Keep us from saying anything

[maskormods]

WHO: ImPorts!
WHERE: Heropa, Florida.
WHEN: September 13th, from 6 PM until 11 PM.
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. )

An autumnal festival might seem somewhat out of place in sweltering Florida heat, however those in attendance and have helped arrange the set-up of this Swear-In are getting into the swing of things. The atmosphere isn't overtly ecstatic or loud as previous Swear-Ins have been, and those paying close attention can get an underlying sense of tension coming from the Federal agents making their rounds as this event's security. Unlike the previous ceremonies -- and for such a smaller event -- there are more agents than what might be considered the norm.

There are a number of festivities to partake in, though; booths have been set up to host activities ranging from pig lifting (lift a boar over your head and you win it!), guessing how many eggs are in a large crate, wood chopping, pumpkin pie eating contests, horse shoe throwing and quite a few more... with a mysterious fascination with all things Pumpkin Spice. Other activities include "Spot the Communist", a small maze with cardboard cutouts of people where participants need to guess which one is the Communist and who's a patriotic American citizen. There are some pamphlets that can be found around the other booths entitled "COMMUNISM: What is it? And how can we stop it?" which could provide some hints on which cardboard cutouts are a dreadful Russian spy in disguise. (Hint: the girl with the molecular biology textbook is quite suspicious.)

The number of media representatives is a small group this time, their main focus on a specific booth with a platform and microphone. Every few minutes a local from the town steps forward, speaking into the microphone about their concerns about the ever present Red threat. Behind them a large poster is erected, practically looming over them foreboding as they talk openly about the possibility of nuclear disaster, losing their children, the American dream and everything else this country has ever provided for them. At one point, an angry local rushes the stage, snatching the microphone and gesturing to the imPorts among them in a furious motion.

"What we need is for imPorts to do their jobs! They have been so busy fighting with each other and causing trouble they've forgotten about us! I'll be damned before I see this country fall to stinkin' Commies because of these spoiled folk!"

There are, however, posters around representing imPorts fighting against the Red Threat surrounding the stage. They're different enough from the imPorts to lend the artists credible deniability, but included on the posters are the Green Glow, pictured without his symbol, ring, or mask (they've got the nose all wrong!), the Steel Saviour in red, white and blue, the Sherrif who has a bewildering goatee, Roaring Leopard in yellow and black, and something labeled merely as Armour Guy, inspired by a new spat of newcomers but with patches all over the armour in every shade they seemed to be able to think of.

Also available by the stage is a small podium with a government worker heading it, a sign above proclaiming: "DO YOU, IMPORT, WISH TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE RED THREAT? SIGN UP HERE! Once imPorts edge closer, they'll learn that they're seeking out anti-communist spokespeople to be featured in commercials, art, and more! In order to commemorate this, they will name a major highway after the imPort chosen. Sign up here!

Last, but not least, the government will have booths available for signing up for ASSIGNMENTS, though it's not necessary for imPorts to be present at the Swear-In to sign up later. Should they choose to sign up to provide local aid, they will receive a short debriefing, but those who sign up for occupation will get a small, sealed file to look at later... how curious!

( Please state your character's official status -- REGISTERED or UNSETTLED -- in the subject header of your thread. )

Comments

GANSEY | REGISTERED

[quaerit]

1. Engaging with Politics

[ Given his newness to this place, his first swearing-in is not something Gansey had been likely to miss. He wants to know as much as he can about this place, and a Government-sponsored event like this holds too much potential to pass up. So, he puts on what now passes for his best suit - bought from a vintage store for a very reasonable price - and wears the kind of smile that most people save for their campaign posters. Gansey is seventeen going on forty, in this get-up.

Of course, the minute he enters the place, the sickly sense of politics is overwhelming enough to make him wish he hadn't bothered. He hates this sort of party. He's only been here a matter of hours, which is already long enough to make him miss home - but this isn't the part of home he'd been missing. It's the sort of event that makes him feel like he ought to be wearing a red tie and shaking people's hands.

As a matter of fact, he's shaken quite a lot of hands already. The fourth person of the night asks him to talk about Communism, and laughing, he gently refuses. ]

No, no - I try not to give interviews. Really, my plate is full and I've only just gotten here. But I'm very interested in your thoughts on Communist espionage. We must catch up again later. I'll take your card.

[ That gets him away from most of them. It's hard to believe this is a prevalent issue. Gansey extracts himself from the crowd and seeks others like himself, fellow imports. They're the ones he really wants to talk to. ]

So, this is cosy. [ He offers a friendly smile, one that he hopes is open and honest. ] What do you suppose he meant, fighting with each other and forgetting about them? It seems the briefing they gave me was lacking in some particulars.

2. Assignments Desk

[ Part of understanding this place includes understanding what's asked of them, and that means Gansey hovers around the assignments for quite some time. Despite registering, he notably doesn't sign up for anything - but he spends some time looking at the call for action in Finland. His face does a good job of holding its mask of polite disinterest, but internally, he's worried.

He'd told Adam that no one would make them fight. They wouldn't be an army.

But this looks a lot more like war than he'd been expecting. And not the kind of war that's Cold. ]

Jetpacks for reservists. Naturally, they would have jetpacks. Encouragement is one thing. I didn't think they'd stoop so low as bribery.

[ A glance, to the person beside him. ]

You aren't planning to agree to that, are you?

3: Prompt him!

[ Create your own - he'll be around all night, generally refusing to sign anything but the registration sheet. ]

[rathercommon]

[ She'd been watching the boy as he'd moved through the crowds. She's still got work to do, undoing all the damage she caused - but she'd wanted to come to this, to see the new people who are showing up. To see...if any old people show up again. No faces she's known before, but there's something rather curiously nostalgic about this particular one. The boy, younger even than she is, dressed in spite of the weather in a suit. Dressed in a suit even though he can't have been here more than three days. Dressed in a suit, and going around and politicking, faking cheer and enthusiasm, even when he doesn't have to. Nostalgic.

She's sitting on some steps, back hunched over, legs drawn up, arms stretched out before her with her elbows resting on her knees. She looks a little tired. She's dressed unusually for her, too - she usually works hard to blend in, to pass as a local, but tonight she's wearing the sorts of clothes she wears back home. Black tunic with flared sleeves, black slacks, white trainers. She doesn't know why - after all, today of all days she ought to not want to stand out. But...There she is. Looking like an imPort.

Her smile in response to his question is wry. Not happy. ]

It's what we do. All the time. Squabble amongst ourselves instead of focusing on the real enemy.

[quaerit]

[ Here is a girl who’s definitely an import. She carries every look of it; clothes that don’t quite fit in and make her hard to place, the kind of expression that says she doesn’t really want to be here.

And of course, that accent helps. Gansey has spent enough time actually living in London to recognise that sound when he hears it, and although it’s been some time since he was there, it makes him smile. ]

How terrible of us. We should of course be aiming all our efforts on Communist Russia, by all accounts.

[ He stops beside where she’s sitting, leans against the railing beside her, and puts a mint leaf on his tongue. She looks like she could use some company. ]

You don’t look as though you’re toeing the party line. Are you quite all right?

[rathercommon]

[ Her smile persists. It gets maybe a little sweeter when she focuses on him a bit more. She likes his accent, honestly - a charming drawl. Very un-English. Very American. That helps dispel some small part of that painful little illusion that made her think of another boy, and that lightens her mood a bit. The smile on his face, too, helps. Nathaniel had always been so dourly serious towards her, after all. ]

You're right about that. [ The observation about the party line. The bit about being all right... Well. There's nothing that'll make you seem grim and sad and a bit made like admitting I've been fighting toilets all day, and now I'm here looking for friends. She'll pass on that, thanks. ] Though I actually do think, without irony, that we have got a common enemy. I just don't think it's the Soviets.

[quaerit]

[ Gansey’s accent is about as American as you can get. Everything about him is all-American. Even the suit, which he manages to wear like it’s been tailored for him even though it belongs on someone much older. That it feels old is a large part of why Gansey likes it. It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen modern suits reduced on sale; there’d been plenty of those. He just liked this one better. It makes him feel more like himself, which is why he imagines Kitty’s not trying to fit in, either. That thought makes him warmer towards her.

So does her smile. He nods. ]

I’d like to agree. I most likely do agree, but I haven’t been here long enough to know. I only arrived this afternoon. Quite a surprise. Florida is the last place I expected to be.

[ His face stays polite, open. He doesn’t have a read on her yet, and doesn’t want her to think he’s foolish. He hates not knowing enough about a situation to form an opinion on it. It makes him feel uncomfortably out of control, and that is something Richard Gansey hates to feel. ]

So, if I ask you what enemy I should really worry about, will you tell me? It seems the sort of thing I ought to know.

2

[hands4healing]

[Winry starts at the question, glancing at the young man standing next to her. He looks new. Shiny. Different.]

I'd like to take a jetpack apart to figure out how it works!

[That's the truth at least.]

[quaerit]

[ Well. That’s not exactly the answer Gansey was expecting. It does, however, entirely make his point. He points at her. ]

There. You see? Bribery.

It’s not just the jet pack. [ He turns to her, frowning. ] It’s what you’d have to do once you have it. You don’t think it’s slightly suspicious that they’d want to send a pack of imports off to one of Russia’s neighbours, as if that’s not going to cause any trouble whatsoever?

[ He doesn’t believe a word of it. He’s already picked up that the Government here would like to count imports as part of its arsenal. He knows enough of the history of the real Cold War to recognise what sort of message that placement would send.

Christ, Gansey hates politics. ]

[hands4healing]

[Winry listens to him politely.]

I think anything they want us to do in this world is suspicious. But there might be a chance to do good, too.

[She holds up her right hand.]

I'm an engineer but I design things to help people. My power here is healing. [Well, that and metal manipulation, and the magic Sabriel's taught her.]

I'm no one's weapon.

[quaerit]

No, you're not. Nor should you be

[ Gansey's eyes are intent on her, considering her. She's young to be an engineer, he thinks, though he doesn't contradict her. Who is he to say what people can or cannot do in a place like this?

But it's strange. It's certainly strange. ]

That being said, if you are an engineer, then you are capable of making things that could well be used as weapons, or used to support them. Does taking their side against the Russians really amount to doing good?

Can you be sure?

1

[khajidont]

[Of course they're all talking about how they're fighting each other. He can't say that he blames the natives; they're not altogether wrong when it comes to imPorts focusing on their own.

It's a little hard not to focus on your own, however, when your population seems to be studded with serial killers, psychopaths, and worse. Jaime winces a little, but he certainly looks friendly enough, and he's always receptive to answering a few questions.]

We've had some imPorts stir up some trouble. Some, uh, big trouble, [he says, rubbing at the back of his neck.] I'm not all gung ho about the boo communists thing going on, but I can see why they'd be pissed at us.

[quaerit]

[ Gansey has no intention of hunting down Communists of any sort. Even his parents are more progressive than that brand of obvious witchhunting. No, there’s no chance of that at all.

But it’s obvious the people here are seeking interest. Is this really what they need imports to help them with? It seems like overkill, given that Gansey’s Earth had exited the Cold War without the need for anyone to have superpowers. In fact, that probably would have just made things worse. ]

How big are we talking? I can see why people wouldn’t want superpowered imports getting into trouble. I saw mention of damaged buildings in their Assignments stall.

What actually happened? If you don’t mind my asking. I’m new, and it seems there’s plenty to catch up on.

[ He’ll deal with the history of the world in general later. For now, recent history would be a start. ]

[khajidont]

I don't mind at all! You guys could probably use all the information you can get. If I can get your name, I can send you the FAQ that Will's been keeping up -- there's a decent timeline of everything that's gone down on there too.

[That doesn't solve any immediate answers, however, so Jaime's quick to jump into an explanation. When he's greeting newcomers, he's aware that all the information he has can occasionally be dispiriting, but it's a far, far better thing to be negative and aware than to be optimistic and naive.

He rather thinks it's possible to be optimistic and educated at the same time, but that all depends on the person.]

At the last Swear-In, this guy called Crane attacked by releasing this gas that made people hallucinate some pretty awful things. All he had to do is sit back and watch as people hurt each other. A lot of people got killed, and more were injured. It wasn't good.

[quaerit]

I would appreciate that, actually.

[ Gansey extends his hand, and his smile warms. ]

Gansey. [ That being his name, and unless you press further, it's the only one you're getting. ]

I'm sure you can appreciate that I'd like to get up to speed.

A man called Crane? [ It's an awful tale. Gansey watches Jaime with a building dread as he talks about it, and he glances around to take the event in with new eyes. he had assumed the security was related to all the propagandist encouragement, and the emphasis on imports helping the government. Now, he sees what else may be behind it. He works to keep his voice casual, and unconcerned - as if this isn't now the focus of his mind for the remainder of the night. ] That explains why security is so tight. This man has been caught, I hope? What are the regulations for incarcerating an import - similar to what would happen with a foreign national, I suppose?

( one. )

[aberth]

[ It's easy to get separated in the midst of all this mayhem. Adam rightfully panics for the first two minutes before he catches sight of Gansey trying to extract himself from the local media and pushes through to join him. ]

This is insane.

[ Adam's been to parties with Gansey, he's done the pressing of flesh and idle chitchat on politics. He's been there and it should be familiar. But his head is spinning from all the information being bombarded his way. This is something out of the sixties. He almost expects burning flags and bonfires, people pushed into the streets because their neighbours talk with a foreign accent. None of it feels right.

But at least he's not alone. It would be worse if he had to do this by himself. Bumping shoulders with Gansey, Adam points towards the Spot the Communist area. ] Look at this. How long do you reckon it will be before they introduce some communist label so you can spit on them in the streets? [ Stuff like this hasn't gone well in the past. Adam's thinking maybe they all need a new World Hist teacher. ]

[quaerit]

[ Gansey’s expression complicates when he catches sight of Adam; his seamless smile fractures with relief, and he quickly falls into step beside him. Thank God. Let’s not get separated again. ]

I’ve noticed. McCarthyism, alive and kicking in 2015. I don’t know if I should be disgusted or taking notes for a case study.

[ But he’s Gansey, so it’s kind of both. He puts a mint leaf into his mouth and leans closer to Adam, lowering his voice. ]

I don’t like it. The history of this place must have diverged cleanly from our own. I’m not even certain when. It’s going to take some work just to get caught up to speed. I think the public library might be the first port of call, come morning. Will you come?

[ Research is inevitably better when Adam is helping. They’ll get far more done. ]

[aberth]

I mean, we do have Romney. And as far as I can tell they don't. So I'm not sure we can judge them too harshly if they've somehow managed to avoid that clusterfuck.

[ It's easier to pay attention to his surroundings with Gansey at his side. He's got someone watching his back and that means he doesn't have to be so tightly wound. He can let his curiosity out.

When Gansey mentions the library Adam shares a glance with him. ] It opens at nine thirty, I checked earlier. [ Which means yes, of course he'll come. ] We should probably do a supply run tomorrow too. We're gonna need a lot of stuff.

( two. )

[cupio]

[ She mostly came over to step out of the crowd but when the boy in the funny suit turns to her and asks a general question, Clary responds with a completely straight face. ]

I mean who wouldn't want a jetpack? [ She totally wants a jetpack. ] All you have to do is push aside your pesky morals and fight Russians for a bit then you never have to walk anywhere again. Sounds like a bargain to me.

[ She lets her expression stay for a second, then two, before she starts to laugh. ] Kidding.

[quaerit]

[ Gansey turns, only to be faced with a very petite girl - which is surprising, because he hadn't thought anyone could rival Blue on that front. This girl does. His smile quirks as she talks. ]

I somehow don't think you're their target audience. You aren't supposed to think about all the unfortunate war you might be starting. You aren't supposed to notice that, because they think we're all blind, and stupid.

[ Smile widening. ]

I'm glad that's not true of you. [ He holds out his hand. ] Gansey. And you are?

[cupio]

[ YA Protagonists, short and angry everywhere. ]

You're saying I couldn't be a super cool soldier person? [ Gansey pls. ] I so could. Just give me a jet pack and I can drop stuff on people's heads. It would be immense.

[ But he's hit the nail on the head. Clary's already getting the strongest of glances from the man with the flyers. ] Aw, a compliment. [ Shaking his hand. ] I'm Clary, and I'm about to get my ass kicked if I don't move away from this booth. You coming?

[inmyothertights]

[Billy is hovering - maybe a little literally, but if it's literally, it's not very high, maybe a quarter inch off the ground - near the assignments desk too. He doesn't really like to come to these things, and so he almost never does, but after last month's debacle he thought he should just do it and get it over with, and possibly see if any of the toilets in the area were acting up.

He sees the guy and he's looking him over when suddenly he speaks.

Billy isn't even registered, so-]

Uh, no.

I don't really go with any of this, so.

[quaerit]

There now, that’s what I was hoping to hear.

[ Gansey turns, his face full of a bright smile that touches his sharp hazel eyes. It freezes for a moment, when he realises the boy is not actually standing but floating. What on earth…?

Gansey blinks, and injects ease back into his expression. Comfort is something that he knows how to fake, especially in a setting like this. Of course, he can have a conversation with a floating boy about this obvious propaganda machine. Why not? That seems perfectly ordinary, in a world full of superheroes.

Jesus Christ, this is really real. ]

Do you mean these pieces of work, Finland in particular, or Registration in general? They’re pushing hard for it, which makes me think not everyone’s on board.

[ Internally, Gansey is busy instructing himself. Don’t ask about the hovering. Make pleasantries first, there’s no need to get excited. Don’t scare the poor boy off. ]

[inmyothertights]

[Billy looks up, because even with a quarter inch, he's still only about five-eight, and shorter than most guys. There are things Billy notices right away, superficial things: good smile, nice eyes, ease of expression.

And Billy shrugs a bit.]

Registration. I'm not, because it's not...really comfortable for me? My world kind of did a really badly botched job on the whole thing.

So yeah, no Finland, no jetpacks, no fighting the red menace for me.

I'm guessing you're not letting yourself be bribed? Let me warn you, they're big on that kind of thing here.

2

[shuckit]

[ thomas is not registered. he has never been registered and he has no plans to register in the future. he's in this tent because he wants to know what kind of crap they're asking the imPorts to do. he still has his power for eidectic memory, so he takes time in reading each one of the pages, not bothering to lift his eyes when someone next to him comments, voice distracted. ]

Shuck no.

[ he mutters, quietly enough that the government workers won't hear him, but the guy next to him will. he flips a page, reads the last few sentences of that briefing, and sets it aside. ]

They can fight their own damn war.

[quaerit]

[ Gansey’s eyes move over the boy. He’s reading everything very closely for someone who obviously has no interest in taking part. That means he’s got a different agenda, and that’s interesting in itself. The sheer volume of propaganda here tells Gansey that it’s obvious not all imports are singing to the Government’s tune. If they were, there’d be no need to make such a production out of it all. He lifts his shoulders. ]

If they carry on like this, they will be.

[ Fighting a hot war as opposed to a cold one, Gansey means. His fingers tap idly at the table. The official standing closest to them looks uncomfortable, and seems moved to talk to them. Gansey holds up a hand, and lifts one of the other briefing packs. This quietens the worker for now, and Gansey flips it open. He matches the volume of his voice to the other boy’s. ]

That’s the sensible approach. I will say, you’re reading all of these very closely, for a man who has no intention of participating.

[shuckit]

[ thomas is bad at undercover. he's particularly bad at it when he's pissed, which, much of the attitude surrounding this swear-in has made him. it's a good thing gansey is here to soothe the official's suspicion of them, because thomas's only response to the man stepping closer is to start at him like he'd sooner light him on fire than speak to him. his eyes follow the man a moment after he parts from them, going to tend to another interested imPort, and returns his focus to the page, answering gansey as he does. ]

I'm memorizing it.

[ which, for thomas, only takes one read through. but he's careful about it. he'll write it up and add it to his notes later. keep an eye on anything finland going down, and if he can, try to keep an eye on which imports end up going. maybe approach them later to get details on it. ]

Not being in it doesn't mean not wanting to know what's happening.