McCoy Apple Orchard In our rushing, bulls in china shops, we break our own lives

[Third on the Match]

The Horned One

Difficulty: Novice | Gameplay Rules

The Encounter's Dice Pool is inactive until players tag @admin in #mod-request for the combat Encounter card when the mask is found.

DC: 3

Hostile

Keyword: Earth, Mutation

Cinder 4d6

Strike 7d6

Luck 4

The mask is a tarnished gold, shaped like the head and snout of a bull with proud horns curving upwards from the mask. It looks heavy but is surprisingly light, its surface reflecting the marks of hammered gold. In spots, the tarnish has rubbed off, revealing the brilliant sheen of what might be pure gold.

[Billy Broder]

Billy shifted a bit uncomfortably in the 'toga' costume he was wearing. It was just something he threw together out of a heavy sheet and he was secretly still wearing shorts under it all. He was shirtless though, with the sheet wrapped over him with a cut out for his head. Plus the blue sash and little ivy wreath he had in his hair.

Well he looked kind of dumb, but at least he fit in with everyone else. There were nicer costumes for sale but Billy spent all his money on rent and magic supplies. Like he had spare change for a costume he'd wear once.

Billy looked around for his roomie June before making his way toward the attendant handing out masks. He greeted the person and got a earful about other masks going missing.

"Uh yeah. If I see one I'll try and bring it back. By the way, you guys have done great on this event." Billy said before being handed a mask.

He took a quick picture of it and sent it to Junebug so she knew what to look for.

[Third on the Match]

The mask Billy is given is coloured in mottled browns and greens, the surface a rough texture like bark, but elegant and understated. The half-mask has curling decorations around the right eye, shaping the gnarled branches of an oak tree. For those who know what to look for, it has an energy to it, magical, but not mortal magic.

Mechanical effect: On a successful Cinder roll, the mask grants the wearer Heightened Strength, Inhuman Strength, and two ranks in Brawler for a 3d6 Strike bonus. It only lasts while the mask is worn, and once used, the mask becomes inert, absent of the magic that once enchanted it.

[Juniper Gray]

Strike, Preternatural Senses: 8 passes, exceptional success

Juniper had been thrifty about this. Literally. She'd gone to the Salvation Army, picked out a white bedsheet, and googled 'how to wrap a toga.' She'd gotten something kinda skimpy, like Queen Gorgo from 300, but, fortunately, being the sort to rip out of her clothes at a moment's notice, she wasn't too fussed about having to bare her shoulders, back or belly for the look.

She wore a bandeau for modesty and a pair of old sandals that were just a touch too large, but it all seemed to pass muster, the Party Planet attendants at the door greeting her with bright smiles and offerings of olive branches for her hair. So, that was great! And then she was offered a mask, which was also neat. A mask, and, she guessed, like, a prompt for a game or something. Finding the missing mask, one that looked like a bull. Well, that was cool.

As she was getting her mask, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket but waited to check it until she passed the gates. Mostly because she was wearing her shorts under her toga and she had to lift her skirt to get it. Billy sent her a picture of his mask, but Juniper just chuckled. Like she needed that to find him.

Taking in a deep breath, she turned in a small circle, trying to pick out her roommate's scent in the crowd. The tiger found it easily, pulling it out of the air along with the tell-tale waver of magic, and grinned. Of course, she wasn't going to tell him she was coming. She was going to hunt down a wizard.

[Third on the Match]

The mask Juniper is given by the Party Planet attendant is made of an iridescent retro material, catching the light and shifting colours from every angle. The half-mask is simple yet loud, eye-catching in all meanings of the word. It is undeniably magical, beyond mortal powers for those who know what to look for.

Mechanical Effect: When worn, a successful Cinder roll will summon an identical reflection of the wearer in a fortuitous location. Whether it's distraction or redirection, the reflection will stick around to take whatever hits it needs to take. The user cannot roll Strike/Cinder to lower Luck when the mask's power is active. When the mask is removed, this magic disappears, and it becomes a mundane, if shiny, novelty item.

[Billy Broder]

Billy wandered a bit, surprised with just how much there was to see at the beginning of the party. Lots of toga, surprisingly more skin than he expected, and lots of... well merch. Billy wasn't sure what kind of energy filled the area, it was hard to classify.

He started to build up power to catch and collect the feeling but stopped short when he realized he didn't have anything to hold it in. He didn't have anything to contain it because he had promised Juniper he wouldn't do a bunch of magic tonight.

She always sneezed when he conjured arcane energies and he wanted her to have fun. So... no magic.

No collecting.

He frowned a bit then shrugged. Glancing back down at the mask in his hands he placed it over his eyes and adjusted it. Thing fit surprisingly well.

He started wandering near the food stalls, fairly sure Juniper would be hungry once he found her. Girl ate like, well she ate like a tiger.

[Juniper Gray]

Strike, ambushing Billy: 4 passes vs DC2, hit

Juniper didn't put her mask on right away. Instead, she tied the strap to loop it over her arm while she sought out her wizard friend. Scenting him out didn't take too long--it seemed that she'd arrived only a little after him--and it helped that his path seemed to lead her toward the food stalls.

As she passed, the aromas of festival food hung in the air along with the tang of free-flowing cider in people's cups. There was deep-fried everything, as well as those huge smoked turkey legs. Among the more typical stalls were more thematically appropriate food offerings--mainly Greek stuff. Juniper's stomach growled, but she kept on track, casting a look through the crowd for Billy.

When she stopped him, she couldn't help the little jump of excitement in her heart rate. Ducking behind a few stalls, she snuck around behind him, and when she was near enough, the tiger yelled, “Billy! Think fast!” before hurling herself onto his back with an unbridled cackle of delight.

[Billy Broder]

Billy was wandering around the food stalls glancing around when the unthinkable happened!

An Ambush!

He heard Juniper shout to think fast and then she threw herself on his back. "Ack! Et tu!?" He cried, because it felt right, before reaching up and grabbing her arms that had wrapped around his shoulders and faux shaking to try and throw her off, all the while using his hand to help steady her so she didn't actually fall.

Not that it would probably matter, girl had cat-like reflexes and would have been fine.

After a couple shakes, Billy reached with his other hand and tried to cup at Juniper's thigh, working to bring her legs up and turn the whole affair into a proper piggyback ride for her. Billy wasn't super strong or anything, but unless she shifted into her tiger for Juniper barely weighed a thing. He turned his head to look at the girl and smiled.

"Hey roomie. Neat party huh?" he asked.

[Juniper Gray]

Juniper yelled as Billy tried to shake her off but didn't think he'd manage it. He'd been ambushed by a real tiger, there was no way. They got a couple of looks from other festival goers, but it was clearly a bout of horseplay, and people just gave them a bit of space while they settled down.

She was delighted when the wizard turned the pounce into a piggyback ride and settled in, mask hanging from her elbow and bumping his shoulder. Leaning in, she scrubbed her cheek against the side of Billy's head, scenting him. She hardly needed to do that when they lived together, but he was wearing new clothes, so reapplication was necessary. “S'pretty cool. What kinda mask didja get?”

[Billy Broder]

As Juniper settled into the piggyback ride and all but hugged him he noticed that she also started... okay it was a cat thing. Billy knew that but the word that came to mind for him was nuzzle. She was nuzzling him, specifically the side of his head but it was reaching down toward his cheek too and made him feel a touch awkward. He knew Junebug worked off cat instincts so he tried to not make a thing about it.

"Ack! Cooties!" he playfully said. "Careful, I haven't shaved." he also added, his stubble likely to poke her cheek if she kept it up.

When she asked about his mask he pulled with his right hand a bit to set her off center and then turned so she would be able to see his face better, he trusted her to keep his own balance after all. The mask looked like bark but had an artistic pattern to it... Billy assumed. He wasn't great with art but it fit his face pretty well. "What do you think? Do I look cool? Show me yours." Billy said cheerily.

[Juniper Gray]

Aspect: Cat's Grace

At the rate she healed, Juniper didn't mind any stubble burn, but she still let up when he claimed cooties. She made a 'pfft' noise but relented, that cat-like instinct satisfied that he smelled enough like her. As he adjusted her to one side, she shifted her weight with intuitive ease, keeping the pair perfectly balanced even as she peeked over his shoulder.

“You look cool!” she chirruped, admiring the forest-y theme, although her nose twitched as she looked at it, her upper lip twitching. Was that the mask or Billy? Thrusting her arm forward over his shoulder, she let the mask hooked around her elbow slide down to her wrist and grabbed it to show him. “Mine's kinda disco...” Again, her nose twitched, and she added, “I think it's magic too.”

[Billy Broder]

Billy raised an eyebrow- which was of course completely hidden by the mask he was wearing. He let go of Junebug's legs a dropped her to the ground so he could turn around to face her.

His eyes were expressly focused on the mask she had in her hands. "You think so? Let me see, does it have any runes or markings? I wonder if it is already empowered or draws from the wearer? How long do you think this material can withstand the flow of magic? I bet..."

In a second Billy was in his own little world as he began to poke and prod at her mask while speaking in a slightly distant tone.

After a minute or two he stopped and straightened up quickly before looking a little guilty. "I mean, oh. Magic. Cool, whatever." Billy said.

Totally wasn't gonna make their party all about magic. Not him.

[Juniper Gray]

Settling down on her feet as Billy got into it, Juniper held the mask up in front of her, hands on the edges, a perplexed smile wavering around her lips. Then, when he tried to play it off, she burst out laughing.

“Dumbass,” she said, shoving his shoulder and waving the mask at him. “Whatever, you love magic! What's it do, Mr. Wizard?”

[Billy Broder]

Billy laughed easily with Juniper and gave her a lopsided smile. When she asked what it did he put his hand up to his chin and seemed to really consider it before answering.

"I dunno." he said.

"Its different from the magic I use and I don't really see anything to give me hints. Maybe I need to make something to help me identify foreign magic." Billy said.

Despite this being 100% his area of expertise... he was still a young wizard and lacked the experience to just catalog some magic mask.

"You think all the masks are magic? Even those missing ones?" Billy said, more to himself than June specifically.

[Juniper Gray]

As Billy gave it proper consideration, June held it up higher next to her head to give him a better view. Then, on a whim, she put on a little Vanna White pose, propping up her other hand beneath it and smiling brightly. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to have an immediate answer, and she lowered the mask to give it a look herself. She only knew because it felt like soda fizz on her molars.

At his question, she looked around, gaze following a few passersby in their brightly colored masks. She didn't pick up anything from their passage and shook her head. “Nah, those aren't,” she answered, uncertainly turning the mask over in her hands and wondering if she wanted to put it on. “I think I woulda noticed sooner.” As for the missing ones, she shrugged. Maybe? The young tiger wasn't worried, though. She thought she was invincible. “Think it's safe? To put on?”

[Billy Broder]

Billy chuckled at the Vanna impression, it was basically a staple for magic assistants back in Vegas. Then she looked around and said she didn't think any of the others were magic.

Billy looked at the mask carefully, not realizing she'd implied his own mask had been magic too and just assuming his was safe and fine.

He really wanted to tell her sure, try the mask on and see what happens. But as reckless as he could be even he had some small common sense.

"Maybe just keep it on your arm? Unless you're a real big fan of that Jim Carrey movie." he said.

[Juniper Gray]

“Which Jim Carrey movie?” Juniper asked, pulling a face and deciding to loop it back around her arm again. She wasn't even sure she knew who Jim Carrey was.

[Billy Broder]

Billy glanced around them at all the masks. "It was called Mask. Older movie. He finds a mask and it gives him this zanney alter ego that runs around town causing mischief. We should totally watch it later. Just the original though, the sequel was awful." he said.

He didn't sound happy though. He sounded like he was thinking about something and a slow tension was starting to settle over his shoulders.

"If the missing masks were magic... how bad do you think th being loose could be?"

[Juniper Gray]

Juniper made a thoughtful noise at the synopsis and nodded. Movie night was usually pretty, if they shut up long enough to catch the thread of the plot. However, the tiger sensed the tension settling over Billy's form, and she peered up at him, metaphorical ears swiveled in his direction in interest. She recalled that look on his face when they'd found Scoob, and at his question, she drew her bottom lip between her teeth. This felt serious.

“They asked you to find a mask, too, huh?” She glanced around, hackles rising. “I mean... I dunno. I figured it's...” she trailed off, thoughts circling and killing her initial conclusion. If only the two of them got a magic mask, and only they were asked to find this third mask, then that was not normal. “I mean, I dunno? It could just be a game?”

[Billy Broder]

Billy nodded in agreement with Juniper. "You're probably right. I bet it's just a game." he said. In a very serious voice. While his eyes scanned around the place.

"So, what did you want to do?" Billy asked June.

He had, at some point in the last few nanoseconds, decided he wanted to find that missing mask just to be sure no one got hurt.

But he didn't want to ruin Juniper's night out because of his whims. So he'd run around with her while keeping an eye out for clues or something on where that mask might be.

[Juniper Gray]

Unaware of Billy's hesitation to find the third mask on her account, Juniper gave him an incredulous look and threw her arms wide. “Look for that other mask! I know that tone.” The tiger propped her fists on her hips, looking game. “If you think this is serious, we should go check it out.”

And admittedly, this did seem pretty serious. It was weird that they'd been given this task and singled out for magic masks.

[Billy Broder]

Billy was a bit taken aback when she said they should go find the mask but pleased all the same. He reached out and went to put his hand on her head, trying to scratch into her hair affectionately. "Okay, you're the boss Tiger Girl." he said.

Billy looked around again and assumed that the mask probably wouldn't be just sitting in plain sight. He pouted a little before looking at Juniper.

"You're the one who can sense magic, and leads to start us off?" he asked.

[Juniper Gray]

Strike, Detect Magic: 2 passes, partial failure

When Billy scratched her head, it took everything in her not to chuff like some beast, pleased at the attention. It was surprising, but it felt good, a gentle touch coming from someone the tiger trusted. However, she did not think Billy would appreciate her leaning in and demanding more... He would probably even think it was a little weird, especially with how tactile cats could be and how that translated between species. Maybe if she were a giant cat, it'd be different.

Also, maybe if she didn't kinda sorta crush on the wizard, too, she wouldn't be overthinking it. In any case, she hid her disappointment when he stopped to look around and looked around herself. She drew in a deep breath at his question, filling her lungs, waiting for the telltale shiver of magic in the metaphysical air, but only felt their masks.

“Nah, I just...” she turned in a small circle, going up onto her toes to look over the heads of the other people in the crowd as if that might help. “I just feel ours. Where do you think a bull would hang out, though?”

[Billy Broder]

Billy felt his forehead crease as he started to think. Dammit he should have brought Rowling after all... an overhead view of the event would help a lot. When Junebug asked about where a bull would hang Billy just shrugged.

"A china shop?" he said not very seriously.

Then he turned and thought about it from the other angle. "But if I was stealing something... I'd probably go into theater to not get caught." he reasoned out.

[Juniper Gray]

Strike, Detect Magic: 7 passes, exceptional success

Juniper snorted a laugh at Billy's suggestion of a china shop but shook her head. His second made way more sense sorta. It reminded the tiger of those spy movies where one spy would run into a movie showing and hide in the rows and the rest would rush in and prowl between the seats.

“Mkay, yeah- like a spy movie, right?” she agreed, her eyes lighting up as she glanced around again. “Let's go check it out. I think it's between showings.”

Catching sight of a signpost, she pointed down the path leading to the outdoor theater, her nose twitching as she caught the twinge of magic. Her other hand sought out Billy's, and she didn't hesitate to pull him along, caught up in a spark of excitement.

[Billy Broder]

Billy Strike looking for the Mask: 4d6
3 passes = Complete success

Billy gave a quick nod and started to walk toward the theatre. This was easy as Juniper literally pulled him along. She seemed to be excited about all of this, which was great. As they walked along Billy kept his eyes sharp looking for every mask he saw, then stopped and considered it from a different angle. "They are telling everyone to help find this mask so... if someone was just sporting it around they'd have probably already been caught by now right?" He seemed to be talking more to himself than not as Junebug lead the way.

"Maybe we should make note of everyone not wearing their mask yet." He glanced at Juniper with her arm sporting her mask. "Which does make you a suspect Miss Gray." he said as he gave her hand a small squeeze then used his treetrunk legs to pick up the pace and pass her on his way to the theater.

[Juniper Gray]

Cinder Detect Magic: Complete success

Juniper laughed, letting go of Billy's hand so he could pull past her on the way to the outdoor theater. Pausing, she unslung the mask from her elbow, and, keeping him in sight, she took a moment to tie it onto her face, letting the sensation settle on the bridge of her nose. There was the momentary urge to sneeze, but it passed, and she trotted after the wizard to catch up.

The outdoor theater was a vast open space next to the festival grounds, near the treeline of the orchard. A temporary stage was set at the far end, complete with curtains and the trappings of a backstage beyond it, but since it was between shows, most people were there to get off their feet. Plenty of families, some arrayed out on picnic blankets or on rows of wooden benches that radiated from the stage.

A group of kids went charging past, playing tag, wearing togas in various states of disarray. Juniper watched them with a pensive look. The uncertainty of the whole situation (what was this missing mask even for?) made her uncomfortable with doing this out around families.

Fortunately, the mask didn't dull her senses to the next twinge of magic she felt. And even more fortunately, the shift of magic was on the very far end of the green space, a figure disappearing into the side of the backstage nearest the treeline. The unmistakable curve of horns accompanied a glint of gold.

“There, that mask is magic,” she said, eyes pinned on the spot where she'd glimpsed the figure, a predatory instinct walking its fingers up her spine. Eager to go, she nudged Billy with a pointy elbow. “C'mon, let's get 'em.”

[Third on the Match]

The Horned One

DC: 3

Hostile

Keyword: Earth, Mutation

Cinder 4d6

Strike 7d6

Luck 4

The mask is a tarnished gold, shaped like the head and snout of a bull with proud horns curving upwards from the mask. It looks heavy but is surprisingly light, its surface reflecting the marks of hammered gold. In spots, the tarnish has rubbed off, revealing the brilliant sheen of what might be pure gold.

Juniper's enhanced senses can pick up someone stepping on twigs and hurrying along, giggling excitedly to themselves. They seem quite enthused with the object they have, oohing and aahing at its look as they wander blindly away from the festival proper. If they pursue quickly, they will see the person place the mask over their face, testing the fit.

And the moment the mask touches the man's, the transformation will unfold all at once, the human figure ballooning out as his mass expands rapidly, his shape turning quadrupedal, and growing gold-tipped horns. In a mere second, a massive bull, larger than any mundane bull, stands among the orchard trees, its pelt white as snow as it bucks and plays, bounding deeper among the trees like it is enjoying its own private rodeo. One massive bound hits an apple tree, the creak and crack of the trunk displaying a fearsome amount of power as the tree topples.

It hasn't spotted them, but the bull will see red once they get close enough.

[Billy Broder]

Bull Strike: 7d6
3 passes = Vomplete Success get fucked trees.

Juniper gave Billy a sharp rib in the side with her elbow, which Billy secretly suspected she sharpened at night, before pointing out someone scampering off. They... looked young. A teen maybe? Billy frowned and started after them, they were heading to a fairly empty area so that was good.

When they got close though the punk tossed on the mask and his body instantly ballooned up and started a grotesque but lightning fast transformation that... left Billy in a daze of thoughts.

"How is he creating extra mass?" he muttered to himself as he watched.

The Bull seemed pleased with itself as it damaged a tree with laughable ease, then seeing the destruction it caused, turned and knocked down a second just for good measure.

Billy frowned seeing the sudden show of strength.

He moved ahead of Juniper, making sure to put her behind his back on instinct and held out his hands in a peaceful gesture.

"Hey there big guy, maybe go easy on the apples huh?" Billy said, using the international speaking tone reserved for crazies and giant magical bulls.

Speaking of, the animal turned to see Billy then began pawing the ground with its head lowered. Another international sign of sorts. This one basically translated to: TORO!!

[Juniper Gray]

Juniper Cinder (Attunement), Complete success
Bull Strike 2 vs DC5, miss
Juniper Strike 5 vs DC3, hit

Juniper’s hearing picked up Billy’s question and she couldn’t help her sharp laugh. Only Billy would witness someone turning into a monster and ask how they did it. But at least he wasn’t freaking out—not that Juniper expected him to.

In fact, she expected herself to freak out, to be bludgeoned with the powerful urge to shift. And the feeling was there but rather than clawing for her attention on a fight or flight adrenaline rush, it felt more like an offer. An offer that she might normally turn down but when the enormous golden animal lowered its head and pawed at the dirt, it suddenly looked immensely appealing. Especially when Billy was out in front.

In a rush, Juniper turned in a circle and realized that they’d followed the kid deep into the orchard. No witnesses, so she turned back around, took a breath and started kicking off her sandals. “Don’t turn around!” she yelled, remembering with distant amusement how he’d asked to watch and now she was asking him not to. Not that he knew exactly what she was going to do, but modesty! “Also- get outta the way!”

As she started stripping, the bull tossed its head one last time just before its’ mountainous muscles bunched and it hurled itself into a charge. In the same moment, Juniper accepted the shift and with the speed of her heartbeat, it rippled over her quickly. The girl’s body bulged, mass, muscle, and fur unfolding from her slight frame.

The bull’s hooves thundered on the earth, as it bore down on them, and, only half-transformed, Juniper pushed past Billy.

Shit- what was the plan from here? Two very sharp horns were coming at her at the speed of a truck, and even if she could take the hit, she didn’t want to know what it felt like. Still, at least she’d be between the very human wizard and the deadly points.

With a tortured snarl, the tiger reached out, grabbed both horns, and planted her huge clawed feet. The impact hurt—exactly like getting hit by a truck—and, tail lashing at the air, she was pushed back by a few feet, feet digging furrows into the dirt. Trumpeting in rage, the bull tossed its head to shake her off, hooves clomping as it tried to back off. With a vindictive snarl, she lifted a huge fist and hammered a titanic blow down on top of the bull’s head. The animal’s head jerked down and it went down onto its front knees but it wasn’t down for the count. It was still trying to get away for another charge.

Juniper Luck 7/7
Bull Luck 3/4

[Billy Broder]

Billy Cinder 8d6
3 passes (mask activated)

Bull Cinder Earth 4d6
3 passes

Billy Super Strike 7d6* (modified by mask)
3 passes vs DC 3 = Hit!

Billy stood before the monstrous Bull and.... and what the hell was he doing? Why was he in front of the super tiger? Stupid first instinct, he thought of Junebug like a little sister a lot of the time and apparently that sometimes lead to stupid choices.

When she called to not turn around, Billy continued his streak of dumb reactions by instantly turning around. However the second he saw Juniper was starting to strip he instantly turned away with his face best red.

Then the two working braincells collaborated and figured out that she was probably about to shift. Which made it a lot less awkward. By this time June was about done and pushed Billy out of the way just as the Bull charged head on.

Billy took some steps back as Juniper met the monster and he decided it was his time to do some work too... on the sidelines. Billy started gathering power as he reached for his pocket.

Only he didn't have a pocket, he was wearing a stupid bedsheet..

Hell even if he did have a pocket he promised no magic so he had no chalk or runestones! "Shit." Billy said as he let go of the power.

Only for that power to rush into the mask he was wearing.

The Bull seemed to realize it was fighting another powerhouse after taking a hit to the head, with a snort it pushed itself back onto its feet then stomped with a mooing roar. It would have sounded funny if it wasn't accompanied by shaking earth.

The ground cracked and long blunt spikes spread out to give the monster some room. It didn't seem worried about footing as everywhere it stepped the ground was flat and stable.

As for Billy? A dull spike rammed into him and threw him down before settling over him. He grit his teeth in pain and then pushed up knowing it would be a waste of- oh hey, actually the rock was super light... and weak enough for his fingers to dig into... and...

Billy pushed the stone off of him and looked down... it hurt but he seemed fine. In fact he seemed better than fine. His body had sprouted some nicely defined muscles in the last ten seconds...

"Worry about it later, superhero fantasy now." Billy said to himself before standing up and sprinting at the golden bull.

"Hey Ferdinand! Back off my friend!" Billy shouted, picking the first cartoon Bull that came to mind.

Lifting a foot he jumped up and kicked hard at the side of the beast... and surprisingly moved it back several feet.

Billy Luck 3/4
Bull Luck 2/4

[Juniper Gray]

Juniper Cinder (Attunement), Complete success
Juniper Strike 2 vs DC3, miss
Bull Strike 5 vs DC5, hit

This had to literally be the worst and stupidest and worst thing she'd ever done in her stupid life. Did she mention it was the worst? One moment of control, and she thought she could just shift? On purpose?

Almost immediately, even as she struck the bull on the crown of the head, and grew to her full, impressive height, a shot of anxiety curdled in her gut. She was shifted, near humans. Near Billy! Fighting a monster. Oh God, if the Exchange found out... They... Might not, if she didn't lose it, but what if that was still crossing the line?

There was, however, something odd about the whole thought process. It was the fact that she was having it. The tiger's ears flickered back in forth in astonishment, and then she took an earthen pillar to the gut.

Snarling, the big cat's body curled around the thing as she tried to clamber over it and swipe out it with her claws, magic tingling on her senses enough to tell her it was that stupid bull. Being so close to the creature, the move hit hard enough that it punched her back by a few feet.

She stumbled back, tail lashing as she held her stomach. Of course, that's when Billy decided to rush back in, and Juniper could only watch helplessly as he did something heroic and dumb. At least, it seemed heroic and dumb until he actually sent the bull reeling. Magic. Had to be. Always some stupid crazy magic.

Didn't matter, though. Billy was within range of being absolutely squashed, so Juniper scrambled to her feet, rushing forward to firmly place her bulk between the monster and the wizard.

Juniper Luck 6/7
Bull Luck 2/4

[Billy Broder]

Bull Mutation Cinder 4d6
2 passes = Partial failure

Billy Strike 7d6*
5 Passes vs 3 DC = Hit!

Bull Strike 7d6
4 Passes vs 2 DC = Hit!

Seeing the weretiger in the way the Bull seemed to come to some conclusion... though what the exact idea was only the bull knew. Its entire body however seemed to waver and shift, as if it wasn't just colored gold but was made from liquid metal. Past the visual fact of it though the effect didn't seem to do much else. It rushed toward the tiger and the wizard with intent to run them both down, all while Billy raised an eyebrow at the half-formed were-tigress in front of him. He was admiring her, mostly for the transformation and mix between bipedal anatomy and that of a large feline. Kind of looked like someone from a fighting game he used to play years back... then Billy realized she was standing in front of him to protect him.

It kind of annoyed him. Mostly because for once it seemed like he didn't need the power buffer.

With the bull rushing in and Juniper ready to take the hit, Billy grinned mischievously.

He stepped out from behind the tiger just as the bull was about to strike and reeling back threw one hell of a sucker punch at the bull. It skid to a stop as its head jerked savagely to the side throwing it well off course of the two. Billy rubbed his hand as he looked back at Juniper with just a hint of cocky swagger to his stance. "Its fine Junebug, I'm like Spider-man strong right no-" Billy was saying, before the Bull found its balance and then threw its full weight not forward but to the side while swinging its head. Cheap shot for a cheap shot.

Billy was tossed ragdoll for a few feet before he rolled into it, more off of an instinct he didn't know he had, and slammed a hand down into the ground digging a three foot long furrow until he finally came to a stop. He noted that technically he was rocking a pretty cool superhero pose and that the only thing that would make it cooler was if that hit hadn't hurt like hell. He rubbed his hand over his shoulder and called back to Juniper to assure her. "I'm okay!"

Billy Luck 2/4
Bull Luck 1/4

[Juniper Gray]

Cinder (Attunement), Partial failure
Juniper Strike 4 vs DC3, hit
Bull Strike 5 vs DC5, hit

As the bull charged again, Juniper planted her feet, huge claws at the ready as she prepared to grab it again. However, before it reached her, Billy slipped from behind her and waylaid the bull with a punch. Adrenaline rushed but had nowhere to go, and the tiger made a confused noise. Then, at Billy's comment, she felt blood rush to her head, turning her vision red with impotent rage. This idiot. The tiger's lips dragged back from her huge teeth as she growled at the wizard, displeased.

Then, before she could stop it, the bull rebounded, its great horned head swinging around to catch her friend and send him sailing. It was exactly what she feared, and her control slipped under an avalanche of fear for her friend's life, and rage. She didn't hear Billy's call. With a snarl that vibrated the air, the tiger charged the bull, massive arms locking around its neck. There was no plan, just instinct, and fury. Tail lashing, the beast bowled the bull off its feet and onto its side. It trumpeted in anger, hooves lashing out and head swinging, catching Juniper on the side of the head with its golden horn.

It rang her bell hard, but it didn't stop the tiger from burrowing her head against the bull's neck and biting down, jaw muscles bunching as her teeth punched through flesh, fat, and muscle. Blood gushed into her mouth, and the great creature thrashed, but she held on, dogged and kicking at its soft underbelly with her back legs.

Blood dribbled down her chin and into the fur around her neck and chest as she bit deeper, finding the wretched thing's windpipe and squeezing.

Juniper Luck 5/7
Bull Luck 0/4, defeated

[Third on the Match]

Cretan Bull, Defeated

DC: 3

Hostile

Keyword: Earth, Mutation

Cinder 4d6

Strike 7d6

Luck 4

The mask is a tarnished gold, shaped like the head and snout of a bull with proud horns curving upwards from the mask. It looks heavy but is surprisingly light, its surface reflecting the marks of hammered gold. In spots, the tarnish has rubbed off, revealing the brilliant sheen of what might be pure gold.

The bull's head in the tiger's jaws disappears into dust, the mass of the bull shedding like ash, the dripping blood ashing as well. It swirls in the air, leaving the hunched figure on the grass where the bull's hind hooves were, a distance from Juniper and Billy. The mask drops from the man's face, and he collapses on the grass, unconscious.

Gold glinting in the sunlight, the tarnished surface of the mask seems harmless, unmoving where it fell on the ground.

[Billy Broder]

Billy Assistance roll to Juniper: 8d6 Cinder
3 passes = Success

Billy stood up, the pain not particularly pleasant but far from debilitating, plus he got the cool action shot of tearing up the ground stopping his momentum. Yeah, that was going into the memory vault on the list of coolest stuff he'd ever done. Yet when he looked back toward Juniper he saw her literally tearing into the golden bull, red staining her fur and... well everything around her. She looked like a real monster for a second there and it made Billy remember when he'd first botched the ritual for making Rowling... the owl monster that had attacked Em.

A second later though and all that blood seemed to dull and fade to dust. Along with the bull they were fighting. A kid seemed to be on the ground now with a golden mask at his feet. Okay okay... that was good but... Juney seemed really worked up. Billy remembered her talking about how dangerous she could be when she started losing control.

The wizard swallowed and took a slow breath before walking toward the weretiger. He slipped the mask off his face so she could better see him, not even realizing he broke the magic he'd been under while doing so.

Holding out a hand and speaking as calmly as he could Billy approached Juniper. He trusted her, with his life.

"Good work Junebug, we got him. Everything is good now, so let's just take a breather yeah?"

Billy: 2/4 Luck

[Juniper Gray]

Cinder Attunement w/ Assistance, Complete success

The worst thing that could happen happened, at least to Juniper's half-feral brain. Her prey disappeared. The tiger, coated in its quickly fading blood, scrambled to her feet, and snarled in dismay. High on bloodlust and aggression, she looked for anything to take it out on, her huge form heaving, tail lashing, and claws flexing. There was no intelligence in her slit eyes.

There. A beating heart, a prone body. The mask, which the tiger recognized, and fresh meat. Hunching forward, Juniper rumbled deep and predatory and stalked toward the prone man, saliva stringing between her teeth.

However, the voice broke through just as she reached for the helpless man. The tiger's lips dragged back from her teeth, and she looked back over her shoulder. A man was approaching, and the beast gave a warning snarl, crouching down defensively between him and her prey. He was still talking, though, his body language open and lacking aggression.

The tiger's ears were still flicked flat with dismay, but the snarl eased from her face. Some part of her knew that he was friendly, his scent familiar and... The tiger stretched out to sniff him, and dragged in a colossal breath, catching her scent on him too. Her body was still angled towards the man on the ground, eager to take her pound of flesh, but she stilled, watching and waiting to see what he had to say.

[Billy Broder]

Billy Assistance Cinder 8d6
1 pass = failure

Juniper, all tigered out, was stalking toward the guy and what Billy wouldn't give to have a wardstone on hand right about now. With nothing else available he walked into the tiger's cage as it was. Right away were-june turned and snarled at him and Billy felt his muscles tighten up in fear at that fact alone. But he took a breath and kept talking to her nice and slow. When the sound eased and the beast stretched toward him to sniff at him she seemed to calm... a bit. Still looked more animal that cool kid though. Billy didn't think Juniper would hurt him, he honestly didn't even with his body trying to tense up around her. But he didn't want to see her kill the moron they had just fought either. Especially since Billy thought it would really mess June up if she learned what she did afterwards.

Billy looked at the tiger and smiled, he wasn't looking right into her eyes and he made sure the didn't show his teeth when he smiled. He'd done some research on dealing with dangerous animals. He trusted Juniper but when you lived with a weretiger a bit of precaution was the least you could do. "Hey Juney, you recognize me right?" he said, trying to keep his voice more casual.

He didn't approach the guy on the ground. He just tried to keep engaging with his friend. "I know you won't hurt me, but you really need to shift back. What do you say? Afterwards we can go to that burger place we always hit up, what was the name of it again?" Billy asked. He was kind of banking on a few things here, that maybe Juniper would be down for food, and that asking her questions that she would normally need to answer might kickstart her more rational mind. Name a place, remember a place, form a string of logic, calm the beast. He really wasn't sure if this would work at all but at this point he didn't have anything to lose.

Unlike the guy on the ground.

2/4 Luck

[Juniper Gray]

Cinder Attunement, Extraordinary success

The tiger could feel the man's fear, spying it in the tension of his body, in his heartbeat. The wrathful creature couldn't help but be satisfied at that, but he was still talking, smiling, and holding out his hand. Of course, it helped that he smelled like her, her whiskers quivering as she pressed her huge nose to his fingertips.

One huge clawed hand lifted to wrap around Billy's arm, and she unceremoniously dragged him closer to sniff around his head, her breath rumbling in her cavernous chest. Then, finally, his words started to make sense, and when he started talking about burgers--she knew that word! Burgers!--her ears flicked up in interest.

And then it was as if a roar of sound suddenly quieted, and June settled back into place. She knew where she was again, what shape she was, and the red tangle of aggression loosened. The giant tiger chuffed and leaned down to repeatedly drag her huge head over his hair, rubbing more of her scent off on him.

“Grrrrroovy,” she growled, the one word tortured between her inhuman vocal cords and her fangs. It was called Groovy Burger, and they were very generous with their portions.

[Billy Broder]

Cinder Assistance roll 8d6
5 passes = Exceptional Success

As he moved toward his beastial friend she reached out and yanked on his arm before sniffing of him deeply. Billy's heart started beating faster but he didn't think Juniper was actually about to hurt him. When she got that close he raised up a hand into the fur of her neck and started to scratch like he would any big friendly animal.

Once she seemed to recognize him he moved his hand to rub and pat at her head while she rubbed at him.

Her deep bellowing voice let out the low rumble of Groovy.

"That's right. The Groovy Burger. Why don't you shift back and we'll go." he told her.

Hugging at her neck and trying to show her care and support. If she shifted he wanted to be able to block potential line of sight until they could get her dressed again.

He was glad she seemed okay.

[Juniper Gray]

The big cat's pleased chuffing grew in volume and intensity as Billy scratched around her ruff, and she redoubled her efforts to smother him in her scent. Hands dropping to wrap around his waist so she could hold him still, the big cat drooped, leaning into him as he hugged her. There was a bit of tension there--she was not familiar with this kind of gentleness in this form, and it was difficult not to seek more of it, but Billy was asking her to shift back.

She knew he was right and grumbled low in her chest. Then, slowly, reluctantly, the big cat unfurled from around the wizard and pushed herself back onto her haunches. She didn't like to be touched while she shifted, the agony already too much to process.

Turning away, she cast a lingering glance at the still figure on the ground and then gruffed out, “Clothes?” to Billy. Her footsteps were absurdly quiet for such a colossal creature as she slinked away into the shadows.

[Billy Broder]

Billy laughed a little under his breath at all the affection Juniper was returning and how big she was while trying it. Giant house cat, that was her vibe right now.

Then she pulled away from him slowly and stepped back, asking for her clothes. Billy was a bit disappointed. Not for perv reasons, he didn't think of Juniper like that, but he would have loved to feel everything happening under her skin as she changed!

Just imagine how much that would help in some of his research!

Billy grabbed her discarded toga and then turned away from her, holding them behind himself for her to grab easily.

"They're here whenever you're ready." Billy said.

[Juniper Gray]

Now that it was calm, Juniper's shift back was a little slower than she might've liked, leaving her gasping and sweating, exhaustion settling in her bones. Then, a moment later, she stumbled out of the underbrush and gratefully plucked the toga from Billy's hand. In the aftermath, she was not self-conscious about her nakedness, but she dressed quickly, mute, the tiger's overwhelming instinct still clinging to her mind.

Then she dropped into a squat, elbows resting on her knees and head bowed as she caught her breath. After a moment, she wondered, “Wassat? The mask? What now?”

[Billy Broder]

When Billy turned back around Juniper was her normal self again. All elbows and energy. She seemed... a bit off but Billy couldn't really explain why. Instead he just smiled happy to see she was able to control herself again. She did slur her words a bit asking about the mask and the wizard glanced back over toward the man they'd basically beaten to unconsciousness. Oh right! Billy tensed his arm muscles but instantly knew that weird super strength was gone. Damn... so much for suddenly having super powers. Numbers began to crunch in the back of his mind but he didn't focus on it instead giving a small smirk to his roomie.

"I'll grab the mask. We'll drop it off on the way out and hit up the Groovy Burger." Billy told her.

Leaning down he picked up the metallic mask and ran his thumb over its shape. This one too... he started to wonder about the properties shown and what the bull had done, being almost moving liquid gold than real- however having enough solid mass to give and take hits. Fascinating...

"My lady?" Billy said jokingly as he offered a hand to Juniper to help her up.

[Juniper Gray]

As she took Billy's hand and stood, Juniper's belly growled audibly. The prospect of getting away from the crime scene, getting rid of the mask, and going to Groovy Burger put a lot of pep in her step, and she grinned, punching her fist in the air. Tightening her grip around Billy's hand, she took a breath, glancing around as she scented the way back to the festival, and then took off in the direction back.

“I'm getting the endless basket of onion rings,” she announced as she hustled them along. “N' chicken tenders. N' two burgers. They have a new one. What about you- Oh, my god, did you see that? I shifted and shifted back without losing it!”

She was babbling. She hadn't shared her struggles with keeping control while shifting to any great extent, but this was big for her, and beyond the post-battle high, she was elated with maintaining control. She had so many people to tell.

[Billy Broder]

Billy let Juniper take the lead as she started rambling a bit. He could feel her elation and shared it to some extent, but the high of a fight was fast wearing off on him and he was starting to realize how tired he felt. He did a lot more moving with his body than he was used to and kind of expected some backlash the next day for that super strength- which he was GOING to figure out. Oh, also apparently he was gonna be broke after feeding June. But that was fine too, he was glad she was okay and seemed happy.

"I saw Junebug. Never doubted you for a second." Billy said to her, giving her hand a little squeeze.

As they made their way back to the stands Billy held the mask tight and wondered what would happen if he tried it on. Would it make him go wild? Would he be able to channel the power better since he was, well, a mighty and powerful wizard? Was he dumb enough to try... not really. Billy was an idiot to be sure and missed a lot of obvious stuff, but he wasn't about to toss on what was 9 to 10 a cursed mask. When they approached the stand Billy was actually looking forward to handing it off.

"Let me drop this thing off, then food." he said.

[Third on the Match]

The attendants at the booth are relieved to see the mask, taking it with profuse thanks before whisking it away somewhere they can't see. By their attitudes, it is obvious that they want to avoid it going astray again, annoyed and muttering between one pair as another shakes a finger at them. Another attendant, ignoring those behind him, hands them each something.

Bull's Focus: They are each given a bull's horn knob, worn in such a way that tells of them having once been in use to cap a pair of horns. They're made out of bronze, but they are gilded on the outside with a fine layer of gold and finely decorated with Minoan patterns. The holder of a horn knob can re-roll a failed Strike roll once per thread, but they must touch the horn to see if the Gods will offer mercy.