Day by day, soon the change will come

[maskormods]

WHO: YOU.
WHERE: Maurtia Falls, PA.
WHEN: Sunday April 6th, 12 PM - Midnight.
WHAT: Registration in motion... among other things.
WARNINGS: None anticipated; please let us know if this should be edited.

" The new frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises -- it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them. It appeals to their pride, not to their pocketbook -- it holds out the promise of more sacrifice instead of more security. But I tell you the new frontier is here, whether we seek it or not. "
( from jfk's speech "the new frontier," 7/15/1960. )

Though known for its heavy rainstorms, today Maurtia Falls sees fortunate, moderate temperature and a bright sun that is occasionally hidden by large clouds drifting by. Normally a relatively quiet location, news of the Swearing In Ceremony spread like wildfire throughout the city and set off intrigued murmurs among its locals, however they will and do leave imPorts visiting and strolling about their streets to their own devices. Most of the excitement is focused in its Town Square, with a decorated banner hung up around the main street reading Welcome to Maurtia Falls, imPorts! and where the Ceremony will be held, with the current mayor taking the time to drop in and view the festivities and welcome imPorts personally.

Volunteers of all ages gather at the Town Square and there is information readily available to imPorts looking to move across states and settle in government housing located not too far from downtown. Soldiers from the nearby base are more than willing and prepared to give imPorts a full tour of the houses should interest be expressed.

There is much to see in this city, also known for its exquisite cuisines and active nightlife if imPorts decide to stay past midnight and scope out the bars and clubs.

( Please state your character's official status -- REGISTERED or UNSETTLED -- in the subject header of your thread. Please also read and state your character's official status at THIS post, considering not every character will post a starter thread! )

Comments

[shutterbugged]

[Think of the devil, and he shall appear -- with plate in hand, because Peter "Spider-Man" Parker is never one to turn down free calories.]

Flash? Flash Thompson? I-- wow. I didn't expect to see you here.

[symbionic]

[This is awkward. No, it's not, but it is- because Flash's sense of immense relief at seeing his best friend, and the happiness in knowing he's not alone, is tempered with the utterly awkward memory of what had happened last time he saw Peter Parker.

But Flash is nothing if not forgiving; it can be filed away for later, because right now, it just seems better to be glad to see one of the people he trusts most.]

Pete? It can't be. What the hell are they doing, dragging you into something like this?

[It's not said with any kind of malice; the last person he'd think to be recruited for superheroics is Peter "Puny" Parker, now or ever. He's a great guy, but...not that kind of guy.]

[shutterbugged]

[Peter is oblivious to those particular undercurrents; his expression shows only happiness at seeing one of his best buddies. Well, almost. He can't quite suppress the guilt over what's essentially taking solace from someone else's misfortune-- it's not schadenfreude, technically, but it's there.

He's also wondering the same thing as Flash, in the opposite direction, but that at least he won't show, especially since he's berating himself the moment he has the thought. Flash has gotten superpowers now, duh. And even if that weren't the case, if any guy could keep on hero-ing from a wheelchair, it's him.]

Believe me, I asked myself the same question. I must be providing some kind of entertainment value, 'cause they haven't sent me back yet.

[symbionic]

[It's a good thing that Peter doesn't ask what superpowers Flash actually has now, which gives him a chance to think about how he's going to bullshit it. Something that can be hidden, something that doesn't make him seem like much of a contender (and how young Flash would have hated that) so Pete can't suspect the real deal.

He's going to tell him, Flash thinks. Eventually. When he figures out how to tell his oldest friend what's been going on with his life. It's not like he didn't mean to...but wait, did Spider-Man tell him? How did Pete know to call him in, with that whole...

...problems to deal with later. Focus on the here and now.]

At least you'll always have a place to live. Not that I mind you bunking with me, but you do cramp my style. [But then his expression goes slightly serious.] How long have you been here? 'Cause I just saw you a little while ago, and I mean, we didn't get the chance to really catch up what with...everything, but I think Betty at least would have called if you'd gone missing since then.

[shutterbugged]

Hey! [But Peter's expression is rueful.] Actually, I have no response to that. Who are your roommates here, d'you know?

As to your other question... it depends whether you mean here here or away-from-home here. Dunno if you've gotten the history from anyone yet, but this isn't the first universe we've been sent to. [He shrugs, hands spread wide.] As you might guess from the fact I said that with a straight face. We washed up here two months ago, but I haven't been home since, oh, end of 2010.

Betty wouldn't have noticed -- the way it works, no one even knows we're gone, 'cause we get sent back to the moment we left. Reverse Rip Van Winkle. Even we don't remember, or so I'm told.

[He scuffs the ground with his shoe, not quite meeting Flash's eyes as he gives him a moment to absorb that, and what he's about to add. Despite Flash's very brief sojourn back in the City, Peter finds it unexpectedly awkward to discuss what he's always mentally classified as Spider-Man weirdness with someone who knows him only as Peter Parker. The versions of Gwen, Harry and MJ he's met here all knew who he was, plus there were always obvious differences in timelines to fixate on.]

We might not even be from the same universe, you know. Sometimes people from similar time streams show up-- familiar faces, slightly different places.

[symbionic]

[This is the expression of someone who has never considered all that alternate dimension crap before in his life and isn't going to anytime soon until it's literally shoved in his face. Those are things that happen to other people, people who are not Flash Thompson (even Flash Thompson as Venom.)]

Ok, Pete, say we aren't. What exactly does that change? We're still friends. We have to be, or you wouldn't be talking to me right now and explaining all this. You know I'm in this chair already, and we still know the same people, and it's not like I'm gonna tell you all about your life because quite frankly, dude, up until recently it was just more of the same old Peter Parker.

[He needs this to be true, and so he's going to stick to this. All of that timeline stuff, universes, it doesn't fit with what he knows and how he understands the world. And maybe it's irresponsible, but he doesn't think so. Peter is his friend. Peter will always be his friend.]

Although if the last things you remember happened in 2010, you are so behind it is not even funny. Seriously, it's 2014 where I come from.

[shutterbugged]

[Peter's quiet for a moment, then says:] You know, I didn't even realize I missed the way you have of cutting right to the chase.

But I can't believe it's been that long. You get used to thinking of home being exactly as you left it, because that's how it will be if you ever get sent back, but... I must've missed a lot.

[Changing tack before he can think about that too long:] I mean, considering what happens in an average month back home...

[symbionic]

Not everything has to be that complicated, Pete. You never seem to get that.

[It's not that the world is a lot easier when things are so cut and dry. But sometimes it helps. Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees, etc.]

I'll tell you about it, if you really want me to. But I dunno, that seems kind of weird...I don't think I would want to know, if it were me. Like if our positions were reversed, and you had the chance to tell me what was going to happen to me...

[shutterbugged]

[Peter widens his eyes.] But if it wasn't complicated, what would I have to worry about?

No, you're probably right. I can't change any of it anyway, so what's the point? Just... [He hesitates, but can't make himself not ask.] Is everyone all right?

[symbionic]

[Flash looks at him, for a long, hard moment. Is everyone all right? And he could say, no, it's not all right. He could tell his best and oldest friend everything, from start to finish. But what good would it do? He can't hold Peter responsible for something he hasn't even done yet, something Flash himself doesn't quite understand and wants to forgive. He can't dump the secret on someone who's no more than an innocent bystander, no matter how much he wanted to.]

Yeah. [He says finally.] Everyone's all right.

[shutterbugged]

[Peter's all too aware of what he'd say in Flash's position, and how much truth would be behind that statement. But Flash is one of the most standup guys Peter knows, on a field that includes the like of Captain America, Carol Danvers and Hank McCoy. He doesn't go for automatic dissembling, and even if he's probably glossing over things, he wouldn't be able to hide anything serious. Right?]

Well, that's a big relief.

Say, speaking of bunking, have you found out where your residence is yet?

[symbionic]

[If he's not mentioning it, it's because he's decided to let it go. Some things Peter's better off not knowing. Some things, it's not worth holding the grudge over. Would he rather be angry, or would he rather have his best friend? Right now, having a friend seems more important.]

Oh man. I went and checked it out, briefly.

[His grin is unmistakable; it's almost high school, except it's too fond now to be really malicious and mocking.]

Try to keep your geek under control, Parker. Apparently I live with Tony Stark.

[shutterbugged]

[Far from geeking out, Peter's response is a snort.]

Another one for the trenches, huh? I warn you, he's not the easiest guy to live with. I should know – I'm also Residence #11.

[symbionic]

[Flash looks surprised, just for a second- and then he cracks another grin, this one actually a bit sly.]

Did you get that attached to staying with me, after all the times you've crashed at my place? I'm flattered, dude, but you're really not my type.

[shutterbugged]

Oh you wish, Eugene. New roommates are randomly assigned. It's just my luck I get stuck with you again.

[symbionic]

Only my mom and my sister get to call me Eugene. [He grabs up a nearby fancy napkin and snaps it playfully at Peter's leg.] It's Flash to you, and don't you forget it, roomie. Oh, and make sure you respect the boxers on the door at all times.

[shutterbugged]

[Peter's chuckle fades out, replaced by a grimace.] Issues of your personal hygiene aside, how about you not – one of our other roommates is a three-year-old. Yes, really – they kidnapped a toddler.

[symbionic]

[The blood drains from Flash's face, leaving something that's half horror and half the sort of fury that made him such a terrifying person, when he lashed out at everyone he could reach.]

You can't be serious.

[shutterbugged]

[Any lingering humor on Peter's part is dispelled by the change in Flash's mood. As disgusted as Peter is by many aspects of the imPort status quo, Flash's reaction makes him realize that he's acclimated far more than he'd ever have wanted to.]

I am. She's from our universe – Valeria Richards, Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman's kid. [A pause. This next part might take some explaining.] Since she knows me from back home, I've stepped in as her guardian.

[symbionic]

[Flash's protective instincts have always been turned up to 11. Even when they were in high school, and misdirected in the worst way, he's always been tenaciously loyal, tenaciously defensive of the people he cares about. Dragging a little child into this...]

Good. That's good. [Flash eases slightly, rubbing his hands up into his face, his hair for a second.] Jesus Christ. They're bringing in kids. Kids, Pete.

[shutterbugged]

Yeah. [What else is there to say, really?] Most of them have been at least teenagers, thank God, but there are a few under-10's. At least Valeria has people she knows here, I don't want to think about what it'd be like for her if she was one of the ones from a universe with only one imPort.

[symbionic]

It doesn't matter, Pete, she's three. What the hell are they going to do with a three year old? She can't work. She can't fight.

[Which he means, she shouldn't. Because, as he will come to find out, Valeria is perfectly capable of probably more than Flash could ever hope to be.]

[shutterbugged]

Valeria is, uh, a little different than you might expect. [She's easier seen than believed, so Peter will save the full explanations for after Flash has met her.] But I'm still keeping her as far out of all of this as I possibly can.

They say they have no control over who's being Ported in, but I don't know if I'm ready to believe it. The past three years... well. I'm glad you weren't there. [Except for that one time.]

[symbionic]

Shut up, Pete. Like I would have left you stranded in a different universe alone for three years if I'd known.

[As though there was anything he could do about it. It's mostly an empty sentiment, but it's still a true one; Flash's loyalty continues to be unwavering, except in the face of extreme treachery. And over a decade of friendship can't be ruined by one...really fucking weird incident.]

[shutterbugged]

Oh please. You're thinking it's too bad you couldn't really appreciate your vacation from me, since I was never gone.

[Once Peter might've meant those words, no matter how jokingly he said them, but the time for that is long past. Flash sticks by his people, as much as anyone Peter's ever met in either identity.]