Tell A Ghost To Scram

Memento Mori
Junior Member

Spooky Azra?

Posts: 91

Tell A Ghost To Scram Nov 21, 2021 2:11:52 GMT

Post by Memento Mori on Nov 21, 2021 2:11:52 GMT

MIRA Mid Atlantic Center

It was a joke that would be missed by Morgan. She had no idea she had met Scramjet. He was out of uniform at the time, where as well Morgan couldn't really conceal who she was. Regardless though she'd taken a road trip all the way out here to meet a hero hopefully. And maybe there was a easier way to have gone about such things but the ghostly figure kind of liked the excuse for a road trip. It helped her, just to drive, try and be of help briefly when going through towns. Just a gas guzzling car helping across country. It kept her from doing something she knew she would regret even now though it was on her mind. Wondering if meeting a hero might do better in providing the witch breed answers.

When she had first technically met Scramjet it was also in the company of some crazy warrior nun. And while that concept was cool the faith pointed to a answer that didn't sit well and was difficult for Morgan to follow.

Fast forward to now and the closing hour was creeping up on the building. It was quieter, much of the staff having gone home for the weekend. The tourists had mostly come and gone by now, hands clutching onto merchandise or autographs. Which meant she was in the hall dedicated to Scram Jet all alone. It was a far cry from subtle. She was here in uniform, the outfit of black and violet that shrouded her figure. The cloak of hers she liked to think rather dramatic and cool lightly brushing along the tile floor. In the reflections a red light would shine, small but ever there as a jewel rested in her head. "We could call him you know?"

"What no. I don't want to intrude." She remarked brushing bangs back.

"But you do want to meet him right. You've been seen in a dozen plus cities pitching in sure he wouldn't mind." It clearly caught the ghostly eighteen year old by surprise. She hadn't even thought to much about her heroism. Was all small game thugs here robbers there she wasn't yet a hero to embraced by the media she felt. She was still an up and coming yet MIRA was rather invested in the scene and so of course they knew her.

"I do..but I get if he's busy." The receptionist waved the remark off and moved to make a call. "Damn it." Morgan muttered, clearly here for a reason but now feeling like a burden. Her mind briefly wondered if she should just try and walk through walls and into an office. That probably was a bad idea though she told herself.

Last Edit: Nov 21, 2021 2:16:33 GMT by Memento Mori

Memento Mori

Scramjet
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Posts: 86

Tell A Ghost To Scram Nov 25, 2021 20:37:52 GMT

Post by Scramjet on Nov 25, 2021 20:37:52 GMT

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]

Despite historical evidence of the contrary, Rasmus Kask was having a fine time staying out of Scramjet's life, and vice versa. There was a real sense of boundaries for both of them, and for the most part, these boundaries were respected. Not a day went by where Rasmus didn't think about Scramjet, or what his life might be like if Scramjet decided to show up on his doorstep one day and "move in", so to speak, but it was a healthy amount of reflection-- the kind he could step away from and absolve himself from worrying about. He had his wife, he had his job. What more could a science teacher really ask for? Home life was great. Work life was great. His other work life was great, too, not that anyone ever asked. Well, besides Sidar.

Every so often, though, that work-home balance shifted. It was expected, really. Overlap was inevitable. What worried him, though, was the specific brand of overlap this situation presented. Heroes.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Memento Mori?"

His voice came around the corner first, followed by the now-recognizable monochrome of the suit he wore out in the field. The lights were low from closing, whether that be from maintenance crews or a lack of natural light, so the iridescent purple of his visor and suit LEDs seemed to burn with a particular intensity on his approach. Now, Rasmus Kask knew Memento, but Scramjet did not-- well, not personally, which was what usually mattered to a guest. Or fan. Or, in this case, maybe both. Scramjet learned early on that assuming somebody who wanted to meet you was a fan was particularly bold.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Should I call you Miss Mori, or is that your mom?"

A light tilt of the helmet followed. Being masked meant that the human expression was all but hidden, so incorporating a few mannerisms to liven it up a little usually worked. Scramjet extended out a hand and gave a nod of greeting.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Scramjet, if you... you know, haven't read the... things."

His other hand gestured to the plaques and displays. Being here without fans to greet was a bit uncomfortable, if anything else.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Pleasure to finally meet you. Heard good things. Something I can help you with? And, for the future, try and call through my office or a hero hotline-- showing up here sets... a weird precedent."

Memento Mori
Junior Member

Spooky Azra?

Posts: 91

Tell A Ghost To Scram Nov 28, 2021 2:50:20 GMT

Post by Memento Mori on Nov 28, 2021 2:50:20 GMT

There was a dramatic tone to it all Morgan found funny. That atmosphere in contrast to reality kind of helped the goth feel more at ease with the situation. It was just a fan and younger hero visiting the museum of a hero a bit more known, just a investigator swinging by a different precinct to ask questions. Yet the lights were dim making the violet lights of a costume pop, the same lower light settings making for a bit of a red glow as well along her brow. The cloak she wore casting a much more grand shadow to her figure.

"Uh Memento or Mori would be fine, or Meme I don't know." While the joke did get a laugh from her she'd also not really considered it. She concluded any of those wouldn't have really bothered her. She also wasn't sure what she should call him, was it a full name or could it be shortened. But saying Scram would have sounded rude and Jet well Morgan thought more a name for a pet. "Thanks for clarification, I only read dead languages." She remarked in jest trying to downplay any nervousness with bad jokes.

"I wanted to visit the place first but changing between visists sounded annoying." Showing up in costume maybe was weird but meeting heroes in her own uniform seemed better to her then her casual wear. That'd of felt like wearing nothing to a business meeting she kind of thought. "Was more then though though. Few years back in my home town was a villain, and was hoping there might be files on what happened when she left." While Morgan thought she knew where the villain died details were hard to come by. And even if the details were present, not all authorities who had them might share them with a cape.

"Oh also thanks, would have thought me a nobody." Just cause MIRA was fully likely to know of her didn't mean Morgan herself thought she'd have been noteworthy to them. She was also a fan but wasn't sure asking for an autograph fit in there anywhere, also just sure what to sign. Having ones uniform signed by another hero Morgan thought sounded way to cringe.

Last Edit: Nov 28, 2021 2:51:03 GMT by Memento Mori

Memento Mori

Scramjet
Junior Member

Posts: 86

Tell A Ghost To Scram Jan 1, 2022 16:19:28 GMT

Post by Scramjet on Jan 1, 2022 16:19:28 GMT

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Well, nowadays, nobody's really nobody. Not really."

There was a pregnant pause at the end, there, as he looked around the exhibit. Talking was a lot harder when he didn't have time to prepare.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Does what I just said make sense?"

It was as much of a question for himself as it was for her.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Well-- my point is, if you're out there making a difference, recognition comes to you sooner or later."

So long as the people out there wanted to be recognized, that is. Plenty of vigilantes enjoyed the liberty of working beyond the law; Scramjet, being a representative of the entire United States government, did not enjoy similar freedoms.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"It's also, y'know. Sort of MIRA's job. If we didn't have an idea of who was running around, it'd look pretty bad when we preach about the whole 'unify heroism' thing."

It also helped to know the enemy as much as it helped to know an ally, but he wasn't about to go spouting that off in the Mid-Atlantic Center. Choosing the right thing to say was just as important an asset to a superhero as any ability was. Rasmus exercised the skill a second time as Memento asked about a potential metahuman criminal.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"I can't exactly take you down into the super-secret file rooms-- protocol, my apologies-- but I can certainly run it by a couple of analysts."

Scramjet looked down to his hip, then turned his head to glance around to his back.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"I don't exactly have a pencil and paper right now, but my helmet has a sort of rolling feed I can look back on. Just don't mumble and we should be good."

And with that, he motioned for Memento to follow him. It wasn't a far walk to a table they could both sit down at, and when they were both situated in a chair, Scramjet spoke up again.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"So. This supervillain-- an old nemesis of yours? Tell me about her. Details on powers, appearance-- anything you remember."

Last Edit: Jan 1, 2022 16:19:38 GMT by Scramjet

Memento Mori
Junior Member

Spooky Azra?

Posts: 91

Tell A Ghost To Scram Jan 5, 2022 13:36:52 GMT

Post by Memento Mori on Jan 5, 2022 13:36:52 GMT

"It made some sense. Just uh wasn't expecting it either I guess." Morgan just thinking herself to new to have been worth their time. Was a bit of a moral boost to have any recognition. Geeking out over being around a proper hero or noticed by one however wasn't her reason for being here.

"Uh she was before my time. But also bit of inspiration to actually like become a hero. Went by Sugar Skull, younger woman mid twenties maybe. Hispanic woman who wore well sugar skull face paint and a costume with a series of bones to it. Was a serial killer and necromancer. Went from out home town of St Louis towards NYC I think."

Sugar Skull had gone further down though towards Millenium City and Duskburg. And Sugar Skull long story short had been slain by Kore. But Morgan didn't know who killed the woman. And she hoped what others didn't know was that Sugar Skull had well the same last name as Morgan. Which she now realized probably was a total long shot. Memento Mori didn't exactly where a mask maybe they would know in a heart beat if not already did.

"If she's still out there I want to know. If she well isn't kind of want to know how it ended. Closure you know? Is there somewhere we should go if not top secret room? Being in a empty museum is starting to feel weird." It wasn't she was used to weirder and it was likely obvious. It was still an odd space to do business though the witchbreed felt.

Memento Mori

Scramjet
Junior Member

Posts: 86

Tell A Ghost To Scram Jan 23, 2022 4:10:08 GMT

Post by Scramjet on Jan 23, 2022 4:10:08 GMT

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]

Rasmus listened to Memento with a furrowed brow. Supervillains were... an odd subject, honestly. Without them, there wouldn't really be much of a need for superheroes-- sure, the odd disaster and criminal here and there, but that was largely within the scope of a regular person's abilities to fix. It might require more than one person, sure, but it was certainly doable. Heroes were a cure-all that was a bit too convenient, at times. If he was being honest, society was on track to becoming over-reliant, if it wasn't already at that point.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Sometimes, I wonder what came first. The hero or the villain. You know? That started all... this."

He gestured to the hall around him, leaning back in his chair a bit.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"I myself was inspired by a hero, not a villain. I imagine we think the same way, though, you and I. We want to help people. This "Sugar Skull"-- she doesn't sound like good news. If she was in your home town, too, I'm... sorry about that. I'm guessing it's personal."

Scramjet didn't quite want to make assumptions, though, so he felt the need to elaborate on his point a bit.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Even if it isn't, it-- it can turn that way. It's natural, to let somebody get to you. Especially somebody like that. Somebody who has such an easy way to hurt others. It's hard not to get personal. Sometimes, it's even a good thing."

He wrote something down, and stood up. If the museum was making her uncomfortable, then walking might be best-- at least to get a slight change of scenery. He began to tread the halls again, motioning for Memento to follow.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"There's somebody in our system who's decently vested in paranormal affairs. She's not a part of MIRA, though-- go to Smith Inc., and talk to Kore Smith. Tell her Scramjet referred you to her. Hopefully, that gets her to hear you out. I can also have a team on this if nothing turns up on her end. But--"

And he turned to her at this, shifting and stopping in the middle of the gallery to face her. All around them, beacons of heroism shone through the dimming lights of the museum. Examples to follow-- each with their own mistakes to learn from.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"-- you do not kill her. Sugar Skull, that is. You stop her, but you do not kill. Only if you have to. And I know that might be a tall order, if she's from your home town. If it's personal. But you have to understand that you have an obligation to set the best example you can-- not just for others, but for yourself."

Tentatively, he reached out. His hand fell on her shoulder, and he looked at her. He had his helmet on, sure, but there was a look to it that wasn't there on the cameras, or the photos, or anywhere most people had seen his likeness. His posture was personal, voice a bit different. Less heroic, more human.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"People look up to us. Not just civilians, but other heroes. Even villains. And some villains-- they do what they do just so they can get stopped. Just so they can prove a point. So many people want to become martyrs, Memento, and it's our obligation to stop people from doing that. It's dangerous. It sets a precedent. Stop, but never kill. Never kill if you can help it."

His hand withdrew. Scramjet looked away, glancing around at the pictures and dioramas of different heroes that had served over the years. In a way, they were all looking at them. Looking at him.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"I like walking through here after dark, sometimes."

He stated, glancing back at Memento as he continued to walk.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"I might be weird for that. Maybe. But-- I kind of like to look through these exhibits as a reminder. Some of these people are still around, you know. Capacitor? Nearly talked to her when I was in college at a press junket. Never met Invictus, though. Or Axiom. Or Terminus, or Contrail..."

His voice petered out. His head shook. Somewhere out there, he wondered if any of the ones that passed on were still listening.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"... but I never stop thinking about what they'd want. What they would do. In a way, we have it easier than them-- we got their experiences and deeds to look back on, you know? A sorta... blueprint. But-- the difference is that the torch is passed to us, and we're picking up from where they left off. Right? Uncharted territory."

Eventually, they reached the exit of the museum. Scramjet turned with finality and clapped his hands together a bit awkwardly.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"So! That's it. Sorry for rambling at the end, there. Looking forward to seeing you around. Just-- remember what I said. About the heroism thing and... the Kore Smith, thing, too. Don't forget that, that's... pretty important."

Then, genuinely, he extended his hand.

[attr="style","display:inline;text-shadow:0px 0px 3px #b671c2;"]"Have a good night, Ms. Mori. It was a pleasure to meet you."

Memento Mori
Junior Member

Spooky Azra?

Posts: 91

Tell A Ghost To Scram Jan 24, 2022 1:22:52 GMT

Post by Memento Mori on Jan 24, 2022 1:22:52 GMT

"All I want is to respect the dead and protect the living. But then there's those like Sugar Skull. Who insult life and death with necromancy or other powers." Of course Morgan meant more then just what her words said. She didn't just mean being a hero, she was at odds with desire to be a hero and dealing with the death of her sister. Apart of her struggling with vengeful feelings. She had a hard time accepting her sister was gone, and partly thought she had to be. She wasn't haunted by a sister's ghost and she wasn't sure in the end if that was a good or bad thing.

In her questions though she also now had a name. Finding info on what Sugar Skull did in Duskburg was difficult but word of Kore not so much? Name even rang a bell some, given the obvious similar taste in fashion or asthetic. And when she thought about it checked out, there were heroes and vigilantes out there for Morgan to follow and be inspired by. The list of them that were killers though was few. Kore was the kind of woman who might have gone for the throat, who dealt in matters like what the sister did. And of course unknown to Morgan was the one who did kill Sugar Skull.

Or whatever "death" was in this case.

Venture through the halls was a internal battle. Heroes were all around her, the kind of person she wanted to be. Each was inspiring, and none of them held the answer for her. She didn't think any of them started because their sister was a villain. She wasn't sure any of them dealt with the murderer of a family member by one of their own. She had revenge in her heart, and the person at the end seemed someone she would have wanted to work beside. Leaving the display she wanted to believe would help but a hand rested on her shoulder. It was comforting at first followed by feeling like an impossible weight. All the hope and inspiration of someone she admired, at odds with an internal anger

"I like the rambling, bit more human. The lectures and PR stunts some do, doesn't do it for me. It's surreal. Moments like this though?" She wasn't sure how to finish that thought. Point she thought carried through however. In the settings more chosen for a lecture or a speech it carved away personality for the symbol. They were all people though over that symbol to Morgan, be they in a cool helmet, a cloak like her, or whatever. "Thanks hope we'll be on the same case sometime. Uh let me know if you ever gota question ghosts."

Memento Mori