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

[corviform]

Though she's... [ He pauses, wondering if he should correct that. What became of her? ] Though she was a machine, it was impossible for anyone to get too close to her without being injured or ported away.

Getting anything out of her was often out of the question.

[selfimage]

[Loki offers over a pastry. Gilbert still seems to have his focus.]

And what did she say when you did?

1/2

[corviform]

[ How thoughtful! But he raises a hand to politely decline, thrown off by the gesture for a second. ]

Erm, no thank you...

[corviform]

[ Clearing his voice to continue: ]

... Nothing. She spoke to the network at large rarely. [ He pauses, recalling a heated, mostly one-sided conversation. ] She would mostly talk about this hero business.

[selfimage]

[there's not even a shrug of his shoulders as his offer is declined. instead he turns the pastry and nibbles off the end as he listens.]

"Hero business" sounds familiar to our current situation.

[corviform]

[ It's what makes him cautious about all of this in the first place; Lachesis put them here for a reason. ]

Perhaps Lachesis still has a hand in porting others here.

[selfimage]

[well, now, that's interesting.]

I didn't think that there was much of a hand in who was brought here, though your situation seems to be ... unique.

[corviform]

Unique?

[ Gil wonders what Loki could mean by that.

Go on... ]

[selfimage]

How many of us have really traversed with the intent of a healthy romp across the multiverse? Instead we've been pulled around to-and-fro--[he waves his hand to demonstrate.]--where we're supposedly needed. Think of supposedly being the key term here. And you ...

This makes two of those, doesn't it?

[it reminds him of Chavez, and how he would simultaneously enjoy her company and hate it right about now. there's something he's distinctly curious about, but he can't do it without what she's capable of. whether or not her powers worked here would give him the answer he was looking for.]

[corviform]

[ Loki's phrasing stirs something within Gil's dusty memories, the ones just out of reach. His chest feels caught in something tight and heavy for a second and with very little conscious of what he's doing, his hand reaches for his neck and swallows hard.

Needed. He is needed.

Supposedly.

He thinks of Oz, and how he had been found in the Vessalius gardens all those years ago. Spat out of the Abyss, but unaware for years to come. Was that chance? Or destiny?

Gil doesn't respond, lost in troubling thoughts. ]

[selfimage]

[it was meant as casual, possibly thought-provoking conversation, but it turned into something that Loki observed closely. he watches, though it's difficult to tell if it's out of concern or interest. his prodding provoked something. he leans in carefully, trying to catch his gaze.]

—Hello-oh?

[corviform]

— huh?

[ Oh, too close for comfort. Gil's face lights up like a Christmas decoration and he steps back from Loki quickly, startled. ]

Sorry?

[ Did he drift off just then? ]

[selfimage]

[ohhhh, he partially closes the distance, but not nearly as much so as he had on his initial lean forward.]

A jog of your memory, maybe? You had quite the curious look on your face. Next time I'll test my reflexes for a photo to show you when you arrive again amongst us of the living.

[corviform]

[ He turns his face to the side to avoid Loki's gaze. ]

A photo? That's not necessary.

[selfimage]

[and as if on cue, he lifts his phone and takes a picture of him.]

I'll settle for this, I suppose.

Do you always drift off like that?

[he says, quirking his head at the picture that he's taken.]

[corviform]

[ His head swerves back in Loki's direction. His face grows hotter, he feels it may as well melt off along with the rest of him. He eyes the phone suspiciously. ]

What was that for?

And no! Well... a bit! But not always!

[selfimage]

Hm, not at all convincing ... two out of five, at the most? Generally, I'd give it a one point five, but there's a level of sincerity that I can't overlook ...

[he's talking mostly to himself, looking at the picture and chewing on a pirouline.]

To where did you drift?

[Loki still sounds lightly curious, finally looking up from his phone.]

1/2

[corviform]

Are you... grading me?

[ He should have known this guy was troubletroubletroublesome from the start. Nobody puts food in their pockets unless they're trouble. Or strange.

Mostly strange. ]

[corviform]

[ Gil's mouth clamps shut and he finds himself tearing away from Loki's curious gaze again. ]

Nowhere. It's not important.

[selfimage]

Your lie. It was a lie.

[there's a hint of that satisfied smile on his face again as he pushes the rest of the frosting-filled wafer in his mouth. but then he waves his hand, casually, going on.]

And that's a lie, too. It's quite difficult to pull one past someone of mendacious sentiment, but all the more satisfying. I guess it's my round-about way of saying I don't believe you.

Though I would be inclined to a subject change, if you would have it. I'm easily distracted.

[corviform]

[ Loki strikes a particular nerve in him and he takes a step back to put distance between them. ]

It's... none of your business.

[ He doesn't get the feeling further conversation with this guy will be any more pleasant. His temple still prickles him, so he decides it's time to leave before this gets any more difficult for him. ]

[selfimage]

As you will ...

[Loki puts another round cookie wafer in his mouth and chews thoughtfully as Gil takes his leave. he offers a wave and a smile.]

Toodles, Gilbert. May we meet again.