I’ve traveled all this way for something

[maskormods]

WHO: YOU.
WHERE: Eden East's cruiseship
WHEN: Saturday February 15th, around 5 PM EST
WHAT: Registration in motion... among other things.
WARNINGS: None anticipated; 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. )

The sun hasn't set yet and the temperature hovers somewhere just below 70 degrees this evening; imPorts, both recently arrived and not, will have been escorted to this event so that they can meet each other, have a good time, and of course officially state their registration status. Or lack thereof. It's your decision, they emphasize, even though the unspoken "but" is always there.

It's an elaborate spread, certainly much more elegant than last time. Eden East herself, elegant in her backless champagne-colored dress, meets and greets each and every imPort as she flutters to and fro. She'll find you and chat for a few moments, shaking your hand and complimenting your dress. She'll know your name, and she'll have an entourage of aids and cameras following her wake. Captain Holiday, in contrast, maintains the energy of someone who feels out of place holding the Swear-In ceremony somewhere so extravagant. As imPorts arrive he tells them where to be for the ceremony part of the evening, but that they are free to enjoy themselves until then and after.

( Please state your character's official status -- REGISTERED or UNSETTLED -- in the subject header of your thread. Characters who are UNDECIDED may be contacted later in the week for their decision via their IC contact post. )

Comments

[heartstings]

[At least she kept it focused on the table and didn't actually break anything. She could have done a lot more damage if simply let go of any sort of control.]

I'm sure it's what they fear most.

[corviform]

[ His lips press down into a firm, but thoughtful line for a moment. ]

Then they'll build an army by offering us shelter and other benefits.

[ Is it fair? He can't decide; desperate times sometimes called for desperate measures. ]

[heartstings]

Which is what they're already doing, is it not?

[Kenzi finds it to be an annoyance that they'll use people displaced in time and space for their own means. She has no intentions of being used. She'll help if she feels like it but she's not going to be their pawn if she can help it.]

[corviform]

... Yeah, you're right.

[ He doesn't want to think ill of Captain Holiday so soon, but he hasn't been able to lower his guard in a month. ]

[heartstings]

[Expecting the worst and thinking ill of others is something Kenzi used to do all the time. Sure, she'd take up any alliance she could, easily switching from one to another in order to survive. But there was always some kind of mutual trust there. Perhaps trust isn't the right word but she wasn't left feeling as in the dark as she feels here. She feels like they're holding back info they should be sharing and she's not willing to help out without seeing a few more cards on the table.

She sighs and looks over at Gil, forcing a bit of a smile as she reaches out to pat his arm.] Might work in your favor to register but it's not for me. Not right now anyway.

[corviform]

[ Gil looks to his arm, caught by surprised momentarily before he shakes his head. ]

That's ridiculous. [ There's no anger or exasperation in his tone; the way he says it he may as well be talking about the weather being ridiculous. ] This registration is not for someone like me.

[heartstings]

[Kenzi gives a soft laugh.]

Advantages not enough for ya?

[corviform]

[ A nonchalant shrug. ]

The free housing has been helpful... otherwise I don't need much.

[heartstings]

[Kenzi nods slowly, she understands that. The job was a nice gesture, she supposes, but really she just needs housing and she's good on her own. Sure she has expensive tastes but she's lived on so little most of her life that it wouldn't kill her to go back to it.]

Yeah, it has been. Good thing they aren't going to take that away just because we don't wanna play their game.

[corviform]

I would hope not. Not so soon, anyway. With five of us to a house, we need to pool enough money together for food and other necessities every week.

[heartstings]

Yeah...about that. [Kenzi fusses with her hair for a moment.]

I have no interest in keeping the job they gave me. Thinking about maybe taking up PI work again.

[corviform]

PI?

[ He shakes his head, unfamiliar with the abbreviation. ]

[heartstings]

[She sighs.] Private investigator.

[corviform]

[ Gil stares at her in return, canting his head ever so slightly as he attempts to envision Kenzi in this occupation he doesn't remember her showing interest in before. Although, didn't she mention something about this... perhaps back home? ]

Really? Is something wrong with your current job?

[heartstings]

[It's something legal she knows how to do and can put her skills toward. She might not have the same connections as back home but the PD already knows her here and not for any of her less than legal activities.]

It's boring and I don't like working for others. Not like that, anyway.

[corviform]

Weren't you a secretary back in the City?

[ He can't help a skeptical look. ]

[heartstings]

Yeah but Xanatos was cool. [There's a little smile because he was amusing and frustrating.]

Plus he paid real well.

[corviform]

[ ... Of course money is a factor. ]

It's police work, isn't it? Is it really that bad?

[heartstings]

[Naturally money was a factor.]

I sit on phones all day. I like phones and all but ugh.

[corviform]

You won't graduate onto other responsibilities?

[ How does the police force of this era work anyway? ]

[heartstings]

[She shrugs.]

I get the feeling that wouldn't let me out into the field and desk work would be even more boring.

[corviform]

[ He pauses, mulling over something. ]

... Are you sure? That you want to leave so soon.

[ He hasn't been able to gauge how she's feeling, but he worries she might start acting erratically if not burrowing herself under blankets in her room all week. ]

[heartstings]

Aside from the money, which totes isn't worth it, there's no reason to keep doing it. [This is Kenzi, she's never held down a steady job in her life. Being Xanatos' secretary was the longest she's had a job aside from the erratic PI work she and Bo did back home.

She's also past the hiding in her room for a week stage. She's at the sleep away half the day after a night of getting wasted only to turn around and do it again stage. She's in the throw herself into everything she can to forget her problems stage. There's no one to comfort her so she has to do it herself the only way she knows how, by being a complete fuck up.]

[corviform]

[ Not aware what the job entails or what she's been doing since she started it, Gil only nods to at least convey he understands to some degree. He remembers Holiday and Ananke mentioning they can only help them with employment for as long as they are registered, but he also wonders if it's true given how popular imPorts are in this town. ]

If it's what you want.

[heartstings]

[Kenzi blinks up at him, rather surprised by his response. Here she was expecting some kind of fight or at least for him to really try to talk her out of quitting.

She smiles and gives a soft snort as she pats his arm.]

When did you get to be so understanding?