Prelude - A Man Possessed

[Eanwulf]

The car horn in the distance beeps one more time, this time in rapid succession as if the driver of the vehicle was starting to grow impatient. The man in the leather bomber maintains his distance and defensive posture, though he immediately begins to smirk and almost bursts into laughter when hearing Jack's reference to Crystal's old man. "You thought I was Buck!? That gangling crack-head!? No f-n way man...Not in a million years! My name's Jack, Jack Pearson, I'm Crystal's brother." The man doesn't seem to show any signs of interest whatsoever in Jack's response, but does quickly comment the following to the injured man. "Best you move on along now bub, and go and get yourself that pizza, eh? The delivery driver's probably good and pissed by now and something tells me that you aren't one for being kept waiting either."

Action

[Reputation check, DC 25, d20+8=27, Success!]

Woah, a 19! You've heard of the name Jack Pearson. He's a gladiator in the S'kree's "Games" over in New York, starting to make a name for himself under the tag of "Amber-Jack." Apparently he and some others are a Bronze level (entry/lower) group of combatants that actually allowed themselves to be genetically manipulated on by the S'kree in order to help provide entertainment for the local populace and aliens as well. Apparently, given the ache in your jaw, the S'kree did a good job of "modifying" him. Oh yeah he and three others (one of which a former member of New Jersey's "Bloods") comprise a group known as "The Crimson Crew" and are quite ruthless in their performance.

If what the man said is true, he should have dark stripes that run across the back of his skull and down his back and shoulders, Amber-Jack's trademark signature and signs of apparent alterations.

[veritas]

Jack nods and heads out. Irritated at the exchange and hungrier than ever.

[Eanwulf]

Making his way to the front gates, Jack Graves finds the delivery driver waiting for him outside, none too pleased. The "Pizza Guy" delivery driver has a look about him that clearly indicates the he is more than ready to leave. "Hey you!?" the driver cries out from behind the crack of his car-door window. "Are you the one who order the pizza!?"

[veritas]

Jack nods to the guy and fishes a wad of cash out of his pocket.

"Sorry about the wait, how much do I owe you?"

[Eanwulf]

"Fifteen dollars..." replies the man, quickly rolling down the window to take the money, "Plus tip..." As Jack continues to gather up the cash, he notices that the driver is looking about with concern. "C'mon buddy pay up already," the driver promptly adds, growing even more impatient than before, "I ain't got all night and things look like they're about to get bad."

[veritas]

Jack frowns. The cowardice and impatience of the driver is making an already less than stellar day even worse.

"It always looks like it's about to get bad. What makes right now any different?"

While Jack is irritable, the driver has peaked his interest. Jack gives the man 20 crumpled dollar bills and takes his pizza, waiting for a reply from the driver.

[Eanwulf]

"Pizza Guy" takes Jack's money as quickly as he can and then fumbles about with the window roller. "I just saw about six guys hopping the fence over there in the corner," the man quips in a hurry, "Mean looking muthers!"

Now with about half his window rolled up, the man hurriedly puts the car in gear and rides the brake for a moment or two, adding. "All of em wore gang jackets and one of em had to be boosted over the fence because he walked with a limp. Though if anyone else asks, I didn't see nothing!"

The delivery driver then releases the brake and squeals away from the apartments. "Thanks for the tip buddy! You have yourself a good night and thanks for using the Pizza Guy!"

*VVRRRRRROOOOOMMMM!!!*

Malphas says F the gang-bangers and enjoy your pizza. MEAT!

[veritas]

Jack attempts a thank you, only to be drowned out by the sound of burning rubber. As hungry as he is, and as Malphas apparently is, Jack knows that where there are gang members, usually trouble is not far behind.

The pizza can wait for now, we have to make sure those thugs aren't doing something stupid like burning down the apartment building.

Jack then sets the pizza neatly on the porch and heads in the direction the Pizza Guy pointed.

[Eanwulf]

Despite Malphas' protest, which by now is no laughing matter, Jack Graves carefully places the pizza that he just purchased down upon the foundation to the Excelsior's main gate sign and turns about to begin investigating the spot where the delivery driver said he saw six gang-members hopping the fence. An angry growl comes from Jack's stomach and then his throat as Malphus continues to protest. The man's eyes then burst into unholy flame and he begins to scan the way ahead.

OOC

Coast's clear, assuming you looking in the dark.

The way ahead of Jack is marred by streaks of evil. Wispy trails weave and turn this way and that, leading up to, over, and around the inside of the outer fence. The trails seem to be making their way back to where you just came from (i.e. fight with Jack) just not directly along the sidewalk.

[veritas]

Jack continues to follow the trails cautiously, keeping an eye out for danger.

Action

Jack'll keep going until either he finds the source of the evil emanations or until he's reasonably certain that it's gone from the area. At the first sign of violence he'll pop on the Hellfire Aura.