Setup

Brief bit of intro - other characters (Snowy, Z, Lylou) are other peoples characters from the supergroup. And yeah, Therra and Snow ("snowy") are close...



Z and some of the others were in the main room when Therra burst in, white as a sheet, looking as though she'd seen something horrifying. She made an immediate beeline for the bathroom, and a moment later they all heard retching sounds, followed by sobs.

They looked at one another. This was bad. Therra'd seen as much, if not more, than most of the rest of the group. What could have shaken her up like this? After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Lylou stood up. "Well, if none of you are going to check on her, I will." She went to the door and knocked. "Therra? Therra, it's me, Ly... " and went in.

Several minutes (and some running water) later, Therra was out, leaning heavily on Lylou who was helping her down the hall. Every once in a while they'd hear her break into another fit of sobbing as she was guided to the quarters she shared with Agent Snow.

About ten minutes later she came back, looking haggard. "Well, I've got her calmed down, I guess... ok, I cheated, she's asleep, but - " Ly looked at the rest of the group. "I don't know what she saw. Even asleep, she's shaking like a leaf, and about to squeeze the stuffing out of the pillow she's curled around. I don't think I *want* to know what she saw. All she kept saying were things like 'Sands,' 'I failed' and that she was so sorry."

She plopped herself down in a chair. "Right now, I'm drained. I need to rest. But I don't think she should be alone. She trusts you, Z, would you mind sitting with her for a while? She should stay asleep for a while, 'til Agent Snow gets back."

Z nodded, then got up. "What should I do if she wakes up? I'm a tank, I stand around and get hit. I'm not good at the touchy-feely stuff."

"Just having someone around she trusts will help her, I think. Just hang with her."

"Right." With that, he headed down the hall.

The door to the chief's office, and the living quarters behind it, were open. "Therra? It's Z," he said - just in case. Nobody liked startling the girl, though she wasn't as quick to let go with the lightning any more. He walked in, hearing sniffling in the back room, then stopped at the door.

Ly wasn't kidding. Therra was a mess. Not as pale as when she came in, but disheveled, eyes red from hard sobbing. Asleep, yet definitely not resting, she was shaking, clutching a pillow in the corner of the bed.

"Damn, kid, what happened to you," he said softly. He pulled up a chair by the bed, sat, and gently put his hand on her shoulder. He felt her lean into it a little, still shaking. "Don't worry, T, I'll be here."

He settled in for what looked to be a long watch.

===

An hour or so later, Therra was no longer shaking. The occasional sob still wracked her body, but she had relaxed some. ZTX, on the other hand, was worrying. He could take hits, no problem - but he didn't know how to help. He hated feeling useless, just sitting around.

He heard some papers drop on the desk outside. "Therra?"

"She's in here, boss."

Agent snow walked into the room. "She's calmed down some in the last hour, but... "

"Damn, what happened, T?"

At that, Therra's eyes shot open. "Snowy!" she wailed, almost leaping from the bed, clutching the white-skinned woman, nearly knocking her over.

Over the new round of sobs, Agent snow motioned to ZTX. "It's OK, Z, I've got her. Thanks, man... um... could you close the door on your way out?"

===

They sure don't prepare you for this sort of thing in the military, Snow thought. She'd just held the younger woman for a while, letting her sob. She'd noticed the bloodstains on Therra's hands and clothes... but that couldn't be it. They'd had to fight full blast before, kill or be killed - hell, just days after they first met they'd been fighting off an attack on the center.

She had a feeling this was something the Colonel's "It's war, snap out of it" speech wouldn't help with. She had to think back a ways and try to put herself in her mom's position... what would she do?

Once more she had to admit the Colonel was wrong. Women weren't weak. They just had to be strong in other ways. She got up, pulled some sweats out of the dresser, then got a washcloth from the bathroom. Coming back, she cleaned off T's face and hands. "Let's get you out of these things and into something more comfortable, ok?" She lifted T's face to hers. "You look like hell, you know that, don't you? We'll get you settled, then you tell me all about it."

She helped the younger woman change, though she looked like she still wasn't ready to talk. Snow looked at her shoulder. "Damn, T, you got my shirt all soggy."

She got a giggle from Therra. Well, that was progress. "Let me change out of this uniform, then we can talk, OK?"

Another pair of sweats later and the two women sat, Therra curled into Snow, her head resting against Snow's. "So Therra, hon, what happened? You can tell me, right? I mean, after all we've been through, everything we are, you should be able to tell me of all people."

Therra looked up, and saw the concern in Snow's eyes - while Snow saw the absolute fear in Therra's.

"If it's that bad, girl, let it out. We'll beat it together. We always do, right?"

And Therra told Agent Snow...everything.

===

"I'm getting worried," Z said, finishing another slice of pizza. The gang was pretty much all piled into the main room, waiting. Someone had ordered several take-out pizzas, and the boxes were piled in the corners of the room.

"Yeah, it's been, what, two hours since she went in there?"

"Two and a half."

"Yeah, the boss wouldn't keep us waiting, she knows we're worried... Unless, of course, they're..."

"Don't say it," the Doc said. "You guys just jump on *any* bit of gossip or rumor with those two, don't you."

"Well, you've got to wonder..."

"Wonder what?" Agent Snow said, coming into the hall and, seeing the pizza, grabbing a slice. She looked... pissed.

"How's Therra, boss? What's wrong?"

Snow held up a hand as she downed the wedge of pepperoni-covered goodness. "T's going to be OK, she's sleeping. Save her some of this."

She looked around the room. "Guys, you see any Thorns, kick their asses. Harder than usual." Snow grabbed a chair and collapsed. "I'm going back in and staying with her. Those bastards, though... I want them to pay."

She motioned for those not sitting to do so. "OK, here's the scoop. T got a lead on some hostages - well, sacrifices, you know how big the Circle is on that. Went in guns blazing. We also know how much she *loves* the Circle."

"Well, they apparently returned the love. It was a setup."

"It was bad." Snow rubbed the tension away from her temples. She wanted to explode. "Remember how she was talking about breaking up some deal with some big-named demon and the Circle? Apparently this was payback. The circle tracked some folks down and tied them up... one looked like T's mom. Another, this Sandy chick, sounds like it was T's best friend when she was growing up. No matter what T would have done, they were going to die. She thought she stopped the sacrifice, but when the head guy died, some other robes, hiding in some hollows or something, chucked blades at the victims."

Snow's shoulder's sagged. "T went ballistic, of course, and flash fried 'em. Going to need someone to check that out, by the way. But apparently she went and held onto her friend as she died. T's clothes were soaked in blood. Says she thinks her friend looked angry T couldn't save her - I know the look, it's not that, but she... well, she's not in any position to listen to that right now."

There was muttering throughout the room. Snow held up her hand. "Apparently it gets better, like that wasn't bad enough." She sighed again. "Dammit, I don't get all the esoteric, magic stuff T's into, so it went over my head. Hell, I just hit things... Love to right now." She looked back at the group. "All I got was something about soul crystals, souls ripped apart, and non-existance. It didn't sound good, and she was...."

She glared at the wall. "I'd say I want these guys, bad, but apparently T lost control. The cops and the city give us a lot of leeway, given what we have to fight, but I really need someone to stealth in there and see what they can find out. This could be bad."

"So now you know what I know. I'm going back to be with her. You guys figure out the details and let me know... tomorrow. It's going to be a long night." With that, she grabbed a plate and a few more slices of pizza, a couple drinks, and headed back to the office. "Figure out what needs to be done, and do it. You guys are the best there is, I know you can run this."

"Last thing. Therra's on vacation for a few days, at least, while we get this straightened out. You don't see me, War's in charge. War, you keep me up to date." She looked at him pointedly.

"Knock first."

Therra Arcson - origins 1

She was born in Wisconsin. She didn't remember Wisconsin though. She only had her mother's word she was born there. That and her birth certificate, and social security number. All her life, all she'd really known was Paragon City.

They'd moved there shortly after her birth, her father lured there with the promise of higher pay and better benefits with a new tech company. Not to mention, of course, the protection the city gained as the City of Heroes. Sure, odd things happened here and there - the city's hero population being seen as a chance for the more ambitious criminals to test themselves - but things were typically brought to a swift end. It was nothing more than something for her father to talk about over dinner, something he'd heard on the radio coming home from his job as an electrical engineer.

There's always a "But" in stories like this, though.

She had just turned ten a few days before. A milestone in her short life. Double digit age! She was growing! She skipped home from school, FEELING every bit of her fifty five inch height. Oh, sure, some counters still loomed over her, and upper shelves were still "Therra Incognita," but she'd get there eventually. Soon, she was sure. She stopped to feel a spring breeze, turning to watch a butterfly flit out of the park, continuing the turn in a spin for the heck of it. Ten. A wonderful age. She didn't even notice the smoky haze over part of the city.

She ran home, racing her friend Sue part of the way, anticipating snacking on one of the last pieces of cake left from her party. "Mom!" she called as she came in the door. "Mom, can I have some..."

Something was wrong. Her mother sat, gazing at the television but not really watching. The phone sat next to her, beeping its frantic off-hook beep.

"Mom?"

Therra hung up the phone, just noticing the tear-tracks running down her mother's face. Concerned, she sat down and leaned against her, finally getting a reaction as her mother put her arm around her. She looked at the TV - something had happened downtown. Something bad...

The TV clicked off as Therra's mother turned to face her daughter.

"Therra... your father's gone." Julia Arcson looked at her daughter, not quite able to accept the reality of it yet. Her husband of twelve years, taken from her by a rampaging gang. Where were the heroes?

She settled in to try to explain to her daughter what she couldn't believe herself.

Therra Arcson - origins 2

Since her father's death, Therra had changed. She was still a rambunctious girl, but she kept a bit more to herself. She didn't have a lot of friends, but wasn't hurting for them. She was reasonably popular with the boys as well if the almost-daily stack of notes left in her locker was any indication. Still, she buried herself in books. She started learning about electronics, wondering why her father had to die for his work, and found she had a knack for understanding it.

Her father's death had changed her in other ways. As many - young and old - do, she started wondering about "what happens after." And she'd found herself reading much more esoteric books - this being Paragon, esoteric wasn't hard to find. Forgotten gods and goddesses. Magic and ritual. Myths and legends. At sixteen, she was more likely to be found at the Paragon City Library on a Friday night instead of on a date (much to the disappointment of the boys in the school.) In fact, most nights you could find her there.

Nights like tonight...

"Oh, it came in? Thanks!" The young redhead almost bounced as the librarian handed over the book - "Magic behind the Myths." She'd found references to it everywhere as a definitive source, and felt it could answer several questions - including questions about the city. Besides, she had a book report due in a week.

The woman behind the counter gave a bemused smile as Therra hungrily dove into the pages. "I'm sorry it took so long, we just couldn't find a copy anywhere. Do you have everything you wanted?"

"Yes, thank you," Therra said, closing the book and handing it over with the rest of her small stack.

The librarian chuckled as she saw the pile. "I never know what to expect from you next, dear. What have you got this time... more electronic design, natural magic, metaphysical studies... Most girls your age getting out of Nancy Drew and hitting the romance novels."

Therra rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, most girls my age are airheads from what I've seen." She waited for the librarian to finish signing the books out, then picked them up and started out the door.

"Therra?" the librarian called out, a touch of worry in her voice. "It's getting dark out, are you sure you don't want to call for a ride or something? The gangs have been moving into the area -"

"It's OK, Mrs. Soto, I know my way and can take care of myself." She stopped. Mrs. Soto was only worried about her. "Could you call my mom and let her know I'm on my way back?" Not that she was all that concerned, but if it would help the lady who had been so nice to her for years not worry...

Mrs. Soto smiled as she picked up the phone. "OK, dear. I'll call your mother. Tell her to give you ten minutes or so?" She started dialing without waiting for an answer. She wouldn't want anything to happen to the sweet girl.

"Yep. Thanks," Therra said, heading out the door with a wave.

Once outside, she looked around, startled. It was already twilight. She hadn't expected to be here quite so long. "Oh well - maybe twelve minutes," she thought. She wondered if kids in schools outside of Paragon kept up on what gangs were where, in addition to the usual high school gossip. "Hmm. Skulls are more south, Hellions were moving west... 21st should be good."

Five minutes later, she decided she really needed to change her route.

"Look, I don't have more than five dollars. I don't have anything you want. Just leave me alone!" As the words left her mouth, she thought how stupid it was for her to stand up to the two gang members. Black jackets, dorky red face paint... Hellions. As two muscular arms grabbed her from behind, she was sure of it.

Therra started squirming and kicking. "Let me go, I said I don't have anything!"

"We'll decide if you have anything we want, little girl," one of them said, laughing. "Over here."

Therra dropped her books as she struggled against the arms holding her. One of the thugs grabbed a book. "What's this? Aww, she wants to know about magic. We can show ya some real magic, right guys? Make it a real magical night for ya," he said with a sneer. He threw the book - the one she had been waiting for - off to the side, where it landed with a splash.

I'll have to pay for water damage now, Therra thought - then wondered why she was so concerned with that at the moment. She was getting angry - at herself, at the situation...and she was more than a little afraid. "I said, let me GO!"

She landed on her back with a thud.

"What the hell, man? Why'd you drop her?"

The Hellion that had tossed the book elbowed his buddy. "Guess one little girl's too much for him."

Therra wasn't waiting around. She started running as they argued, jumping over the dazed Hellion that had been holding her before he could get up.

"Shut up, the little slut shocked me with something." He got up and started chasing her. "Let's teach her a lesson she ain't getting from no book!"

Therra ran blindly, watching her pursuers. Finally she turned to see where she was going.

Dead end. This could be bad.

She faced her attackers. If she was going to get killed, she was going down fighting - though she was pretty sure they had something else in mind first. Terrified, her mind raced. Think, girl...

She remembered the one's comments about her book. Well, if they thought she knew magic, maybe a little show would slow them down...

A light sparked as she started gesturing at the oncoming, and very annoyed, Hellions. One pulled out a knife. "Good, she's gonna fi-"

More streetlights burst as a ball of electricity burst from Therra and hit the thug square in the chest, sending him flying and leaving his companions stunned.

What was that?

A smile slowly spread across Therra's face as all she'd read coalesced in her mind. "I think I get it."

Focusing her anger, she imagined a lightning bolt arcing from her hand. She aimed for the big one on the right.

Down he went.

The last thug suddenly didn't like the odds very much. Dropping his switchblade, he ran for the street, away from what apparently was a hero.

Therra chased him. "Oh, no you don't! You made me drop MY books."

The thug stopped cold as rings of electricity encircled him.

"If I've gotta pay, so do you."

"Wait... I..." he started. Therra didn't want to hear it. Another bolt, and the last of the Hellions was out.

Therra looked around, breathing hard. As she looked at the three unconcious gang members, she started to shake, feeling sick to her stomach. Then she looked again.

Wow, did I do that?

She looked down at her hands.

"How?"

Therra suddenly realized how dark it was. She had no idea how much time had passed. Mom's gonna be worried sick. She quickly gathered her scattered books, smoothed her skirt, and started for the street.

She stopped and looked back down the alley. "I guess I should call the cops to get these guys."

"Impressive," said a voice from above her. Whirling, she faced...

A woman in a white and blue costume, floating several feet above the ground. One of the city's heroes. Miss Defy, if she remembered right.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner," the heroine said, alighting gently on the ground. "Then again, it looks like you didn't need the help." She placed devices on each of the Hellions, who were then teleported away.

Therra backed up. Was she in trouble? "I didn't... I mean, I don't..." she stammered.

"Know how it happened? First time, I take it?" Miss Defy walked up to Therra and smoothed down the girl's hair (which had been standing on end since the first shot,) then put a comforting arm around her. "Come with me. I think we can help you understand what has happened to you."

"What happened to them?" Therra asked, waving her arm at the now empty alley.

"They'll be waking up in the Zig's med center. Plenty of guards to keep them company. Now then, what's your name?"

One hour later

Julia Arcson sat staring at the clock, not knowing if she should be angry or worried. Therra was rarely late. The times she was, there was good reason. Still, the library had called so long ago -

When the knock came at the door, her heart sank.

Therra doesn't knock, she has a key.

She steeled herself for the worst and answered the door.

There stood Therra. Along with Miss Defy and two other heroes.

"Therra! You had me worried. Are you all right? What happened? Who are-"

Therra just ran in and held her mom for a moment. Julia just held her daughter, then looked at the trio of brightly dressed strangers on her doorstep. "Please, come in. I take it she's OK because of you? Is she all right?"

Miss Defy smiled as she came in. "Mrs. Arcson, she's better than all right. Can we sit down? We have a lot to talk about...."

The Therras

The Therras

Eh? What's this about?
My main characters - well, what I normally think of as a "main" - make up a little storyline of their own (along with a friend's characters, and another of mine...)
We have:
Therra Arcson. Lvl 50 Electric-Electric blaster, Magic origin. My first 50. And the first character I've had people fall for - seriously. OK, maybe it's how I play my characters... They have personalities, and people seemed to love Therra. Anyway... I found myself playing her almost exclusively for quite some time. My former "main" and first toon, Memphis Bill... is still lvl 17. Started him 7 1/2 months ago...

Once she got to 50, the Kheldians (an "epic" archetype) were unlocked. So I continued her story..
Therra Paladina. Peacebringer, currently lvl 33. She continues a storyline I didn't even have in mind when I started, but... it's fun. She's more no-nonsense, down to business, and will probably be PvPing vs a friend... because of his character... we'll get to that later. Peacebringers, by the way, are fun to play if you don't expect to be Godlike... but they're a bitch to slot.

Finally, the "happy ending," who's more a roleplaying character...
Therra Snow. Recently remade, emp/archery Defender, all of lvl 4. Maybe 5.

I'll start off with their intro stories, next post.
So, what's their story...

Adventures

Well, what have we here.

New space.

So, let's fill it with the ever-present "What's this about" post... this is going to be for fic, character ideas and bios, and general rants and raves about City of Heroes (and the upcoming City of Villains.) Interesting bits that happen or whatnot...

I'm on every server. I play a lot. Stuff happens. You get to read it.

Go you.