!" She slips off the shrug and hands it to Danny before sauntering over to the alpha toad.\<br\>\<br\>"You. Me. To submission or KO." The slim slip of a woman stares hard up at the eyes of the guy, making it clear that a) she's serious, and b) she's not afraid.\<br\>\<br\>"Unless you want to save some time and just submit now."

:'''{{#var:17|Iron Fist (17)}} has posed:'''\<br\>The Juggernaut was big, not just big, but almost cartoonishly big. The man probably had his own gravitational field. When he walked, the ground seemed to shudder. Danny was aware of the chi, the displacement, the way the air moved, it was... unlike most beings he had ever encountered. He could feel the Juggernaut's approach even before he made it.\<br\>\<br\>He sidestepped, getting out of the way, with a short but fluid motion, alongside Colleen. He was not going to stand in the Juggernaut's path, not without good reason anyway. He made eye contact as well, but had to look up, quite a bit, given the height difference. \<br\>\<br\>Listening to Colleen's plan, he was a little hesitant. She wanted to fight it would seem. "I have faith in you. You can do this. But do you really want to?" What was to be gained? Danny was not an exhibition fighter, generally. He fought for purpose. Showing off was not one, but he would support Colleen if that was her wish.\<br\>\<br\>He took her beer, as she handed it in a virtual meme. He was in awe. She was so damned good at this.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>There's another side effect of this act of bravado. The Juggernaut notices you. This can be a good thing but is usually bad. Not unlike an earthquake deciding to pay attention to you..except in this case where most people would cower and duck and cover.. this particular instance involves someone that dared to look the earthquake straight in the eye. Two no less..where all others have cowed away. And so..attention is given.\<br\>\<br\>Especially when the challenge is made and Cain Marko pauses now and turns his head slightly, moving it like a swivelling tank turret atop his far too thick neck, to look back over his shoulders at Colleen as she issues her challened to the horned toad bruiser.\<br\>\<br\>They've got the metas and mutants in here read like a book. Most are so far from the C list they've long fallen off of any available letters. Low powered thugs used to getting a quick fight in and the horned toad man might have just been here to booze it up and watch matches versus get called out.\<br\>\<br\>And suspicion is high as well. Rogue was -just- in the cage. Some days ago, Power Girl tried to be conspicous and failed miserably and then broke the place. That Colleen is a 'hot girl' by no means has them assuming she's an easy win. So the horned man hesitates..glancing at his unhelpful drinking partners and then just asks flat out, "What's the catch?" \<br\>\<br\>Cain observes this, silently and expression still neutral.

:'''{{#var:72|Colleen Wing (72)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Good call. You're right. This is won't be a fair fight. Bring one of your friends." Colleen snorts, then and gestures over one of the bookies scurrying around. "Catch is simple: I win, I take the money. You win, you take the money. That's how it works, right?"\<br\>\<br\>She glances over at the bookie who's nodding carefully, himself wary about what's going down.\<br\>\<br\>"I'm just human. No schtick. No super anything. What you see is what you get. And I'm saying you're going down. Along with your friend if you want to bring one along for safety. Got a deal or you gonna walk away?"\<br\>\<br\>Machismo attack by suggesting a friend come along; Colleen knows how to press buttons.\<br\>\<br\>"Oh," she adds, as a further demonstration of this skill, "anything I should know about those horns? Like if I break one off are you gonna bleed out? I don't want another death on my conscience."\<br\>\<br\>Another. Half the art of the challenge is in undermining opposition confidence, and she's got her sappers working overtime.

:'''{{#var:17|Iron Fist (17)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Danny Rand was never ceased to be amazed by Colleen Wing's tenacity. She was a force of nature. If the Juggernaut was unstoppable, he couldn't fathom what Colleen Wing would be described as, well, other than the Daughter of the Dragon, which in itself was a pretty badass moniker.\<br\>\<br\>She was good, he knew that, but she could also bite off more than she could easily chew. Danny was already thinking about how much iodine they hand, how many bandages, and other medical materials, like gauze.\<br\>\<br\>He and the crowd that could overhear her boasting were dumbfounded, with a few saying 'Damn girl', 'look at the balls on her', or words to that effect. With the Juggernaut still within earshot, he turned to the hulking man, "she's the Daughter of the Dragon. I'd suggest you take note."

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Cain gives no reply to Danny. If that even means anything to him is unclear. HIs expression remains neutral, as if he's focusing. Then ..he frowns. \<br\>\<br\>"Human?" notes the mutant.\<br\>\<br\>Uh oh. There's a slight shift in the atmosphere. Cain turns away, as if happenings are no longer of interest or value to him and gestures at the nervous bartender. He doesn't move aside or away yet but it's almost as if his movements indicate the start a new chapter to this. .\<br\>\<br\>"Oh I get it. So you think you're just gonna come up in Mutant Town and throw your weight around eh? Like we don't get enough harassment from flatscans?" continues the ruffian.\<br\>\<br\>The horned mutant takes a drink now, his bravado returning with the rising ire of his companions bolstering him and latching onto this as a way to fuel his courage. Seems this particular group of mutants aren't human-friendly and were just giving Colleen and Iron Fist the benefit of the doubt ..or were to cautious to assume otherwise in the face of potential trickery. But now:\<br\>\<br\>"I guess humans being humans aint enough and you feel like you can come up in here and do whatever you want. Maybe we don't wait to get into the ring. Maybe we show you out now."\<br\>\<br\>Chairs are pushed aside as the sound of various ones standing shuffles through the air. The bookies grow tense and eyes turn to Cain. \<br\>\<br\>He ignores it all and claims his drink as it's brought to him in a large heavy metallic mug. .

:'''{{#var:72|Colleen Wing (72)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Ah, so that's how you're going to scamper out of it. Make it political." Colleen's not having any of this shit. "You don't mind the humans in here watching you, gettin' their rocks off watching you kill each other."\<br\>\<br\>A few spectators hastily look around for an exit as Colleen outs the fact that there are, in fact, humans in here and puts a less than sympathetic take on why they are.\<br\>\<br\>"But one of 'em wants to play with you, as equals, gives you the chance to smack her down even, and you run off and try to call out for mob justice. Pathetic. I came here because I heard the fights were good."\<br\>\<br\>Colleen turns her back to walk away, shooting the last jab over her shoulder. "I was expecting fighters, not trained seals."

:'''{{#var:17|Iron Fist (17)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Danny decides to support Colleen in a quiet, but firm way. He stands behind Colleen. A reasonable distance. His eyes directed at the horned fighter. While standing there, his fist began to glow yellow, giving her some impressive backlight. And he gave a subtle, but specific, gesture, cocking his neck to suggest that the horned fighter should get in the ring, and stop talking smack.

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>THe verbal beat down is worse then anything she could have done tot hem physically. The mutants stare at Colleen, fury boiling and bubbling up as she begins to walk away. Fists clench and fire boils out of the nostrils of one red skinned bruisers.\<br\>\<br\>Then they turna nd begin storming out. Shoving some bystanders aside in the process and heading for the exit. That could have, maybe should have, been a brawl.\<br\>\<br\>But perhaps there are some rules in Fight Club..\<br\>\<br\>Profanity laced insults accompany them but likely they are of little effect on Colleen and Danny and Cain simply observes.\<br\>\<br\>Then he smiles again and finally speaks, addressing the two just before they begin to turn to head to the ring. \<br\>\<br\>"Nice job...Daughter of the Dragon. Looks like you passed that little test.." \<br\>\<br\>He takes a long pull of his drink, emptying it out and then turns his head slightly and then the rest of his monstrous torso to look at Danny and Colleen directly now, at long last. A slow grin creaks across his features, breaking the mask of his neutral look finally. It's not exactly ..uh..friendly..but it is a smile..?

:'''{{#var:72|Colleen Wing (72)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Coming from you, that means a lot," Colleen says deadpan, looking over Juggernaut. "I wouldn't be dumb enough to try that on you. You don't look like the type who gets easily riled up by smack talk. Or the kind who turns down fights, come to think of it. And me against you would be no contest. I'd have you right where I wanted you in two minutes flat."\<br\>\<br\>Beat.\<br\>\<br\>"Broken and bleeding with you standing over me."\<br\>\<br\>As she approaches, she snags an arm around Danny's waist. "Colleen," she says. "And if you want to throw down, I'll go for it. As long as we redefine "victory" as "I don't piss myself just looking at you"."

:'''{{#var:17|Iron Fist (17)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"That's my girl," Danny said, his fist no longer lit up, as there was no need for it, and instead went around her waist, though he was doing his best to hold back laughter from Colleen's joke. "Maybe, but together, I think we could take you," he said, sounding and looking every bit the naive young man he was. And yet, his fist had glowed. There was more to him, clearly, but just how much. The Juggernaut was unstoppable, but he was the Immortal Iron Fist. And with the Daughter of the Dragon, it would have been a good match. They would have to see just how strong the bolts on that armor really were. He offered a hand in friendship, "call me Danny."

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Well .. it's a different league by most counts. This is a man whose punches are measured not by psi but by richter scales with his armor having functions more for cosmetics and added protection against certain tings. As he had to remind Rogue, The Juggernaut's dance partners usually include the likes of Thor, Hulk, SUuperman. Entire teams of metas...\<br\>\<br\>But who can say for sure about anything these days? Chi and magic are quite strange affairs after all and far more bizarre match ups have happened out there with results to surprise all. \<br\>\<br\>"Bold claim." is all he says, mood remaining ...socialble though his eyes clearly say 'Naw' as that shark like grin remains. \<br\>\<br\>"Name's Cain." he rumbles finally giving his identity in part. His hand spasms and the metallic meg crumples like tinfoil, bunching up in the space of a breath into a tiny compressed ball in the mans meaty grip. He delicately sets it down onto the counter with two fingers. He then reaches out for Danny's hand..and if Danny hasn't withdrawn it by now, especially after that..he -does- grasp it and the handshake is firm but friendly.. hE's behaving. \<br\>\<br\>"And maybe I"d take you two up on that. See what mojo you have to offer...but I'm a little late already. You got my interest though. Maybe next time..."

:'''{{#var:72|Colleen Wing (72)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Well, I've got no mojo, just a lot of skill. That's fine for taking out blowhards like horney toad there, but I'm not sure there's any skill I have that can deal with the likes of you, Cain." Colleen's being affable, but there's genuine interested analysis as she looks Cain over while talking. "Danny here ... I'm much less certain about the outcome there. That would be interesting."\<br\>\<br\>She nudges Danny forward playfully.\<br\>\<br\>"Go ahead, Danny. And don't worry. I won't bet against you."\<br\>\<br\>She grabs her beer and quaffs a mouthful.\<br\>\<br\>"When you're looking."

:'''{{#var:17|Iron Fist (17)}} has posed:'''\<br\>Danny was either confident that he could shake the massive hand without concern, or he was a braver man than most. As it turns out, it was both. He gave an equally firm shake, remaining friendly. There may have even been the sense that he could squeeze harder, given that this was done without his hand glowing, whatever that meant. "Nice to meet you, Cain."\<br\>\<br\>He wasn't so sure about taking him up on the offer. Danny didn't like to fight, he was just very good at it. He did smirk as Colleen talked him up, and it became a full blown smile when she judged him playfully. He returned it in kind, now that his hand was free of Cain's.\<br\>\<br\>Without missing a beat, after she had suggested that she wouldn't bet against him... while he was looking. "Are you sure that you want to throw your money away like that?"

:'''{{#var:282|Juggernaut (282)}} has posed:'''\<br\>"Hmm.." \<br\>\<br\>He's impressed. More by Danny's bravery then the actual strength of the handshake though one supposes it's all connected. Cain nods his head, assessing Danny thoughtfully before releasing the hand and then jabbing a thumb in Colleen's direction while eyeing Danny.\<br\>\<br\>"Better hold onto her. She's a keeper.." he rumbles, bass gravelly voice vibrating the glasses nearby as his eyes narrow and his grin thins to a close lipped smirk.\<br\>\<br\>"See you kids around." he finally adds before turning and reaching into his pocket to retrieve a few bills to pay for his drink ..and the crushed mug.\<br\>\<br\>"Don't bust the place up to badly.." He rubs his jaw and smirks as if some sort of inside joke just took place in his head..and he just ends up shrugging and chuckling before turning and lumbering for the exit.
}}