Believe me, what you see is what you get [OPEN]

[desmodusdraculae]

WHO: Kirk Langstrom and Open
WHERE: Maurtia Falls, Anywhere
WHEN: Throughout June
WHAT: Bartending, bathouses, and Bat antics
WARNINGS: None. Will update as necessary!


01. Building - Anywhere
[If Kirk was grateful for anything the past several months of chaos and nonsense have brought him, it's that it finally got him to reach out to local chiropterologists and dip his toe back into the field of study he actually went to school for, for the first time in about a decade. It hasn't led to much other than wonderful conversations about bats, but then again Kirk didn't expect it to, at least not right away.

What those conversations also sparked was his desire to go out there and do something, and so lately he's gotten into going across parks in various porter cities and building bat houses to mount on various trees. The sort-of vampire isn't exactly subtle about this either, hammering away in a pair of large red goggles just off a beaten path near his chosen tree. At some point, maybe his hammer got away from him and he looks up at the nearest person and points.]

Hey, any chance I can get that back?


02. Bartending - The Crimson Mist, Maurtia Falls
[While Kirk isn't fully happy with his life living as a bartender, especially at the weirdness that was The Crimson Mist, he'd more or less gotten himself into a rhythm. He's stopped wondering why anyone would design a bar to be half faux vampire bar, half 80s roadhouse dive bar, and somehow attract both types of clientele, especially since the truce between the strange hodgepodge of customers has held throughout his employment, and doesn't show signs of ending tonight.

He can be found behind the bar serving drinks with expert attention or helping the waitstaff when things get slammed. Maybe he spills a drink on you by mistake, maybe you're very lost and just need directions. Either way, Kirk's here until his shift's over.]


03. Batmanning - Anywhere, mostly Maurtia Falls
[With the sudden decrease of Batmen, it felt as if Maurtia Falls was starting to get bolder than usual. Clearly they were fearing the wrong Bat. To remind the trash of Maurtia Falls that someone is still watching, he's increased his patrols, his gliding silhouette across the night an almost routine sight of late.

A move which one night pays off as he spots one of the native supervillains, some freelance muscle going by the terrible name of Silverclaw. Unfortunately for Kirk, Silverclaw seems just as ready for him, and it isn't long after he lands does he find himself flying across an alleyway, into the street--and straight at a late-night passerby who more than likely isn't aware he's even coming.

Sorry about that, stranger.]


04. Wildcard!
[Feel free to run into Kirk anywhere, in or out of costume! If you want a specific starter, feel free to reach out on plurk at redconfession]

Comments

03

[despicableglee]

[fortunately for Kirk, his landing doesn't involve crashing hard into someone this time.

unfortunately for Kirk, however:]

Oh! Goodness!

[instead, he's been caught by the ankle and is currently dangling in Xellos' grip as he floats mere feet off the ground.

Xellos, for his part, has the courtesy of pretending to be surprised for like a second before the cheerful uselessness begins.]

This doesn't seem like the most convenient way to travel, you know...I--ooh!

[oooooooh.

he sees the angry meta.]

[desmodusdraculae]

[Kirk hisses as his momentum is abruptly stopped, straining his neck to see who has him now.]

Fireball.

[With that necessary introduction out of the way, he swings his body to regain his momentum and flip out of Xellos' grip, putting the pest between him and the charging Silverclaw.]

[despicableglee]

Xellos, actually.

[he lets the ankle go without struggle, tilting his head as he watches the attacker rush him and raise silver claws -- huh! wonder what his name is! -- for a slash.

he vanishes.

(it's brief; give him a moment to find a comfy spot to roost)]

[desmodusdraculae]

[Unfortunately for Silver Claw, his momentum keeps him moving forward even after Xellos disappears. Fortunately for the Batman, he takes advantage of this by giving the asshole a flying roundhouse kick to the head.]

[despicableglee]

Ouch!

[Xellos reappears behind Kirk, rubbing the side of his own head.

with a giggle in his voice:] I wonder if that felt half as bad as it sounded!

[desmodusdraculae]

What, not even going to pretend to help this time?

[Silverclaw, from his crumpled position near a wall, attempts to get up, but Kirk knocks him out with another kick to the head. He's got abilities. He can take it.]

[despicableglee]

Eh?

[insert sound effect of knockout kick.]

Wasn't catching you helping?

03

[drivesadesk]

[Jonathan had been walking by when a Batman came slamming into him. Normally with his enhanced strength he'd be able to catch the man, but since he didn't see him coming, Jonathan gets knocked to the ground.]

Ow...

[Then he looks up to see Silverclaw running towards them.]

Oh, shit. Getupgetupgetup!

[He says frantically as he starts shoving Kirk to his feet.]

[desmodusdraculae]

[The ground was softer than Kirk was expecting... that is until the ground shifted its weight slightly and groaned.

Well crap.

He does his best to get off Jonathan as quickly as possible without harming him more, almost stumbling as he's suddenly shoved to his feet. Oh, shit is right. Lowering himself into a boxing stance, he swings a punch at the supervillain, one which the villain dodges with ease.

The follow-up kick to the chest, however, the goon didn't see coming at all.

His eyes still on Silverclaw, he tilts his head slightly towards the guy he accidentally landed on.]

You okay?

[drivesadesk]

Yeah, I'm fine. Do you need some help?

[Sure, that kick seems to have landed pretty good, but considering how easily this guy was able to throw this Batman...]

[desmodusdraculae]

[Hey, he was taken off guard.]

If you can fight, I'm certainly not going to oppose help.

[There are too many normal-seeming imPorts here who turned out to be stupid powerful, and he wasn't about to turn one of them down because he wasn't wearing tights.]

[drivesadesk]

[Once Batman accepts the help, Jonathan's eyes focus in on the guy attacking him, and Jonathan's eyes shift to their natural, reptilian appearance. Then he charges, grappling Silverclaw and flinging him a few yards into a wall.]

[desmodusdraculae]

[This is why he won't turn down assistance from randos. They can sometimes do that.]

Do you want my help, or do you have this?

[He's definitely not the other Bat. He's got no problems letting other people work their aggression out if that's what they want.]

o3

[khajidont]

Yes, ma'am. I know. There's nothing I can do about the merchandise, but I can come help you install the camera if you like and, um, help clean up this --

[ The Blue Beetle had been talking to the owner of a convenience store that had gotten mugged, broken glass scattered everywhere, when he finds himself all but tackled into a nearby wall, smashed by Kirk's larger figure.

He yells, because that's what happens when you're hit by another flying body without warning, then falls to the ground with a quiet oof, staring at the sky. ]

What just happened?

[desmodusdraculae]

[Sorry Beetle! Definitely not something he planned on doing tonight. He lands against the other hero with a sharp exhalation of air and a groan as he shakily gets back onto his feet.

At least he'll recover fast.]

Are you all right?

[He turns to see who he rammed into.]

[khajidont]

Ugh... yeah. I'm good.

[ Jaime rubs at his head - and man, if it didn't save lives, he'd start to really regret telling the Fates that it's okay if he feels pain in his suit - and wrinkles his nose, which has the effect of just wrinkling up the entire flat plane of his face. It's not a particularly good look. ]

What's going on? Who threw you?

[desmodusdraculae]

[He offers his hand.]

Dumb muscle calling themselves Silverclaw. Just happened to know I was coming, apparently.

[khajidont]

Well... it's one of the better names I've heard anyway. There's been some really terrible ones these days.

[ Jaime accepts his hand to lift himself off and wipes some of the dirt off his armour. ] Want some back up? Between the two of us, we can have this done quick.

[desmodusdraculae]

They have silver claws. Don't give them too much credit.

[Once he helps the beetle up, he takes a step back to let the other guy compose himself.] Why not? It's been a while since I've had a proper team-up.

Just remember I'm not the other guy.

Batmanning (*Gekiban Tokkagata playing in the distance*)

[crimsonunion]

[Kirk's trajectory stops abruptly as a gloved hand darts forward and catches him by his hood and gently places him against the wall.

Which is an impressive feat, considering the bearer of said hand is five foot three at the very most and is currently preoccupied with tearing a pin off her other glove with her teeth like it's a grenade.]

Stay there, aight? I got this.

LIFE FIBER HUMAN ENHANCEMENT: SHIPPU!

[If Kirk's been keeping up with the Maurtia Falls vigilante scene, he might recognize her as "King Crimson," a rising star that's frequently clashed with the cops that has superhuman strength, speed, and endurance with either gear or an ability that produces nigh-unbreakable red strings... although the way the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet are now flaring with crimson energy definitely hasn't popped up on his radar.

King Crimson flies forward at literally supersonic speed, windows all around her shattering in a cacophony as she rockets towards Silverclaw. She spins, delivering a roundhouse kick to the side of his head as her foot explodes in a surge of crimson energy, adding even more punch to her strike.]

[desmodusdraculae]

[Kirk comes to a sudden halt with a grrk as he's suddenly hauled against a nearby wall by a woman almost a foot shorter than him. He goes to argue that he can handle it, but he does in fact recognize King Crimson when he sees her, and decides to hang back to see her in action.

He's used to being the back-up thanks to Superman and Wonder Woman, so he knows how to be ready to jump in when needed, but otherwise stay the hell out of the way.

Silverclaw, for their part, isn't quite ready for King Crimson when she attacks, but despite the absolute crushing blow inflicted upon them, they aren't down for the count. She isn't the only one in the alley with superhuman strength... or in this case, endurance. Though their signature silver armor is definitely dented, and it's clear by the way they're now moving for a counterattack that they're injured too.]

[crimsonunion]

[King Crimson casually unslings the massive guitar case from her back to block Silverclaw's attack, not budging an inch as it pops open to reveal a pair of oddly-shaped blades that she reels into her hands with her signature red strings. Considering they're coming out of her fingertips, it's looking more likely that this particularly power of hers is innate.

Ducking under Silverclaw's second blow, she shoulders her guitar case and pulls the pin on her glove again, this time yelling,]

LIFE FIBER HUMAN ENHANCEMENT: SENJIN!

[The crimson glow fades, replaced by sharp spines erupting through her clothes that begin spinning all across her body like a chainsaw. Speaking of, King Crimson wastes no more time and begins attacking Silverclaw like a three-dimensional human buzzsaw, aiming to slice away their armor piece by piece with her blades, spines, and claws.]

[desmodusdraculae]

[Kirk quirks an eyebrow at the buzzsaws, but makes no attempt to try and stop her. As far as he's concerned, everyone except Apollo was far too soft on crime. Maybe idiots like Silverclaw would think twice about their life choices if they were more like this.

Speaking of Silverclaw, they try to get some hits on against King Crimson, but as the blades get closer, they realize they did not sign up for getting sawed in half by crazy imPorts with chainsaw clothes. After several slashes, they decide it's probably time to run.]

[crimsonunion]

[Looking at it closely, Kirk's keen eyes pick up something odd about King Crimson's fighting style: it seems specifically tailored to taking opponents like Silverclaw down, chipping away at and looking for chinks in armor like theirs until she finds the perfect opening rather than the blind, furious assault it first appeared to be. It's likely not even conscious; from the way she's moving it's apparent that this particular technique is a learned behavior from countless battles.

Speaking of, that moment of hesitation is exactly what King Crimson needs to finish the fight. With a single, deft motion, King Crimson snaps her blades together to form an oversized pair of scissors, lunges forward, and-

Whatever happens next isn't exactly clear, but Kirk gets three words in a foreign language burned into his brain:]

SEN-I-SOSHITSU

[Or, roughly translated: "Fiber lost."

King Crimson's now on the other side of Silverclaw, tossing her guitar case into the air, kicking it open while it's spinning, and slamming the scissors inside before axe-kicking it shut. On Silverclaw's part, they lunge forward, towards King Crimson, and-

All of their armor bursts apart into neatly-cut plates of metal, falling across the alley like falling stars. They stand, frozen, before King Crimson whips out what looks like a revolver and shoots them square in the chest with it. Rather than collapse, bleeding, they're wrapped up in her signature red threads and topple over.

King Crimson exhales, they runs back over to Kirk's side, checking for wounds.]

You good?

[desmodusdraculae]

[Kirk does notice, and by the end of it is watching her far more than the opponent she clearly does not need any sort of backup to handle. He smirks somewhat as she approaches.]

I could have used some popcorn, and I almost got hit by a flying shard of Silverclaw's destroyed armor, but I think I'm good.

Some interesting clothes you've got there.