Everybody wants to rule the world

[maskormods]

WHO: YOU.
WHERE: Downtown Cape Canaveral
WHEN: Wednesday January 15th, around 5 PM EST
WHAT: Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome.
WARNINGS: None anticipated; let us know if this should be edited.

Cape Canaveral. It's no longer the heat of the day and in January the temperatures will be livable; not too hot and not too cold, either. A pleasant change from the City, perhaps. The sun is on its way to setting but the last light of the day still fills the sky, bursting the city into color. The air smells like ocean.

The locals are friendly and smile and wave, looking on at you in awe. They'll approach if you ask for help, or a question, but they don't want to interfere, either; if you want to be left alone you probably will be. American flags can be seen in many windows and restaurants are rolling out their dinner menus. There's no parade, no big banners, but many storefronts have handmade signs and posters that read:

Welcome, imPorts! We love you!

The woman at the Porter told you what to expect: You know what your tattoo means, you've been given your file, and you know in a few hours they're going to be here to answer more of your questions and see if you'll stand with them or if you'll go off on your own. "It's your decision," one of them had said, but you were already told what you get if you agree and what you don't if you don't. After that's done, she told you, you'll be driven to your new homes.

In the meantime, enjoy the area, or try to. It may not be what you're used to, but after the apocalypse even Florida might seem like an improvement.

Comments

[shutterbugged]

[Spidey's not quite sure where her momentary belligerence comes from -- well, apart from surviving the death of a universe and washing up on the shores of another one with non-consensual tracking tattoos, which is really more than enough once he thinks about it in those terms -- but he holds up his hands, making placating motions until it subsides.]

Most things are, when you think about it. And I didn't exactly have time to pack before we left -- the other place, y'know?

[glassbox]

Yeah. Most things are.

[ they can at least agree on that. she'll take this new universe over the old one, or her home world -- death is a distinct possibility, even a certainty, in both. but it's still a strange and foreign place, reeking of americana. not really her cup of tea.

it's a bit wry when she goes on: ]

Bet the folks around here 'preciate your color scheme anyway.

[shutterbugged]

Heh. I almost hope Captain America shows up again, just to see the look on his face when he sees the decorating scheme.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as proud of my country as the next red-blooded 'Murrican, but -- [And already he's paranoid enough to look around to see who's listening in before he continues. Luckily, whatever regard the locals have for imports extends as far as giving them their privacy. There are a few curious onlookers, but no one within hearing distance.] I mean, I've seen Fourth of July picnics that were more laid back than this.

[glassbox]

[ she understands the implication. even though she's the reckless type herself, experience has taught her to at least be distrustful, if not outright cautious when it comes to things like this. everything is so set up, so prepared. it doesn't take much imagination to think that there must be systems in place for those that resist or disagree too much.

her mind hasn't completely let go of the vague similarities with the mutant containment camps. but she doesn't voice her uncertainties out loud. instead: ]

That mean y'don't wanna sign their papers?

[shutterbugged]

I don't know what I mean, if we're being honest. I'm just-- [he rummages for words]-- tired of being jerked around, you know? There's always a catch somewhere.

[glassbox]

[ it's true. her life experiences have taught her the same thing. she's rarely inclined to think that anything so secretive and vast as a governing body is really ever on your side.

still. ]

Better than the welcome we had back at the last place though.

[shutterbugged]

Yeah, that is a point in their favor. Although, it'd be hard to get a worse welcome than some of the places Lachesis sent us in the last year... [He shudders. And he wasn't even one of the ones sent to Asthenoa.]

[glassbox]

You're tellin' me. Guess we can at least thank the damn machine for not sendin' us back t'any of those places.

[ no fond memories. none at all. honestly, on the surface at least, this place is relatively nice. pleasant even. maybe too pleasant. time will tell. ]

I'll take housin' an' jobs over collars an' prison ships any day.

[shutterbugged]

You can say that again.

[And yet, he finds himself looking at all the store displays again. His shoulders twitch.]

Still. I have this feeling, and I really hope it's just paranoia...

[glassbox]

Maybe. Maybe not. Guess we're all gonna find out, huh?

[ she shrugs lightly, making her words come off a bit nonchalant -- though really, it's not that she doesn't care so much as she's not afraid of what comes next. maybe that comes with the invulnerability, or the headstrong attitude. ]

'Least right now, I figure most of us could use a shower and some clean clothes. Safe place t'sleep wouldn't hurt either. 'Specially for the kids.

[shutterbugged]

I really worry about these kids. Bad enough when it was mostly teenagers, but now it seems like the only ones I run into are preteens. Dimension-hopping kidnap victim isn't a great lifestyle for anyone, but-- [He gestures, mutely.]

[glassbox]

It ain't a nice picture, but there ain't a whole lot we can do about it either. Most of us got barely anythin' but the clothes on our backs.

[ it isn't as if they have xavier's here, to take in all the kids with powers. she misses that -- the feeling of having a sanctuary. ]

Maybe a little stability right now ain't gonna hurt. If it comes with a nasty price tag, we'll figure it out when that comes 'round.

[shutterbugged]

[He sighs, standing there with arms akimbo.]

You're probably not wrong. But me, I'm not so great with not worrying about things. Bitten by a radioactive neurotic, you know how it is.

[glassbox]

[ that earns a vague, wry smile -- though it only lingers a moment. ]

Funny. Worryin' ain't probably gonna help a whole lot though, I'm just sayin'.

[shutterbugged]

I know, I know, I know-- but you don't get very far in my line of work without being an eensy, weensy bit paranoid, either from experience or-- well, just experience.

[glassbox]

Just an "eensy, weensy bit," eh?

[ it's mildly dry, but not fully mocking -- not like she can be. because really, does a little bit of paranoia hurt in a strange new place where they have files on you waiting when you get there? ]

Don't worry, Spidey. We won't let 'em get you.

[shutterbugged]

[He clasps his hands together and pitches his voice to a falsetto.] My hero!

[glassbox]

[ her voice stays dry when she responds, punching him lightly (but not that lightly) in the shoulder: ]

You're hilarious. Anyone ever tell y'how hilarious you are?

[shutterbugged]

[He makes a show of rubbing his wounded limb.]

No. Punches I get a lot of, though.

[glassbox]

Wonder why.

[ she glances at him as he rubs his arm. ]

You'll live. That's barely a love tap.

i'm so mad the axe is canon

[shutterbugged]

I'm just irresistible that way. Y'think maybe it's the Axe body wash?

Speaking of irresistible... I wonder if the generosity of the townsfolk extends towards a free burger or something, because I'm starving.

peter you are so classy

[glassbox]

[ lil surprises herself by realizing exactly how hungry she is when he mentions burgers. with the apocalypse and all, it's been a while since she last ate. ]

That ain't the worst idea I've ever heard. I could go for food. Y'wanna see if we can find somethin'?

[shutterbugged]

[Spidey's stomach growls, right on cue.] Yeah, sounds like a plan. How're your Bambi eyes?