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

I LOST THIS TAG :( but am back.

[prearcadian]

[Harlock sure was ready to just leave it at that, maybe get a headpat out of the hungry guy and move on with life; a verbal thank-you was the last thing he expects. it's why he stares, his reaction delayed, even on his expression, going from casual contentment to a long stare and one cheek stuffed with half-chewed food.

he takes care of that first, swallowing and blinking a few times.

UH.]

...No problem. [a quick glance away. did...anyone else chat up the dog, or is there something in the champagne?]

SHUNS 5EVERRRrrrr

[ifnotloyal]

[ Which, unfortunately, doesn't give Ace much to reply to, so he simply continues to sit there and return the stare. Although when he begins looking around, Ace blinks and looks about them, too. What was he looking for?

Or was he just confused like all the other humans-- ah. That's probably it. ]

Something the matter?

[ Although he'll at least make sure that is what it is first. ]

[prearcadian]

[squinting for a beat.]

Huh. [well. well alright, he supposes.] Guess that makes you the most polite animal to snag a handout I've met.

[ifnotloyal]

[ That's right, Harlock, just roll with it. This is totally normal.

Somehow. ]

Well, I do find I get a lot more for being well-mannered. Everyone seems impressed by how I haven't jumped up onto the table yet.

[prearcadian]

[and here he is, more impressed he's talking. Harlock blinks slow, taking that in.]

Can't talk for everyone and whatever planet they've dropped in from, but...most dogs are a lot more excitable on the whole. [his head tilts slightly. person-in-dog-body, maybe?]

[ifnotloyal]

[ That would be the second thing people are impressed by.

He considers what Harlock is saying with a somewhat more serious look, as serious as a dog might get. Mostly it does lack the lolling tongue or the happy doggy grin, with his head cocked to one side. ]

Well, that may be true with some, but I think it'd be a little exhausting to be excited all the time. Now if something to chase after was involved, that would be different. People don't typically yell at me for jumping all over a toy.

[prearcadian]

[there's a long beat filled with Harlock staring, then glancing about, then ending with him sliding down the wall to crouch eye-level with the dog, balancing the plate on one hand as his arms drape over his knees.]

I'm not a dog-expert, but I bet that's the kind of thing people expect. [a half-beat.] Didn't actually expect to be able to chat with you, really. Are you even from Earth? [or whatever alternate Earth there can be; it's a waste of time to even try and keep track.]

[ifnotloyal]

[ The urge to investigate the plate for even more food is there, but he holds back. Even if there are crumbs or anything else on it, it wouldn't do to go after them. ]

A different one, but yeah, I am, and normally I can't talk with humans, not even there. It's all a little strange for me, too.

[prearcadian]

[ah, so. odd for all parties. is that a relief? Harlock's not entirely sure. it's easier to take in stride, anyway.]

Used to managing conversations with people a different way, huh. Is this easier or harder, then?

[ifnotloyal]

People don't freak out and stare when I communicate by wagging my tail and jumping up on them to say hi, so I'd say harder at this point.

[ There's only so much he even feels like saying to humans, really. ]

[prearcadian]

[grinning.] I think you'll find enough people'll like it well enough to not give you too hard a time for it. [present company included. it's neat.]

[ifnotloyal]

[ That's a little heartening. ]

I suppose that's true. The ones who aren't won't go out of their way to interact with me, anyway.

[prearcadian]

Easy enough, huh. [seems to be to him.

a beat.] What's your name, then?

[ifnotloyal]

I'm Ace. What's yours?

[prearcadian]

Harlock. Nice to meet you. [a beat. he hesitates, but holds out a hand in the end anyway.] Is shaking too hokey a dog trick for an introduction?

[ifnotloyal]

I don't think so.

[ He can shake! And he's seen humans do it often enough, so it must be normal! That in mind, he'll lift a front paw and put it in Harlock's hand. ]

It's nice to meet you, too.

[prearcadian]

[ok whatever, man. talking to a talking dog is pretty rad and there's no point to pretending it's not.

just one up-and-down shake and he lets go, and his other hand sets the plate down before he stands up.]

You can have the rest. [he's got an itch to get moving again.]