I Wish I Had a Castle in the Sky ( OPEN )

[sidecars]

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: All over America
WHEN: Nov. 14th-24th
WHAT: The Cosmic Cube is creating multiple realities for all the imPorts. Where are these "universes" coming from and who is wielding it? Are you strong enough to withstand the temptation of a new reality and thwart this misguided attempt at happiness?
WARNINGS: N/A

Hey, Davis! Did you move anything? I've got that Barnes kid's stuff logged. [ He has a digital tablet propped up on a clean, steel table full of plastic bags and baskets filled the different paraphernalia. It's rather reminiscent to an experience in the American security line at the airport. One such basket belongs to James Buchanan Barnes. ] Think something's missing. Says six item's logged, but only—Davis?

[ The man was right there a second ago, wasn't he? Looking around there's no signs John Davis had been there at all, except for in his memory. Shit, has he been talking to himself this whole time? Well, it isn't anything important. The string bean isn't going to miss one dumb little paperweight or whatever it was.

Little does he know just how powerful it is... ]


[ John spares no time or energy leaving Cap Canaveral. He doesn't even put up his cleaning cart before he's zipping through security at the blink of an eye. People've been calling him crazy for so long it's isolated him from the regular rhythm of society, but it's all been worth it for this chance. He will be a hero finally, just like the rest of the imPorts he idolizes. People will start to think twice about him and everyone else with powers. They will have the rights they need to protect this country and keep the Commies out.

This is the energy driving him to hold a dangerous item in his possession. He doesn't know a whole lot about it, only what he's gleaned from gossip rags and conspiracy theory websites. But it's worth the chance to find himself in prison, or worse. In the security of his lonely little apartment he holds the Cube in his hands as it pours out tremendous power. Without words it becomes in tune with his inner self and his wishes. It feeds off of it to create something more than itself. In his world imPorts will have just what they want, whatever it is, however contradictory.

But in truth, what good can come out of a thief too wrapped up in his own fantasies? That is no hero, and John cannot truly control the power he is playing with. As it feeds, the air around him turns hot—too hot to even breath. It's like the oxygen is burning up before it reaches his lungs. The world around him begins to fade as he holds on for dear life, but in the end his consciousness is snuffed out; a small sacrifice for a new world. ]

Comments

[pillz]

Don't fucking call me that, [kavinsky protests, but he's distracted. mostly by the box. he steps forward, looking at the box. he zooms in on it with his cameraphone. its hard to tell from the glare on the screen, but it seems like the device is able to pick up the light emitting gently from the artefact.

they're going to make so much money off condoms, assuming that other, more responsible people in the world do actually use them sometimes.] Hey open the top. Let's get a shot inside of all the world things. Use your power so they don't fucking-- fly out or some shit. [he clunks his elbows down on the counter, and positions his camera just so. his eyes are almost maniacally bright with interest.]

[inmyothertights]

[Billy's eyes glow a bit, and then he opens the box, shows Kavinsky the inside. Inside it looks huge, like a portal full of, well.

Full of universes, it's true.

Billy peeks in.]

Yeah, that's about right.

[Billy is starting to think, maybe this kind of thing can be used to port home. He wouldn't mind going home, after all.]

[pillz]

[it's fortunate billy doesn't say that out loud, probably. kavinsky would seize onto that idea with more fervor than is very healthy, considering what awaits him at home is a fiery death amid the screams of his sworn nemeses.

he's just thinking about condom ads. fame. how dirty funny this will be once he posts it on bluetube or whatever.]

I wonder how many people actually fucked in their miniverses, [he says.] Are you gonna figure out where the power comes from?

[inmyothertights]

I'm going to try.

[He looks down at the box in his hands and then back up at Kavinsky.]

If I succeed, well.

Who knows.

[pillz]

I guess no motherfucker knows, [kavinsky says,] but you kind of sound like you have an idea.

[he swivels the camera up to focus on billy's face. he'll edit this part out for bluetube.]

What's the fucking idea, Kaplan? You holding out on me?

[inmyothertights]

Keep pointing that camera in my face and I'll electrocute your hands.

[He says it genteely enough, not really a threat so much as a mild request. He's starting to speak Kavinsky's wolf-tongue.]

No ideas yet. Give me a few weeks and a look in a couple of the books.

[pillz]

Hmmmmmmm, [kavinsky says, merrily. he stops filming and watches the video process with a spinny icon. and then he thumbs over to examine his handiwork. the device can't quite capture all the delicate hues of blue in billy's power, but he thinks that just adds to its authenticity.]

You can have twenty percent of the proceeds when I sell this shit online.

[he straightens, moving away from the box of worlds. propping himself up on an elbow.] Open to negotiation, if you wanna sell your store instead of rubbers.

[inmyothertights]

Are you offering me ad space?

[Billy's eyebrows are nice and high. Although, the simple truth is that he would not be opposed to that. And then:]

Sell what? The condom box? You're not selling the condom box.

[pillz]

[kavinsky snorts. he bangs his heels on the counter with liberal abandon, unconcerned he might maybe break shit.] Not the box, [he says.] The video, man.

Pretty decent show of what you can do. You didn't notice? Motherfucker, you saved the world. Minimum, three cities in the United States.

[inmyothertights]

Oh.

[He looks down at the condom box.]

Well. I mean, probably. Yes. I probably did to that.

[Said with all the conviction of someone who has done this before.]

[pillz]

[it doesn't surprise kavinsky, honestly. it seems like the cities, the natives, the imports, they're always in some peril or other.]

You wanna get fucking famous for it? [he presses.] Take some fucking credit, man. [he waves his phone around pointedly. it's paused on an early frame of the video, billy suspended in the air and surrounded by a miniature aurora of his own power, luminous in the half-light of the shop. he looks ethereal. powerful.] Or not? Jesus.

[inmyothertights]

Wow I didn't realize how blue everything looks from the outside.

[Jesus christ, Billy, focus.]

Look, if you want to put it up, it's fine, but like. You don't need to.

[pillz]

[kavinsky snorts emphatically, because he is definitely the best most supportive friend an insecure young superhero could have. he finally turns toward the door, sets his feet on the floor. the rubber soles of his shoes squeak unpleasantly in the quiet of the store and the aftermath of saving the world.] Je-sus.

Then I'll fuckin' decide, [he says.] Celebrate with a rent boy, Kaplan.

[inmyothertights]

[He barks out a laugh.]

Oh, they'd probably end up turning straight, too.

[That's a no. He lifts a hand as Kavinsky's through the door.]

I'll see you sooner, I'm sure.