Villain Town: A Series of Mayhem

Stacks has had enough of this charcuterie and ranting of all their ends, and tries to walk directly next to the stage. “ You fiends have got quite the nerve to mess with me and my people. I think for all of us that we have better places to be, better things to see, and better people to know than you, you so-called puppetmaster!”

As he makes his elaborate speech, he turns and looks at all the villains who have arrived, and realizes the presence of Lord Mikhael. His cigar almost blew out of his mouth from the shock. With this new creature, the ominous cow-thing and the fiery anti-Christ, he realized how many brutes out-numbered him. Any one of these fools could whack me on the spot. I’ll have to change strategies soon enough.

(It really dawns on Fintelle just how different everyone in here is. She cringes a bit.)

Truly it is... (Fintelle agrees with Layla. She seems a bit frustrated to agree with someone about something.)

"Whatever fate befell you, now you're here," says the Puppeteer. "You'll be living in this town along with other villains from various universes. This is not the afterlife, and you are all still alive. We hope that by having you all live together, you will eventually form a sort of bond, even if it's not quite friendship. Still, sometimes our residents do try to attack one another. We, the leaders, are sure that you can fight back, but we will step in only if absolutely necessary."

"So play nice!" says Shouty.

"Not far from this building, you will find the residence halls," says the Puppeteer. "You will all be in building A113. Each of you has a dedicated suite that is personalized according to your preferences and needs. Any questions so far?"

Count Fledermaus cringed at the word "friendship." The heroes in his show were so sappy and cutesy, always talking about friendship and love. He hoped that the Puppeteer was right, and that he wouldn't have to be friends with these guys.

Harv opened his mouth, then stopped. The small building, office and home, hadn't been part of a larger building. ~But... That office was for me, not Debbie... And I'm a henchman, not a villain. Maybe the rules for henchmen are different?~ he looked at Debbie. She was busy glaring at the puppeteer but fortunately wasn't speaking. He then looked to see if he could spot other henchmen or other legally-adjacent activity facilitators.

Edited by Nodrog on Nov 24th 2023 at 4:59:24 AM

The Kistune Queen looks amused by the idea of a personalized suite for her.

"My my! A dedicated suite for moi? And it's personalized? Hope that'll be great! Just imagine, a suite for me that's just luxurious and filled with stuff related to my inner-beauty, if I do say for myself!", she stated as she got excited for the idea of her own suite.

Stacks, at the idea of a stunning estate like his old one back home, decides to drop his charges.

“Well I’ll allow this to slide if we’re allowed such luxury! But I’ll have you know, I expect top-notch services, an-and servants to do my bidding!” He wised.

Edited by CanuckMcDuck1 on Nov 24th 2023 at 10:44:52 AM

...the fox isn't getting out of his way. Mikhael's eye flickers red with annoyance, but before he can take any kind of action, the Puppeteer speaks clearly enough that he can hear from where he's standing.

Residence suite, eh? Mikhael's eye, still tinted vaguely orange, swivels to every single one of the other villains in turn. He would, quite frankly, rather not have to live with any of these ignorami, unless they have depths of competence they're not showing right now... but would it really be becoming of Lord Mikhael, misunderstood saviour of Boxworld, to say that so crassly?

   "Indeed. I have a question."    Mikhael's voice is soft and measured, but also distinctly raspy, with an unnatural echoing quality. It's the kind of voice that doesn't need to be loud to seem intimidating and commanding.    "How personalised are these suites, exactly? Forgive me if I am wondering how you could meet all our standards... especially when some have them set so unrealistically high."    His eye fixes back on the two bestial queens as he says this.

Ooh, we get our own place, your Sharkliness!! (Pip says eagerly to Fintelle.)

So we are. (Fintelle sniffs.) If it doesn’t have the most luscious seawater in it, I am going to complain! I will not tolerate dirty seawater!

"Well, I'm not fussy." said Debbie Oll, cheerfully. "Four padded walls, a roof that doesn't leak, a cot, full time access to an advanced micro-electronics lab with rapid-prototyping facilities..."

"Here, Debbie, why don't you start making a list of things you need." said Harv, pulling a small box of colored pencils and a notebook from his trench coat. With a smile, Debbie accepted them and started making a list. From personal experience, Harv knew that he'd bought himself about twenty minutes of peace, while Debbie would alternate writing and doodling terrifying fifty-foot toys of weapon-laden doom.

Harv turned to look at the nearest person near him. He held up a padded hand-paw in greeting, ready to shake hands. "Hi, I'm Harv. Debbie and I are from Mega-Super-Topia. Where are you from?" He tried to look as harmless and unthreatening as a three-foot tall stuffed toy rabbit in a gray trench coat and fedora could look.

Edited by Nodrog on Nov 25th 2023 at 1:33:06 PM

Stacks was deep in thought thinking about his dream mansion when someone held out their hand to him. He looked, and saw a small rabbit in a trenchcoat, next to a skunk deep in thought. To him, they were an unfortunate reminder of his old nemeses. Plus, he always hated whenever he had to talk to a nobody without dough. But given his options and what the creepy puppetmaster had said, what was he gonna do?

“ You don’t need to hold out your whole hand, kid.” He snarked back. “ …But still nice to meet ya’. The name’s Stacks, for I am what I am. Care for a cigar?” He handed one of his collection out to the rabbit. “ Where I’m from, things run deep. You probably never heard of Swing City, have you?”

Edited by CanuckMcDuck1 on Nov 26th 2023 at 4:21:13 AM

Harv reached, taking the cigar. As he did, he ran an in-depth search through his entire memory. "No, I haven't" he admitted. "I take it you've never heard of Mega-Super-Topia?"

Harv lit the cigar and inhaled. "There was a no-smoking sign up in the lobby, but given this place is full of villains now... Anyway, my job is keeping the ditz safe. What is it you do?" Harv uses his free hand to point back at Debbie to make it clear who 'the ditz' is.

Edited by Nodrog on Nov 27th 2023 at 1:58:51 PM

Stacks was impressed the rabbit took his cigar as thanks, and carried on by saying “ No, unless you’re talking about Florida.” He eyed around the theatre to see if anyone else was listening in. This was covert info, even for a guy knocked down a peg. Thankfully, it seemed everyone was doing their own thing. “ Tell you straight, Harv. I don’t care how many bones I’ve broken from foxes and other woodland creatures.” He said as he glanced over with suspicion to the Kitsune Queen. “ But when all’s said and done, I’ll be runnin’ this joint. You got a cute job. But when you want to play with the big boys, I’ll get you hooked.”

Harv blew out a smoke ring, impressive considering his lack of visible lips or lungs. "Thanks... I'll keep that in mind, but Debbie and I are sort of a team act. However, if there's something you need us to do, let me know. I know what sort of person I want to see in charge. Debbie might not look it, but she IS a whiz with chemicals and robotics."

Edited by Nodrog on Nov 27th 2023 at 5:27:08 AM

(Fintelle seems too disgusted by everyone surrounding her to seem to want to start a conversation without being spoken to first.)

C'mon, your Sharkliness, don't you wanna introduce yourself to anybody else? (Pip asks.)

I'm still waiting for the moment we can leave here! (Fintelle huffs.)

Dee Annie Kris

Dee's eyes flicker uncertainly from the Puppeteer, Shouty, and the other villains. It wasn't dawning on her yet that, wherever she was, she was far, far away from Hell. The confusion that was bubbling up inside her was the only reason she didn't explode (figuratively or literally) right then and there. "So... we really are dead, huh?" she lets a low growl escape from her throat. Looking at the wildly different villains, she scoffed as her red eyes turned gold. "Well, I don't know any of you." she huffs haughtily. Would you do yourselves the honor of giving me your names?

Harv frowned, looking at Dee, then turned to Stacks. " Magical type, I'll bet... Or at least bet enough that I'm not going to answer when she asks people to give anything. Debs and I try to steer clear of magic-types when we can, and the ones trying to always trick you into magical contracts are the worst. I'd advise you to do the same, or at least for you to stay on your guard."

(Fintelle gives Harv a peculiar expression at the mention of avoiding "magic-types" before addressing Dee.) Well, since you clearly didn't hear me the first time, I am Queen Fintelle, rightful ruler of the seven seas. And he...

(Pip grins cheerfully.)

...is Pip.

The Antichrist

Narrowing her eyes at Harv, Dee turns away towards Fintelle with some difficulty, taking a deep breath to force her turbulent emotions down. "Nice... to meet you." she says hesitatingly. "I... wow it's more difficult to talk without the voices in my head." Her eyes widen as she realizes what she said, and gulps out, "Um... ignore that." Her demeanor seemed to completely change, from a fearsome demon queen to no more demonic than a puppy. "Look, sorry about the... less than ideal first impression." she mumbles. "I'm Dee."

...Charmed. (Fintelle says. She's still very bewildered by the people around here she is seeing (and is still trying not to think about how she might be dead).) Such an...eclectic bunch gathered here.

I think it's neat! (Pip says.)

"Rest assured, they will be very personalized," the Puppeteer says to Lord Mikhail. "We'll make sure you're fully comfortable in your room. Although, you won't get to stay there all of the time. We will sometimes call your group to get together and go on missions, or other exercises."

"I can't believe I have to go on 'missions' vith these guys," Count Fledermaus muttered. "This puppeteer is starting to sound like those heroes I alvays hated."

"Don't blow your wig, Batty," says Layla. "Who knows? We might end up liking this. You could use friends, anyway."

"It looks like we are ready to go," says the Puppeteer. "Shouty and I will lead you to your rooms. Any questions, comments, or concerns?"

Edited by DrNoPuma on Dec 4th 2023 at 8:53:25 AM

Missions...? (Fintelle huffs, sticking her nose up.) I don't go on missions, I SEND people on missions.

Aw, hey, maybe this could be fun, your Sharkliness! (Pip says.) The winged guy's friend is right, maybe it'll be nice to go on missions yourself every once in a while!

(Fintelle huffs again and doesn't put her nose down.) If we MUST go on missions, then I hope they are not a waste of time.

Stacks is just fed up being in this wretched low-class theatre. He always preferred the opera houses anyway. "Oh no need for your pleasantries, bucko. Whatever missions you’re planning ain’t coming today. This room of yours better be good, but till then, I bid you adieu." He flicks his burnt-out cigar onto the carpet floor and heads on his way out of the joint.

Edited by CanuckMcDuck1 on Dec 4th 2023 at 9:29:39 AM

Debby moved up to the stage, waving to the ventriloquist's dummy. "Hey there! Shouty, was it? I'm Doll! So, is that puppeteer guy bothering you or something? Cause I don't like it when people are mean to toys like us!"

Harv hurried, hopping after Debbie. "De... Doll, you remember what the nice doctors said? You're not REALLY a toy, you just think you are because you jumped in that vat of chemicals and got yourself plastic-ized skin."

Debbie did exactly what Harv expected and ignored him. "So, like, would you want me to do something to him?"

"Like that shark queen said, I send people on missions, but these missions, you say..", The Kitsune Queen said.

"If there's any riches waiting for me at the end of those missions, I'll make sure to snag that for myself, Oh-ho-ho-ho! Easy for you to say, me!", she said with a noblewoman's laugh.

"Enough chit chat, let's get moving!"

The Puppeteer, still holding Shouty, leads the villains out of the theater.

Outside, Villain Town resembles a smallish, dark and dingy city. The sky is red, and the buildings are all black or dark gray. Count Fledermaus shields his eyes with one wing.

The Puppeteer leads everyone to a tall building with "A113" etched into the stone above large, golden double doors.

"Kinda nice to see a color other than black or red, huh?" Layla says, turning to where the Puppeteer just was. But he's already gone.

"Well... I guess we go in now?"