maskormenacelogs | A Life of Crime

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A Life of Crime

WHO: Gemini & Open!
WHERE: Maurtia Falls & Other
WHEN: The month of July
WHAT: Catch-all for Gemini's July activities
WARNINGS: Probably many, but for the moment nothing.

A Bar in Maurtia Falls.

The music thuds out from the speakers next to the stage, a sea of young people gyrating around in time with the song coming from the stage. Many of the crowd are students, escaping the drudgery of a week of class and homework, and to all appearances the young woman dancing with them is no different, just a girl wanting to enjoy a fun night out.

In some ways that was exactly what Gemini wanted. Maybe for a short time she could pretend that she was human again, forget the endless grinding bitterness that her life had become. Let herself think that she had friends again, a carefree life, perhaps try to forget the constant concentration it took just to hold herself in this human shape that she liked to call her own. Forget, the terrible pain that losing her mother had caused her, and the almost-psychosis that had gripped her from that time on.

It wouldn't last, it never could, but providing she could forget for just for a second, a moment, then that was good enough for Gemini.

Ira J Petersen III Penthouse [Closed to Raina & maybe Dio?]

Maurtia Falls isn't known for luxurious homes, but even in one of the most crime ridden cities in America there are exceptions to that rule. Ira J Petersen III is or rather was one of the city's reclusive millionaires, a man who had made his fortune in the tech industry years ago, before selling his company and retiring on the proceeds.

As far as the wider public and indeed Petersen's few remaining friends knew the old man was very much alive, but for the past few months now his body had been stuffed into his own freezer, while his murderer claimed his penthouse as her own. Perhaps it had been the luxurious jacuzzi that had made Gemini kill the man, or maybe it was the private roof-terrace swimming pool, either way Gemini de Mille had a home that she felt suited her status, and was now busy filling it with as much art and precious objects as she could manage to steal.

As you approach the building there's a footman to open the door for you, and a private elevator to take you up to the top-floor suite where 'Ira' or rather Gemini awaits.

A Back Alley in Nonah

It's a hot sticky night, and the streets of Nonah are deserted as people escape the heat by sheltering in their air conditioned homes. But not every street is deserted. As you pass by a smaller four legged shadow detached itself from the larger shadows at the base of a nearby wall and starts to pad after you, beady animal eyes watching you with interest. It's almost as if this creature recognises you, how very odd.

[ooc: specify whether you'd prefer a dog or cat in reply title]

Wildcard.

Insert your scenario here!

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Dio was immediately jealous as soon as he saw the footman, and heavily debated devouring him just to make himself feel a little better, but it was just too public, and easily traceable. He still eyed the man up and down before getting in the elevator, his gaze no doubt seeming lascivious as he imagined devouring him.

Ah well.

He smiled at the person awaiting him behind the elevator door, no matter what the face looked like. "Good evening", he started, hiding his envy with his manners.

"Evening." The male voice that responded was rich and cultured, matching the distinguished looking man who had spoken, at least until the door closed after which the old man's whole form rapidly shifted and changed, leaving someone very different standing in his place.

"Dio, how nice to see you again." Gemini smiled widely, genuinely pleased to see the vampire once more as she gestured for him to follow her into the penthouse proper. She didn't miss the envy in his eyes for one second, and indeed that only massaged her ego further.

"Can I get you some refreshment?" She asked, gesturing to a plush armchair, the faint sounds of whimpering vaguely audible from one of the side rooms.

Dio's envy was washed away quickly as he followed Gemini, never one to allow anyone to have anything over him. He took a moment or two to look around the place. His apartment was particularly nice for being an apartment, but it was still a building he shared with others. Not as nice as he'd like, but his focus right now was on securing an empire, rather than one nice home for himself. That'll come along naturally.

He raised a brow as he was offered not only a seat, but a drink. His ears were very sharp, as were his other senses. He could tell the woman had some kind of hostage here, but was she really just offering them to him?

"I am feeling a might bit peckish", though lately the trouble he was having was that his appetite wasn't sated by what he had been doing. He wasn't mentioning that for the moment, instead just taking the offered seat and leaning back into it. "What do you have?"

The room was hung with a number of Gemini's prize treasures, including a painting recently reported stolen from the Metropolitan Museum, a trophy that she felt entitled to and that she could show off while playing the good host to Dio.

"Then you're in luck, I thought I'd offer you a selection, it would be remiss of me as a host if I only offered you one after all, there are a couple of teens, one said she's a virgin although I'm not sure I believe her, and some older...vintages in their early thirties. They're all in the bathroom as I didn't want any blood on the carpet, it's an eighteenth century Aubusson, I saw it in the Philadelphia Museum of Art and thought it fit the space perfectly." She gestured to it proudly, obviously much more interested in the carpet than the lives of the captives locked in the bathroom.

"So what have you been up to since we last spoke?" She asked, folding her legs underneath her in a position that might be uncomfortable for anyone with bones and looking at Dio with interest.

Shale is unaffected by the heat. She's doing her usual thing; exploring every nook and cranny of the city she finds herself in. It's not exactly entertaining, but she has nothing better to do. Occasionally she finds something that holds her interest for longer than five seconds.

This time, she notices a creature is following her. Shale doesn't really have eyes to roll, so instead of issuing any warning whatsoever, she just shoots out a jolt of electricity at the hapless (?) creature.

It's hard to miss the giant rocky creature moving through the streets, the grinding sound of stone on stone enough to draw the attention of what looks like a homeless pitbull stray, watching Shale closely and wondering what the golem is up to.

The blast is a surprise but dog doesn't so much as twitch as the electricity passes over it (helps to be made of an insulator), instead it just cocks it's head and stares up at Shale almost as if saying 'really?'

Shale had turned away from the dog, assuming her bolt to have hit. She still hears it panting, though, and slowly turns back around.

"Ah," she says flatly. Then kicks at it.

That big stony foot really shouldn't miss but somehow does, the 'dog' twisting to one side and flattening unnaturally so that Shale's foot sails clean over it. Looking up at Shale, the dog unmistakably frowns, before looking up at Shale and saying in a familiar feminine voice.

"If you're going to attack everything you see that moves you're going to be at it a long time."

Despite their last meeting, Shale seems quite happy to see Gemini.

"I had an inkling," she says, grinning. "A dog?"

"Nobody pays a stray dog much attention." Cocking her canine head she trots closer, not bothering to wag her tail now that Shale knew she wasn't actually a dog.

"What brings you out here?"

There's a figure in this bar that seems very out of place. Older, alien and certainly not dancing, Cad Bane is seated by the bar nursing a drink - that is still almost full - and eyeing the people having fun in what could be taken as a disapproving fashion.

He takes a sip, red eyes narrowed. Maybe he's waiting for something or somebody. Maybe they're late. Maybe he's getting annoyed.

But he continues to wait and watch.

Gemini's in the middle of dancing to something that sounds a lot like the song Livin'La Vida Loca from her world when she spots the blue figure at the bar, and after a moment's consideration of whether to ignore him or not her curiosity wins out and she starts heading his way.

"This hardly looks like your kind of scene."

Settling down onto the barstool next to Bane, Gemini smoothed down her miniskirt to stop it riding up any further and gave Bane a friendly smile, meeting those red eyes unblinkingly.

"Meeting with anyone I might know?"

Raina, knowing what she knows about Gemini, does not find it entirely suspicious that something so extravagant would be the home she claimed. She also doesn't find it suspicious that the name it's registered to is not Gemini's, but some Ira J Petterson. But what she's not certain of is what Gemini looks like. And as Ira stands to greet her, Raina offers her hand uncertainly -- only waiting until the door is closed before she questions.

"Gemini, I presume?" If he's not, well, he'd tell her and probably point her in the right direction. If he is, well...he'd also tell her so they can get to talking business.

Gemini doesn't know what or even who to expect, knowing little more than Raina's voice and the fact that she was a Star. But that alone was enough to get her to agree to the meeting, eager as she was to ingratiate herself with the Constellation's leadership and make herself absolutely indispensable to them. Still, the woman who was ushered in wasn't quite what she was expecting for a criminal mastermind, but then Gemini knew better than anyone not to judge by appearances.

"Indeed." Ira's lips moved, but it was Gemini's voice that emerged, the old man started to twist, flesh and clothing flowing smoothly into the slender frame of a young woman, business suit warping in a black form-hugging bodysuit that moved as if one with her.

"Ahh that's better, being old and shrivelled really isn't pleasant." Fluffing her jet black hair with a sigh of relief, Gemini took the other woman's hand in her own gloved one and gave it a firm shake. "You must be Raina, I've been looking forward to meeting you."

Edited 2017-07-27 11:22 (UTC)

It was fascinating to watch the transformation. Raina didn't dare blink for fear that she would miss something. And what stood before her was an incredibly attractive young woman. Quite an improvement from Ira J Petterson III. Her lips curved up in an impressed smile, slipping her hand easily into Gemini's.

"You as well. Like I mentioned, Dooku has had only good things to say. But being a bit too focused, unfortunately Dooku can't appreciate some of the finer things." Her eyes trailed Gemini's body and finally she let go of her hand, allowing hers to drop against her side.

"I don't suppose you have anything good in the wine closet?"

"The Count is too kind." Gemini responded, not because she actually believed it but because it was the polite thing to say about a Star to another that she as yet did not know well. The words Dooku and kind went together like cat and mouse, but at least what Raina said had confirmed he spoke highly of her talents which was only right.

She didn't miss the implication of Raina's words, nor the way that the other woman's eyes wandered over her body; it flattered her ego and gave Gemini something she might be able to use to manipulate.

"As it happens yes, Mr Petersen had an extensive collection of fine wines, which well he won't really be needing any more." She smiled darkly, adding an extra sway to her hips as she led the way into the penthouse's main living area. It was furnished with plush couches, armchairs, an eighteenth century carpet and a number of works of art Raina might recognise as recently reported stolen from various museums and collections.

"Something French?" Gemini's arm elongated off towards the kitchen, the elastic limb returning a moment later holding a bottle and two glasses.

"It's not kindness so much as having an eye for true talent and ability." Dooku was far above kindness, and Raina liked him all the better for it. But she smiled appreciatively at the little show Gemini put on for her as they walked. Raina always did like the things that were aesthetically pleasing. But would she was an engaged woman and very much in love with her chosen one. It would be difficult to manipulate that -- unless Gemini took on his shape at some point.

But more impressive than Gemini's body is the way she stretched her arm to get the bottle and glasses. Her eyes widened in delight at the display and she nodded at the question. Expensive wine was all usually up to Raina's tastes whether it was French or Italian. "Is that how you can take on a person's shape? By stretching yourself into it and becoming them?"

Because if so, that was definitely a more unique way of shapeshifting than the typical magic transformations.

"That would probably be more accurate." She agreed, taking a seat at one end of one of the sofas and languidly crossing her legs. In truth the beauty that Raina was admiring was a construct of what Gemini could remember of her prepubescent body before it liquefied, guesswork, and the physical perfection that only a shapeshifter could achieve.

"Essentially yes," Gemini answered, not wanting to go into detail of the mechanics of how her power worked with someone who she as yet did not trust, although she couldn't help add a little bragging. "But I'm not limited to people, my body's malleable enough to stretch and compress into a wide variety of forms."

Partially illustrating the point one of Gemini's fingers twisted into a impromptu corkscrew to uncork the bottle, pouring it into and holding the two glasses with only one hand before extending a spaghetti like gloved finger to offer one to Raina.

"Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945, I hope you like it. But what about you? Did you have powers before here or did the Porter give them to you?" The sneer in her voice as she spoke of the machine was clear, although it didn't hide the keen interest she clearly took in what Raina could do.

Raina's eyes brightened at the display -- the corkscrew was both a horrifying disfigurement and a fascinating display of the fluidity of Gemini's body. Dooku wasn't lying when he said Gemini was an incredibly talented shapeshifter. But when the question was posed back at her, Raina answered it smoothly enough. "I had powers back home. Nothing as impressive as yours."

She glanced over at a potted plant and decided to give a little display, twirling her finger and causing a little tendril of a vine to twist out of the plant and blossom flowers along it. Gemini showed her a power. Raina could show one, too. It was only fair. But it didn't mean she had to share them all.

"So it wasn't necessarily a surprise coming to this world. In fact, I'm from a place where this sort of thing is common. Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner -- those are the sorts you find within my world. Stark and Rogers are here currently. Have you encountered them?"

"I see." Gemini followed Raina's gaze to the plant, preening a little at the praise of her abilities, her mouth falling open in surprise as she watched the plant sprout a vine and flowers. That power was all too familiar.

"It's common in my world too in fact there was a very dangerous woman who could control plants by the name of Poison Ivy." A new respect entered Gemini's voice as she looked between the vine and Raina, adding, "she's practically a goddess." Now she understood why this woman was a Star; if she even had half the power of Ivy she would be capable of incredible things. It was enough to make some of Gemini's air of superiority evaporate as she adjusted to the revelation.

"I can't say I have, no. Stark..." She trailed off, wondering where she'd heard the name before remembering. "As in StarkTech?"

"I've heard of her...." Her smile widened at the comparison. "It's the second time I've been compared to her. The first was by Harley Quinn." She lifted her hand, causing the vine to retract back into the plant and resetting things to be as they were. "I assume you're familiar with Dr. Quinzel as well?"

And Crane. Those Gotham rogues are certainly unique. But it's a sort of uniqueness you don't really find in Raina's world.

"And yes. That's the same Stark behind all of that. Well....sort of. It's a bit strange. You'll find that there are kind of two parallel universes. My world and Stark's world. They have a lot of the same people, but not all of the same events."

"Have you? Well I suppose to anyone from my world it's a natural comparison." Gemini noted, her smile hitching a bit at the mention of Harley Quinn. It wasn't that she'd met the clown, but she knew the name enough to be wary. "Everyone from that...family is best avoided in my opinion, they're dangerously unpredictable."

Gemini did her best to hide it the flash of unease at the thought of having someone like the Joker running around, covering it by smoothly changing to the new subject Raina offered.

"I know what you mean, there are people I've met here who know about Gotham, but have never heard of it's sister city Bludhaven, sort of like a parallel universe I'd guess? But anyway," she shrugged and gestured at the bottle, "how's the wine?" Not having taken a sip of it herself she wanted to see what Raina thought before she brought herself to imbibe any.

"Perhaps it's true of your world, too." Which was fascinating. But to the question about the wine, Raina swirled her glass a bit. "Oh it's divine. Just what you would expect from a wealthy man's wine collection." Heading over to the couch, she took it upon herself to drop onto the cushions, crossing one leg over the next.

"But I suppose I'll move on to business. Are you familiar with Daisy Johnson?"

"Excellent." Gemini grinned, pleased that her turn as a hostess was going so well. Perhaps she'd thank Ira the next time she saw him, not that the millionaire would care, he was much too busy being dead. As Raina mentioned business, Gemini sat up slightly uncrossing her own legs, very much paying attention.

"I don't know the name. Should I?"

"No. She's no one really worth knowing." Raina said with a fleeting but mildly catty smile.

"She's a member of the Constellation as well -- much to my protests. I am from the same world as her and she has been nothing more than a thorn in my side both there and here. Because I know what she's like, I know that she will be the first to betray our group. So I would like you to keep an eye on her where you can. I can get you her code name, appearance and any other additional details you need."

"I think I know the type." Gemini observed archly, listening carefully as Raina unfolded what she wanted.

"I certainly do enjoy making a traitor scream." Gemini said thoughtfully, lips twisting into a vicious smile as she considered what she might do to this 'Daisy' if she did prove ready to betray them.

"I'd need as much information on her as you have, although I get the sense this isn't an official Constellation mission. So if I do it, what's in it for me?" The question wasn't anything personal, in their shady world nothing was done for free, and it was a sign of Gemini's respect for the Star that she was already close to agreeing.

"I'll pay you generously. Of course, with your ability -- I don't imagine you're left wanting for money." Raina gestured around the penthouse apartment they were in with a little smile. "So if there is anything else you'd want instead, let me know. I've been here for a very long time. Two years. I have friends in high places and access to quite a few scientific resources."

What did Gemini want? Raina was actually curious. Was she money motivated? Or was she power motivated? Perhaps a bit of both. Money did buy power, after all.

"You're right, money's not something I'm short of." Gemini agreed, laughing lightly, thinking for a moment about what she really did want from Raina. An alliance perhaps to make sure that her interests were taken care of within the wider Constellation, someone she could turn to for backup. All those things passed through Gemini's mind, although she didn't speak them for the moment in case it made her look weak in Raina's eyes. Instead she focused on what Raina said last, curious what the other woman had at her disposal.

"What sort of scientific resources?"

"Laboratories. Specialized biologists. Government workers within the field of imPort cellular research. Not to mention several imPort scientists. And those are only generalizations. If there is anything specific you would need -- equipment, chemicals, certain research, I can easily access it."

Her smirk was brief but confident. Raina's reputation here was pristine. She had been extremely careful to do her below the board research away from prying eyes and protected by those who harbored an interest in her unsavory experimentation.

"There's nothing like science as a tool for getting what you want." Gemini observed approvingly. The leader of her group back in her own universe was a scientist without peer, a man with a mind so advanced that he had managed to leave his body behind and who consequently had inspired in Gemini a great deal of respect for brilliant minds.

"I might take you up on that, I have an interest in attempting to boost my powers through the use of science. An organisation called Kobra did something similar in my world, I don't see why it can't be replicated here. Not to mention I'm curious to see what you have in the works." With as devious a mind as she could see Raina possessed there was no telling what wonderful ~~and destructive~~ creations she might be brewing up.

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A Life of Crime

What a Lovely Penthouse

Gemini will accept compliments on her good taste

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back alley anddddddd dog why not

Sorry for the wait!

np dude i hope you're okay!!

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Bar

Re: Bar

Dat Penthouse

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