Theo Anders and the Black Exaltation[Worm/Exalted][Hiatus]

You weren't actually that keen to not be in a place where Sabah couldn't easily find you.

"There's a slightly secluded alcove near the restrooms, accompany me?"

You offered your arm to the healer and she took it with a smile. It took a minute or so to arrive at your intended destination, an alcove just within sight but without earshot of the restroom doors.

You turn to her and you open your mouth-

"Will you go out with me?"

-and are interrupted by a heavily blushing Amy Dallon asking you out and largely derailing the plans you had to seduce her. By her already being interested. Her face is slightly aimed down, but she's looking up at you through her short locks of curly sandy-brown hair.

It's surprising enough your mouth is still open. It clicks shut just in time for her to plow on.

"I mean, I know you're here with someone but the rumors going around, and how she acted with Vicky, I'm pretty sure she's a lesbian. Not that there's anything wrong with that! But if you wanted to go out sometime, I'd really like that."

She really wants to date you. Really wants to be your girlfriend. Really wants to have someone other than her sister to be interested in. Which is incredibly surprising and could be very useful information in the future.

You... well, you don't really have a problem with it. Going out with her at least. That was a good chunk of your previous plan. Going out with her (and few other girls) and keeping her interested.

"I would love to have the chance to take you out sometime, Amy," you say giving her a smile.

The smile you receive in return was radiant, and made her look considerably more attractive, even as she sagged with relief.

"Great! Would next Friday work? We can make a whole night of it?"

"I do believe I'm free for most of the evening, but I had planned on seeing the New Year arrive with my baby sister. It's her first."

"Oh!" she fumbles around for a proper response, "I could, um, come along, if that was okay? And I'll even make sure she's doing all right!"

That was sketchy in and of itself. Kayden would probably be ecstatic if if was going to be just you, Amy, Aster, and her. But Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt were invited.

"I'll have to ask Aster's mother, Kayden. I know she's planning to invite other guests, and to be honest," you lean in, and look around like you're sharing a great secret, "the Schmidt's, as nice as they are, are a bit... kooky."

Amy giggles.

"Like the Addams Family?"

"More like Stepford wife and husband, very 1950s sitcom in how they act," you correct with a bit of a grimace, as you lean back into normal distancing.

She winces as some of the implications set in.

"Well, its fine if I can't go, but be sure to ask, please?"

She wants to be away from Carol and the hospital that night.

"Absolutely," you say with sincerity.

Now, you have a chance to complete the rest of your original plan.

It wouldn't be hard, world renowned healer or not, Amy Dallon was easily the most stressed out person you've ever met.
To completely win her, seduce her away from New Wave, from the Harpy, would not only be a huge feather in your cap against the Harpy, your father would approve. Hell, the entire Empire would approve of having on of the most powerful healers in the world on their side.

Othala would be glad for the lessening of her off-work workload.

You continued to speak with her, drawing out her frustrations with her family, offering kind words, and allowing her to vent.

Essence flowed and words danced, and carefully like a scalpel, you cut. The wounds she exposed you made worse and yet you offered respite. Her tired and stressed mind couldn't resist the overtures when placed against your social might and mien. You spoke of how and why New Wave took advantage of having arguably the world's most powerful healer's good nature. Of how obvious it was that Brandish didn't see her as a daughter, of the way Victoria took advantage of her healing powers.

Something you had been delighted to find out was true to some small extent. Victoria had called upon Amy to heal the occasional thug's sprained, bruised, or broken arm or ribs. You could almost feel that there was more, but ignored it for the task at hand.

You spoke of how heavy the expectations must be, and tendered a reprieve. Wasn't it so much better now? You and she were going to date, and you held no such expectations of her. She only had to be herself.

Her exhausted mind and your essence wove together, and you showed her that you were her ideal Prince Charming in every way. You could see how much she wanted you, needed you, and now how she adored you, even loved you.

You reached out a hand and cupped her cheek with a smile, she blushed heavily at the implications of intimacy, and responded with a slight rubbing of her cheek against the palm of your hand.

Her lips curved into an impish smile right before she turned her face enough to catch your thumb in her mouth and give it her best attempt at sensually suckling it. You kept your cool, but your smile turned sly, as you slowly removed your hand. Your thumb left her mouth with a soft pop, and her smile turned downright devious.

"Why, Amy, I certainly have something to look forward to, don't I?"

Her blush had crept down to the top of her chest at this point. She nodded, her smile still devious.

"If only I had a sign of your favor to help keep me warm while I wait to join you New Year's Eve."

She bit her lip and you swore you could see her blush growing. Amy looked around and made sure no one was watching.

"Switch places with me? And keep a look out."

You were in the more shadowed part of the alcove, so as to observe the restroom entrances, Amy had her back to them. You acquiesced. Your eyebrows rose appropriately when she began to hike up her dress. Really, it was predictable at this point.

But that didn't make the sight of her pale, smooth legs or the smell of her sex that suddenly billowed out, any less exciting. You were fifteen. You expanded your ears, but kept your eyes glued to Amy, and let them obviously flick between the modest cleavage her dress was showing, to her naked thighs.

She wanted to have you keep her eyes on her, but also didn't want to get caught giving you her panties. And so, too soon her dress was hanging correctly again, but not before she gave her hips a little sensual twist and pulled her thong off in one smooth motion.

She stepped close and pressed her still wet (not damp or soggy but wet) underwear into your hand.

"You have a lot to look forward to Mr. Anders, if you play your cards right."

Despite the absolute confidence on her face, she desperately wanted to rush into the bathroom and freak out, or fuck wildly right there in the alcove. You needed to keep her here.

"It occurs to me, Ms. Dallon, that I don't have a way to contact you dire-"

Amy plucked her panties back from your hand and reached into her small handbag to pull out a permanent marker. She swiftly wrote something on the fabric and stuffed it into your jacket's inner pocket with a pat.

If you thought she wanted to go have her meltdown (or hike her dress back up) before, Amy's face was flickering from her confident smile (that you had seen so many times on Victoria's face, it appeared she was channeling her sister) into one of embarrassed excitement.

"There you are," she says with a saucy wink.

Before you continue plying your charms, Amy spies something past you and squeaks in surprise.

"Vicky? I thought you were with Dean!"

You turn swiftly, and take a step back to place yourself next to Amy. You see a smug Sabah, Vista blushing beet red with a thousand yard stare, and a very satisfied looking Victoria Dallon. Her satisfied look turns into a scowl upon mention of her boyfriend.

"We broke up."

Her ex-boyfriend. Again. Then the Harpy's face lights up with delight.

"Ames, did you-"

"Yes!" the healer squeaks out.

Sabah crosses the distance lazily and takes your arm on the opposite side of Amy, who moves to her sister, and the two begin conversing in hushed tones. Sabah, however, is not just holding your arm. She's using it to support herself from the way she's shaking. But the lazy thumb stroking the inside of your bicep assures you that she's alright.

You walk up to the young Ward who is staring off into space.

"Vista?"

She snaps out of it.

"Yes? Oh, Theo! How can I help you?"

"Many thanks for aiding us in a time of need," you say with serious look.

"It was nothing," she tries to wave it off.

"It most certainly was," Sabah cuts in, a slight warble near the end, "Theo couldn't have followed me into the girl's room. Or offered such good advice."

Vista seems reluctant to accept the thanks, but at your nod, she accepts gracefully. At her bright smile, you give one of your own with a tilt of the proverbial hat. A simple acknowledgment between equals. You were glad for her help and you owed her a favor in the future.

In the world of the fabulously rich (yourself), and the powerful parahuman capes (Vista), favours were of incredible value and were frequently the thing bartered, instead of plebeian cash.

Vista moved off with a purpose after short goodbyes. Likely to report the testimony she got from Sabah.

"Theodore Anders."

A grimace flits across your face. The Harpy knew who you were. An inevitability, you still had hoped to last a little while longer before she found out. You turn and offer the now floating blonde a smile.

"Yes, Ms. Dallon?" you say as a wave of fear washes over you. You clamp down on the response and suddenly the weight of her presence is gone. Sabah shudders and only you hear the moan that's bit back.

"You treat my sister right, or son of MedHall or not, I'm coming for you."

Her face is thunderous, and you can feel the promise in the words. Something tugs deep inside of you again, you can sense the deal being sealed if you but ask.

"But of course, Ms. Dallon. My intentions are pure."

Victoria gives you a sharp nod and bustles Amy away. Likely for more gossip. Panacea does shoot you one last look of longing, along with mouthing 'call me.'

You give an amused snort, smile, and nod.

You cast your eyes back out onto the floor, and you happen to spy Armsmaster just making his way back into the party.

He'll be there for at least another fifteen minutes.

You turn to Sabah.

"You looked pretty cozy with Panacea," she says with a lazy smile, her shaking has abated somewhat.

"You look like you had a good time in that bathroom," you counter with a smile of your own.

What Do?:
[X] (Locked, will not burn an interaction slot) Speak with Sabah about what's happened since you've been separated.
- [] Write in (You can be as truthful as you wish or omit as much as you wish. Do not include a sub-vote if you are okay with simply being frank with Sabah)

[] Armsmaster is only available to talk to for a short time, better go get some words in and make good with the local Protectorate leader.

[] New Wave 1st Ed(plus Crystal and Eric), minus the family they had been speaking with earlier. They seem to have left with the insignificant girl.

[] Deputy Director Renick, Dauntless (THE Hometown Hero) and Mr. Calvert have converged together.

[] The Christners are holding court, the ones participating are your Family and the Stansfields

[] Return to the Wards

XP Gain: 4 xp

XP Purchase:
[] Purchase
-[] Write in

[] Bank

Mote Net Gain: -1m

Spent 1 wp to resist UMI. (After some discussion decided to call Vicky's aura UMI over shaping. Repeated or wickedly prolonged exposure will cause long term UMI effects) Gain 2 resonance because we acknowledged 'Theodore' and burned a wp to resist Vicky's aura.

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Amy actually won the 'join debate' roll I used to see if she would be able to cut off TDP. Out of five dice she got 6 successes to TDPs 4 successes off of 6 dice. But once she asked you out, you regained momentum (she didn't really have anything else).

Getting a positive intimacy with Amy was way more successful than souring her view of New Wave, but her view is definitely considerably worse than it was before.

After that, TDP was on fire, getting 6+ successes.

Just a reminder Sabah got 8 successes when flirting with Vicky earlier in the quest.

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