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

OPEN

[acrossyourpath]

[ It's almost impossible to believe, but they're alive. She's alive even if she doesn't fully feel like it. The weather is nice and the atmosphere is strangely calm. After what they all just experienced it doesn't feel real.

Felicia is tempted to collapse on a bench, but she instead stops to try and adjust herself in the reflection of a car window. Her enormous hair is smoothed down and her smeared makeup is dabbed at, but she'll need to get herself some new clothes soon. She's still only got one boot on.

A little weightlessly, she finally lets herself sit down on a curb and take in the new scenery. At least, she thinks, they were ready for us. ]

[glassbox]

[ She isn't sure why her eyes pick out Felicia before most anyone else -- it isn't as if they were ever particularly close. She can count the number of times she's spoken to the woman on one hand. Sure, Felicia's always been strikingly pretty, but it's probably more things from the (almost) end of the world still lingering on Lil's mind. She remembers her conversation with Eddie, how he'd said Felicia was important and how, in the moment, Lil had found it romantic, even sweet.

She pauses before approaching, helping herself to a seat on the curb beside the other woman. After a moment, she goes with: ]

...Did he ever find you?

[acrossyourpath]

[ Felicia almost isn't certain at first that Lil is addressing her, until she glances around and sees that they're the only two people in the vicinity, sitting here on this curb. She brushes some hair behind her ear before resting both palms over her knees. She nods. ]

Mm. We found each other. [ She wonders what the two of them talked about. ] Did you find who you were looking for?

[glassbox]

[ that's reassuring somehow. even though everything seems more or less alright now, she'd be hoping that they would find each other. she isn't sure why it mattered so much at the time. ]

Guess I did. [ she still isn't sure what this will mean for her and frank, but. ] Feels kinda silly now though, all that actin' like we were gonna die an' never see anyone again.

[acrossyourpath]

[ Felicia looks at Lil, gaze lingering curiously. It seems like they've been through so much and yet everything is so calm around them just now. It still feels odd. ]

We got lucky. Maybe not even by a large margin. This world could have just as easily not been here waiting. No real way we could have known.

[glassbox]

Yeah.

[ she can only agree. even bullheaded lil can't argue with that. it still doesn't feel entirely real, them ending up here instead of being obliterated. it's almost too good to be true. ]

I dunno. He was worried about you, I think. Bet he's glad you'll be here t'gether.

[acrossyourpath]

[ Worried. Though Felicia knows that, she supposes, it's strange to hear. Eddie isn't someone she really associates much with worry. The two of them spend most of their time worrying mostly about themselves. She plays a little idly with the strap on her one remaining boot, looking at the space of street between her feet. It's tempting, almost, just to shrug in response. ]

I know I am. [ She pauses, then adds carefully: ] It's hard to know what to make of this place.

[glassbox]

[ truthfully, she shares that sentiment -- that uncertainty. but she isn't the type to stop for uncertainties. she'd rather push forward, see where things take her. it's better than standing still. maybe that's reckless, but lil's always been the reckless type. ]

I'm signin' up. Gonna see what happens with it. [ a pause. ] What about you?

[acrossyourpath]

[ She has to think about that. Sure, it seems like the smart thing to do... even if she hates the idea of being, somehow, marked, the idea of being stuck in a strange new universe without anything even briefly doesn't sound tempting just now. ]

I'm thinking about it. What else do we have to lose, right? [ It's a little dry. ] Doesn't sound like they're asking anything we wouldn't already be doing.

[glassbox]

At least for now.

[ she voices that addendum without really thinking about it, pausing when she's realized what she said. it's cynical, but not exactly unrealistic. she'd simply barreled through her doubts and made a decision -- though that might not be the best method for making important choices.

after a beat: ]

I guess it's better than nothin' right now, that's all.

[acrossyourpath]

[ Felicia nods her head, looking at the ground. It's dry beneath her bare, stocking-clad foot. Almost warm. She doesn't sound concerned, when she speaks again: ]

I'll say it is. If not for some of the leashes I'd almost call it a meal ticket. [ But-- ] I've never been one for rules. Have to think about if it's all worth it.

[glassbox]

I ain't really much for rules myself.

[ it's that recklessness. and she's got a bit of a selfish streak -- she knows that. if she ever aligned herself with a government before, it wasn't out of loyalty. not to the faceless body of authority, anyway.

lil sighs. ]

Wonder what they do t'folks who break the rules around here.

[acrossyourpath]

[ That earns a smirk. The situation may not be ideal, but as they discuss it the more trying to investigate loopholes becomes tempting. It's one of the pleasures of being a risktaker. ]

Sure we'll find out eventually. Wouldn't mind pulling on the leash a little and seeing just far it stretches. No one has eyes everywhere. And-- [ She glances around the street, which is dimly sunny and milling with a moderate handful of passerby in short sleeves and the occasional cargo shorts. ] This clearly isn't a police-state we're dealing with.

[shutterbugged]

Hey, Felicia.

[Spider-Man plops down next to her (not too next, not when even he's noticed how ripe he is with days of accumulated grime) and leans back on his palms. After a quick glance shows her to be in one piece, he's happy enough to get down to some people-watching.]

Should I say I'm glad you made it here?

[acrossyourpath]

[ She looks over at him and, despite everything, manages a slight smirk before she sits back, leaning on her palms. Familiar voices are comforting in some peculiar way, given how Felicia isn't much the type to look for comfort. ]

Maybe not, but I'll allow it. The feeling's mutual anyway. Nothing broken?

[shutterbugged]

Eh. [He lifts a hand-- the one that didn't get dislocated a few days ago-- and makes a 'so-so' gesture.] Suit's trashed and my dignity took a drubbing, but nothing that time and a fresh order of spandex can't fix. You?

[acrossyourpath]

[ She lifts a leg into the air. ]

Lost a shoe, but the bones are intact. Shoes you can always find more of. [ Find, steal, whatever. ] Luck usually is on my side.

[shutterbugged]

[Beat.]

...I just realized I don't have any real clothes in this entire universe.

[acrossyourpath]

[ She stares for a moment before she smirks, stifling a mild laugh behind her hand. ]

But these ones are so flattering.

[shutterbugged]

[He punches her on the arm, lightly.]

Go on, make me feel a little more self-conscious.

[acrossyourpath]

Don't tempt me, Spider. You know where I keep my claws.

[ She winks cheekily. ]

[shutterbugged]

[He pretends to cringe back in fear.] I'll be good!

[Beat.] If only 'cause I don't have the spandex to spare.

[acrossyourpath]

[ She smirks again, content in victory. ]

Clothes here can't be too hard to come by anyway. Play nice enough and they might even give them over for free.

[shutterbugged]

[Spidey spreads his hands wide, incredulous.] Are you suggesting I sing for my supper? Because I know you've heard my singing voice.

[acrossyourpath]

Sing, dance, whatever comes most naturally. Be creative. Someone will take pity.