The Cracking Ice - Chapter 1

The old man reaches out and touches his hammer lightly, before taking it firmly in his hands. He shakes it, his confidence growing more sure by the instant. He suddenly raises the massive one weapon one-handedly into the air. "Our heroes are victorious! Three cheers for them!"

The crowd explodes into enthusiastic cheering. Even more tears fall as they see their beloved leader once more the heroic figure they once knew. But even more, they cheer you, giving you their applause and gratitude.

As the crowd's noise dims down, Justice Hammer lowers his weapon and says, "You have our thanks, heroes, as you can see. Now, come inside, have a drink and a meal, and tell us the story so that we may spread your deeds to these good people, and to all our neighbours."

Ana doesn't know what to do. She can't communicate with a large crowd. Just her group was a problem because of how small the keyboard screen was. Thus, she was watching from the Echo, debating whether to follow inside or just hide inside the Echo.

Seeing Ana alone, Tipolei doesn't wait and goes to grab her with a smile, lifting her up on his shoulders and bringing her inside with him...

Kai yawns and curls up on his pile of loot before he goes to sleep.

Ana consents to the lifts and smiles a little, patting Tipolei's head.

Chay is just taking it all in, loving every minute of it.

Ben shrugs and follows Justice Hammer, but feels unfortable with the fanfare. "This is all understandable he tells himself, but I'd rather we not be in the middle of it. Hopefully it dies down after we're inside," he thinks to himself. Instinctively, he looks back over his shoulder to make sure he's not alone, and that the others are still with him.

Kyron smiles seeing the courage come back to Justice. He gets the sniper rifle to return then happily heads in to the celebrations.

Entering the saloon, you see the Coffin Nails and their leader. They all look the same as when let you saw them, but now something new seems to be on their mind. They whisper back and forth and touch they old man gently on the shoulder, as he confirms something quietly.

Shooter takes the particle rifle back from Kyron, glad to see it again. She's checks it over quickly and smiles her appreciation that it was returned without damage.

Danny Doom signs to Ana, "[I'm glad you returned safely. Your team looks healthier than we did after encountering the demons.]

In your first encounter, you find that the Coffin Nails were fiercely protective of their leader Justice Hammer and his honor, and all but refused to admit what became clear. His self-confidence had been replaced by a new cowardice. Before you, you see a man broken by these events, somewhat freaked by the job he couldn't do finished by your team. His loving friends express their relief that the cloud that covered him has thinned if only a little.

The old man says, "Thank you. I'm an old man. It's time I acted like I understand that. My time is passed and I'll hang up the hammer. Bully, will you take my armor and hammer, wield it with pride?"

The young man nods, and they embrace tearfully. "You taught me everything, sir, and I'll do right by you. I may need to train a bit to hold that beast without falling over."

They others laugh at his jest, but also nod.

To you, the old man says, "What about you folk? Where are you off to next? Does the Tomorrow Legion have another job? If not, you're welcome to stay and be our guests for as long as you need."

Well truth be told I wouldn't mind a little R&R for a little while after all that excitement. I need to do a once over on Echo too. Chay realized he was so tense from the past events that he had to consciously drop his shoulders that were so bunched up they were practically touching his ears.

"You're very kind, and we may just have to take you up on a bit of rest, but there's work to do," says, Ben. "I can't speak for the rest of the team, but these, there's always work to do." He says the last bit with a slight air of resignation, but presents himself as he to a superior officer. "Also, we set up a sensor out where we found the demons. There was an active rift that closed, but we left something to keep an eye on the area. I'd like to transfer control over that to you folks. Maybe it will come in handy In the meantime, I guess it's probably worth grabbing a bite to eat and trying to ignore rumors of calamity elsewhere."

Ben right. Others need help. Tipolei think we rest then go.

Ana's face lights up once again at the signing, thanking him quickly for doing so. [It was mostly the others] She explained before sitting silently like always, just listening.

Food and drink are brought out, and some old timey EDM from the prehistory of music starts thumping from the music computer behind the bar.

The Coffin Nails seem to be ready to let the steam out of their pressure cookers, so to speak.

"True the legion always has something for us to do, but it is very kind of you to offer. Most appreciated." Kyron smiles and kicks back relaxing an enjoying this moment of revery.

Knowing the importance it could have for the townsfolk, Tipolei tries clumsily to tell the details of their confrontation against the demons, putting emphasis on how he felt the hammer was the perfect weapon against the demons and their creatures... Almost trying to make the hammer the hero of the story...

To compliment Tipolei's story telling, Chay offered some dramatic tales of he and Echo's exploits and missile launching shenanigans.

Ana makes sure to try her best to silence anyone who attempts to mention her powers.

Smiles practically the whole time and enjoys some drinks.

Seeing Ana's worry when she heard someone tell how everything happenned, Tipolei whispered in her ears, Ana no worry, Tipolei keep secret until Ana ready.