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

[guiloteen]

[Her expression and stance soften a bit, although she doesn't smile. Laura's a little uncertain. It's not that talking dogs are really that weird in the scheme of things, after the initial surprise--but he could be a shapeshifter. Not an actual, real, talking dog.

It doesn't consciously register for Laura, but something about it just seems too good to be true.

Somehow, though, the suspicion is proving hard to maintain. He seems so very like a dog. Just a dog.]

Hi. Were you... brought here?

[ifnotloyal]

Yes, I was. Very recently.

[ Just a dog indeed, ignoring some other abnormalities here and there. It's not as if those changed his species at all. He tilts his head some, curious. ]

What about you?

[guiloteen]

Oh.

[If only Laura knew that, but she's kind of charmed by Ace, even if she's still uncertain.

A nod.] Yes. I am new.

[ifnotloyal]

[ See? There. They're both new. Something in common. He can work with that. ]

This is kind of a strange place, isn't it?

[guiloteen]

[Laura does smile at that, just a very little.] I have been to stranger places.

[She takes a step so that she’s over to his side and her back isn’t to the room, and then looks back down at him.] Is this the first time you have left your world?

[ifnotloyal]

Definitely the first time.

[ He'll look up at her when she first moves to his side, making sure whether or not she seems to plan on staying there, then he turns his attention back to the crowd roving about the room. He hears more of them in other places, outside, other parts of the ship, the water, the seagulls fighting over something much, much farther away...

But thankfully, that's all background noise if he focuses on closer voices instead. ]

I never even considered there were others, though I guess I shouldn't be so surprised.

[guiloteen]

[She settles back toward the wall, content to stay where she is for now. Laura's watching the crowd, noting the patterns as people move closer and distance themselves from one another, listening to the hum and buzz of conversation and clink of champagne glasses.

It's easier to be here instead of in the middle of things, with... Ace. Simpler.]

There are many other worlds. I have not been to most of them.

[ifnotloyal]

[ Nothing wrong with simple. ]

And all these people are really from their own different ones? Can't say I like that very much, that anything has the power to fetch from that many places like this.

[guiloteen]

No. I have seen others from my world here. [She gives him a considering look.] You are not used to this. [a half-beat, and then as if in clarification:] Power.

[ifnotloyal]

[ Well, that garners a curious look in return. Others from her world? It's hard not to feel a little jealous, but still, that's good. At least someone here doesn't have to be all alone. ]

The power that brings people here, you mean? No. It isn't one I've encountered before, that's for sure.

[guiloteen]

[Not exactly. Laura looks back at the crowd, silent for a second.]

What is your world like?

[ifnotloyal]

Kind of like this one, I guess. A little less... [ What's the word he wants here? ] Clean. More of a normal Earth. Usually, anyway.

[guiloteen]

[She looks at him, curious.] No heroes?

[ifnotloyal]

Like the ones they talk about here, you mean?