not-an-OOM: a gathering of heroes

[jack_inthegreen]

"Thank you all so much for coming.

"I should begin by introducing myself, as some of you know me but most of you don't. I'm called Jack Green. I'm also called Green George, the May King, Jack o'the green, and a great many other things--but most importantly, I am called the Green Man. I am guardian of all things that grow.

"The creature that is now stalking the bar is like me, yet not like me. Some old gods have managed to move into the modern world, to make niches for ourselves, make lives--while some festered, bitter and forgotten, in the dark. I believe this creature is one of those old gods, half-forgotten except as the 'tree man.'

"Someone remembered an old story of a village in the dark forests that sacrificed their children to this hungry god. This someone gave the old god a shape, a name, and a story, and as stories often do it grew and grew until it became not just a tale told to frighten misbehaving children but into an entity with desires and a will and, most dangerously, hunger.

"It has found an excellent place to feed here at Milliways."

He falls silent.

[ooc: Please see the back_room post for details.]

Comments

Questions

[jack_inthegreen]

Then after a moment, Jack looks up and smiles. "So. Questions?"

Knowledge

[jack_inthegreen]

"Basically," Jack says, "we should share what we know. The story says the more we know the more easily he will find us, but I say that ship has already sailed."

Charms

[jack_inthegreen]

"Ash is a tree of protection," Jack explains as he hands out the charms. "I made these for everyone who will be studying him or going up against him, in the hope it will divert his attention from you for as long as possible."

The charms are tiny green man heads, strung on leather cords.

Introductions

[jack_inthegreen]

"And I suppose I should have asked this earlier," Jack adds, "but who are all of you? And what strengths do you bring?"

Pie denies discordia

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack takes a step back to let them talk among themselves and eat pie.

(There's a cornucopia on the table, dispensing any and every kind of pie a body could possibly want. There's apple, of course, and chocolate--because if good feelings keep the Slenderman away, chocolate is weapon, as far as Jack is concerned--and lemon meringue, and pumpkin, because it's autumn, and many, many other kinds.

Sometimes, there should just be pie.)

[ambriel]

"Do you know how to defeat it?"

Ambriel is staring at Jack, almost unblinking, fascinated.

And then, a moment or two later- "Does Security know that people are planning to fight it?"

Re: Knowledge

[nerves_of_ice]

"You're right about that," Bucky mutters, loud enough to be heard by everyone around him.

He glances around at the others and speaks more clearly.

"Besides, he's obviously already picked out his targets, and is moving from the forest outside into here. The more intel we can share, the more likely we can bring this son-of-a-gun down before anyone else gets hurt."

[jack_inthegreen]

"At least one security member does. Teja. He has offered to fight, as well."

He's quiet as he considers the first question.

"No," he says. "Not with certainty. I have ideas that I hope will work."

Re: Introductions

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky clears his throat.

"Sergeant James Barnes, United States Army. Everyone calls me Bucky. I serve with him--"

He indicates Steve.

"My specialty's ranged weapons, especially sharpshooting. Basically, if you want it shot, I can hit it from almost any distance you care to name."

A beat.

"I, uh, also have a canister of 'goo' that Claudia provided. I guess it does something to get rid of magic on anything it hits?"

[ambriel]

And there goes Ambriel's attention again, holding up the charm at eye-level and staring at it intensely.

Someone poke the angel if you want anything.

Re: Knowledge

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve doesn't glance at Bucky, which should say something right there.

"I'd like to figure out ways to protect the people he has chosen."

Re: Introductions

[jack_inthegreen]

"We have met," says Jack with a faint smile to Steve.

[ambriel]

"My name is Ambriel. I have extensive experience fighting entities who wish to do harm. I am very difficult to injure, and have some skill with protection magics, as well as sensing auras."

If this 'tree-man' gets close enough, the angel might be able to get a bead on him. He's been tricky so far.

[jack_inthegreen]

"Greetings, Ambriel.

"You may not even need my charm," Jack adds with a smile. "You may have enough protection on your own."

Which does not mean he's taking it back. As far as he's concerned, they all need all the protection they can find.

Re: Charms

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve fastens the necklace around his neck, his expression solemn.

Re: Charms

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack watches him with particular interest.

Ash protects purity. There are many things Steve embodies, but this in particular may be helpful to their cause.

Re: Introductions

[flip_the_lights]

"Special Agent Olivia Dunham."

She lifts her chin, meeting Jack's eyes.

"I work with the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigations back in my world. My division handles cases that can be...pretty far out of the mainstream." At that, there's a tiny ghost of a smile. "Monsters included. Not gods, yet, but I guess there's a first time for everything. I'm an excellent shot, I can assist with organization, execution, and triage..."

The smile's gone; Olivia draws a deeper breath.

"And while this isn't something that can be relied on with any consistency," she says, lacing her fingers together. "In the interest of full disclosure, I've exhibited some abilities in the past that could be classified as superhuman. Specifically telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and..." A breath of humorless laughter. "I don't think there's a word for it, but I can identify objects that have been displaced from other universes."

Re: Introductions

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack considers her, faintly smiling.

"I think, Agent Dunham, we will find a use for that talent."

[ambriel]

"It's possible that I will be a distraction all on my own," Ambriel says, the tiniest bit dry. "I am not hiding, and am thus very easy to find."

Not that Jack is getting the charm back. It's interesting.

[jack_inthegreen]

He won't ask for it.

"We don't want to use you as bait." Just to clarify.

Re: Introductions

[ladyfirestarter]

"Charlie McGee. Pyrokinetic."

Her hands are folded around the head of her cane; she looks exhausted, even sitting down.

"I work for a former division of the Tet Corporation, if that means anything to any of you. Most of my job involves running a home for a group of traumatized kids," and she resolutely does not glance at Olivia, "rescuees from an experiment intended to confer psi powers. Every so often the job calls for fighting monsters of one kind or another, and I've done that too."

A pause. The weariness is even more pronounced.

"Not sure what I can bring to the table this time, though. Fire doesn't bother it."

Re: Knowledge

[ladyfirestarter]

"One thing I know," says Charlie, her voice clear and flat. "It's not afraid of fire."

Re: Introductions

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am X," X says, matter-of-factly. "I am on Security."

"I am good at tracking. And fighting."

And, oddly enough, not being afraid.

A pause.

"And I am very good at not getting killed."

[ambriel]

"I hadn't thought of it," Ambriel admits. "I don't know if it would interested in me. But I wouldn't be opposed if it would be an effective tactic."

Re: Charms

[ladyfirestarter]

Ash.

That's ... appropriate.

Charlie pulls the cord over her head and tucks the little charm into her sweater.