4001/Of Corn Maze, Hero Fan-Girl Craze And Autograph Books

Of Corn Maze, Hero Fan-Girl Craze And Autograph Books
Date of Scene:	02 November 2020
Location:	809 - Karita's Apartment
Synopsis:	Karita and Marly start the evening with reviewing the evidence gotten at the corn maze, which turns into conversations about heroes, autograph books, and henchmen!
Cast of Characters:	Karita Landry, Marly Kohler

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Karita Landry has posed:
The day after Halloween is usually one filled with a lot of alka-seltzer. (Though not necessarily from alcohol, but due to an over indulgence of candy, chips and rich foods.) On this particular day after, however, it's filled with not just a ton of drop, drop, fizz, fizz, but review of evidence captured in the mysterious corn maze.

Karita has set up a table with all of the voice recorders, the different camera videos, and the thermal imager video. She's quite thankful that Marly has agreed to join her in going over the information. Hours upon hours of listening to static on the recorders and watching nothing but uneventful video can certainly take a toll on even the best investigator.

"Andy! Argh!" The expression is let out through gritted teeth as Karita finds the thermal imaging spot that should have had some excellent evidence, but is completely blank, no recording, nothing. "Just look at this." Karita gestures towards the timeframe. "This is when he said there were two images that seemed to gesture towards him, and he didn't hit the record button. It's just chalked up to personal experience, nothing. Absolutely nothing captured."

In frustration, Karita's hands fling upwards, as her gaze flickers towards the glass of water that is now finished bubbling away, and downs the concoction in a gulp, the alka-seltzer swished around at the bottom then finished with another swallow and shiver. "I swear, every year I'm not going to eat as much, and what do I do? I eat the entire bag. Entire. Bag."

Marly Kohler has posed:
For Marly she sits somewhat hunched over with a wireless earbud jammed in one ear as she listens to much static, but also to her friend. There's a faint frown on her face as she hits the rewind button a few times, but eventually she just sighs. "Sometimes static really sounds like it's talking to you." She mutters more to herself than Karita, though it's easy enough to hear those words of hers.

She's just about to hit the play button again when Karita voices that Andy and Argh all in the same breath. For her part, Marly leans over a look of curiousity on her face, only for it to drop when Kari reveals the record button wasn't pressed. "Aw, dang it." Says the brown-haired woman, "Still, next year we for sure have to get back out there. Do another investigation and *I* will *not* be scared by a deer. Promise."

A sheepish grin flits across Marly's face and then she sets the recorder down and stretches a moment. "Isn't that what Halloween candy is for? Buy it early, eat the bag, but another bag, finish that one off. It's a vicous circle."

Still, it's obvious the two women need a break and so Marly pops out the wireless earbud, "I have to say though this has seriously been the best Halloween I've had in a long time."

Karita Landry has posed:
"I agree!" Karita states with emphasis, "Both to going back, as well as needing a break!" Rubbing the back of her neck, Karita leans back in her chair stretching a little from side to side, trying to get the 'kinks' out. "Sometimes static /does/ talk to you!" Karita offers with a grin, "That's when things start to get really confusing."

Standing up, Karita draws towards the small kitchen area, parting open the fridge to pull out a couple bottles of water, one for herself, and one which she brings over to Marly. "Water?" She inquires, placing the bottle down on the table before flopping back into the chair.

"It was a genuine fright, all things considered. The spooky maze, the right kind of ambience, and then a creature emerging from the corn, and remember, it wasn't just you that screamed and ran. I have unfortunate evidence on my camera of me doing the exact same thing."

A laugh, and Karita rubs the bridge of her nose, before shaking her head. "Terror begets terror in that situation. At least Andy had sense enough to attack, though it took an hour before that poor deer got out of that snot." Kari's nose wrinkles upwards, as another shiver runs through her, followed by her tongue sticking out. "Gross."

"I've had a lot of fun this Halloween, too." Karita bobs her head in response, agreeing. "Even if I ate an entire bag of Reeses and three liters of pepsi, followed by all of that pizza..and.." Her nose wrinkles as she lets out a quiet, 'urgh' sound. "Do you have any plans for Thanksgiving?"

Marly Kohler has posed:
The question of water earns a quick nod, "Yes, please!"

Always polite is Marly even with friends.

However at the mention of the static talking back, that brings a genuine grin to Marly's features. "For real. sometimes I think the static holds a pattern to it as well. I wonder if we could find a program to analyze the actual static to see if it is repeating a specific pattern."

Her expression turns thoughtful at that up until Kari speaks of her own fear inspired run. "Thank god for the miracles of editing. No one will ever be the wiser from it." She laughs alongside her friend up until she mentions the poor deer and the unfortunate substance it was trapped within. There's a sympathetic sort of wince there, to alongside that gross, as the woman says wryly, "Well, it's definitely one of the more unusual powers I've come across that's for certain."

When the conversation rolls back to just how much candy and goodies were eaten Marly once again grins. "Girl." And that's all she says, a wealth of empathy and support for all the food she likewise has eaten.

As to Thanksgiving, Marly perks up, "Going to hang with family. What're you and Andy doing? If you guys don't have plans you're welcome to hang with me and my mom."

Karita Landry has posed:
"Not sure about Andy." Karita begins, "But my gramma is going to be going to Hawaii this year for Thanksgiving, and while it might be fun to experience Thanksgiving in paradise .. I'm thinking about just staying here. So, if your mom wouldn't mind, I'd love to, thank you!"

Downing a big swig of water, Karita turns thoughtful a moment, "You know, we use to have a tech guy that was going to run some of the sequences through a sound analyzer, to see if there was some patterns to it, but he graduated and never completed the program. Maybe we can hire some tech nerd to take over. They're always wanting to do something to prove their intelligence."

"As far as Andy - well. Yeah. His power is definitely one that makes you pause a bit." Kari's nose wrinkles upwards, "A long bit. And took some getting use to!" Her entire face contorts slightly, before Kari laughs again, a soft chuckle that she can't help. "Then again, most people think I'm a crazy duck that talks to myself." The grin Kari offers is crooked and full of mirth. "Sometimes I wonder if I am."

"Which reminds me, I need to get some more sage, while it's been several months since Genosha, I still get some stragglers that come around looking for someone to talk to, and it gets a little crowded in here." And to the wall, Karita scowls suddenly. "No, I don't mean you exactly, but you really should just step into the light."

Marly Kohler has posed:
"My mom will be pleased." Marly says with a grin, "She loves to cook."

"Though I won't lie Hawaii would be pretty cool." But Marly understands, sometimes travelling during the holidays is just exhausting.

The mention of Andy's powers taking some getting used to causes Marly to slide a totally understanding look over to Kari, even if Marly hasn't know him as long as Kari has. And of course, when Kari offers that self-depricating humor about her own powers, Marly can't help but say, "You don't and you know it. Sometimes I'm envious of you and Andy having powers and abilities like you two do."

Sure, she has The Creator but it's not always the same thing when it comes down to be powered or not. Artifacts obviously don't count in Marly's book.

The talk of sage causes Marly to snag her phone and type into briefly, "You want me to grab some from the herabilist shop near my own? You know they always give me a discount." And as she types there's a vague pause when Kari obviously speaks to someone other than her. Marly raises her eyebrows high in a definite 'oh please do tell what that was all about' expression.

"Sometimes I wonder how you get any sleep. I just imagine people come visiting you at all hours."

Karita Landry has posed:
"The dark does talk back to me, something I've had to live with since I was barely old enough to understand I wasn't making this shit up!" Karita states, settling back to gesture again towards the wall. "Mel here, Melissa, she doesn't remember much of what happened, nor does she know of what really transpired, she just knows she use to live in Genosha, and now she doesn't live. She roamed about for awhile, then talked to someone, who talked to someone, who knew of me, and then bam. She visits. Often." The last word is stated with an emphasis of annoyance a Karita scowls at seemingly nothing, then goes back to talking and looking at Marly.

"And that would be great, I'll send some cash with you. You see, saging the room I sleep in helps so I don't get woke up in the middle of the night with someone moaning on about one thing or another. Oftentimes - they don't even realize they're dead, those are the ones that are the saddest to talk to." Karita speaks as matter-of-factly as she can, given she's lived this way for a long time, speaking as such is just second nature.

"After Genosha, it was a total shit-show, grand central station for awhile here." Karita states with a snarl. "Some couldn't pass on without doing one last thing, or at least, what I think of as 'passing on', their energy needs something to do, some last request, before they cease entirely, enter the light, or whatever. That part, I don't know anything about, and no one has come back to tell me about it, either. Anyway. It was a shit storm here for awhile, drove me bonkers."

Marly Kohler has posed:
Melissa. The spirit has a name and it's enough to bring Marly's gaze over to the blank wall. No, she can't really see anything, but there's a sadness to her gaze.

"I'll definitely pick some up." She says earnestly, waving aside the mention of money.

The talk of Genosha and the enormity of that whole ... disaster keeps Marly's expression in something of sadness. "If you ever need help with fulfilling whatever last request a spirit has I'm here for you. I can only imagine how hard that has to be, especially if they don't realize they've passed on." She finishes tapping away at her phone before she slides it back in her pocket.

"You know all I gotta say is you're a strong person." So states the woman, "I don't know if I could have handled the dark talking back to me as a little kid. I was so afraid of the dark." Half-jokes Marly, "Like had a nightlight on foreverrrr."

Karita Landry has posed:
A genuine smile crosses Karita's expression, "Aw, thanks, Marly. I really appreciate that. It's not really something I think about too often, because it just - is. I guess?" The question is mostly rhetorical, before Karita runs a hand through her hair, pushing the wild strands away from her face. "I guess the grass is always greener, I think what you do, with the Creator is beyond incredible. Which, ah, reminds me..?"

Karita makes a face, then, as she pulls out a camera. "I dropped my IR camera in the mud at the corn maze, and it's, well, a little big soggy, do you think you could...?" The question is left open as Karita hands the camera over to Marly.

Standing upwards to collect her bottle of water, Karita moves over towards the sofa, then. "I say, we've had enough static and film for the moment, care to watch something?"

Marly Kohler has posed:
"What friends are for." Marly says to that first bit and then when the IR camera is offered she laughs, "Definitely what friends are for."

And with that said the young woman rustles in her messenger bag and pulls out The Creator. It looks no more complex than any other hammer a tradesperson might use and easily now, Marly pulls the camera over and taps it ever so gently with said hammer. There's a shimmer and a click as whatever part within in that needed repairs finds itself functioning once again. "There. All fixed."

The hammer is placed back within her bag even as she says, "Sure, just not anything scary. I'm still having nightmares from the last movie we watched. So. Many. Nightmares." She jokes good-naturedly, but let's face it the movie was scary.

When Kari drops on the sofa so too does Marly at the oppisite end, "Did I tell you who I helped the other day with The Creator? Ted Kord." Exclaims Marly, "The frickin' Blue Beetle. He needed some toys fixed to ensare a legit evil-doer. Like legit criminal master mind."

Karita Landry has posed:
Watching with rapt fascination, as soon as the camera is handed back over, Karita collects it upwards and tests it out with a whistle of appreciation. "That is so cool, thank you." As the camera works to perfection, perhaps even better than it originally did, Karita stores it back into its case, setting the camera case onto the coffee table, before plucking up the remote control.

"Promise. Nothing scary!" Kari begins, pondering what movie or television show might be amusing to watch. As she does, her gaze flits over towards Marly, and what Marly states next has Karita letting out a gasp. A true. Honest. To Goodness. Gasp.

"Oh My GOD!" She exclaims with a shriek. Sadly. Yes. A shriek. "You met the Blue Beetle!? And you helped him out with an honest to God villain!?" Karita's eyes are sparkling with awe and sadly, yes, fan-girl enthusiasm.

"I am, so jealous right now!" Twisting herself about, remote completely forgotten, Karita waves her hands in a circular motion. "Go on, go on! Tell me everything, well, that you can of course, if its' totally secret, hush, hush, I completely understand." Even if Karita's head is shaking 'no she wont'. "My Gosh, are you in danger from doing this? Should we have Andy come over?"

Marly Kohler has posed:
Marly was legit not anticipating Karita's shriek of fangirl-ness. Legit not anticipating it.

It's probably why she can't help but look surprised, possibly even anticipating a mean spirit nearby, but when it turns out to be a shriek of excitement? Marly can't help but grin and it only gets worse when Karita asks her to tell the whole story.

There's only a pause at the mention of hush hush secret secret. "Uh, you know, he didn't really say I couldn't tell my friends. I wonder if it is hush hush?" Not that it matters, not with the amount of 'telll meee' energy coming off of Kari, "But no no, Andy doesn't need to come over. The criminal master mind totally already came to the store. It was the ... " Yes, she totally pauses for dramatization here, "TOYMAN. Honestly he was actually quite polite until he had to steal the toys from me. Barely did anything to the store, just a few smoke pellets, and then his henchmen -" Yup, she totally said henchmen there, "- grabbed the toys and they ran."

"It was super surreal."

Karita Landry has posed:
Karita listens to everything Marly states, even holding her breath until Marly offers the dramatic 'TOYMAN'. Which Karita does let out a gasped out, "Oh WOW." Though she immediately quiets again, letting Marly finish telling the events that transpired.

Letting out a breath again, realizing that she'd been holding another one, Kari gestures wildly, 'talking' with her fingers and hands just as much as she rambles on. "HENCHMEN! Oh my GOSH! Thank goodness he didn't do anything, though! My GOSH that must have been frightening! Terrifying! But so /cool/, too. Sorry, I don't mean to make light, that must have really been scary!"

Karita plants her hands underneath her, so she isn't gesturing so wildly any further, sitting on the palms of her hands as she continues talking. "So, so surreal sounding, yes!! Were the toys bugged, so Blue Beetle could track the Toyman? Wow. Just. Wow. Did you get Blue Beetle's autograph? Have I showed you my autograph book?? Well, my hope... autograph book, I have like Andy's signature in there, and hey, I totally need your signature too!" With that, Karita collects up the book - a very nice, leather bound notebook that simply reads 'autographs' on the front. Inside is Karita's name, one page one is Andy's autograph, and on the second page, Karita offers to Marly with a pen.

Marly Kohler has posed:
Was she scared? That actually causes Marly to frown, "You know, it happened so fast I wasn't scared. Not until the end. Then I totally spazzed out."

Which she is not embarassed to admit apparently.

"It did make me think I should probably learn some self-defense, you know? I know how to throw a punch and simple things like that, but maybe we should all learn a little bit of self-defense."

As to making light of it, with the cool, Marly waves a hand unconsciously mirroring Kari's own gesture. "You don't have to apologize I can say it definitely was crazy but cool. I mean who'd ever thing me - an antiquities dealer - would ever help the Blue Beetle."

The mention of an autograph book causes Marly's eyebrows to rise upward, "Do you really? Oh my gosh that's super cool. Do you want me to see if I can get an autograph for you?" She automatically asks even as Kari offers a pen to her, "I bet I could. He seemed pretty down to earth in a quirky sort of way."

And while Marly isn't anyone famous in her mind she still signs the page with a flourish.

"I bet he wouldn't mind."

Karita Landry has posed:
"YES!" And with an ahem, Karita clears her throat, slightly embarrassed by her outburst, "I mean, if you get the opportunity to meet him again, and all, and the opportunity arrises, I would actually really love to have his autograph. That would really be cool. I'm a big fan of his."

As Marly signs the autograph book with a flourish, Karita collects it back with a grin, "Thanks! I now have two!" Quite happy with this turn of events, Karita closes the book, putting the pen back into the holder on the autograph book's binder.

With a slight twist of her mouth, Karita admits. "Well, I'm a huge fan of all the supers, and heroes, and all. My closet is full of cosplay costumes, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm one of those crazy people that hang out at rallies, or worship style gatherings, conventions, all that. Though I have never gotten close enough to actually get an autograph!"

With that, Karita does ponder the first part, "I would totally love to learn some self-defense, I mean, not the heroic kind of person, I'm not, but you just can't be too careful these days with all the weirdos out there. If you find some classes, I'd love to join you!"

Marly Kohler has posed:
"I'll ask him!" Exclaims Marly with a grin, "And hopefully soon you'll have a third to put in your book."

"Nothing wrong with being a fan." Marly agrees, "I'm just glad we have heroes that help save the day. I mean seriously where would we be without them? In trouble, that's for certain."

And idly the thought of 'and even sometimes then we're still in trouble' comes to her mind and briefly she considers Genosha again.

Thankfully, Kari's boisterous attitude definitely pulls her away from those more sad thoughts. "I am not looking for the superhero kind of self-defense classes either. Just the normal self-defense you can typically find. When I find a good place I will *definitely* *definitely* let you know. I'd rather go with a friend than all by myself, cause I won't lie, I'd probably chicken out."

Karita Landry has posed:
"Me too." Karita agrees as truthfully as Marly. "I've had the opportunity to go to different self defense courses for women, before, but never did cause - chicken out." Turning back on the sofa, Karita pulls up the menu on the television. "So, so cool." SHe states, before turning on a more amusing television show about the 'hunt for bigfoot', which she subjects Marly to two in the season, as well as a diluge of more questions about Blue Beetle, before the night is finished.