• The site has now migrated to Xenforo 2. If you see any issues with the forum operation, please post them in the feedback thread.
  • Due to issues with external spam filters, QQ is currently unable to send any mail to Microsoft E-mail addresses. This includes any account at live.com, hotmail.com or msn.com. Signing up to the forum with one of these addresses will result in your verification E-mail never arriving. For best results, please use a different E-mail provider for your QQ address.
  • For prospective new members, a word of warning: don't use common names like Dennis, Simon, or Kenny if you decide to create an account. Spammers have used them all before you and gotten those names flagged in the anti-spam databases. Your account registration will be rejected because of it.
  • Since it has happened MULTIPLE times now, I want to be very clear about this. You do not get to abandon an account and create a new one. You do not get to pass an account to someone else and create a new one. If you do so anyway, you will be banned for creating sockpuppets.
  • Due to the actions of particularly persistent spammers and trolls, we will be banning disposable email addresses from today onward.
  • The rules regarding NSFW links have been updated. See here for details.

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Reader mode
Bls stop talking about Bruno.
We don't talk about Bruno.
 
Prince Charon said:
If something like that happens in the Renegadeverse (I don't recall whether the AotJ has been mentioned there), I'd expect Grayven to sense it for the same reason.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

I don't think this would happen on the Renegade side. The Light 2.0 is there and Grayven is keeping an eye so that there is no Apokolips operation and/or infiltration on his planet.

Plus, ironically, Grayven's Earth is doing kinda better than the Illustres' Earth. No arcano-technological revolution but cheap energy and other innovations are majorly available, Africa got revamped, Sheeda attack was not as successful, no fuck up in South America, the UK got exorcised properly, no attack by the Silver City, etc.
 
We look at this from Paul's side, but consider how poor Bruno is going to feel like an idiot. His deception was going perfectly, he had all the superheroes completely fooled, and now it may come crashing down (or at least end a bit earlier than ideally he would have liked) because he couldn't resist the urge to get a look at Orange Lantern in person. OL would have accepted it easily if "Father Bruno" had been busy that day; wouldn't have thought twice about not meeting him.

Unless of course this was all a magnificent double bluff where Bruno knew he would make Orange Lantern suspicious, and he did it to tweak the nose of the superheroes so they could catch in just a bit too late because he "already did it thirty-five minutes ago" style.
 
Lord Ernest said:
I don't think this would happen on the Renegade side. The Light 2.0 is there and Grayven is keeping an eye so that there is no Apokolips operation and/or infiltration on his planet.

Plus, ironically, Grayven's Earth is doing kinda better than the Illustres' Earth. No arcano-technological revolution but cheap energy and other innovations are majorly available, Africa got revamped, Sheeda attack was not as successful, no fuck up in South America, the UK got exorcised properly, no attack by the Silver City, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Both have their pros and cons. And right now, the Renegade timeline is the one dealing with Arion, so I wouldn't be surprised if this archmage ends up creating a huge mess that the Renegade and his allies will have to clean up.
 
Steelplaza said:
We look at this from Paul's side, but consider how poor Bruno is going to feel like an idiot. His deception was going perfectly, he had all the superheroes completely fooled, and now it may come crashing down (or at least end a bit earlier than ideally he would have liked) because he couldn't resist the urge to get a look at Orange Lantern in person. OL would have accepted it easily if "Father Bruno" had been busy that day; wouldn't have thought twice about not meeting him.

Unless of course this was all a magnificent double bluff where Bruno knew he would make Orange Lantern suspicious, and he did it to tweak the nose of the superheroes so they could catch in just a bit too late because he "already did it thirty-five minutes ago" style.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Oh no, I've gone cross-eyed.
 
Steelplaza said:
We look at this from Paul's side, but consider how poor Bruno is going to feel like an idiot. His deception was going perfectly, he had all the superheroes completely fooled, and now it may come crashing down (or at least end a bit earlier than ideally he would have liked) because he couldn't resist the urge to get a look at Orange Lantern in person. OL would have accepted it easily if "Father Bruno" had been busy that day; wouldn't have thought twice about not meeting him.

Unless of course this was all a magnificent double bluff where Bruno knew he would make Orange Lantern suspicious, and he did it to tweak the nose of the superheroes so they could catch in just a bit too late because he "already did it thirty-five minutes ago" style.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Or he could be pulling a Lex Luthor and be completely on the up and up about what he's doing and just did this to send LePaul into a paranoia spiral that will make him look like shit to the public.
 
john doe 777 said:
I did lots of charity work for the Catholic Church so I can say I have met quite a lot so yeah.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
You've met a bunch of Catholics. Congrats. That's not every Christian priest ever. So no, you haven't met all of them. But you feel able to make broad generalisations. I have met some who say that, and worse.
 
Prince Charon said:
Huh. I was sort of thinking that they'd find out another way, like by Big Barda or Scott Free going through the Alliance of the Just(ified)'s teleporter and recognizing the horrible feeling of Anti-Life.

If something like that happens in the Renegadeverse (I don't recall whether the AotJ has been mentioned there), I'd expect Grayven to sense it for the same reason.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

I don't think those two are members of the League, so that may be why they weren't called in.

Plus, others already checked the thing, including Paul.

Dur'id the Druid said:
Ok..... shooting in the dark here, but is this father more like the manifestation of a concept? Like Uncle Sam, the Endless, or Mr. Smiley? One that is forgettable by nature, but for the whispers in the ear?
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

I doubt it.

He may just have some Apokaliptian protection on him.

Though I guess it's possible that he's been Awakened.
 
RichardWhereat said:
You've met a bunch of Catholics. Congrats. That's not every Christian priest ever. So no, you haven't met all of them. But you feel able to make broad generalisations. I have met some who say that, and worse.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Priests/christian leaders identify themselves by denomination to represent the tradition they follow.

No one identifies as a "christian priest" because it's redundant incomplete identifier. Like saying you're an "engineer who works with technology to do things".

Unless you're identifying as a "social engineer"(pick up artist) or something.... That is a really dumb way to identify yourself.

So yeah. Bruno is probably a fake priest.
Or is at least guilty of using misleading and inaccurate language to deceive in the conversation.
 
Old Knife said:
No one identifies as a "christian priest" because it's redundant incomplete identifier.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Wrong.

I have met several who identify as that so as to differentiate between denominations they do not see as Christians. They'll also call themselves Anglican, or Catholics, Methodist, and so on. But when the costume comes off and they're sitting around talking about Baptists, JoHo's, Mormons, and well, denominations they don't like? Yeah, they're calling themselves Christian Priests.

Not everything someone calls themselves is something they'd fill out on a census.

You might have only ever spent time with them in their business life, but I've spent time with a lot of them in their off hours. They can be just as judgemental and insulting as the rest of us.
 
Last edited:
RichardWhereat said:
Wrong.

I have met several who identify as that so as to differentiate between denominations they do not see as Christians. They'll also call themselves Anglican, or Catholics, Methodist, and so on. But when the costume comes off and they're sitting around talking about Baptists, JoHo's, Mormons, and well, denominations they don't like? Yeah, they're calling themselves Christian Priests.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
no they don't
 
Pete Tong (part 7)
  • Threadmarks
    • 31st December 2012
    10:44 GMT -7

    "I… See it in your mind."

    I don't really like other people rifling through my mind, but I trust Mr. J'onzz's professionalism. And he does have more formal training than M'gann.

    **[Father Bruno is a.. big bloke-.]**

    Mr. J'onzz winces. "I…" **See…**

    **[Father Bruno is a.. big-.]**

    **[Father Bruno is a-.]**

    **[Father Bruno-.]**

    "**Agh.**" Mr. J'onzz's breaks contact, wincing, his flesh shifting shape as he switches back to his default form. M'gann's eyes widen in surprise.

    "Uncle J'onn? Are you okay?"

    "Yes. I…" He changes back to his human-seeming form, shaking his head. "I have not encountered anything quite like that before. No memory of his precise appearance exists in your mind, but there is no sign that it was removed after you saw him."

    M'gann considers that for a moment. "Was he disrupting Paul's short term memory while they were talking so the memory couldn't form?"

    Mr. J'onzz thinks for a moment.

    "It may be possible, but I could feel nothing to indicate that anyone had touched Paul's mind at all."

    "Should.. I have a go?"

    "Be my guest."

    Mr. J'onzz steps aside to allow M'gann physical access. She flashes me a small and reassuring smile before raising her hands to her temples. Her eyes glow, and-

    **[I'd make a rude comment about them being far better adjusted-.]**

    M'gann's eyes stop glowing for a moment, and she raises her eyebrows at me.

    "I didn't make the comment."

    "Hm." Her eyes glow once more. **It still wasn't nice.**

    **But it was accurate.**

    She ignores that, prodding the memory.

    **[Father Bruno-.]**

    She breathes in sharply, but soldiers on.

    **[Father…]**

    I twitch. Rather than try playing through the memory, M'gann is focusing on it, and it's… Obvious like this that the memory is incomplete. The human brain normally smoothes over irregularities, and that's a facility that telepaths take ruthless advantage of. Virtually no one walks around with a missing spot in their visual field that should be there. But right now, she's… She's making me stare at something that isn't there.

    **[Father…]**

    Eh. Not like I can't just get a new brain if something goes wrong with this one.

    **[Father…]** **[Father…]**

    M'gann's eyes dim as she shakes her head. "I can't feel anything either. What could it be?"

    "My guess would be some sort of mind-effect magic. My rune stone didn't heat up, but…" I smile. "Maybe it did and I just don't remember it."

    "Or they prevented you from noticing. Uncle J'onn?"

    "You are sure that there is nothing wrong with their teleportation system?"

    I nod. "Yes, the machinery itself is fine, and its performance is within the bounds I'd expect based on other examples of similar technology. I…" I shrug. "The place is warded so I couldn't check everything as easily as normal, but that's not a cause for concern in itself. That just shows that they're taking their security seriously."

    "Then there should not be an immediate threat. I will speak with Doctor Mist, and we will seek out 'Father Bruno' to discover what he truly is. Have you noticed any lingering ill-effects?"

    "No. Should I transfer my consciousness to a new body just in case?"

    M'gann frowns. "Doesn't that mean that you have to die?"

    "Only for a few seconds. I've got a ritual space set up to ensure that I get my full memories back almost immediately."

    Mr. J'onzz shakes his head. "No. Doctor Mist may want to examine you as you are."

    I nod. Dying would probably distort most of the magic traces on my body-.

    "I have no idea where 'Father Bruno' is now, but I've got the exact location where this happened." Hm. "Everyone on the Justice League got an invitation, didn't they?"

    "Yes, but it was decided that sending Blue Lantern as a representative would be sufficient. Several League members -including myself- have given lectures at their training seminars. None have reported meeting this 'Father Bruno', or reporting any sensations similar to what you experienced."

    "Hmm. I assume you-. You'd both recognise it if you saw that sort of memory editing again?" They both nod. I take three eye drives out of subspace, putting one on myself and offering the other two to M'gann and Mr. J'onzz. "These are memory backup devices. I realise that it might offend your sense of professionalism as telepaths, but I designed them to bypass certain types of memory alteration."

    Mr. J'onzz takes one in his hands and contemplates it.

    "Were you wearing one during your encounter with Father Bruno?"

    "Not that I remember. I've integrated the technology into my combat armour, but I… I haven't made a habit of wearing one when I'm just walking around in normal clothes."

    Feels weird to be wearing glasses again, but rather that than a malfunctioning brain.

    M'gann puts hers on her face. "They can't shapeshift, can they?"

    "Sorry. It should be perfectly possible to create a martian version, but I never spent the time on it."

    Mr. J'onzz nods. "It will suffice. I will ask Vincent Edge for a tour of the Washington facility myself and examine his mind for any irregularities. You should speak with Doctor Mist as soon as possible."

    "And what about me?"

    "You planned to meet your school friends this afternoon. This is not yet an emergency, merely cause for concern."

    "You can come with me if you really want, but it'll probably just involve you sitting there while Doctor Balewa stares at me, then coming home again."

    "Okay, but let me know if anything goes wrong. It's been a while since I felt a mental ability I couldn't understand."

    "I'll write up a full report when I know what happened. Thank you both for your help."
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Mr Zoat said:
    31st December 2012
    10:44 GMT -7

    "I… See it in your mind."

    I don't really like other people rifling through my mind, but I trust Mr. J'onzz's professionalism. And he does have more formal training than M'gann.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Even if he isn't necessarily as powerful as M'Gann. Sometimes the fine scalpel of training and experience is more useful than the brute hammer-blow force of raw power. And when they're dealing with your thinking meat, that's especially important.

    **[Father Bruno is a.. big bloke-.]**

    Mr. J'onzz winces. "I…" **See…**
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Man, that aversion must be strong.

    **[Father Bruno is a.. big-.]**

    **[Father Bruno is a-.]**
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Ooh, looks bad. Some kind of recursive loop, or is he just rewinding over and over, trying to find the right frame...

    **[Father Bruno-.]**

    "**Agh.**" Mr. J'onzz's breaks contact, wincing, his flesh shifting shape as he switches back to his default form. M'gann's eyes widen in surprise.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Oh, of course the memory is booby-trapped. Or at least unpleasant enough to try and force that a telepath can't bear the strain.

    "Uncle J'onn? Are you okay?"

    "Yes. I…" He changes back to his human-seeming form, shaking his head. "I have not encountered anything quite like that before. No memory of his precise appearance exists in your mind, but there is no sign that it was removed after you saw him."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    So, then. It seems to have been edited out live? Probably something he was wearing, then. The clerical chip, perhaps, since it'd be visible if you looked at his face.

    M'gann considers that for a moment. "Was he disrupting Paul's short term memory while they were talking so the memory couldn't form?"

    Mr. J'onzz thinks for a moment.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    A good theory. But how to test that?

    "It may be possible, but I could feel nothing to indicate that anyone had touched Paul's mind at all."

    "Should.. I have a go?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    It's your brain to risk. Better have the aspirin on standby, though.

    "Be my guest."

    Mr. J'onzz steps aside to allow M'gann physical access. She flashes me a small and reassuring smile before raising her hands to her temples. Her eyes glow, and-
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    You'd think they'd learn to conceal that little visual indicator. Though it probably only happens in a deep scan like this.

    **[I'd make a rude comment about them being far better adjusted-.]**

    M'gann's eyes stop glowing for a moment, and she raises her eyebrows at me.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    I mean, she does have better eyes than her uncle. Red-on-red is not the best look.

    "I didn't make the comment."

    "Hm." Her eyes glow once more. **It still wasn't nice.**
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    And don't think Jonn didn't pick that up either. I'm sure he has a good reason for not tweaking his look now that people are used to him...

    **But it was accurate.**

    She ignores that, prodding the memory.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Do you want her deleting your ability to enjoy your favourite food?

    **[Father Bruno-.]**

    She breathes in sharply, but soldiers on.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Well, she's got guts.

    **[Father…]**

    I twitch. Rather than try playing through the memory, M'gann is focusing on it, and it's… Obvious like this that the memory is incomplete. The human brain normally smoothes over irregularities, and that's a facility that telepaths take ruthless advantage of. Virtually no one walks around with a missing spot in their visual field that should be there. But right now, she's… She's making me stare at something that isn't there.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ...And now I'm picturing that bit from the end of Final Fantasy 8, with Squall's memory going loopy as he tries to focus on his girlfriend's face... Only to see a black blob instead.

    **[Father…]**

    Eh. Not like I can't just get a new brain if something goes wrong with this one.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ...You say that so casually. This is why people think you're odd.

    **[Father…]** **[Father…]**

    M'gann's eyes dim as she shakes her head. "I can't feel anything either. What could it be?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Well, then. Neither the scalpel nor the hammer worked? That's some serious mojo.

    "My guess would be some sort of mind-effect magic. My rune stone didn't heat up, but…" I smile. "Maybe it did and I just don't remember it."

    "Or they preventing you from noticing. Uncle J'onn?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Or it's a kind of arcane effect you aren't used to. Wonder if the Frees could offer some insight. But you're not likely to think of it, are you?

    "You are sure that there is nothing wrong with their teleportation system?"

    I nod. "Yes, the machinery itself is fine, and its performance is within the bounds I'd expect based on other examples of similar technology. I…" I shrug. "The place is warded so I couldn't check everything as easily as normal, but that's not a cause for concern in itself. That just shows that they're taking their security seriously."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ...Or that they're trying to keep something hidden from certain people. Like you.

    "Then there should not be an immediate threat. I will speak with Doctor Mist, and we will seek out 'Father Bruno' to discover what he truly is. Have you noticed any linger ill-effects?"

    "No. Should I transfer my consciousness to a new body just in case?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Oh, sure. Like refreshing a browser profile, huh?

    M'gann frowns. "Doesn't that mean that you have to die?"

    "Only for a few seconds. I've got a ritual space set up to ensure that I get my full memories back almost immediately."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    What does it say about OL that he has to consider that contingency?

    Mr. J'onzz shakes his head. "No. Doctor Mist may want to examine you as you are."

    I nod. Dying would probably distort most of the magic traces on my body-.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    What isn't absorbed or rendered down by your soul-making tattoos or the Heart of the Ophidian, anyway...

    "I have no idea where 'Father Bruno' is now, but I've got the exact location where this happened." Hm. "Everyone on the Justice League got an invitation, didn't they?"

    "Yes, but it was decided that sending Blue Lantern as a representative would be sufficient. Several League members -including myself- have given lectures at their training seminars. None have reported meeting this 'Father Bruno', or reporting any sensations similar to what you experienced."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Then again, most of them are not exactly that attentive. Would any of them realise they can't remember his face without someone else pushing them on it, like OL did to Alan?

    "Hmm. I assume you-. You'd both recognise it if you saw that sort of memory editing again?" They both nod. I take three eye drives out of subspace, putting one my myself and offering the other two to M'gann and Mr. J'onzz. "These are memory backup devices. I realise that it might offend your sense of professionalism as telepaths, but I designed them to bypass certain types of memory alteration."

    Mr. J'onzz takes one in his hands and contemplates it.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ...Let me guess, based on the 'Doctor Who' concept. Might be a little awkward to walk around with one of those eyepatches, though.

    "Were you wearing one during your encounter with Father Bruno?"

    "Not that I remember. I've integrated the technology into my combat armour, but I… I haven't made a habit of wearing one when I'm just walking around in normal clothes."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ...Maybe you should start.

    Feels weird to be wearing glasses again, but rather that that a malfunctioning brain.

    M'gann puts hers on her face. "They can't shapeshift, can they?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Well, at least they're not too obtrusively designed.

    "Sorry. It should be perfectly possible to create a martian version, but I never spent the time on it."

    Mr. J'onzz nods. "It will suffice. I will ask Vincent Edge for a tour of the Washington facility myself and examine his mind for any irregularities. You should speak with Doctor Mist as soon as possible."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Hopefully without the feedback loop that you just experienced. Might make the poking about a little obvious otherwise.

    "And what about me?"

    "You planned to meet your school friends this afternoon. This is not yet an emergency, merely cause for concern."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    And we all know how important socialising in high school is...

    "You can come with me if you really want, but it'll probably just involve you sitting there while Doctor Balewa stares at me, then coming home again."

    "Okay, but let me know if anything goes wrong. It's been a while since I felt a mental ability I couldn't understand."

    "I'll write up a full report when I know what happened. Thank both for your help."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Wonder if the Doc will notice anything off about him. He has a little more awareness of Anti-Life and Black Light effects.

    Well, one avenue of investigation runs dry. Still, there's plenty of options. I bet if Doctor Balewa doesn't find anything, John Constantine might. And sooner or later, someone's going to think of asking the Frees' opinion. I can't imagine Batman will let this go once he reads the reports, though. Perhaps the Team will find themselves being deployed in alternate heroic identities to dig deeper...
    Have you noticed any linger ill-effects?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Have you noticed any lingering ill-effects?"
    I take three eye drives out of subspace, putting one my myself...
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Not sure about this. Perhaps 'by'?
     
    Mr Zoat said:
    Or they preventing you from noticing. Uncle J'onn?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    "Or they're"

    Mr Zoat said:
    I nod. "Yes, the machinery itself is fine, and its performance is within the bounds I'd expect based on other examples of similar technology. I…" I shrug. "The place is warded so I couldn't check everything as easily as normal, but that's not a cause for concern in itself. That just shows that they're taking their security seriously."

    "Then there should not be an immediate threat
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Yes there is.

    Mr Zoat said:
    None have reported meeting this 'Father Bruno', or reporting any sensations similar to what you experienced."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Though that doesn't mean he wasn't there.

    Mr Zoat said:
    but rather that that a malfunctioning brain.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    "rather that than a"
     
    Bud-E said:
    Thank you both for your help...Thank both of you for your help
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Chojin Patriarch said:
    Have you noticed any lingering ill-effects?"
    Not sure about this. Perhaps 'by'?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    moralrelativity said:
    preventing -> prevented
    OR
    they preventing -> they were preventing
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Darko said:
    "rather that than a"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Thank you, corrected.
    PepeTheFrog said:
    Oh god my eyes. I just googled "Bruno DC" and the first set of images that pops up is off a blond woman with swastikas for nipples. Why do this to me DC?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    To teach you the perils of the internet in a disturbing but non-harmful way.
     
    Reader mode
    You must log in or register to reply here.

    Users who are viewing this thread

  • ... and 2 more.
    • Total: 58 (members: 11, guests: 47)
    Back
    Top