| C2's Opal | 20:28 | xx49.07.30 | [LUS]

I have put on my Opal and begun an entry. Although I had not planned to record this evening's events, due to Charlotte's state of semi-consciousness I feel a certain responsibility. She was excited about tonight. I believe that she would be disappointed to miss it. She can, at the least, read this entry in order to vicariously experience such moments as Mr Falchion's speech. He arrived one minute ago. I wanted to wake Charlotte, but Dr Tsezch advised me against it. He said that help may be on its way. I did not understand his meaning, but I respect his intelligence and experience. If he says help is on its way, I must accept that. Perhaps someone is coming with something that might help Charlotte.

Her parents are worried about her.

So am I.

"I'll keep this short, as I honestly don't think I have much to contribute here. Some of you know me from the good old days, others I've met for the first time tonight. I was never an adventurer—to be perfectly honest, I was never brave enough. Never had that spark, that necessary courage to make the jump from 'super' to 'hero'. And so I did what I could, and so now, again, I will do what I can. This meeting is the beginning of something great, the first superhero alliance since The Event. I see so much potential in this room, so many possibilities."

The room is quiet. Everyone is looking at Mr Falchion. I wish Charlotte was awake to hear this for herself. I am recording audio, but I don't think the effect is the same.

"Our enemy is unknown, but what few facts we've uncovered speak of something deeply insidious. I promise, whatever resources I can afford you will be yours. This is a threat against all of us, against the entire world, and although I won't be at your sides in the battles ahead, you will always have my full support."

"Just like in the old days, eh Law?"

There's an impressive woman standing by the stairs. She wears a long black duster over a dull red and white plaid shirt and dark trousers with three patches (that I can see). On her head is a tan leather hat with a wide brim. It appears old and beaten. Her skin is dark. Perhaps it could be referred to as 'weathered'. There is a long scar along her right cheek that also splits her right ear in half. Perhaps the furrow of a bullet? She wears a wide leather ammunition belt around her waist, with two holstered revolvers.

This is Trigger Harpy. There is a small girl beside her, perhaps no more than ten years old. This must be Trigger Harpy's daughter. She wears similar clothes to her mother. The differences are: she is not wearing a duster; her belt is narrow and black; she wears an ammunition belt across her chest, diagonally from left shoulder to right hip; upon her back is a long rifle.

"Of course," Trigger Harpy says, as she walks over to the drinks table, "back then we knew what we were fighting. Back then, things were simple."

Trigger Harpy's daughter has stayed where she was. She stands with her thumbs in her belt and her feet apart. Her hair is dark blonde beneath her hat, braided into what are commonly called 'twin-tails'. One thin braid is beneath her left ear, one thin braid is beneath her right ear.

Trigger Harpy has poured herself a drink, perhaps whisky. Nobody has said anything since her appearance. I suspect that the tension in the room has increased. I suspect that the others view Trigger Harpy as a 'wild card'. She is a mercenary. She works for whoever pays her. Details on her life after The Event are scarce, but it is known that she lives on a ranch in the Hornic wastes and has done since her daughter was a baby.

Details on her daughter are almost non-existent.

"Well, cheers," Trigger Harpy says. She raises her glass. "To whatever the hell we're doing."

"Miss Django," Mr Falchion says. "It's good to see you here."

"Better to have me for you than against you. That's what you're saying."

"True enough," Miss Smith says. She looks around at the others. "Look at us, standing frozen. She's not going to shoot up the room."

"Oh? Do you say so, Envy?" says Mr Belnyet; Lightning White. "If it is for money, I can see Django doing many things. The one who pays the piper calls the tune."

"And I play pretty," Trigger Harpy says. Only the left side of her mouth raises when she smiles, perhaps due to the scar on her cheek. "Reckon most of you here have seen that for yourselves. But you don't gotta worry, Big and Bad are staying holstered ... for now."

Big and Bad. Her revolvers. '71 Frontier Six-Shooters. It may be that I was inaccurate in identifying her daughter's weapon as a 'rifle'. It is likely to be either a '73 Lever-Action Exeter Carbine or a '74 Lever-Action Exeter Carbine. Both of these weapons would use the same ammunition as Trigger Harpy's revolvers; 'Forty-Four Large'.

I wonder if it has a name.

"Jesse, get on over with the other young'uns. Sit on down and let's listen to what Mister Lawrence Falchion has to say."

"With you here, I find myself speechless," Mr Falchion says. "Perhaps it would be best if I took my leave now."

"Scared you off, did I?"

Mr Falchion smiles at Trigger Harpy. "Absolutely."

Charlotte is stirring. She appears to be mumbling something. I should check on her. I will end this entry here, as my feeling is that Charlotte would not want her care on record.