[Ghouligan]

Glass shatters.

While patrolling the streets, Antoine catches wind of an altercation. There’s a grocery store, a thief wielding a knife, and a mysterious figure barely making an appearance before they run off. He wasn’t too far from the incident, but it was over by the time word spread. Police had already arrived and showing up wouldn’t help him find what he was looking for — an ally.

The behavior was obvious. They were a vigilante. And if they had broken glass near the register to ‘save the day’ then they must have been facing… This way.
Antoine turned.

His goal wasn’t to retrace their footsteps. He needed to intercept them. He needed to see if they were worthwhile — someone worth adding to the Undertow. While people were reserved about adding others, as was he, it never hurt to see potential prospects. Numbers were scarce enough as is.

On the roof he sees movement. A familiar face. Er, a lack thereof. The same hair-textured vigilante that had helped him against that gelatinous cube. An interview couldn’t hurt.

A few blocks down, he’s in her way. Demon mask, husk of shadows, in all of his edgy glory.

“Have a minute?”

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

"Okay, at least the essays are finished, but I need to stop writing them about ongoing things eventually someone on that staff will pinpoint it back to me."

Jo spoke aloud, cracking her neck and looking ahead to the city. The vigilante costume still wasn't the best if anything it was a jumpsuit with some stripes but the mask no longer looked like a serial killer mask so that was a positive. Though to be fair if she really wanted to she could make a better costume... the problem is itd be traced back to her old styles and bingo bango, FBI collaborating with Japan and she's sooner or later finding herself in a trap.

The hair on the back of her neck stood up before Jo turned around and saw someone, only to hear them ask for a minute of her time. Now she could've automatically retaliated and attacked but that'd be a little overreacting. Wait a second...

"You're that fella from the cube situation the big explosion and everything... well good to see that ya lived. You arent here for revenge on that right?"

[Ghouligan]

“Not revenge,” What an odd conclusion. It confirmed Antoine’s suspicion — she worked alone. “I didn’t catch your name.”

Considering the brevity of the situation, and the adrenaline pumping through his body, he couldn’t recall most of the conflict. If there was anything to blame her for, then it’d be how haphazard her methods were. They were a bit over the top and could have cost him his life if he were any less competent, but if he were any less competent, it’d be his fault for dying. It wasn’t a standard he held for other people, just a hypocritical one he applied to himself. But what was important was what he didn’t remember… like whether or not they introduced themselves to one another.

“Don’t think I had a chance to introduce myself. They call me Ghouligan.” He began. “Your name?” With her mask, it was obvious she didn’t want her identity revealed. Despite his transformation, Antoine wore a mask, too. You never know when your quirk’s gonna give out.

Whether or not they were receptive to the conversation wouldn’t deter him from his proposition. If this network was to succeed, then he needed to invite all promising members. They only had one bar to clear.

Not a hero.

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

"Ghouligan? Talk about someone I wouldn't want to meet around Halloween. Anyways good to meet you, I'm a peacekeeper, named Peacekeeper. I try to keep the peace, sometimes including trying my best to enforce peace through non-mean means. Unfortunately, it's not the easiest thing to do and that's how we sometimes end up in situations when ya gotta blow up stuff or slam stuff into a wall until submission. Ya know it's a thing."

Jo was still clearly using that raspy puberty voice that made her sound like a fourteen-year-old boy, but hey if it ain't broke don't fix it right?

"So Ghouligan, what can I do for you on this, for once this month it isn't raining beautiful night?"

True she almost blew him up, however, it didn't seem that bad a situation since he wasn't trying to send something invisible her way to capture her or dice her into ribbons. So ya know this was much better than all the other altercations that had happened this month.

[Ghouligan]

They seemed a lot more talkative than the first time they met. No, they actually seemed more talkative than he expected them to be outside of combat. Antoine wasn’t sure whether they were nervous or if the inverse was true — outside of battle, they were open and agreeable and not one to try to blow things up on first instinct. A refreshing change of pace.

“Peacekeeper,” Antoine muttered to himself. Had a good ring to it. Probably a name they chose themselves considering their modus operandi and lack of reputation. At the very least, he hadn’t seen her on the news yet. Meaning, that he was either unobservant or she didn’t make headlines off of killing someone. “I just have a few questions.”

It was anxiety-inducing. It almost felt like asking someone out on a date. Antoine wasn’t the romantic type to Bernie’s chagrin. Hell, if he were here, he’d be trying to put the moves on her on Antoine’s behalf. And there was a shot she was a teenage boy, too! Bernie took too many gambles.

“I’m taking a wild guess you’re not a hero. You’re like me,” Antoine said. “You take things into your own hands. Probably because others can’t. Sometimes the police can’t get there in time, I get that.” He wasn’t the same as her. Not entirely. Then again, with how she handled the cube… maybe they were more similar than he thought.

“I’m creating a network for people like us. There will be people we don’t like. There will be people we disagree with. But it’s just a place to ask for help. And to give it when it’s something you believe in.” He continued. “Some things we can do alone. Some things we can’t.”

He paused.

“Does that pique your interest?”

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

For a second when he spoke about having a few questions, tiny strands of hair that were meant to be near-invisible started to ready themselves on her knuckle to be fired. Jo had taken way too many chances at this point immediately giving people the benefit of the doubt in these types of cases.

Though after his first couple of words, Jo breathed a mental sigh of relief. So at least she kept the student aspect of her completely hidden from the world. Considering she had been a student for only a couple of months and had been a vigilante for most of her life, probably still gave out that vibe.

Ghouligan continued to speak and Jo nodded now and again, this was definitely an honest conversation and he wasn't trying to lead down some type of bad path.

"So you wanna make a network for fellow do-gooders who hate paperwork? I have to say that definitely completely piqued my interest in the matter. Besides you bound to not like or disagree with a few people in this life doesn't mean you can't still work together."

At the very worst if they continue to be rude or risk other lives you let someone know how it feels to have hair travel up you and give your brain a little shake... Jo had only done that once and the person was only in the hospital for a month so it wasn't that bad a situation.

"So if I was interested where do we go from here?"

[Ghouligan]

“A test,” Ghouligan wasn’t one to test a person’s combat capabilities — there was more to them than how strong they were. There was more to them than their quirk. But with how flexible theirs seemed to be, he might have found someone reliable enough for an upcoming expedition.

Dion Ward was suitable but busy. A shame considering his immense strength. It would’ve been a useful tool for what was to come. Then there was Gadget… while well-intentioned, she was a bit of a wildcard. Her boisterous personality would compromise what was to come. And everyone else Antoine had met had not yet been vetted.

Neither had Peacekeeper, but he’d prioritize them if he liked what he saw. There was also Hiro to think about, too. They should be meeting up soon, too. A lot of promise in that one.

“I want you to hit me. Try to kill me, if need be,” A bit dramatic, but when wasn’t he? Have you seen the mask he’s wearing? “You have three tries.”

Ghouligan prepared his cue stick and pool balls.

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

"True colors showing, no way this isn't revenge for the car."

The raspy puberty voice was gone, remembering this fella saw her use at least a bit of might which is why he was probably saying, 'try to kill me'. Ghouligan was 'definitely' planning to get his licks back on her in this fight, pardon, this test.

"Listen I ain't ever been one for killing ghouls, creeps yup but not ghouls." Cracking her neck while the Vigilante 'outfit' on her person now clung to her body and started to 'breathe' as if had gone from baggy clothes to a sleek second skin.

"Plus, it doesn't help me none putting you in the hospital either, so I'll tell ya what. I'll agree to ya terms but if were doing this were doing this right, only one try."

The 'ichor' on her arms started to writhe while she started to smile a surge of adrenaline hit her veins and for some reason, determination seemed to be in abundance right now.

[Ghouligan]

It wasn’t revenge.

Ghouligan primarily worked alone. As far as he could tell, Peacekeeper kept the same vice. Breaking habits is difficult. Especially when an acidic blob threatens the lives of innocents around you. While he prioritized snuffing the lives of those who needed it most, protecting the innocent was a worthwhile side quest. But nothing compared to the difficulty of working with a stranger. And he wouldn’t fault her for that.

Regardless, she accepted the challenge. With control over her clothes, he could make a few deductions on her approach. With her body type, she likely focused on graceful, yet tricky movements to create an opening. With that confidence of hers, she swore she only needed one opportunity.

Here’s to hoping she’s right.

Ghouligan could feel the atmosphere change. The pressure didn’t change. And the Sun still reflected off the water droplets hanging midair — unseen by the human eye. But there was a tangible difference in the energy she excluded.

“One try.” Ghouligan slammed his pool stick against a rack of floating pool balls. They’d bounce against invisible walls creating obstacles to overcome. While they moved ‘randomly’ — and for now, it truly was random — at any moment he could redirect them with his quirk. They were currently under its effect, meaning the effect could be modified. Normally, the tactic was too straining for prolonged combat. But this was a short, decisive encounter.

And he wanted her very best.

“Now hit me.”

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

"Masochist,"

Peacekeeper hopped backward three feet and dashed to the side closing one eye for a moment. Something inside the woman told her to close both eyes and focus on the energies present. There was no way this man couldn't harness 'the energy' and use it for overall attacks. Unfortunately, she didn't know if he could mask that energy, if he was able to do that and she closed her eyes she'd look absolutely stupid in this test.

Not exactly the goal or what she wanted to get across.

Regardless that didn't matter, her body could feel the energy that he had on this rooftop and all that mattered now was giving him a good smack, or maybe a.... yeah that could work.

Without another thought, she started to move forward with her arms at her side heading straight for the ghoul. JoJo ran on the balls of her feet closing the distance but this was clearly a front.

This wasn't intended to strike it was intended to see how he would react and what would he throw out. It's true that she gave herself one shot, but that didn't mean Ghoul was operating on those rules, and besides she had another positive going for her too.

This test was taking place on a rainy, wet, rooftop, and by god, Jo was about to advantage of that.

[Ghouligan]

The tactic was obvious.

As a seasoned combatant, he understood the fundamentals of fighting. It was a complicated game of rock, paper, scissors. You either struck where they were or where they were going to be. The latter has some nuance. You wall them out if they approach, you chase them down if they retreat. External variables complicated the matter. Someone’s effective range, destructive capability, and finesse were some of the relevant factors.

JoJo was using movement to bait out his attack. She was keen on observing his range advantage, both using his pool balls to strike from a distance and then having the stick as a way to wall her out. She didn’t, however, have a full grasp on his quirk. And because of that the two were stuck playing their footsies until one broke.

In a different context, Antoine wouldn’t have swung so easily. There were more advantageous ways for him to deal with the pixie. In a world with infinite space, being cornered didn’t mean fewer options. It meant a more linear approach from the pixie.

But this was a test.

He needed to see what they did when things went well — confidence begets confidence. Which meant more risk, creativity, and success.

Antoine swung.

He’d used a horizontal strike to hit just below the sternum and above the abdomen. He was committed to the swing and unable to strike the cue balls. At least, that’s a limit he’d place upon himself.

What’s the gambit?

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

The first interaction was about to take place he was 'committing' so to speak to an attack nothing to crazy but with enough force, Ghoul could shoot her like a puck off the roof. Regardless now wasn't the time to continually keep playing footsies, especially with someone of the masochistic nature.

You gotta go all out sometimes. Better yet, for something like this, instinct needed to fight instinct, cause nine out of ten she didn't lose when it came to trusting her gut. Peace could only hope that Ghoul wasn't the lucky 10 out of 10 on this mark.

It was time for limbo, on the balls of her feet she started to slide forward on the wet roof, while 'tentacles' shot out. Four in total one on her left side, another on her right, and another two both on each respective shoulder.

Sliding underneath the strike the ichor look substance was already poised and ready to strike. The ichor looked coiled and ready to strike while she began to slide under his first strike however she didn't automatically strike. This wasn't a I gotcha moment either, she was waiting to see what would be the reaction to supposedly going for the overwhelming tactic.

All the while on her back she had an open palm forming just for an emergency escape. For now, she needed to focus and show the options and more or less, how annoying it is to find yourself an enemy of JO- Peacekeeper.

[Ghouligan]

She thought it was a bait.

Antoine had given an opening. And with her instincts, she deduced that someone of his caliber wouldn’t leave himself as open as he was without a contingency. She was wrong but for the right reasons. If this were a real battle, one where he was trying to kill her, then he would have a plethora of options. He would have had a preemptive counter-attack in the wings. It was a testament to her skill, but she did miss signs of his commitment. And her hesitation is what allowed him to improvise. He’d play into her hand, so he could see her potential.

Without moving a muscle, swing still in motion, the pool balls changed trajectory. They bounced from all directions and immediately targeted where she was. She’d be limited in her escape options through the intentional gaps he left to limit her movement.

It was a test of instinct.

There was no right answer. Every avenue out of the situation had counterplay. What mattered was understanding her approach in a situation like this. What does she value? How good is her analysis? And what could he be missing from his?

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

The energies changed and as predicted, Ghoul could control what (the energies) was around him. There'd be time to marvel at this later right now Jo had to focus on the now, cause it was likely their little fight was already about to end.

Bending closer toward the ground, the ichor tentacles turned slick, ready to move in time with cueballs and give um a good swat out of their interaction. The counterplay here was instant, two minds moving to act upon one another in this sequence. Her body continued moving forward while a small sphere the size of a ball started forming at the tip of one of her fingers.

Now would be her own personal test, by all intents and purposes she had 'two' ways to end this now, using the hand on her back to launch herself forward, or the projectile. Now granted she really couldn't fire the projectile with the speed they were both moving at right now she'd put a hole where that chain was currently flying.

However, he did say to come at him with the intent to kill.

Regardless, that was the difference between most Vigilantes and JoJo. She tried her damndest to not kill and focus on getting them in a position of submission or a knockout. There haven't been many that pushed her that far, and those that did... well they weren't around to the tell of a JoJo tryna kill you.

It had already been done.

[Ghouligan]

JoJo continued to slide under, splitting her focus between offense and defense. When push came to shove, she chose to have it all — she was greedy.

Three tendrils aimed to stop his projectiles. And they did. But the challenge was landing a hit on him, not avoiding his attacks on her. In prioritizing her safety, she hesitated. JoJo aimed her other hand, but nothing happened.

Not in time, anyway.

Ghouligan’s pool stick would block her vision, as it slowly closed the gap between them, looking to slam against her skull. He had the utmost faith in his failure. If for whatever reason she succeeded, then the fault would have lied in that moment of hesitation. But there was a plan. There must be. And he bought into it. He gave her everything she needed to succeed. All the variables were in place.

This was her moment.

Would she take the shot or not?

---

JoJo