ghoulking: By asdagfsd (DNS) (Normal - pic#10793446)
Ken Kaneki ([personal profile] ghoulking) wrote in [community profile] maskormenacelogs2019-01-13 09:11 am

JANUARY SWEAR-IN: DEATH ISLAND

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Death Sacrifice Island, New Zealand
WHEN: 13th January
WHAT: SWEARING-IN TIME, on the beautiful Island of New Zealand, Sacrifice Island.
WARNINGS: None so far

Welcome everyone to Sacrifice Island, once known as “Death Island” (and still called so by many). Located in the beautiful country of New Zealand, and under their government’s jurisdiction, Sacrifice Island is a place where investigation and scientific development happens: it’s the headquarters for Onward Research Station, laboratories that hope to learn how to neutralize the effects on humans/animals of chemical/biological weapons.

But this island holds dark history as well. It was in this very same place that seven young imPorts permanently lost their lives on October 3rd 2008. This tragedy deeply marked the history of United States and all Heroes of the nation, and is remembered with heavy heart. With hopes to never forget these painful events but to also look for a brighter future, United States of America and New Zealand both joined their hands and decided to raise a memorial for the lives lost at the island.

This memorial will be inaugurated on the 13th January along with the Swearing-In ceremony for the new heroes who have arrived this month. Media has been invited as well as this is too a political event to strengthen relationships between New Zealand and USA. Old and new imPorts are all welcome to come and pay their respects to the Heroes who are gone, swear their allegiance to the US government (or not), forge relations with a foreign country or simply show their presences during this event. Whatever reason one has, they will be welcomed.


TRAVEL
Thanks to the interest of many, an airbus has been generously loaned for free in order to fly the imPorts to Death Sacrifice Island. The airbus includes a dining area and each imPort has their own little cubicle, with chairs that can be converted into a bed. The trip will take a while for sure, so the travelers are welcome to mingle while they are on air, meet the new faces, and try some delicious airplane food. Or they can try sleeping, if other imPorts are quiet enough.

Because it's a long flight, there will be many movies to choose from: there is a strangely big collection of Adam Sandler movies, and apparently the big hit has both Adam Sandler AND Jerry Seinfeld and tells the story of a Wasp that falls in love with a Human, while it leads a rebellion against the humankind. If you aren't into Wasp movies, well- good luck picking something else that isn't as amazing.


ISLAND
Miss the hot summer weather? Well, New Zealand certainly has a lot of it to offer. The weather is the kind that would invite anyone for a swim, even though it’s not one of the activities offered during the Swear-In; in fact, the island has no beaches as it’s surrounded by cliffs. The island itself is beautiful, with a lot of greenery indigenous to the country, forming large forests through the island’s surface and surrounding the research center. There are no animals roaming around, with the exception of some birds (do not expect Kiwis, though), but imPorts are warned not to go too deep into the island’s forests or they might get lost.

At the east area of the island, stands the top of the art Onward Research Station, near the only beach the island offers. The airbus will land not too far away, in a small flight track that crosses the green forest, and imPorts will be directed to the center where they will be greeted by scientists, politicians and, of course, a lot of media.

Onward Research Station is white, clean, and shiny. Everything looks like it has been double or triple sterilized and visitors can almost see their reflections on every surface. The technology is probably the best you’d find in the entire nation: quick silent hoover carts that transport people and objects from a section to another, trays that hoover with food, snacks and drinks, and holograms of several scientists that made a difference while working at the Research Station can be found on specific marked areas. ImPorts that wish to know a bit more about the place will have the chance to press a button for a holographic guide who will tell them the story of the Center, their researches and hopes for the future.

However, since Onward focus on chemical and biological weapon studies, much of the area is very much Off Limits to prevent accidental contamination. There will be security (physical and electronically) to stop people from snooping around and causing huge accidents.

The center has allowed local tourism to be part of this. New Zealand certainly wishes to show their own culture, and thus there will be many who are eager to share it with the new comers. Talks of their fauna and flora, their national bird as well, history of Maori who voyaged across the Pacific, good old Rugby, and of course mentions of certain really popular fantasy movies that have been filmed there – one can certainly become immerse in this lovely world. Not so far away, there is also a buffet area with a lot of variety, all typical New Zealand dishes, including Maori dishes naturally. Try Hangi, or lamb, or delicious sea food, and end your meal with good wine and cheese.

Photographers, journalists, paparazzi will be everywhere. Not just for US ImPort Heroes, but due to the political connotations this meeting has as well. It’s no surprise that apart from “who are you wearing”, heavier and much more serious questions will be asked, involving politics, past events, current political feelings, where and for whom imPorts stand for.

The nearby beach isn’t amazing, but they worked really hard to change that. The whole area was cleaned as well, with new, white and shiny pavement that leads visitors to a special area: the memorial. There is a huge marble wall with the names of those imPorts who’ve lost their lives; there is a screen as well, and whenever someone touches one of the names said screen will activate show a video of the selected imPort while a voice tells the visitors a little about their life and death. Nearly, there is another holographic guide who, when activated, will tell the story of Death Island.


MEMORIAL
Anyone can access this history by checking out the Memorial, but in the afternoon, everyone will be invited to the beach. Here, imPorts and everyone else will be taught the dark history of the island by a spokeswoman dressed in white, while the screen on the Memorial Marble wall shows the lost imPorts.

“A scientist who held hatred for the imPorts used this island as his private base of operations, where he built a deadly ray and threatened to use this weapon against the United States. Seven imPorts heroically followed to investigate, only to find this ray permanently end their lives. These heroes and their tragic deaths are today remembered by us all, a memory of a dark and sad past – but we too hold on to hope, hope their deaths were not in vain, and hope we can rebuild and move forward.”

The speech is met with solemn nods and soft applause, while the names of the Heroes show on the screen:
DAVID GREEN; Chosen, age 19
MAGENTA MOVELLO; Mauve Avenger, age 17
IRA BRAUNSTEIN; Power Prince, age 21
JUDE BYEON; Bludgeon, age 17
CAROL "CARRIE" KING; Reign, age 18
MASON LOCKLEAR; Entropy, age 16
MALIK ISAIAH MARCHETTI; Journey, age 40

After, the woman will give stand to few more people who will give their own words about the memorial and the events of Death Island, including a New Zealand Minister and also an imPort: Tohru Adachi.

Once speeches have been spoken, people are welcomed to leave white flowers near the marble wall and learn more about the personal lives of each lost hero by touching their names and watching the movie about each. For those who don’t wish to stick around, the buffet area is always open, and people are more than welcome to return to their activities.


RETURN
The event will be over late night, and all imPorts will be brought back to the airbus. Since there are records who came on the airbus, it’s better not to try to stay behind – as welcoming as they were, those who work at Sacrifice Island have no plans to accommodate everyone more than necessary.

Media will be the first to leave, followed by imPorts and finally every politician involved. Once up in the air, the airplane lights will be turned to minimum, to allow imPorts some well needed rest. That is, if they want. Sorry if your neighbor is noisy.
lesterzeppelin: (the real fun's just getting started)

[personal profile] lesterzeppelin 2019-01-26 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ Apollo laughs, despite himself - he's going to need sunglasses for this smile. And the tiles, apparently. ]

Unfortunately. Seems this is a one time only deal. [ he relaxes, giving the lab another once over. They've been cordoned off from the interesting sections - on purpose, no doubt - but he can appreciate the sterility of the station. Cleanliness really is godliness. ] But hey, I bet it makes for a pretty interesting first Swear-In.
solarcharged: (70)

[personal profile] solarcharged 2019-01-27 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly, I'm just waiting for someone to try and kidnap me. I hear that's a thing at these Swear-Ins.

[ Apollo said 'try' for a reason; it's been years since he's had a good challenge. And although he's heard all the warnings about keeping a handle on his powers, a solid self-defence excuse is all he needs. Apollo sips his drink and forces himself to relax by a fraction; he tears his attention away from the room and back towards the young man - god - beside him. ]

You're the other Apollo, right? The real one?
lesterzeppelin: (the anticipated yet uneasy future)

[personal profile] lesterzeppelin 2019-01-28 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
Uhhhh....

[ Like a deer in headlights, Apollo freezes.

His immediate instinct is to wonder if M spilled the beans, but that doesn't sound right. Midnighter thinks he's a kid full of shit and hubris, not a god knocked down from his former throne. (And even if he did tell his husband, M knows there are some secrets that shouldn't be told.) Apollo racks his brain for how and why his secret could've been told, because man - even the press doesn't know.

(Not once does it occur to him that he might've spilled the beans on himself online, because frankly, he's a bit of an old man when it comes to social media.)

He glances over, making sure the media's preoccupied with business mogul Iris West, or something that Riptide did (again), before giving Apollo a low, slow nod.

softly, like he's trying to piece a puzzle together: ]
Yeah, that's me. How'd you know?
solarcharged: (43)

[personal profile] solarcharged 2019-01-29 01:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Deer in headlights. Apollo is used to inspiring that kind of reaction from people – being six foot five and built like a bus will do that to most people - although it’s usually from a guilty conscience more than anything. He grins reassuringly and slaps a warm hand on the real Apollo’s shoulder. ]

Relax. I make it my business to know as much about Apollos as possible. I’ve turned the network inside out, looking for my – sorry, our name. [ He pauses, then hastily adds: ] Not out of vanity, mind you. It’s more of an occupational hazard.
lesterzeppelin: (the way I should go)

[personal profile] lesterzeppelin 2019-02-01 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. [ Lester lets out a low, slow breath, flinching at Apollo's touch - mostly because he wasn't expecting it. If it was through social media, maybe he should tell Will and Nico to be more careful about flinging his name around.

But also, he's been here a year and no stray gods or goddesses have tried to smite him, so maybe he's in the clear? ]
Yeah, that... that makes a lot of sense.

[ The occupational hazard comment, though, gives him pause, and he really looks up at Apollo, noting the actual foot-and-a-half of height between them. Gods, this guy is tall.

Skeptically: ]
You mean people are dumb enough to mess with you?
solarcharged: (54)

[personal profile] solarcharged 2019-02-01 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
People are dumb enough to try.

[ He says it simply, without bravado or boasting. It's just a fact of life; people like to think they can fight him, but they're very nearly always proven to have thought wrong.

The heavy hand on the other Apollo's shoulder pats once before falling away as Apollo helps himself to a fresh glass of wine from a passing waiter. ]


But actually I meant more that this isn't the first world I've stumbled in to with other Apollos. I've met quite a few over the years.

[ He points a finger at Apollo. ]

You're the first one that's actually the real deal, you know.
lesterzeppelin: (radiant strength dwells in)

[personal profile] lesterzeppelin 2019-02-07 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ Alternate universes, huh... Apollo relaxes, though he can't help wondering just how wild M's world must've been. The guy hadn't let on the full story, and Apollo's known him for what, a year by now? ]

Just like you're the first who took me at my word. [ He grins, finishing off his sparkling grape juice - ] Not that I'm upset. If anything, I'm thrilled... but what led you to think that, and not that I'm some Greek kid "full of shit?"

[ If he's quoting a friend, he sure doesn't seem like it, even as he finishes his sentence in air quotes. ]
solarcharged: (43)

[personal profile] solarcharged 2019-02-08 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Apollo shrugs expressively, unconcerned by the question. ]

Because weirder things have happened. Why shouldn't you be the real deal?

[ Okay, so a teenager isn't exactly the first thing Apollo would think of when he thinks of his namesake, but does that matter? He's learned the hard way that the gods aren't always exactly what humanity thought they would be like. ]

Besides, I've met other kinds of god and they've been a hell of a lot weirder than a teenager. [ He pauses to sip his drink, then adds: ] In fact I'd officially call you a pleasant surprise.
lesterzeppelin: (ride that accelerating gale)

[personal profile] lesterzeppelin 2019-02-11 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That's a good question. Apollo furrows his brow, thinking of the excuses that came to mind - because he sounds young, because his blood bleeds red rather than the ichor to which he's accustomed, because his memories are so jumbled that he sounds like a cocky little kid, and because... because he wouldn't have chosen this form in a million years.

Yet Apollo - the one who looks like a god - trusts him, and that makes Apollester's cheeks burn a bright red. ]


Oh? [ Gods, is it possible to have a crush on someone who shares a name with you?? Even a teeny, tiny one? Apollester fiddles with his bracelet as he hands off his champagne class to a waiter. ] That's high praise, I'll have you know. The kind that usually grants some kind of blessing, if I were able to hand those out...

[ but he'll settle for verbal praise, even if it makes him uncomfortable and fidget-y. ]

Seriously, thanks. That means a lot.
solarcharged: (54)

[personal profile] solarcharged 2019-02-15 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Apollo beams softly in reply and brushes away Lester's thanks with a gentle wave of his hand. ]

It's nothing. Don't worry. Although if you ever are handing out blessings, I wouldn't say no.

[ Apollo isn't even sure what Apollester means by a blessing... but it can't be a bad thing, can it? ]
lesterzeppelin: (radiant strength dwells in)

[personal profile] lesterzeppelin 2019-02-21 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll have to keep that in mind.

[ If his memory holds out on him, and he restores his power, then it'll happen. He made a promise, and he's trying out this new thing of keeping them. ]

Unfortunately, I'm mortal now, which limits my blessings to a decent playlist. [ or noise-cancellation. ] Kinda surprised I haven't had to use it so far, you know?
solarcharged: (43)

[personal profile] solarcharged 2019-02-23 09:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ Apollo grins; sometimes, he thinks, it would be nice to have a superpower that won't cause mass devastation if he accidentally sneezes at the wrong time. ]

Oh, you need to rectify that. Immediately. There must be a whole host of nightclubs who would fall over themselves to sign up an imPort DJ. Or you could always throw a party?
lesterzeppelin: (the real fun's just getting started)

[personal profile] lesterzeppelin 2019-02-24 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I would, but that would take away time from my kids.

[ He's practically beaming, with excitement that suits a kid much more than some lofty immortal as he declares, arms wide - ] I'm a music teacher. Most of my students are like, kindergartners, but between you and me, that's the best time to grab 'em. They're full of limitless potential.