Nock Nock
Beyond Human
Boastful braggart with a heart of gold
Posts: 7
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Post by Nock Nock on May 3, 2018 0:30:51 GMT
Looked past Amani at the Barista, he was about to get up and order another cup of coffee when the hot-words of the other two began to get heated. He looked back at the two of them and focused his eyes first on Fallon as he steadfastly denied Amani’s accusations. Then he shifted that self-same gaze onto Amani as she started back up. Vitriol, that’d be how he’d describe the harshness of her words. With a sigh, he held up his hand, in finger extended. In a smooth transition, the charismatic Nock Nock was replaced by Chao Bao. His voice sounding rougher around the edges, losing a practiced smoothness.
“I grew up on a small farm outside this city.” Another finger shot up “I earned my education through government scholarships.” Another finger “I’ve had many people I know die due to lack of clean water and food.” And a fourth finger “I’m licensed but not hired, currently, I make ends meet through selling the experience of talking with a superstar and working part-time.”
Holding the hands and fingers up Chao Bao let out a sigh, closing them all into a fist. Shaking his head he stood up from the table.
“I’m going to get a coffee, I’ve been out in the rain for hours and frankly am tired. Young lady, if you need someone to vent your frustrations with the system, then I will listen. However, we're not exactly rich or powerful as you seem to think.”
He then walked away for a moment, time for the other two to speak or perhaps leave if they chose, and went up to the Barista. Flashing a confident smile, Nock Nock returned the stage.
“I’ll take a triple mocha, house brew, leave room for cream. Ma’am.”
So he got his cup and went back to take a seat.
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Stardust Emperor
Superstar
An empire of blue sand to protect the people.
Posts: 16
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Post by Stardust Emperor on May 5, 2018 4:45:29 GMT
And just like that, the uncertainty Fallon had been having towards Nock Nock's stance on the business had been answered. Though he held a very brief suspicion of him having possibly lied, the shift in tone had given it away. That change from the tone he'd been conveying before indicated loud and clear to Fallon that this was something Nock Nock was passionate about. Though he couldn't deny that the issues that Amani had brought up did in fact exist, some of them weren't able to be fixed, not by the Superstars at least. Efforts could certainly be made, but things like poverty and national hunger were easier said than fixed.
"He does have a point, you know. We aren't all in positions of high regard, nor are we all focused on the monetary aspect of the job either. I can safely speak for both myself and hopefully Nock Nock here when I say we're doing this job to help people." He spoke simply. "Also, you can't go branding every owner of a company that's ever employed a Superstar as a corrupt business mogul, you have no idea the issues some people might be suffering through, nor the intentions behind their business."
It was weird, he'd barely been a Superstar for a day now and already he was justifying himself and many others to an upstart punk with a weird fashion sense. Though, this had to be expected. He'd met a number of people in the past that despised Superstars for all the attention they got in exchange for how much nothing they did. But, Fallon knew there had to be more to it than that. There was no chance that every Superstar was some money hungry celebrity. And if that was the case? He was going to make a difference, in one way or another.
"The problems you mentioned do exist, don't get me wrong. I know all too well how awful it is to live in poverty, not to mention hunger and inequality in a number of fashions." He maintained a steady tone of voice as he continued to speak. "But, problems like these are everywhere. Of course they're large, and problematic, but they take time to repair. And, admittedly, there are a number in this industry who are more concentrated on their own personal gain than anything else. Nonetheless, you shouldn't really be generalising every single Superstar. Because for every money driven celebrity, there will be someone intent on trying to make a difference."
Amani's statements weren't false by any means, but at the same time he knew full well that there were Superstars out there that wanted to make change, the ones that wanted to make life better for everyone and to make China a more liveable place for everyone. As Chao Bao returned with his order, Fallon looked to him, giving him a knowing nod on his return to the table.
What a weird first day this was shaping up to be.
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Post by Red Ivan on May 7, 2018 10:28:10 GMT
Ivan appeared onto the streets, wearing a suit and carrying a suitcase. The streets were mostly empty due to the pouring rain, but that did not matter to Ivan as he was here in order to see some Superstars. Not for autographs, but reconnaissance. He had recently began operating in the city and anticipated Superstars to get in the way, he was here to get to know them, see their powers, their weaknesses, their personality. Superstars were pampered, most likely sheltering from the rain in a café. As Ivan wandered the streets, rain dripping from his bald head, he saw a café with odd people inside. He stopped for a moment, thought and rehearsed his entrance in his head.
Ivan entered the café and sat down, he put his suitcase on the table, quickly scanning the room to make sure no one could see what was in it, he looked inside at his sheet of cash in wads covering his rifle. He took a wad and closed his suitcase and put it on the floor. Ivan meticulously observed the suspected superstars. The one looking like Red Riding hood with a bow caught his eye as a one who would most certainly get in his way, with a fairy-tale depiction of justice and trying to stop evil at any cost. He also noted the one with an armoured soldier standing behind him. If it was an actual person in the armour or not was hard to tell, either way he seemed to be funky enough to be a Superstar. Where he sat, he couldn't quite get a good look at the third person sitting there, only seeing the back of her hijab. As the one with the red hood stood up, he did too, going to get a coffee. Drilling into himself what words to say, Chinese was one of the hardest languages to learn to him. He listened to what Red Hood said. Noting to himself his tone of voice, showing he was a nice person, most likely not going to kill unless forced to. After he left Ivan stepped up to the counter.
There was a large pause before Ivan spoke, as he forgot what he was about to say. "...Just give me a regular coffee please." Ivan had never really drunk coffee, so this entire situation was alien to him, he was trying his best to sound normal.
The Barista placed a "regular coffee" onto the counter and said "Hope you enjoy your coffee! That will be --------" Ivan immediately began to panic under his calm demeanour and his sunglasses. He began to hate the fact that the Triads always brought in interpreters to deal with Ivan, he could barely understand Chinese! Ivan looked at the money in his hand and put it all on the counter, clearly much more than the coffee actually needed. Ivan immediately began to walk back to his table. Vowing to learn Chinese in his head.
The Barista came from behind the corner chasing after Ivan with his money, saying something Ivan couldn't understand. So he span around and just shook his head and said "No."
Ivan quickly paced back to his table and saw the Barista shake her head in confusion, look at the wad of cash, and march triumphantly back to the counter. Ivan began to try and look normal again, sipping his coffee and making sure his precognition was off so he wasn't too jumpy. He then returned to observing the three on the other table, listening to their conversation, unless they noticed him.
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Post by Thundercrack on May 11, 2018 3:02:28 GMT
Amani listened closely, folding her arms once over. She cast an occasional look to her empty styrofoam cup, lamenting the fact that she couldn’t make her sick jumpshot while Nock Nock was talking, or while there were people to make fun of her if she possibly missed. But she sat and she listened and she followed along and she nodded and she understood and Nock Nock finished and Amani said:
“And?”
She leaned back in her seat, arms behind her head. She offered up a shrug to Nock Nock, leaning forward as she spoke. Her chair clacked against the floor, all four feet where they should be.
“That’s a pretty neat resume you’ve got, and I appreciate that concluding offer, but…” she gestured with her hands, articulating her words. “…What’s it got to do with anything?”
She cast a pleading look to Stardust Emperor, and she knew she wouldn’t be getting any support from him whatsoever. “Like, I’m not trying to be rude this time, right? But I wasn’t asking for an autobiography.” Yeah, no support from Stardust Emperor. Look at that face. That blue-haired face. That kinda face is the kinda face that says no.
Yeah, alright, fair enough.
This was awkward.
She was gonna pitch that styrofoam cup now.
She cast a look over her shoulder, gauging her shot. There was a wastebin right near the counter, and she was going to go for it. She hooked a thumb over her shoulder, wiggled her eyebrows, then took the cup and hurled it over her blind shoulder. She stole a glance behind her to determine whether or not she’d’ve made the shot like those basketball stars on those old movies…
…and saw the cup plonk against a frighteningly tall dude. With his back turned, Amani couldn’t see his face, and she kind of didn’t want to. She swallowed hard, the blood draining from her face.
She hoped this was a good natured kind of fella. She held up a finger, indicating that Stardust Emperor should hold onto that thought that he was thinking. She meekly shimmied out of her seat, humbly picked up her styrofoam cup, and simply held it in her hands as she stared up at the hulking beast that might have actually been a really really tall gorilla in a coat.
She swallowed again. “You, uh,” she murmured, “you’re a big guy.”
A pause. “Uh, yeah, uh. Sorry.”
Fear.
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Bubby Aroura
Superstar
The hero that calls everyone a foot.
Posts: 9
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Post by Bubby Aroura on May 13, 2018 17:17:36 GMT
Bubby walked though the rain, she didn't mind rain, she thought the rain was rather nice. She wanted a coffee, so she decided to go to the Café. Walking into the cafe, she noticed three other superstars. "Oh, hello! Fancy meeting y'all here..." Bubby said, grinning. Her appearance was menacing on its own, but the others could probably see that she was kind. "I'm Bubby. And y'all are..." Bubby said, waiting for an answer.
Bubby went to the barista, ready to order her coffee. She knew that one of the superstars could actually be a rebel, or worse a villain. Concealing her light manipulation for now, she ordered her coffee. "I'd like..... Hmm. Maybe a mocha? I don't know," Bubby said. She had never tried coffee before, so she had no idea what there was. "I don't care what mocha it is, as long as it's not Mocha Ice Coffee," she continued. She didn't like the mix of ice and coffee.
After receiving her coffee and paying for it, she took a sip. "Okay, what kind of mocha did I get?" she asked, disgusted. She looked down into her drink, and found that it was Mocha Ice Coffee. "I said NOT mocha ice coffee!"
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Nock Nock
Beyond Human
Boastful braggart with a heart of gold
Posts: 7
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Post by Nock Nock on May 15, 2018 3:48:41 GMT
Plopped his boots up on the table they were sitting at and leaned back, taking a long sip from his Mocha as he looked at those around him. Taking a double check of what all was going on in the small e-café, there was the little girl who hated superstars, check, there was the nightly fellow who didn’t care for kayfabe, check, there was a large Russian looking stranger, check, and now a, well damn, another giant this one a girl though. What a strange gathering, any gathering of unique properties started to get dangerous. He was distracted by the Barista shooting daggers at him, flashing a dazzling smile and a wink he slid his feet off the table and looked around.
“Simple really, just stating that people can improve their places in life. You don’t always have to think everyone’s some pampered part of the system.”
He then shifted his gaze to Fallon for just a moment, yeah, he might have dropped kayfabe but now new people were here. With a twirl of his finger in the air, he flashed the new entry a grin, while at the same time somehow giving the big Russian half his attention with double finger guns.
“Hello good people, I am the famous Nock Nock, your local Superstar out to make a difference. Please, sit and have a coffee with my good friend.”
With a bit of razzle-dazzle, he fluffed up the fanfare of Fallon
“The Mighty Stardust Emperor and!”
He then pointed to Amani and with a slightly mocking tone he spoke
“As well as our great shot here, the mighty Thundercrack!”
Almost to accentuate the point, he leaned back and took off the lid to his coffee, and lazily flicked it into the air, it spun around and around until it floated into a nearby garbage bin.
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Stardust Emperor
Superstar
An empire of blue sand to protect the people.
Posts: 16
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Post by Stardust Emperor on May 18, 2018 8:36:54 GMT
Fallon blinked once, twice, his eyes on the small hassle between Amani and Nock Nock. Then everything seemed to move quickly, for some reason. One second, big guy gets a coffee, is hit by Amani's cup, then next minute a tall girl apparently named Bubby comes in and does a complete about face in mood after receiving a wrong order. He was taken aback, confused almost.
When did it get so crowded in here all of a sudden?
Well, it can't really have been all that crowded. It was only five people, after all.
Two of which were quite large. Ah, that would explain it.
He snapped back to attention as Nock Nock seemingly shifted back into his persona, giving off some loud and proud introductions. Though Fallon was, once again, not big on the celebrity aspect of being a Superstar, he couldn't help but admire Nock Nock's dedication and enthusiasm towards this whole aspect of the job. It was admirable in a lot of ways, though Fallon hoped he was able to back up this enthusiasm for public relations with at least some proficiency on the job. Nonetheless, he now felt obligated to slip back into his persona.
Though, there wasn't a need to speak. Nock Nock was really turning out to be an immense go-getter, going so far as to even mockingly introduce Thundercrack here as a Superstar. Was he just trying to trick the other people here now? That'd be funny, but he wasn't too bothered either way. Fallon nodded in a calm, poised manner as Nock Nock introduced him.
Now, the question stood as to whether or not he wanted another coffee. He had just enough in his wallet for another drink, which thankfully he didn't need to spend later in the day, so he could very well just go and get another one. It wouldn't take very long, not to mention he'd come out all the better.
But, at the same time, someone was shouting about a wrong order at the counter. He probably should have been the responsible one to go and see what was wrong and possibly calm them down, but, really, he wasn't bothered. Going to the counter and getting something would render him effectively obligated to see what was wrong, then leaving him to deal with that nonsense. How was he going to get his coffee now?
The answer was simple. He was going to get someone else to do it. Well, technically, he was still doing it, just not in person.
While everyone was still presumably talking, he procured a handy pen from one of his pockets, writing the word 'cappuccino' on a napkin, and, paired with exact change for his order, he extended his arm towards the umbrella wielding soldier by the door. It reached forwards, taking the goods in one hand, 'sheathing' the umbrella by its side, using its other hand to cup the napkin and money safely. One, booming word escaped Fallon's mouth.
"Order."
Without question, the soldier made a beeline for the counter, walking briskly towards it without a second thought, accidentally bumping into a chair or two on the way, thankfully though it avoided any populated tables.
The barista at the counter was looking a bit tired, all these weird Superstars were exhausting to be around, not to mention he'd had to tell them to get their feet off of the table nearly twice now! And, to make matters worse, a glittering, armoured man now stood by the counter, face concealed by its ornately crafted helmet.
"Right-" He sighed quietly. "What can I get you?"
Almost as though it were waiting for that very question, it immediately places the cash on the table, presenting the napkin as well. Fallon, from the table, gave the barista a subtle wave, just to indicate it was them. The barista only threw him a subtle glance before taking the money and getting about getting the cappuccino ready, trying to ignore the issues his co-worker was having with Bubby.
Moments of standing motionless later, the soldier retrieved the beverage, swiftly returning to its emperor and placing the coffee before them at the table.
"Ease." Fallon spoke, immediately after the soldier returned to its position. Just like that, he'd done away with having to deal with the angry girl by the counter. ...That isn't to say that wouldn't change in the future, but it was done for now. He took a sip of his cappuccino, satisfied.
"I wonder what I would do without loyal soldiers such as these." He spoke, his persona present in his voice once more.
He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the baristas, though. They can't have been used to having this much attention on a daily basis.
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Post by Red Ivan on May 20, 2018 16:46:18 GMT
Ivan was caught completely off guard by the Styrofoam cup hitting him in the back. He froze for a moment, thinking things through in his head. How to react, what words to say. He thought this was the perfect activity to get to know these people better. He made his plan and span round, confident he could talk to all of those Superstars around the table. Ivan span around when he heard someone speaking to him. Someone who was VERY nervous. He looked down to see the woman in the hijab murmuring apologies to him. "Sorry" was one of the words he understood, its a grim memory safe to say. Ivan just stood staring at the woman in the Hijab. Looking at her with an open mouth, teeth on show. None of this was intentional, he just couldn't think of the word. After what seemed like an eternity, he managed to blurt out the words for "Its OK." Ivan then turned to look at Nock Nock, as well as Stardust Emperor, and the woman in front of him was revealed to be Thundercrack. He then began to enact his plan of intel gathering. Ivan gasped and walked over to Nock Nock, feigning excitement. "You guys are SuperStars? OOH YES!" Ivan said very loudly while visibly fist bumping in a comical way. "So what are your guys powers?" Ivan has a feeling he is overdoing this a small bit, but hopefully they wont think anything of it.
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Post by Thundercrack on May 22, 2018 18:43:56 GMT
It is frequently believed that there exist particular kinds of people in particular environments. They are often used to explain away the way people are for the sake of convenience or ease of categorization. Such a system can be seen just about anywhere you go - many have identified others and themselves as fitting to various degrees a certain clique. ‘The sports jock’. ‘The cool introvert’. ‘The creepy introvert’. ‘The genetically-enhanced heiress who was separated from her true family at birth’. ‘The dark-eyed, impossibly beautiful, former-violent-sociopath-now-turned-superhero-with-their-criminal-past-explained-away-by-the-unquestionable-authority-of-just-sorta-forgetting-about-it who the aforementioned heiress has a crush on and-slash-or is related to’.
But of course, real life simply does not work that way. People are complicated creatures, and the world is a complicated place. The sports jock might be a closet astrology maniac. The creepy introvert might be a sports brand model. The heiress might be a totally ordinary girl with delusions of grandeur to hide her crippling self-esteem. And so, as such a deeply complex individual in an unfathomably complex world, Amani picked up her styrofoam cup and humbly set it into the garbage bin.
She gawked when the titan of a man before her seemed almost as nervous as she, stumbling over his words before croaking out a simple “It’s okay.” In an odd sort of way, Amani felt better just by not being the only person who didn’t know the right words to say when they mattered.
“I, uh, yeah. We’re okay. That’s okay. Thanks. Okay? Okay.” She looked over her shoulder, at Nock Nock or Stardust or whoever, “Okay?” then back to the big fella at the counter. “Okay.”
Okay.
Amani quirked an eyebrow when the complex-looking woman strode in through the double doors of the cafe, seemingly completely unbothered by the pouring rain outside. Amani craned her neck, as-if to check that it was still raining outside: wet onlookers with their clothes drenched through were scuttling along the sidewalks, and the lucky ones at least had umbrellas to save them from the worst of it.
The woman (or was she a girl? She had the height of a westerner but the face of a child) strode right past Amani and her big buff buddy on her way to the counter. Amani thought for a brief moment that she was quite rude for striding past her, but then she simply held the firm belief that they were simply an odd fellow, and could no longer fault her. After all, what kind of person casually introduces themselves to an establishment full of complete strangers? Amani thought hard on the prospect, trying to recall the last time she entered a restaurant and loudly proclaimed “Amani Hasan is on the scene!” or something similar, but came up with only a blank.
“Well,” she began, trying to introduce herself inconspicuously, but Nock Nock beat her to the punch - as-in, punchline. The avant garde cracked wise at Amani’s expense, and she answered him by turning over her shoulder and sticking out her tongue. “Mlem,” she said.
Part of her wished that Nock Nock had kept her identity somewhat incognito. Some metahumans considered sharing their powers incredibly taboo, but it was clear that this room had none of them: Stardust brazenly walked around with his constructs following him, Nock Nock had no powers to speak of, and she herself briefly discharged a thundercrack to prove herself to the barista. Her brief fib in an attempt to get a ten-percent discount was going to bite her in the rear one day, she began to realize.
But that day wasn’t today.
The only person being bitten in the rear would be the girl (for she was certainly a girl; no adult threw temper tantrums over a mistaken order) at the counter, giving the barista a hard time. Amani smiled as the big fella rushed on over excitedly to Nock Nock, and she reached forward and tapped the taller girl on the shoulder.
“Hey, Bubby,” she said sternly, like an older sibling reprimanding a baby sister for throwing their food onto the floor and crying about it, “Bubby? Chill out.” Amani didn’t seem to mind the girl introducing herself too bad now that she actually had to use her name in a conversation. Otherwise, she would have had to have asked, and that would have been awkward. Nobody wants that.
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Bubby Aroura
Superstar
The hero that calls everyone a foot.
Posts: 9
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Post by Bubby Aroura on May 22, 2018 21:25:06 GMT
Bubby wasn't throwing a temper tantrum. She was just disgusted. She threw her full cup in the garbage. She literally threw it, sending the item across the room and making a mess of coffee. Immediately she cleaned it up. It gave her something to do besides scream at the barista. Then, a flash of light filled the room, and Bubby was seemingly gone. However, what had really happened was she had used her light to change her appearance. She now looked like the normal 16 year old, she was appearantly shorter and her eyes were blue. As well, her teeth appeared blunt. Her hair also appeared to only go to her waist now. "I am chill. Just disgusted," she said, having leaned into the corner. The citizens thought Bubby was truly gone, but other MetaHumans would know she was still there. The now-normal looking girl smiled, waiting for a response.
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