ROLEPLAY HQ - music-from-the-shadows

@Sander !

17:59

Name: Celesta Trinador Age:22 Height: 5'4 Weight: 149 Quirk: Tone Intrusion Whenever Celesta picks up an instrument, she immediately knows how to play it for entertainment and defense as well. Playing the instrument along with her singing can target her enemy to have a sharp ringing in their ears. The longer this goes on, the more irritating and eventually damaging it can be. The downside to this is that an enemy can easily take her instrument found and break it, or cease her singing somehow. Can be comparable to a Siren is some ways, though she does not know how devastating her quirk can be if kept up for a long time.

Name: Liam Arthur (said Ar-toor) Age: 24 Height: 5'11 Wight: 196 Quirk: Pheromone manipulation. Liam's quirk could have been something wonderful, but years of bullying and abuse at the hands of classmates and his parents led him down another path. He is able to sense Pheromones produced by others and in turn manipulate his own to create a desired effect, from anything to desire and love, to hate and rage for short periods of tome. The only drawback to using his quirk offensively is that his quirk takes time to affect its target, and absolute precision. Now he uses his quirk to act as a shadow broker, connecting villains with supplies and manpower while also mediating disputes between his clients.

It was a bright and sunny day, just like any other day. Celesta had woken up this morning and was ready for her patrol for the day. Things had been...quiet. Almost uncomfortably so. She wasn't worried, she didn't want to be too worried. Celesta got dressed in her hero outfit, which adorned a black and white split theme, with the opposing color decorating each side with music notes and chords. The outfit was a full-body suit, and her special accessory was made for her by Mei Hatsume. It was a piece that covered the lower half of her face, much like a gas mask would. However, it amplified her voice and made it easier to target specific enemies as well. It was a unique gadget, and she had to pay a pretty penny for it, but she couldn't have been happier. It had helped her be stronger, as before she was just viewed as a sidekick, now she was her own standing Pro Hero, named Howl Girl. An odd name, but it matched her quirk. When activated, her voice would gradually turn into that of a Siren's call, or a howling. That wasn't pleasant to hear, and the biggest downfall is that it is mostly an AOE, so she had her gadget that would help lessen that impact. While she was patrolling, her smiling face was visible to the civilians as she wore her gadget around her neck. She occasionally stopped by the fan for an autograph or picture. Things seemed to be working well, what could be wrong? @Sander

Thanks to the newest pro heroes on the block cutting into his business Liam was in a rare situation. It wasn't often his schedule had an opening, and on a day like today he couldn't resist spending time in the sun. The plans he had laid would require some time before the took affect, and he was going to bask in the freedom while he could. Liam dressed in the way he always did. Simple white dress shirt that paired with black slacks and black suspenders, adding a pair of simple silver framed sunglasses to compensate for the sun. The outfit was plain but well fitting, a physical representation of how he could do well with very little. This fact was inky highlighted by the facts that he had yet to find a support device to assist his quirk, instead relying on a simple blade tucked into his shirt sleeve. He took in a deep breath, his quirk picking up on the pheremones around him. Sometimes a curse, and sometimes a blessing his quirk allowed him to smell the pheromones of others, and manipulate his to excited a desire reaction. The only downsides being it's activation time and the gas masks many new heroes seemed to employ. Pausing in the doorway to his small Cafe he noticed a commotion just to his left. A pro hero stood there, taking photos and signing autographs like some sort of celebrity. Shaking his head he turned to walk away, flashing a look of disgust before making his leave. Racking his brain for a second he remember her name, Howl Girl. Cursing under his breath at struck a fist against his thigh and mumbles to himself. "I hadn't planned for her to take up work so close to the cafe! Hopefully she moves away before the meeting tonight."

Celesta happily took photos and autographs for as long as she comfortably could. Sadly she would have to break off, saying goodbye to those and promising that next time she could do more. But she had a job to do. She'd resume her patrol and keep an eye out for anything unusual. Sure she still came across the stray fan, helped anyone in need, or even would solve minor things. Such as arguments, road rage, you name it. If anything came up, she was around to help. @Sander

Liam spent most of his day shopping. He'd been so busy that most of his daily necessities and groceries were in desperate need of a restock, and that was how he used his precious free time. Several time throughout his day he had seen the hero named Howl Girl, catching the scent of her pheromones. Each time he caught her scent it sent a shiver down his spine, something about was alluring to him. On his return, already laden with his purchases he caught sight of her, and chuckling to himself drew closer. He had started a collection, taking photos or getting autographs from pro heroes and adorning his Cafe with them as a kind of twisted prank. "Miss hero! May I get a picture with you?"

Celesta as this point in the day was ready to turn in. It had been a few hours, and nothing crazy had happened. It felt more like she was just waltzing around getting her photo taken. As yet another person had called her over, she finished up an autograph and walked over to him. It was clear she was tired, but she kept smiling through it all. "Well hello! And of course, what's your name friend?" @Sander

Liam couldn't help the grin the split his lips. To the causal observer he looked like a regular fan asking for an autograph, but to those who dug a little deeper his grin would fit a predator toying with its food. "My name is Liam. Thank you very much for stopping to oblige me!" Her scent found his nose, sending a shiver down his spine as he began to release pheromones of his own. It was rare for him to release unaltered pheromones, but something about being this close to a pro hero combing with her scent, leaving his skin feel almost electrified. "My you look absolutely exhausted miss!" @Loni

Celesta smiled in appreciation and put her hands in her jumpsuit pockets. To her he just seemed like another fan, and she was always happy to make fans happy! She would wait until he was ready to take the photo, whenever he took the phone out to snap it. Though when he mentions her being tired, Celesta rubbed the back of her neck. "Ahhhh no, don't worry about me! I'm doing well!" She would try to play it off, smiling and laughing. But it was clear, she was tired and needed to rest. The life of a hero. @Sander

Liam sat his bags down, retrieving his phone. Leaning in her smiled brightly, taking the picture before turning to thank her again. "Thank you very much!" He stepped back, picking his bags up and looking her over quickly. "Is this district you new area of patrol? If you ever have need of a place to rest, I run a small Cafe. It's mostly open at night, but your always welcome to stop by."

Celesta smiled her brightest for the photo, just as she had for all the others. She wanted everyone to feel special and have the best photo possible. When she was thanked, she smiled widely to him and gave a small head bow. "No problem, Liam!" She was getting herself ready to go turn in when he mentioned a place to rest. It made her smile in a newfound appreciation. "Awh, thank you. Yeah! I patrol around here now, so I'd love to see all the things the area has to offer. I'll definitely check out your Cafe." Celesta said, adjusting the gadget around her neck. It seemed to be irritating the sides of her neck if it had been there like that for long periods of time... @Sander

"Take care of yourself!" Liam could barely contain himself as he walked away, the urge to cackle at the thought if a pro here visiting his Cafe, a place where every major villain wound up someday was just too much. The trip back took him almost no time. The giddy, electric feeling on his skin still lingered as he made his way inside, heading through the back of the Cafe and into his small apartment above. "This is just great! I'll make sure I hang her picture well, and if she decides to interfere with my plans I could always just hang her beside it." Talking to himself was a bad habit he had acquired years ago, and still struggled to break. After a short while he headed downstairs, opening the Cafe for business before settling behind the bar. @Loni

Celesta nodded and waved goodbye, eventually heading back to return to her home after a long day of patrols. As the night approached, Celesta was on her phone and relaxing on her couch. She was scrolling through random social media apps when she was curious when this café would be open next. She went ahead and googled it, and to her surprise, it was up and running now! "Huh...weird, it's night...like, past dinner time. Why would a café be open?" She muttered in thought and got up to get dressed. Before long, Celesta had arrived at the café and hesitantly walked in, peering around to see what it was about. @Sander

Liam had spent considerable time decorating his shop. The dim light gave off a yellow warmth, and the scent of coffee was surprisingly relaxing. He was browsing a bookshelf set along the back wall when he heard the small bell set beside the door chime. "Welcome, feel free to take a seat wherever." He spoke as he turned, a warm smile spreading across his face as he caught her scent. "Why, if it isn't the new hero Howl Girl. Thank you for stopping by." This time he was glad he didn't have to fake the smile he usually greatest customers with, knowing full well that his normal clientele wouldn't be arriving for a short while. You could say it tickled him pink at the thought of one of the major crime bosses or super villains walzing in and coming face to face with an unexpected hero. @Loni

Celesta smiled at the ambience the shop gave, it felt so nice and comforting to experience. When she was greeted by Liam, she gave him a small wave and walked over to take a seat nearby. "Hey!! This is a rather cozy place you got here. I really like it already!" @Sander

Liam made his way to the counter, grabbing a menu before he made his way back to his newest customer. "Thank you very much, I tried very hard to get the feel right. Here's the menu, and the blackboard behind the counter has our specials. I'll be back to get your order in a moment." Without waiting for a reply he moved off, stopping just on the otherside of a door behind the counter. "This is gonna be hilarious!" He spoke under his breath, fighting back a giddy laugh at his expectations. In his mirth he had grabbed the wrong menu. He kept a normal looming one for normal guests, but he had one with a few additions for his regular clients. The small section on a private meeting room combined with a warning that "no violence will be allowed, under penalty of the owner" would definitely make for a strange menu. @Loni

Celesta nodded and grabbed her menu, looking down at it and browsing it quietly. She wasn't sure what she had wanted to eat, but as she looked over it, something odd caught her eyes. Her eyebrows furrowed as the warning was presented on the menu...why was that there? Was this not a normal menu? She cleared her throat and tried to push past it and ignore it. Maybe it was a warning for other patrons, those that wanted to cause trouble within the cafe... @Sander

Liam took a few moments, gathering a few papers and stuffing them into a drawer before heading back out the doors. He eyed the new hero sitting at the table, his only customer so far but also one who was sitting at the precipice. Taking a deep breath he began to tune himself to her, slowly letting out pheromones that would induce a calm, relaxed state. "Sorry about the wait, are you ready to order now?" He plastered a fake smile to his face, trying to hide the effort it was taking him to attempt flooding the room with his calming affect. "On top of our hot drinks we also have a selection of deserts, all made in house of course." @Loni

The hero looked up from the suspicious menu and smiled warmly at Liam, shrugging absentmindedly. "I didn't mind the wait at all! I love all the options here, but it's tricky to decide what I want..." She smiled at Liam, then looked down at the menu to finalize her choices for the night. "I think I'll do a hot chocolate with one of your desserts here...I'm thinking maybe a chocolate lava cake?" She hummed in thought, debating what would be the right option here. @Sander

Liam smiled brightly, something inside him reminding him of his dream to run just a normal business as he wrote her order down. "That's one hot chocolate and one chocolate lava cake." He winked playfully at her as he turned away and headed for the counter. The hot chocolate only took moments to make, and the lava cake was fresh from the warmer as he returned to the table, a small canister in his hand. "Would you like some whipped cream with your hot chocolate, or is there anything else you would like?" He was mixing genuine fun with his best attempts at hiding how taxing having tried to pump out as many pheromones as he could. @Loni

Celesta smiled at Liam as he headed back to her table, bringing forth her drink and food. She looked up from browsing and examining more of the menu, trying to see if anything was suspicious. "Ah, sure! Please, thank you. I will never say no to whipped cream." She'd giggle, glancing around the cafe. "It's a nice little spot you have here, how long has it been here?" @Sander

Liam made sure to give his newest customer a generous amount of whipped cream, noticing the way she glanced around the cafe. "I've owned this place for five years now. It was a rough start but I'm glad that it's going well now." Hearing the bell by the door jingle he looked up, noticing the first of his usual customers arriving. "Now, if you'll excuse me it seems I have another customer. Feel free to wave me down if you need anything dear!" With that he strode away, headed towards the counter where the other customer was seating themselves. @Loni

Celesta smiled and grinned at that, she was surprised she hadn't visited the café before...or noticed it. But she was glad she did now! When he excused himself to attend to other customers, she nodded again. "No worries, you have a job to do!" Celesta smiled at him and watched him walk off, before taking a careful sip of her drink. Keeping a curious eye on those that entered. @Sander

Liam took care of them quickly, keeping his body language neutral as he explained the situation. His regular customers knew better than to cross him, and he made sure they moved to the private rooms quickly before making his way back to her table. "How is everything? Would you like anything else?" He smirked playfully and winked at her, making a suggestive pose before breaking out laughing. "Sorry, sorry. Just wanted to lighten the mood a little." @Loni

Celesta smiled calmly and welcomed Liam back with a playful smirk. Her curious gaze shifted though as the customers from before wandered off into their respective rooms. Odd... When he broke out into the pose her attention snapped back to him, and she giggled as he did the same. A teasing eyeroll soon followed as she sipped her drink once more. "Well, do you have anything else to offer? Any...house specials here?" She asked, keeping that same smile on her face as she relaxed in her seat. @Sander

Liam couldn't resist taking the joke a step further since the beautiful woman before him had laughed and he so desperately needed something to cheer him up. His other customer had come bearinf bad news. So he leaned in slowly, loosening the top button of his shirt seductively as he bit his lip. "Well, I know it's not exactly fair but for a charming and beautiful woman like you I'd be more than willing to expand the menu as a special treat." Again the playful smirk spread across his face as he straightened up again. "But their is a house special, but it's only regular customers." He let his emotions get the better of him and he slipped her a business card from the pocket of his dress shirt before almost sauntering away behind the counter. The card simply read, information broker.

Celesta's eyebrow rose as the man teased her. It was intriguing, she knew she could mess with anyone she wanted to. As he messed with her, a subtle glint of a tease resided in her gaze...and was that a brief lip bite of her own? "Well, I suppose I'll have to come by more often to get that...special treat." She smirked as her gaze shifted down to her almost finished drink, polishing it off as he walked off. She would look at the card, picking it up and examining it thoroughly. @Sander

Liam watcher he go, pulling a pair of dark leather gloves over his hands. As the door closed all of the light seemed to drain from his face, a cold malice filling his eyes as he turned towards the private room. Needless to say, the look in his eyes could chill someone's soul but when he combined that with the pheromones he pumped out to instill terror it was clear that someone had pissed of the man who ruled from the shadows. After what he had done, it would be rather correct to say that his private room would be closed for a while. As such Liam woke up later than normal the following night, rushing downstairs to open the Cafe on time. He was dressed haphazardly, and the Cafe began to fill quickly with the afternoon crowd. @Loni

As Celesta headed home, she got herself settled in to sleep for the next day. Another day of patrols in the same area.. The day was more active then usual. She had to take care of quite a few tasks, even at one point fighting a villain with another hero! It took her out and exhausted her, so she figured she could take a break at the cafe and pay her new friend a visit. Celesta walked into the cafe, looking a bit more roughed up then usual. She was tired, and it seemed like she had a bruise on her cheek. She would go to sit somewhere more comfortable, in a cushioned chair or a booth, giving a nod to Liam if he was nearby upon entry. @Sander

Liam smiled as he saw Celeste enter. He waited one last table, the Cafe being rather full tonight with normal patrons. After dropping off their order he headed to the booth where she waited. "I'm sorry for the delay my dear. Today has been hectic here." He leaned his hip against the table, smiling softly as he extended a menu. "Now, what can I get you and please tell me all about your day!" He seemed especially bubbly today, perhaps because last night had been a surprising first step in his new plan. @Loni

Celesta smiled faintly up to Liam and shrugged. "Hey it's no worries. I understand that running a business can make you busy. I'll just have what I had last time, please." She seemed quite low energy in contrast, and clearly scuffed up. When he asked about her day she kinda shrugged it off, seemingly not wanting to talk about it. "Just...another day on the job, really..." @Sander

He nodded and smiled softly. "I have just the thing!" With a playful wink he darted off, heading towards his counter. Coming back, his arms were laden with items. He set two, obviously very fresh lava cakes down and followed them with what looked and smelled like an herbal teal. Lowering himself down across from her he set a small first aid kit down too. "Now, you look pretty tough but would you mind if I offered some help? I have some bandages and an ointment for bruises that might help." @Loni

Celesta smiled faintly after he winked, watching him hurry away. When he came back, she was surprised to see the array of things, and she pouted in appreciation. "Awh, Liam..this is kind of you, thank you. And uh, go ahead. I'm sure I need the first aid anyhow. I haven't gotten anything taken care of outside of the paramedics making sure I was alive, at least." And as if on cue, another ambulance whizzed down the street blaring its horn and sirens, soon followed by a police car. Celesta sighed and shook her head, trying to clearly ignore what had happened earlier to her. @Sander

@Sander (friendly ping!)

He smiled softly as he started ministering to her wounds. He took his time dealing with each and every scrape or bruise with his full attention. He could feel a war inside of himself, his emotions running riot at the juxtaposition of a criminal mastermind patching up a hero. He'd grown dissatisfied hiding in the shadows, and had been feing a growing urge to deal with the people he had be brokering for. "I'm here if you want to talk, I'm no stranger to the dangerous people with string quirks face." His hand gently wrapped around hers as he peered into her eyes. "I'll happily listen even if you just want to ramble about anything and everything." @Loni

"I ah...I don't know how strong your stomach is. I nearly got sick on the scene. It wasn't pretty..." Celesta grimaced, even flinched a bit as he took care of some wounds. "Erm...to start. Basically, keeping it short...villain attacked, killed innocents for some reason...I got involved and...it was difficult to keep up. I stayed in the fight until stronger heroes came along...then I was dismissed..."

@Sander IM AN ASS IM SO SORRY I FORGOT TO REPLY)

@Loni So am I! I'll be responding today when I get the chance!)

Okay!!@Sander )