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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rybaer" data-source="post: 1490433" data-attributes="member: 118">"The Orbit", Peace Park, Downtown, Coast CityApril 1515:02The reporter makes a few scribbles in his notepad, then flips the cover shut."Well," he says, "thank you for your time and candor.  Like I said, this is just for a story on how the people of the city feel about certain metahuman issues, particularly in light of some of the new laws being proposed.  The story will probably run in a couple days, if you're at all interested."The reporter turns to leave, then pauses.  He flips out a business card and offers it to Thomas.  "I've been assigned to the Chronicle's metahuman beat.  If you ever have any inside tips, I'd be very grateful.  And don't worry about discretion...I'd protect the identity of my sources to my last dying breath."********************Hightower Convention Center, Downtown, Coast CityApril 1614:55Jorgi's cab pulls up to the Hightower Convention Center just a few minutes before he is scheduled to meet up with his potential new boss.  The Hightower seems to be a pretty classy affair and a uniformed doorman opens his cab door for him.  The doorman gives a brief distressed look at Jorgi when he feels the powerful static aura surrounding the young metahuman, but his professionalism kicks back in and the look is replaced with a polite nod.One cab fare and two tips later, Jorgi reaches the front desk."HithereI'mheretodosomeworkfortheMetahumans@Workconferencecouldyoupleasepointmeintherightdirection?" he says.The clerk blinks twice, hard.  She seems to finally decipher what Jorgi was asking.  "The Metahumans@Work conference will be having their opening dinner tonight in the ballroom.  It's on the third floor.  You can take one of those elevators over there, or the stairs right next to them."Jorgi follows her directions and briefly thinks about riding the elevator, just to use his powers.  Neither is on the main floor, however, so he just hikes up the two flights of stairs.  The ballroom is easy to find and occupies much of this level.  There are signs for the conference as well as several dozen people doing assorted prep work.He pokes his head into the ballroom proper.  It is a large and classy affair with seating for several hundred at circular tables.  The staff is busy setting the tables for dinner.  At the far end of the room is a stage and podium with projection screens behind.  Jorgi spots a guy hauling a large box with dozens of cables dangling from it up toward the stage...most likely his contact from Superior Geeks Services.*******************The Centurian, Parkside, Coast CityApril 1617:58From his small porch overlooking Peace Park, Dr. Steven Faturius watches the sun set over the city's skyline.  The spring evening is already feeling brisk, particularly in the stiff breeze ten floors up, but he is comfortable in his tux.The ringing of the phone pulls him back inside.  The doorman informs him that his car is ready.Downstairs, a black sedan waits at the curb before a backdrop of rush hour traffic circling Peace Park's "Orbit".  The doorman makes note of the large bag Steven is carrying and has the driver pop the trunk before the doctor even reaches the car.  "Have a nice evening, Dr. Faturius," the doorman says with a smile as he closes the trunk and opens the back door.Inside the back seat is a pleasant surprise.  Maggie, in a slinky formal gown of red and black with her hair done up, gives Steven a warm smile.  "Hope you don't mind if I tag along, dear," she says.  "I'd hate for you to get bored surrounded by nothing but important city leaders all night."  Since becoming Faturius' agent, Maggie occasionally attends his appearances - though she rarely tells him when she will be coming along and never until the last possible moment.  "Well, don't just stand there, get in!"*****************A quiet street corner, Downtown, Coast CityApril 1621:05Lawrence had spent another day both wandering and half-heartedly looking for work opportunities.  Much of the time had been spent pondering the words of advice Gus had given him the previous evening.  He wondered if embracing his metahuman abilities might bring him a better degree of control over them.  Perhaps Gus was right, that it was possible to live with the changes by dealing with them.In better spirits, Lawrence returns to the regular spot where he had met Gus to find dinner each night for the last week.  The old man is nowhere to be seen.  An hour passes and already it is past the time when the bakery would be passing out the day-old breads.  Lawrence becomes anxious - he has grown fond of the homeless man for his generosity and kindness.A cat runs up to Lawrence and stands in front of him.  It meows loudly and intently.  Another cat runs up beside him, along with a small skinny dog.  Each meows, hisses, and barks until they are sure they have Lawrence's attention.  More cats and even a couple rats join the others.  As a pack, they run down the street a short distance, turning and looking back at Lawrence expectantly.</blockquote>

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