She-Wolf
Dream League Admin
Child of the Forest
"I'm not afraid to die - and I'd do anything to get scum like you out of this city."
Posts: 75
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Post by She-Wolf on Jun 16, 2011 21:45:16 GMT -8
San's brisk steps came to a sudden halt as she heard a voice call out to her... or, rather, it sounded as if it was speaking to her, in particular. It was coming from that jovial man with the odd accent. She turned around to see that it was indeed directed at her, as the man was facing her with a beaming, amiable smile. Despite being met with such a friendly face, San showed no amusement herself, retaining the same solemn expression as before - this time, with just a hint of impatience as the man spoke to her. She didn't have time to be standing around watching some street show...
Something the man said, however, caused San's eyebrows to lift ever so slightly with interest. Main character...? What did he mean? She wasn't going to end up as a volunteer for some dumb magic act, was she? Her more logical side told her that there was simply no point in remaining here... but... all the same, something about this man seemed unusual to her, and it wasn't just his accent. San, herself, had a hunch about him - that he knew more about her than he let on... and that he was, perhaps, more than a simple street performer. What's more is that he bothered to grab her attention before she left, as opposed to any of the others that were moving on...
San sighed inwardly... she turned around fully to face the man and stood in a manner that seemed to indicate that she was here to stay. Her suspicion had won out, for the moment - she was interested in this strange man, and wanted to see if she was right about her hunch. She continued to eye him impatiently with those dour gray eyes, until a small group of ducks arrived - a gaggle of noisy ducklings, accompanied by... a rather familiar elderly duck. It took San a short moment to realize that he was the famous entrepeneur, Scrooge McDuck - she had no interest in coming across such a person, but it was difficult for her not to know about him when he was popping up all over the news.
San's eyes darted over to Maui Mallard, again... and she was surprised to see that he had stuck around. He looked rather disinterested, but, all the same, he clearly made the decision to remain rather than return to his duties. Odd... as if the richest duck in the world coming along to watch wasn't odd enough. Maybe there was something about this strange man that she was unaware of?
As Bert began to formally address all that were gathered around, San couldn't help realizing the ridiculousness of what she was doing... she felt downright embarrassed, even. A certain uncomfortable sensation welled up within her... she was never one to hang around other people (never mind that she had shunned all human contact for years before just a few months ago), and she felt just plain awkward standing around in such close proximity to others, where they could very clearly see and address her. She wasn't about to let her shy side show itself, however, and kept as stoic a facial expression on as she could. She said nothing at all at Bert's suggestion to share names - she had no desire to share her name with anybody here. Hopefully she wouldn't be asked...
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The Masked Mallard
Dream League Member
Luck Of The Duck
The Gentleman's Crimefighter
Posts: 84
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Post by The Masked Mallard on Jun 16, 2011 21:45:44 GMT -8
Glancing around and noticing the duck in the Hawaiian shirt watching him, Scrooge politely tipped his top hat to him. But when the screever announced his presence, Scrooge returned his attention to the man, chuckling slightly at his reference to the children. Scrooge wasn’t foolish enough to think he wouldn’t be recognized.
Listening to the Englishman's comments about Scrooge understanding the importance of friendship, the mogul coughed rather awkwardly, a bit surprised. He was anything but a snob, and was more than willing to converse with anybody – just as long as the conversation stoked his interest and wasn’t about anything trashy or absurd. Turning to where he could look at both the artist and the girl, Scrooge amiably said, “Well, let’s just say that while money makes the world go ‘round, it’s not the only thing that does.”
Now this fellow wanted everyone here to exchange names? Whatever for? Scrooge gave the man a look of bemusement before his gaze swept around the gaggle of stragglers. In addition to the schoolgirl and the other duck, there was also a young woman wearing a hooded sweatshirt who seemed like she brooked no foolishness.
Taking another wary look at the sky, Scrooge wondered when it was going to start raining. The street performer seemed harmless enough (though that ultimately didn't mean anything), and he himself was in a good mood, but he had no time for being drafted into a magic show or something at the moment. He had no desire to be rained on. But before Scrooge could decline and take his leave with the kids, they took the liberty of answering for him.
”I’m Huey, and this here is our Unca Scrooge.” Huey, the duckling in red, told the other pedestrians in a friendly manner.
“I’m Louie!” The green-garbed brother cheerfully piped up.
That left the young duck bedecked in blue. “Dewey!”
“My name’s Webbigail, but you can call me Webby.” The youngest of the bunch introduced herself.
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Dreamchild
Dream League Admin
The Dream Come True
"Open your mind..."
Posts: 206
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Post by Dreamchild on Jun 16, 2011 21:46:18 GMT -8
Alice continued to feel embarrassed when the gentleman crouched to be closer to her level. She looked away out of awkwardness, but looked back to Bert just before he finished speaking. The longer she looked at the man's gentle eyes and warm smile, the more she realized that his smile truly was infectious: she found herself smiling at him. "I suppose you're right," she said.
By then she noticed that all of the crowd had left, save for Maui, and numerous strangers. There was an aura of familiarity that surrounded the Japanese-American human and the wealthy duck, and she was curious to learn more about the familiar strangers. This is why she didn't leave, even after the weather was alarmingly turning for the worse. She regretted not bringing an umbrella.
Alice exchanged glances from Bert to Scrooge McDuck, as the two talked about friendship and the like. Her smile warmed. The longer she spent in Bert's company, the more confident she felt; maybe someday she would have a very close friend, too. A 'best friend,' as they say.
After Scrooge McDuck's name was revealed, his chirpy nephews introduced themselves. The human girl only thought it polite to introduce herself as well.
"My name is Alice. It's nice meeting you all." She smiled pleasantly at everyone, although her smile lessened when she looked at the obviously somber and moody Japanese-American. It looked like she was disillusioned by life.
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Cold Shadow
Dream League Admin
Shadow of Justice
Posts: 74
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Post by Cold Shadow on Jun 16, 2011 21:46:22 GMT -8
Maui perked a brow at Bert's suggestion that they exchange names. And he was further mystified by whatever event he had planned next. What was so spectacular that they should all continue to hang around, poor weather aside? His mind returned to the coin trick he had performed for Alice, in which he had produced a coin in which Maui himself could provide no theories as to how he had done it. With that thought in mind he concluded that he was indeed interested in seeing whatever it was that this performer had planned.
"Name's Maui." He introduced himself while sticking his right thumb in front of his chest, pumping his arm a couple of times as he gestured to himself. He left out his full name, and he certainly left out his detective title. That wasn't information any of them needed, although Alice was already fully aware of his identity - both of them, in fact.
<<I wonder what this is all about.>> Maui projected his thoughts to Alice. Though Bert seemed friendly enough, the ever-skeptical Maui Mallard still had his reservations. That was to be expected, as he still wasn't even completely sure about the Dream League.
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Bert
Dream League Member
Posts: 12
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Post by Bert on Jun 16, 2011 21:47:04 GMT -8
Bert looked from one person to the other as they each introduced themselves in turn. He noted that the solemn-looking girl did not offer her own name, but he wasn't one to pressure people into doing what they didn't want (though he was known to indirectly make suggestions in subtle ways, as he had done in the past), so he didn't bring her refusal to introduce herself to light.
"Well, as some of you are already keen to, me name's Bert. And for the new arrivals, well, the name's still Bert!" He introduced himself to those new to the group, tipping his hat and bowing lightly. "And seein' as we're acquainted now, I'd say that makes us all friends." He then sauntered over to his sidewalk drawings, with a notable dance in his strides. He crouched beside one drawing in particular; one which was distinctly different from the others, as it was a piece which was clearly not any area in Epcot City. It portrayed a scene of a beautiful, grassy, hilly area with a gentle stream cutting through it.
"I 'ave a habit of makin' meself lots of friends wherever me feet take me. They all 'old a special place in me 'eart, and the friends I made 'ere are no real exception. Ah, a more beautiful bit of landscape you could rarely ask for. I 'ave some found memories, 'ere; traveling this dirt road which connects to a little bridge crossin' the stream." Despite saying this, there was quite obviously no bridge in the drawing he was discussing. The dirt road he spoke of reached the stream, stopped, then continued across the other end, with nothing acting as a path over the water, which was drawn in such detail that, to stare at it long enough, one would always swear that the water was flowing.
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The Masked Mallard
Dream League Member
Luck Of The Duck
The Gentleman's Crimefighter
Posts: 84
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Post by The Masked Mallard on Jun 19, 2011 13:26:40 GMT -8
In succession, the schoolgirl introduced herself as Alice and the other more outrageously-dressed duck simply as Maui. Something about Alice's voice struck Scrooge as sounding familiar. Where had he heard that voice before? Turning, he fixed her with an intent gaze before catching himself and looking at this Bert fellow, the man who had orchestrated all of this. That was everyone but the Japanese-American teen, who remained silent and grim. Quite an odd gathering this was! Scrooge presented the others with a polite nod of acknowledgement, and smiled affably at Alice.
He and his family then watched as Bert jauntily made his way over to another one of his sidewalk drawings. This one was of a stream among green grassy knolls. His eyes flicked over the drawing, then returned to the artist, who had declared them all his friends and was now discussing the chalk drawing. It all sounded quite lovely, and indeed, the image was just as excellent as the others, but really, was this going anywhere? At least Bert hadn't asked for any money (yet). Scrooge found himself growing impatient.
"'Tis a pleasure to make everyone's acquaintance, and you're quite the entertainer Bert, but we really should be ---" He suddenly halted in mid-sentence, brow furrowed as he stared harder at the image on the ground. Was the stream in the picture actually flowing, or was it some trick of the light?
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She-Wolf
Dream League Admin
Child of the Forest
"I'm not afraid to die - and I'd do anything to get scum like you out of this city."
Posts: 75
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Post by She-Wolf on Jun 20, 2011 9:16:55 GMT -8
San's face began to show more and more impatience, gradually, as Bert continued to chatter on. Why was she still here?! Why was she even interested in this strange man, at all? Trying to make sense out of her decision to remain here for a few minutes only aggravated San even further, as she couldn't figure it out. Did this man only want money? San certainly didn't have any of that to give, nor would she be interested in doing so. He wasn't even doing anything that would earn him any right now... he was just babbling on about his friends.
A scowl grew on San's face. Did he think she'd actually care about that? And where did he get off, calling her (in addition to everybody else here) a friend? Irritation swelling inside of her, San had had enough of this nonsense, and wanted nothing more to do with this "Bert" person - he was just wasting her time, time that could be spent bringing evil-doers to justice. Making a final decision, San began to trod away hurriedly, tiring of being around so many people... but she took no more than a single step before actually getting a good look at the particular drawing Bert was currently seated down next to. Her sour expression gave way to one of mild interest, her eyebrows raised and lips open slightly.
.... She didn't even realize it, and definitely wouldn't admit it even if she did, but San was outright mesmerized by the drawing of a beautiful, garden-like setting. Art was a concept not entirely familiar to her, and she never thought much of it... as expected for a girl who lived in the wilderness for nearly ten years. Even so, she was immediately struck by the detail and realism of the picture... it looked almost like something out of a dream.
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Dreamchild
Dream League Admin
The Dream Come True
"Open your mind..."
Posts: 206
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Post by Dreamchild on Jun 20, 2011 23:05:56 GMT -8
The Japanese-American teenager seemed to be the moodiest of the lot. It looked like it didn't take much to anger her, judging from that scowl she made to Bert that Alice noticed. What, exactly, was her problem? Alice disliked people so openly rude. True, Bert was a stranger, but that doesn't mean--
Then there's Scrooge McDuck. The way he talked, and the way he looked, reminded Alice of someone. But whom? She knew quite a few ducks with high quality hats--they weren't exactly rare in Epcot City. But despite her curiosity, she smiled like a dignified lady when the elder duck smiled affably.
Alice folded her arms on her chest, though she continued to smile, as she watched Bert. <<I don't know, Maui. But I have a feeling we're about to find... out...>>
The girl was distracted by the gorgeous artwork that Bert explained. The stream in the environment depicted in the sidewalk painting... was it moving? No, ridiculous! It was just an optical illusion. Alice cleared her throat, trying to think of something intelligent and credible to say. She politely pointed out the error.
"Excuse me, Mr. Bert. It is lovely artwork, but I don't see a bridge anywhere." She tried to be as polite as she could with her statement, not wanting to offend an artist who, frankly, was far better at painting and drawing than her.
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Bert
Dream League Member
Posts: 12
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Post by Bert on Jul 5, 2011 1:29:31 GMT -8
As he crouched over his painting, his wrists resting against either of his knees, he smiled warmly as he noticed the shadows of the others appearing around him to see what he was talking about. Any of them could have left then and there, as Scrooge McDuck, Maui, and the silent, somber girl had intended to, but somehow he knew that they wouldn't.
His brows furrowed and his lips pursed when Alice pointed out the fact that there wasn't any bridge in the picture, despite the fact that he had mentioned one moments earlier. "Why, how silly o' me! A brilliant observation, I might add, Ms. Liddell!" He responded to the English girl before rummaging through his art supplies, which were placed in a navy blue handkerchief at his feet. With the chalk he selected poised between his fingers he began to scribble over a portion of the stream, drawing a bridge where there hadn't been one before. As he continued to detail the bridge, though making haste as not to keep his new friends waiting, it was apparent that there were various shades and colors to the bridge, despite the fact that he had not swapped out his chalk once. Yet, right in front of them, he was drawing in several shades using only a (seemingly) single color of chalk.
Once he had finished the addition he placed the chalk back among the others, pushing up the brim of his hat with the opposite hand. "There! That looks just about right, anyway. Although..." He tilted his head, a thoughtful expression on his face, his eyes still glued on the artwork. "If I recollect correctly, the bridge was really more this way than that." With his right hand he pressed his index and middle fingers down on the two-dimensional artwork on the sidewalk slab, over the bridge, specifically. Ever so gently he slid his fingers to the left and, just like that, he slid the position of the bridge over, as though it were something more tangible. More mysterious was that the artwork behind the bridge was unaffected, and displayed normally; only the bridge itself was transferred.
"Yeah. I'd say that's more along the lines of 'right' than before." He concluded, nodding his head lightly in approval.
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Dreamchild
Dream League Admin
The Dream Come True
"Open your mind..."
Posts: 206
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Post by Dreamchild on Jul 5, 2011 3:40:37 GMT -8
Alice tried not to be easily affected by flattery, but Bert's compliment brought a smile to her lips, and her body perked up, ready to impress him and the small gathering with more perceptive remarks. "Thank you, Bert!" she said happily.
<<I think I like him!>> she added to Maui Mallard. Only he could hear this comment.
She watched Bert draw the bridge that was missing. He used a single chalk to draw the bridge, and he was amazing. In fact, he was remarkably amazing. In fact, he seemed to draw different shades of different colors with just a single piece of chalk. How was this possible? Was it because of how he held the chalk, or was there something more? She was reminded of the coin trick Bert performed earlier, and a thought crossed the recesses of her mind: could this man have actual powers?
Something happened to support this thought. Bert literally moved the bridge with his hands. He did not erase the bridge and redraw it to a desired position. No. He pressed his fingers on the bridge and literally moved it along the landscape painting, as if it was a tangible object, like an image on an iPad. Amazed, Alice's mouth formed a wide 'O,' she brought her hands up close to her cheeks by impulse, and she stared at the moved bridge in awe. She looked to Bert for a few seconds, before returning her focus to the bridge.
<<I believe there is more to this man than meets the eye, Mr. Mallard,>> she thought. Even her mental voice was shocked and wavering.
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Cold Shadow
Dream League Admin
Shadow of Justice
Posts: 74
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Post by Cold Shadow on Jul 6, 2011 1:41:03 GMT -8
Maui continued to stand and watch as Bert went on in his ramblings about friends, and places he'd been. As the screever crouched in front of one of his paintings, Maui took a couple of steps forward to get a better look, but he remained further away from the group than most of the others; merely getting close enough to see better. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as the man began to draw in multiple colors and shades from a single piece of chalk, although his eyes widened considerably when Bert moved the bridge with his fingers.
<<Oh, jeez.>> He projected his thoughts to Alice, though he wasn't intending to. <<Great, another person in Epcot City with superpowers. Exactly what this city needed.>> He added, still meaning to think only to himself. He still hadn't gotten the hang of projecting his thoughts, and thus these thoughts, which were intended to be personal, were transmitted to the young telepath.
And what might those powers be? Amusing magic tricks? His mind strayed upon some quick, self-indulgent theories as to how one got those sorts of magical powers. One such daydream centered around discovering a pair of Houdini's enchanted boxer shorts. Put them on, and, bam: hocus-pocus powers. He noted that Bert was strangely open with his talents. Didn't most superpowered folk tend to use secret identities? His openness could suggest he had nothing to hide. Or it could suggest something else entirely.
<<He may seem friendly, but we don't know anything about him.>> He mentally 'spoke' to Alice, this time fully intending to. <<But we should keep our guard up. It seems all-too suspicious to me for someone to have genuine magic powers and use them solely for simple street tricks.>> His eyes then shifted over to Scrooge McDuck. <<And here we have The Richest Duck in the World. Imagine that hostage situation if Bert were to 'now you see him, now you don't' McDuck, or his nephews, somewhere.>> He theorized. Of course, he was not condemning Bert as a villain then and there, by any means. He was merely being cautious. He would most definitely be sticking around to make sure Bert was, in fact, as friendly as he presented himself as being.
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She-Wolf
Dream League Admin
Child of the Forest
"I'm not afraid to die - and I'd do anything to get scum like you out of this city."
Posts: 75
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Post by She-Wolf on Jul 6, 2011 12:39:07 GMT -8
It didn't take too long for San to realize just what she was doing, standing there and simply gawking at some chalk drawing. In an instant, the beauty of the drawing was more or less forgotten - shaking her head lightly, San scrunched her face up grumpily once again to remove the look of awe that was formerly plastered over it. This was just getting ridiculous - San was starting to become more irritated with herself, now, rather than the street artist.
In her state of annoyance and frustration, San paid no attention to the oddity of Bert drawing in several different colors with just one piece of chalk - it would have flown right over her head, anyhow, given how little she knew about art. Sure enough, however, as her eyes happened to glance towards the screever and his drawing, one particular thing that Bert did to his artwork forcibly grabbed San's attention. Rather than mild interest, her face now displayed all-out amazement, her slate gray eyes as wide as they could be and her lips hanging apart.
Despite her ignorance when it came to art, San was fairly aware of the rules that came with drawing - namely, rules such as "you can't just move a part of the drawing with your own hands." Yet, right there before her eyes, that very rule was broken. San's eyes blinked a few times as she gaped at the drawing after that anomaly had just occurred, then whipped her gaze back up to Bert himself. Her eyebrows tensed in a display of confusion, disbelief, and even fear.
This man... San was beginning to feel that she was right about her hunch.
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The Masked Mallard
Dream League Member
Luck Of The Duck
The Gentleman's Crimefighter
Posts: 84
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Post by The Masked Mallard on Jul 15, 2011 8:19:59 GMT -8
Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webbigail, who Scrooge had attempted to hustle out of the park along with him, tried to see what on earth had captured the attention of their uncle. The oddness of this gathering hadn't quite stuck them yet -- they just assumed that these other people were here for a show. The ducklings, who were crowded around him, looked up at Scrooge, then down at the pavement.
Not immediately noticing anything unusual about the lovely image, Webbigail gave Scrooge a bemused glance. "What is it, Unca Scrooge?"
Scrooge was quick to reply, "Nothing, darlin'." He didn't want to come out and say, "I saw the chalking drawing move." That might've gotten some of the other people around them wondering if he was becoming funny in the head, as it were.
Bert used one piece of chalk to color a bridge in several different tones and shades, whereas other artists would've used several different sorts of chalks to achieve such a effect. 'Nice trick.' Scrooge thought as he and his family watched. He bet he could probably buy the same kind of chalk at a novelty store. But if he had been amazed before, then his bill fell ajar in total shock as the screever moved the bridge. Literally. He just placed his fingers on the drawing and moved it to a preferred spot in the scene.
The ducklings were quick to show that they were impressed and amazed, letting out a chorus of "oohs" and "wows".
"How'd you do that?" Louie asked.
"Can you make yourself float like that one magician? David... what's-his-face?" Huey snapped his fingers as he struggled and failed to come up with the rest of the name of that particular magician.
Scrooge thought he knew what was going on here now. There was no denying it. Bert had special abilities that went beyond what an ordinary street performer could do. Was he another person affected by those meteors? Some sort of wizard, perhaps? He had to wonder what the other people here made of this. Unlike a number of other superpowered individuals Scrooge had encountered alongside the Dream League as the Masked Mallard, Bert didn't seem malevolent; quite the opposite, in fact. But the old-timer was still a little leery of the jovial stranger, even if Bert had deemed him a friend of his.
Scrooge decided to stop beating around the bush and see what he could learn about Bert. He stepped a wee bit closer to the artist. "Your talents are quite remarkable, Bert. If I may ask -- as a friend -- is it just coincidence that you're here? One can't help but notice that Epcot City seems to have an abundance of people with special abilities. Or are you just an illusionist of some sort?" His voice sounded affable more then anything. He wasn't expecting Bert to be 100% truthful with him, but he was curious as to what his response would be.
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Bert
Dream League Member
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Post by Bert on Oct 1, 2011 11:38:01 GMT -8
Rising to a standing position, Bert smiled as he inspected the drawing for a moment before he looked between each of those gathered around him. "Oh, it weren't nothin', Louie." He responded to the youth's questioning. "Just a little practice is all." He then looked to Huey. "I sometimes find that 'avin' a good laugh can lift my spirits somethin' fierce."
When addressed by Scrooge McDuck the screever turned and provided him his undivided attention, smiling as the elderly duck spoke. "You're very kind to say so, Mr. McDuck. As'fer why I'm 'ere... somethin' you yerself mentioned might 'ave somethin' to do with it." He again looked between each of the city residents gathered around him, his face soft and kind. "Calisota's still got 'erself a lot o' 'art. I can see it clear as day right 'ere in this group. But when times is most troublin', that's when it's easiest to forget that. You could say I'm 'ere to remind people. Sometimes ya need a shift in perspective to see a picture for what it's worth." His words were vague, and though he answered Scrooge's question, to a degree, he also seemed to largely avoid a direct, clean-cut answer.
"Well, me friends. I 'ave one final bit o' fun to share with you all for today. It goes back to the 'ole perspective notion I jus' mentioned. When some people gander at me drawin'..." He looked over his shoulder down at the scenery piece on the sidewalk, now with the previously missing bridge, before he looked back at the group. "All they see is a drawin'. But some people may see more'n that. Stare real 'ard at the picture 'ere; imagine yerselves in the drawin', an you'll soon see what I mean."
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Dreamchild
Dream League Admin
The Dream Come True
"Open your mind..."
Posts: 206
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Post by Dreamchild on Nov 12, 2011 2:36:59 GMT -8
Alice had to control herself. She almost reacted strongly to Maui's mental comments, but she caught herself and continued to act inconspicuously. Maui definitely had a point. As sweet and friendly as Bert seemed, it was a good idea to exercise caution around him. But Alice had to have some fun with Maui's choice of words.
<<You're right, Mr. Mallard. We should be careful around him. But I'm sorry you feel that way about people like me. I have superpowers; do you want me to leave Epcot City, too?>> Her mental voice humorously pretended to be hurt. Again, she almost smiled humorously at her own teasing but she controlled herself and didn't.
She politely examined Scrooge McDuck from where she stood, when he asked Bert a personal question. So, Scrooge was the richest duck in the world. Though Alice was born to a wealthy family, this duck far outmatched them by monetary standards. Silly as it was, she took some comfort in being close to a local celebrity.
She returned her focus to Bert, who answered Scrooge's question. The answer was interesting, being explanatory yet vague, almost like a prophet of some sort. The man invited everyone to look hard into the drawing, and imagine themselves in it. Alice always had a vivid imagination, so she was the first to eagerly take a step forward and peer into the chalky universe. "If you insist!"
Her remarkably blue eyes delved into the artwork. Like how Dreamchild penetrates the human mind, Alice took the same approach with the drawing. She examined so intensely that she imagined herself within the depicted landscape, in that lush and serene environment. She imagined herself in a very formal, feminine dress, like in Victorian times.
Alice envisioned herself leisurely strolling across the bridge, in an elegant blue dress over white stockings. Mary-Janes adorned her feet, and her large skirt had multiple layers like Sunshine, but more in number and thinner. Her dress had large and round shoulders, and affixed on the top of her head was a floral Victorian bonnet. Her dress, elegant and dainty, complimented her pretty face, especially her eyes.
Alice was so fixated on the drawing that she didn't realize that she successfully left her normal dimension.
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Cold Shadow
Dream League Admin
Shadow of Justice
Posts: 74
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Post by Cold Shadow on Apr 20, 2012 16:33:16 GMT -8
Maui inwardly cringed, though he maintained a stoic outside demeanor. Yet again he had accidentally projected his thoughts for the telepath to receive. How much trouble had he gotten into by doing exactly that? Well, it had informed someone of his secret identity. He was just lucky that the aforementioned blunder had been picked up by a hero. Had it been a psychic criminal, that would have gotten him into quite a predicament.
As it was, it was the blonde English heroine whom knew of his identity, and vice versa. He could have responded to her question by pointing out that she was far too young to take the risks she burdened herself with, and that he was far from a fan of all of the vigilantes running around Epcot City in their tights and masks. He had experienced more of this endless Halloween than he had a taste for. And in Alice’s case, he was particularly wary of her safety. The thought of brutes like Tarantula throwing punches at a young girl was enough to make his skin crawl and his protective nature shine forth. But getting into a mental argument (which in and of itself was just too bizarre a concept) wasn’t a can of worms he wished to open, even if her previous statement had been purely in jest. And thus, he said nothing at all.
He perked an eyebrow (or rather, the feathery protrusion above his sky blue eye, since he lacked eyebrows) at Bert’s latest statement. It was as if he were insinuating that he had journeyed to Calisota with the intention of reminding people that there was still good in the world. So a superpowered... hippie? Honestly that probably wouldn’t surprise the detective whatsoever, when he considered the sorts of people he had dealt with. If a lunatic jester with a banana plush sidekick and toys as weapons could exist, pretty much anything was possible.
Deciding to humor Bert, Maui did as he was instructed. Cradling the bottom of his beak in one hand thoughtfully, he squinted as he peered down at the sidewalk drawing, looking at it intently. <<I hope it’s not one of those 'Magic Eye' images. I never could get those to work.>> He joked to Alice as he continued to stare, his mind completely focused on his task after his quip to the blonde.
Within a few moments everything around him seemed to change. “Eh?!” He wide eyes darted about at his sudden new surroundings. Everything looked as it had in Bert’s chalk drawing; literally. The world around him did not look genuine, but rather, in an animated form, as though he were in some sort of art piece. Could he have been transported into the drawing itself? No, that was ridiculous. Certainly no one could have powers that outlandish... right?
As his mind ran a mile-per-minute over his predicament, he suddenly noticed that there was added weight upon his head which felt different from his usual, blue baseball cap. It was subtle, but noticeable. Raising his hands he plucked a soft object from his scalp. Holding it out to eye level, he saw that it was a gray flat-cap, rather similar to the one Bert had been wearing. “Eh?!” He repeated, much as he had a moment earlier, as he looked himself over. Rather than the silk shirt he had been wearing seconds ago, he now found himself in a long-sleeved, white, collared shirt with black bands over each of his upper arms. Over that he wore a gray vest, which was buttoned down the front by a series of four gold buttons.
He angrily slammed his cap back on his head in his flustered state; though why he should have cared escaped him in that state of mind. That wasn’t even his hat! Or was it? He didn’t know what to think anymore. “What is this?! Bert!” He yelled out as he looked around for the others, particularly Scrooge and the children whom were accompanying him. If Bert planned to make a move against the richest duck in the world, the perfect opportunity would have presented itself. Maui reached into his vest, fishing about for his police badge. He would identify himself as a detective, and demand that Bert explain his actions. But his badge was not present... of course, his clothes had changed. How silly of him to figure it would still be there. And his gun was absent, too.
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She-Wolf
Dream League Admin
Child of the Forest
"I'm not afraid to die - and I'd do anything to get scum like you out of this city."
Posts: 75
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Post by She-Wolf on Apr 20, 2012 18:37:26 GMT -8
San continued to stare directly at Bert with wide-eyed amazement. Amazement that, gradually, shifted into suspicion. There was no denying it... this man had powers of some sort. What the extent of these powers was, there was no telling... but being able to shift around elements of a drawing like that, just with one's fingers, was unearthly enough. San could only imagine the power that this man held. And such power was difficult to trust in the hands of anybody - no matter how friendly they seemed. Everything about this stranger just felt off, to San, ever since first coming across him. How he was able to render her, and the other Dream League members, in a drawing in such a precisely detailed manner, and his almost eerie manipulations of chalk drawings... and that weird "main character" remark he gave her, earlier. That continued to ring in her head, even now - and she was quickly growing tired of it.
The man's motives remained constantly vague, as well. To merely want to remind people that there was still good in the world... what man with superpowers would settle for such a lifestyle? There had to be something else to it. San didn't trust this man, one bit - but she couldn't deny how interested she was in him and his powers, now. It was a mystery that needed unraveling... after all, she could very well find a wanton criminal in this supposedly harmless street performer. If anything, this was why she was still here, paying any attention at all to this mysterious Bert, she convinced herself.
The man seemed to be about to end his little show - about time, San thought. Still, her piqued interest in this strange person was enough to keep her attention held on him and whatever else he had to show them. It, admittedly, was hard to suddenly become disinterested in his actions, after seeing what he had done to that drawing... Almost disappointingly, however, he had no astounding displays of his powers to show them, now. All he was asking was that they "imagine" themselves within the drawing.
... This was ridiculous. Yet, San found herself staring down at the chalk drawing, anyway. Maybe something would happen... in any case, she wasn't about to let go of any chances to learn more about this Bert person. And so, into the drawing, she stared. And stared.
... And nothing happened. San should have expected as much. She shut her eyes as her lips contorted into an exasperated frown. Was this man really worth her time? Whether or not he was, San grew more and more impatient with him by the minute. She lifted her head up and opened her eyes to see just what he was up to, now... but, he wasn't there anymore.
That wasn't even the strangest part of what San saw, when she opened her eyes. Everything around her had changed - she was, all of the sudden, no longer in Epcot City. A gasp escaped the girl's throat, as she whirled her head all around at her startlingly new surroundings, shock and incomprehension on her face. What... happened?! Was this an illusion? A dream, even? The colorful world around her didn't even look entirely real... but like it was made of chalk.
... Impossible. Had Bert... trapped them in the drawing?! No... he couldn't have. Could he? Could his powers really extend to such limits? Whatever the case... why did he do this? Surely it was to hold them at bay while he escapes to commit some crime, scott free... San's teeth nearly became fangs in her anger and frustration, just thinking about this, and her hands clenched into fists. How could she have fallen for such a cheap trap?! When she got out of here, she'd-
All of the sudden, San's rapid, furious thoughts were interrupted, as she felt a very peculiar feeling on her hands as she crunched them up into fists. She looked down at them, in confusion, to see that they were donned in... white gloves. San balked at this, her face almost sinking in disbelief. Of all things... why was she suddenly wearing gloves?! Quickly, however, one realization lead to another... and, as she looked down at herself, her suspicions were confirmed. No longer was she covered with a baggy sweatshirt and jeans... but an almost blindingly white, frilly, froofy, poofy dress, with a huge, heavy skirt so large and thick she couldn't even see what her shoes had been replaced with.
"...." San's face, almost instantly, became the color of a fresh, bright red beet, her lips agape - yet nothing came out of her throat, in her almost catatonic shock and embarrassment. Already, she felt like she could barely even move, as her arms were stretched out beside her in an awkward, uncomfortable position. She was almost afraid to move - yet, as soon as she saw a bridge over a small stream, she did move, clumsily darting straight for it to have a look at her reflection. This did little to calm her nerves. Her short brown hair had been curled up all around, looking neat and prim and tidy in appearance, and was surrounded by a blue, floral tiara.
San almost felt nauseous. What... what was going on...?!
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