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+--- Thread: Greg and Stein Do Coruscant! (/showthread.php?tid=6906)
Greg and Stein Do Coruscant! - Oleander - 10-16-2017
The first few steps into Coruscant were intense. Stein’s eyes naturally found the tall buildings dominating the skyscape, and immediately he was reminded of home. The little flying specs were next. Originally perceived as birds, he quickly came to realize that they were something else entirely. Flying fucking cars! This place was not just modern, it was futuristic.
The familiar yellow and checkered pattern of a Taxi appeared before him. It had no wheels; it just hovered centimeters above the ground. This is how to greet a Hero! Stein nearly pranced over to the driver side window. “Salutations!” He chimed.
“Are you Prime?” The man asked, tapping the ashes from his cigarette out of the window. When Stein nodded yes, the man thumbed towards the back seat. “Hop in, then.” Stein quickly obliged. He did not have to be asked twice. The back of the cab was delightfully roomy compared to normal cars. “Where to?”
Stein had no idea where he would go… or even how to pay the man. A few moments of silence and a confused expression, the cab driver decided to show a little mercy. “Name’s Greg. This is Coruscant. You pay in Omnilium. I can take you to whatever amenity you need, just name it and I’ll find the nearest one.” The man’s scruffy voice matched the salt and pepper beard and weathered face. He looked middle aged, but in that ‘I’ve seen some shit’ middle aged.
A few moments longer of consideration, the Prime finally figured out a game plan. “Shopping district first… then food… then an apartment… How do I know how much of this… Omnilium I have?”
The older man chuckled at the question. “Trust me, you Primes always seem to have enough.”
“Well,” if that’s the case, “would you mind being my tour guide for the day? I’ll pay in between rides as well, and toss in lunch.” He could see a dark brow rise. “And not fast food.”
Greg turned in his seat to look Stein eye to eye. “Boy, you had me at pay.” That is what Stein liked to hear. “What kind of clothes you into? Upscale, space-age, modern-classic or retro?”
Wow, so many choices. It was hard to pick, considering he hardly knew the difference between them. “Jeans, T-shirts and a hoodie?”
“That’d be Modern-classic, lad. I’ll take ya to the Omni-Mart. Buckle up.” With the destination set, they were off. The car lifted straight up for several meters, then launched forward. Stein hardly felt it move. “So. What’s your name, new guy?”
The realization he had not offered his name when Greg showed his caught up the Hero was in this new Verse. “Stein. Didn’t mean to be rude.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ve had worse passengers.” He laughed at that. Stein definitely did not seem to be his worst. “Especially on the lower levels; I’d stay on the higher tiers if you can manage. Below the fourth is nothing but crime and prostitutes.” The way he chuckled made it seem as if Greg knew from experience. “Second tier is fine, best place to live. Few tourists, nice neighborhoods, great security.”
Greg’s chatter went on for most of the ride. It explained a few things about a variety of topics but he did not give heavy specifics on any one thing, except that he was one of the best taxi drivers around – and that all other drivers were assholes. Stein heard the man’s horn almost as much as the man himself during stopped traffic.
Omni-Mart seemed suspiciously similar to another ‘Mart’ Stein had visited. As they drop into a parking space, he wanted to point it out, but doubted Greg would get the reference. “You plan on sitting out here?”
Greg gave Stein a little grin as he flicked a couple of switches. A small flat screen dropped from the ceiling and the old man lit up a cigarette. “Speaking of payment for my diligent waiting, how about a pack of smokes and a cream-filled doughnut; I sense you’re going to be a while.”
The Hero gave two thumbs up. “Smokes and a box of doughnuts to split. Gotcha.”
“Hah! Now you’re talking!” Stein was not the stingy type. If he truly had that much of this ‘Omnilium’ stuff for just being a prime, he might as well make good use of it.
The cool air inside the building and the layout of various shelves gave this place a sense of de ja vu. It was like instinct honed over generations pulled at him. He knew exactly where the apparel section was. It took only a minute to mentally divide where the men’s and women’s clothes were and home in on the better subsection of clothes. It really was that other ‘mart.’
Jeans were easy to find, and a belt was on an end cap to the very same shelf. Socks and boxer-briefs – roomy yet not free-balling – were next on his list. Stein could not find one turtle-toting T-shirt in the men’s section. It was a bit saddening. Those that did have logos were unfamiliar, so he just went with a blank T-shirt. Then a hoodie! Zip up, preferred of course.
With his armful of goodies, he found the dressing room and smiled at the cute chubby girl standing there. “Can I help you?” She chimed in a bubbly tone.
“Yes miss, can I pay for these back here? I’d like to wear them out.” She took one glance of his clothes and seemed to realize why. “Yea, new to this whole Omni-business.”
She giggled. “Well at least Omni’s still bringing in cute boys. I’ll ring you up.” He could not help but run a hand through his blonde locks at the compliment. He was a guy, of course he liked it when he got compliments from women.
“Alright, put your hand on that little pad right there.” She pointed to a machine with a hand-print imbedded in the hard plastic, “Prime Only” label resting right above it. He did as told and felt a little tingle. “Aaaaand here’s your receipt! You can change in the first stall. I promise not to peak. Much.”
He took the receipt with a smirk. After looking it over, he handed it back. “I think you made a mistake. You’re supposed to sneak your number before you hand it to me. Better have that fixed before I come back out.” She sucked in her lips, trying to stifle a grin as Mr. Charming walks into the stall.
As he removed the clothing, Stein thanked his lucky stars no rashes had formed from the itchy attire. The gentle cotton against his skin felt like time travel. For the moment, he did not put socks on, that required shoes first. After dressed, stood for a few more seconds, then grabbed his stuff and stepped out.
The voluptuous worker handed his receipt back and smiled. “Thank you for shopping at Omni-mart.” Stein just grins, winks at her, then heads on his way. See you soon, he mentally quips. As soon out of eyesight, he takes a look at the receipt. ‘Sorry, not my type.’
Ouch. “Shot down,” He mumbled. “Ehh. She wasn’t that hot.” She was stil pretty hot. Still, first day in a new world, it was probably best to focus on adapting before dating.
RE: Greg and Stein Do Coruscant! - Oleander - 10-17-2017
Omni-Mart really had the feel of home about it. After dumping his old, blood stained clothes in a trash bin, he strolled about for a bit longer, just to see what all this universe’s version of the classic American shopping center had to offer. Of course he made a beeline straight to the Electronics department.
It warmed his heart to see such a vast array of videogames, odd consoles and odd personal devices. I could do with a mobile… Cell phones were vastly useful for more than just games, he reasoned. Games were a big bonus though. So many different types though…
He tried on one of the display pieces. It was a wrist watch ordeal with what he guessed would be a blue tooth earbud. The little panel in front of its display gave a few instructions. Flick wrist twice to activate device’s interface. That seemed easy enough. He flicks the device, expecting it to project a screen onto his arm like some of the civilian devices back home. Nope, a screen appeared in the air, with keys hovering in front of his fingers. “Woah.” That was super flashy… Not his style.
Next option was more his speed. It looked like a normal smart phone. He hit the power button on the display and it looked pretty straight forward. “Ooh, app store…” He did not click it for now, but no doubt that was a bonus. The panel had a list of add ons, sold separately of course. It was pretty much exactly what he was looking for. Placing the display back neatly, Stein plucked one of the boxes from underneath.
He also nabbed a set of bass boost headphones, black with an acid green trim because why not, and a screen protector. Better safe than sorry, right? With the selection in hand, he made his way back to the electronics department register.
“How can I help you?” A younger man stood at the register. He had the look of a new age rocker… and not in a good way.
As Stein placed his assortment on the counter, he pointed out the boxed smartphone. “What sort of plans do you offer? I’m looking for a monthly thing, if guys have it.”
The man shook his head to clear long, black bangs from his face. He took up the box and looked it over. “This model has full functionality. One time purchase to open functions, any of which can be unlocked through the app store at a later date. Dataverse connection is one hundred Omnilium, Communicator is two hundred Omnilium and Vita Compass is… Eight hundred, I think.”
That’s a lot of options. Dataverse connection sounded like Internet… that was definitely a necessity. The Communicator option sounded like Text and Phone. There was only one he could not figure out by the name. “What’s a Vita Compass?”
With a heavy I don’t want to be here sigh, the man droned an almost autonomous response. “The Vita Compass allows you to track your friends and foes across all serviceable Omniverse verses.” And then the man’s eyes rest on Stein with a I don’t have all day, dude glare.
Since he hardly knew anyone, Vita Compass was the least of his worries. “The Dataverse thing.” Stein was already placing his hand on the little device to make his payment. A few beeps and angsty sighs later, the cashier was bagging up his purchases. “Thanks, have a good one man.”
“Whatever,” Stein heard, even as he was skirting away from the depressing lad. Yeesh.
It was a quick stop over at the grocery side… The assortment of doughnuts was off the chain! Hmm… Two cream filled unglazed, two cream filled glazed, and two cream filled chocolate glazed… That seemed about right, right? Yea. Tying his back haphazardly to his belt line, he then filled up one of the half-dozen boxes. That should hold till dinner time. Damn I’m so unhealthy…
Then it was over to the front register. He ordered a pack of cigarettes, regular full flavored. Greg seemed the cowboy type. He paid again and then he was headed out the door. He felt a bit of his old self return, bit by bit. The normal life part, specifically.
Knock, knock. He tapped on the window, alerting Greg to his return. The man was nose to screen almost, watching what looks to be an action movie, complete with a helicopter fight. Might be interesting. “Well don’t you look ten shades better.” The old Taximan chimed after rolling down the window. “Hop in the front, we’ll enjoy the snack before we head out. Off the clock, since you’re so gracious.”
Stein handed off the cigarettes first, before heading around, stuffing his other goodies in the back seat. He slid into the front, box of doughnuts swiftly opened and offered. Greg happily accepted first pick and went for a glazed and unglazed. “Not a chocolate fan?”
“Nah. Have at ‘em.” Stein happily accepted both of the chocolate covered, cream filled delightful pastries. With two held expertly in one hand, he sat the box in the back so he could stretch out. “If you want to watch something, I have movies in the glove box.”
“Just restart what you’ve got on. Action looked pretty good.”
“It hadn’t even really started yet, pal.” Using the pinky of a doughnut burdened hand, he fumbled with the touch screen to rewind it just beyond the opening credits.
Stein got comfy. “Hell of a welcome party, my man.”
“Not every day I get a decent person in my cab, especially no young buck with a proper appreciation for classic action and cream filling. Takes a special soul.”
The hero just laughed. “Or the mind of a child that refused to grow up.”
“That too, that too.” Do I smell a bromance? So far the Omniverse was looking up.
RE: Greg and Stein Do Coruscant! - Oleander - 10-17-2017
After the movie ended, complete with a great deal of commentary from both Greg and Stein alike, they hit the road again. Windows down, cruising speeds, high above the ground; Stein was enjoying himself. They did not really pick a location, more of an “idea.”
“There, right there, I told ya I know my way around!” Greg showed off a bit of his taxi-skills, tilting the vessel to let Stein peer down below to the park almost half a kilometer beneath. “I’ll pull ‘round.” The object in question was a classic beat down. It looks like a small group deep in the park were ganging up on tourists – mugging no doubt.
“No need, just catch me up.” Stein opened the door, wind whipping his unzipped hoodie and headphone wire about. “Cowabunga!” And with the exclamation he was out.
The last thing he heard was Greg’s voice, laughing as he shouted; “You crazy son of a—“ then the wind took the sound away.
Dropping nearly five hundred meters took a few seconds. Ten, tops. During that time, he spread his body to slow himself, each hand creating a palm shield. And then he released them, letting them fall behind. Two more were formed in the last little stretch. “GEEERRRRRONIMOOOOO!”
Poor, poor thugs… In the last few seconds before impact, the call had caused the four or five men to look up. Two of which were greeted with a divebombing Stein planting palm shields right into the face. They buffer the impact slightly, but the shatter and then subsequent impact of his palms to their faces, and then the back of hteir heads to the ground, earn a resounding Thud! Each fallen man had their own symphony of grunts, including Stein.
He managed to use the thugs to break his fall, his body landing in a heap atop theirs. That’s gonna hurt in the morning! “Oi! What the HELL?! Fred? Jason? The HELL is… did … where did you come from?” Questions of a stunned man, at least one could find their voice. The fourth was slowly backing up.
Stein rose to his feet. He had a bandana around his face and a beanie pulled low on his brow with sunglasses to complete his hidden identity. “Just thought I’d drop in.” The Hero winked, only to realize they could not see through the shades. Smooth. The couple they had been attacking sat in equal shock. The man was bloodied and the woman’s blouse was a mess. It looked like he had made it just in the nick of time.
“Well come on then, let’s see what you guys g—“ The man who had backed up whipped out an extending baton and immediately moved in to strike. That tingling sensation raced up Stein’s spine and he could have dodged the attack, but instead he bowed his head and took it right to the crown. Dink! The baton did not even break skin.
As the thug recoiled, Stein reaches out to either side to grab the falling shields. One lands in his hand, hovering perfectly. The other misses, shattering on the ground. He gave it the old Well fuck me, look. He fucked that up. “You got lucky. Wind caught one.”
“Who the hell are you, man?” The talker spoke up. Clearly that was what is part in the gang was – talking. He did not seem to do much else.
Stein chuckled. “Donno. Trying to figure that out… considering reinventing myself.”
“What?”
“You know, a cool Hero name. Maybe I’ll just let it come to me, you know?”
Ting! The shield was lifted about the same time one of the grounded goons had lifted his own gun. The glassy shield cracked, but the true remorse was the shooter’s. He dropped the gun, grabbing his bleeding knee. Stein seemed to hate knees. “Get ‘em Ricky!”
Stein batted the baton as it came in for round two. It was not nearly enough to send Ricky flying, but the redirection left the man toppling right past the Hero, who promptly angled a foot to trip him up. Ricky fell on the goon he assumed was Jason, the shooter, earning another dual symphony of grunts and an additional choked groan from the kneecapped gentleman.
At this point, the battle was basically over, and the thugs knew it. Law enforcement would be arriving soon, thanks to all the noise. Stein walked right past the talkative one, even handing him the cracked glass shield to show just how little they intimidated him. “You two better run along. My friend says mugging is pretty rare on the first Tier, so you should be safe.”
The customary thanks were given in stammering and timid tones before they scampered off. Mmm, she was cute. Probably taken though. “So, I take it you four don’t really do this sort of –“ Crunch! Just as he was turning, he gets a fist to the face, right across the bridge of his nose. Well THAT hurt. The Hero held his nose, having no doubt it would start bleeding. His glasses were shattered, crumbling right in front of his eyes. The burning, cutting sensation suggested some shrapnel had made it past his right eye lid.
After an annoyed grunt, he glared through the shattered shades. “Ow.” Somehow, the sarcastic display of pain was in itself intimidating, to three of the thugs at least. The second man who he had downed on landing was up now. He looked horrible, his face was gnarly and blood coated most of his torso from the double impact. Glass cannon.
Another punch was thrown, and it was dead on accurate. Stein almost let it hit, just to show off, but that tingle was almost a burn across his nerves. At the last second he managed to twist, turning the strike into a glancing blow. Pain instantly seared his shoulder with another sickening Crunch! The right arm from shoulder down felt numb.
Realization hit. The Face was the guy who talked. The man with the gun was the Ranger. The Baton wielding guy was the fighter, most likely, good with weapons. This guy was a monk type. Lower HP, but maximum unarmed and unarmored proficiency. This guy was definitely the strongest of the group. “That’s a mean right hook you have there, pal.”
Stein received a snarl and a glob of blood spat at him. He quickly evaded the crimson loogie, if only to save his new clothes. “Dude, gross!” Not a second after finishing his less than witty retort, another punch was thrown his way – and he felt nothing. His danger sense failed him again. The moment he lost focus, he could not sense anything from this man.
Stein was knocked to his ass, his shades rent from his face as the numbness spreads from his left cheek. The brawler tried to mount him, no doubt to pummel him into the dirt. Stein lifts a foot to kick off the man’s knee, rolling backwards as he stumbled. “No the talkative type, aye? I’m going to go on a wild hunch and say you’re Fred, right? Not the most fearsome name. Oh no, look out for Fred!” He feigned a sense of fear, hands waving.
His ploy failed. Fred did not grow angry, instead he unleashed a one-two combo after stepping forward. While focused on him, Stein could feel the threat level. Whatever Fred was doing to suppress himself seemed to be only slightly weaker than his ability to detect danger. The hero used one hand to swiftly nudge the first strike off course, grazing it past his face, then lifts the elbow to do the same to the other strike. A slight duck let it fly right over his head. His free hand was manifesting another Palm Shield, just for safety.
Before it could finish, the game was over. His danger sense went haywire and he could hear the stamping of feet from all around. Like an angel from above, he heard the familiar hum of a flying vessel. “Looks like my taxi’s here. Catch ya later, Fred.” As soon as Greg brought the vehicle low enough, Stein leapt up to grab the back bumper. And like that, they were off.
Two beers and two party packs of cheap tacos later, Greg and Stein are still hyped. They were not even talking in full sentences, just laughing and replaying the video Greg had recorded on repeat. Greg’s favorite scene was the kamikaze dive bomb and the crack, crunch, thunk series of Stein’s epic landing. He also thoroughly enjoyed that Fred fellow and his fists of hell. “I tell ya, I could almost hear those punches! Baton to the face and not a flinch, but DAYUM!”
“Shut up and let me bum a smoke, old man. Cancer cures.” Greg did not even complain, he handed over a cigarette and a lighter. “Much obliged.”
“You should invest in one of them drone things to follow you around. I bet it’d catch way better audio than your phone from a mile up.” Greg did not seem to mind, he could imagine the sounds of violence well enough.
It was not a bad idea. “Maybe tomorrow. I think I need to find a hotel or something. Bed and a toilet to ruin, you know what I mean?”
“Shit, how about a guest room. My son would get a hoot out of meeting a Prime. ‘Specially a Hero.”
Exhaling a thin cloud through his nostrils, he nodded at the offer. “I think I’ll take you up on that.”
RE: Greg and Stein Do Coruscant! - Oleander - 10-18-2017
Greg’s family was a hoot. His son was twelve and getting in the stage where he loved all things comics. Greg had the boy, Kelso, in his lap so they could both watch the video again and again. The boy was almost a spitting image of his father, with black hair, cut mid length to show off curls, and a low cut jaw. He had his mother’s hazel eyes.
While they were enjoying the video in the den, Stein was with Greg’s Wife in the kitchen, hissing as she cleaned and bandaged the cuts on his busted nose and cheek. Those were the only two that had broken skin, meaning that Fred guy hit harder than a five hundred meter fall. Wonderful. “Quit being such a baby, you’d think a man like you’d be a bit tougher than this,” scolded miss Amanda with a smirk.
She was a classy lady, her dark brown stresses lined with gray, but she did not dye them. The bridge of her nose held a pair of glasses. She wore an apron, since he was also cooking dinner while tending to Stein. From what he could tell, Greg worked two jobs so that his wife could be a stay-at-home mother with their son. It was a cute family dynamic, and miss Amanda seemed happy with the old school way of life. She practically oozed motherly instinct, after all.
“To be fair, that guy hit like a runaway, invisible train.” He winced as she runs another alcohol swab across the bridge of his nose. “And alcohol is like the flames of hell reaching up through the cracks in wounded earth to burn your very soul.” Stein lifted his glass of chocolate milk for a sip, just to announce his total strength of character. Yup. Nothing wrong with this at all.
Amanda finally stuck a broad adhesive bandage over the bridge of his nose, then patted his blonde mop. “You are free to go. Dinner will be ready in a few, please tell Greg and Kelso to wash their hands. You too, I don’t tolerate dirty boys at the dinner table.” She reminds me of Mom so much… He tried to get that similarity out of his head. He did not need that kind of depression again.
Stein made his way to the den, poked both Greg and Kelso in the back of the head, and continued on his way to the guest bathroom. “Warden says we needs our hands clean before we gets the gruel,” he rasps, wiggling his digits in the air. “Warden demands it, she does!” Greg laughs, but Kelso does not seem to get the humor. That, or he was too wrapped up in the video to really focus.
Once all washed up, smelling of lavender and some assortment of other smell-goods, he headed back in the kitchen, plopping into a chair. His wounds itched. They were already mostly healed, and had Amanda not demanded the sterilization, they would have healed up fine without it. Greg joined him at the head of the table and Kelso sat beside him. Amanda was busy setting various bowls and platters down in the center of the dining table.
Conversation began. It was casual family talk. Amanda asked Greg about his day, before meeting Stein. She had heard all about that already. Greg relayed a few tidbits, but eventually he passed the torch onto Kelso, asking about school. The boy was ecstatic about the topic and went on for a few good minutes talking about the new game at recess. Greg then turned it back to Amanda. She seemed happy as a clam as she described her morning of “me time” involving a matinee with the girls before laundry, a walk around the neighborhood, and a nap before Kelso returned from school. This family really seemed to have it figured out.
Amanda turned it over to Stein. “How was your day, before you and Greg met?” Not much of a day, really.
“Well, I met this girl named Franky.”
“Oooh, was she cute?”
Stein chuckled. “Gorgeous. Tough girl too, sword toating, freckled… about my age too.” Greg nodded in approval. “Sadly, she was from Camelot. When I realized it was sort of a pre-modern Verse, I kinda just… turned around, said my goodbyes and left.”
“Aww,” Amanda sighed. “Did you at least get her number?”
“They don’t even know what cellphones are, love. It’s pretty simple over there.” Greg informed his wife. “Now, I’m not heavy into politics, I know the Empire and the Kingdom are at each other’s throats… but maybe you should swing through there one of these days. See if you two really click you know?” Stein had thought about it. “That’s just my two cents worth, though.”
Amanda smiled at her husband from across the table. “I’m from Costa del Sol… so cross-verse relationships aren’t unheard of. I’m pretty sure Coruscant-Camelot couples exist out there.” As she sat, she gave each of the boys a little look. “But enough of that for now, let’s just enjoy dinner.” Kelso was immediately reaching for the bowl of macaroni and cheese.
Dinner was more than excellent. Macaroni, obviously Kelso’s favorite, a hearty meatloaf, Greg’s – and now Stein’s favorite, steamed vegetables, liquid cheese and homemade biscuits. Stein was a forward thinker here. Cutting the biscuit in half, he built sandwitches of meatloaf meatloaf and veggies, with hot cheese… and then mixed some steamed veggies into his macaroni to boot. Kelso took to the latter, but Greg was more interested in the sandwitch. Miss Amanda just shook her head, smiling as the three worked to outdo each other with their masterpieces. “Why did I even bother giving you forks?”
After everyone had their fill, Stein offered to help with dishes, but Amanda declined. “Wouldn’t be much of a housewife if I had you do my work for me, now would I?” She smiled, patting his hair with a wet hand, matting his already wild locks. “Besides, I heard about the generous little tip. Greg’s already ordered us all something special.” She turned him about and gave him a nudge between the shoulders. “You can help by hitting the play button on your way out.”
Stein did as requested, hitting the play button on an old boombox. The music that played seemed decades old – and he was GLAD she let him leave before his brain was fossilized by the dusty old lyrics. It was funny how so many people seemed to rage against this sort of life style, while a few like Amanda seemed to crave it.
On the porch with the boys, Stein took up one of the rocking chairs, lit up a cancer stick offered by Greg, and watched as Kelso flailed about in the yard under the porch lights, pretending to fight some unknown baddies. A smirk formed on the Hero’s lips as he noticed him employ the use of make believe Palm shields. Greg was laughing. “We’ll never hear the end of this, you know.”
“I could really mess with you… In the morning, I could actually teach him to make one of those.” The old man’s brow rose. “It’s not that hard. I learned it in a couple months and it was basically one lesson over and over.”
A gravelly chuckle filled the air. “What about that quick healing you got? Think you can teach an old man that trick?” This time, Greg received a shrug. “Didn’t think so. That seemed more like a natural thing than a learned power. Can’t blame an old man from trying, am I right?”
“I can teach you to heal yourself… as soon as I learn how to do it again. I lost a lot coming to the Omniverse.” A sympathetic nod from a wisened old coot suggested it was not a new story. “But, I have the basis for a bit of everything. Healing, tough skin, shields...” He sighed. It was not a sad sigh, more of a What do I do now type sigh.
“Just a thought. Primes here are notorious for growing stronger faster than us Secondaries… You could learn a few extra tricks. I know you’re not one for direct or devastating attacks, but maybe pick up some other powers, work on speed… Or make shields that have other utility effects? Ohh!” An idea popped into Greg’s head. He leaned forward in his rocking chair, a grin forming beneath that salt and pepper mustache. “You need Crowd Control… You said you’re a gamer, right? What’s the worst thing about being a tank?”
“Low DPS?” Stein suggested. Greg waves a hand, telling him there was more to it than just that. After a moment of thought, he figured it out too. “Agro. Right, so I need a way to make myself more of a nuicense…”
“Bingo. You’re a tough nut, my boy, but a SMART fighter’ll just ignore you if you can’t fight or at the very least fuck with them a bit.” Greg had a point. Before, he could throw shields to block enemies, or trap them in shields to mess with them, but… those took a long time to perfect, and sometimes they were useless due to their limited size and range. “If you could pick up another skill tree,”
“I like the way you think… Any thoughts?”
“Now that’s the million dollar question, ain’t it? Maybe an Elemental thing, change your shields into something like fire, lightning or stone?”
“Hmm, that’s nice, but still only shields.”
“Burning Comet shield.” Greg stated simply, slowed down and annunciated for effect.
Stein leans back in his chair. “Lightning Comet Shield.”
“Stone Prison Shield.” They were going back and forth now, imagining so many possible variants. “Just keep that in mind for later, after you figure out all your shields. And that little psychic Foresight you got… maybe there’s more to it if you dig.”