The Doorway: a panfandom game

( cut, not filtered )
That was my view this morning. We were up early enough to take a walk on the beach and watch the sun rise.


Filter to Walter Blythe

Do you remember when I applied and interviewed for the teaching position at Poplar Academy? They called me yesterday. They're giving me the position, which is wonderful, but they also would like me to be a long-term substitute for that teacher for the rest of the year. He's been diagnosed with cancer. It's only stage 1, but he would rather focus solely on getting well over the next few months, and I really can't blame him.

They need me to give an answer by the end of the week. I'm inclined to say yes.

Filter to Mary Margaret, Laura Roslin

As you both know*, I've applied and interviewed for a position at Poplar Academy. It was originally going to start this autumn, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he is electing to take a leave of absence for May and June. They have decided to hire me regardless, but they are offering me the chance to take on his classes for the remainder of the school year. They've asked me to let them know of my decision by the end of this week, and as soon as I know, I will be sure to let the both of you know as soon as possible.

*Alex, let's say that Anne informed her of this when she let MM know?

Greetings everyone,


My name is Steve Rogers. Some of you may know various versions of myself who have been here for some time now. Others of you, as I understand it, may have some memory of previous visits I have made here. I would like to take the opportunity, here and now, to extend an open invitation to any of you whom I have known and apologize for my lack of memory. If you would be interested in getting reacquainted, I would be more than happy to try and schedule a time that would work for both of us to work this out.

To those of you I have not yet met, or who I do not have pasts with, please do not feel this should detract you in any way from reaching out to me here. I would be interested in meeting any of you, especially considering it seems we'll be living side by side for the foreseeable future. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, I welcome you to direct them to me here, in public or in private, and I will do what I can to answer them.

Happy Easter and God Bless.

We all know that tomorrow is a very important day for all life on this planet, and that the very best of us will be speaking on our behalf. The rest of us who have remained healthy, however, have an equally important task set before us: that of taking care of those who have fallen ill. If you will be assisting SWORD and the crew of the Ascension while leaving friends or loved ones on earth and would like assistance in ensuring they are tended to, please do speak out here. I will gladly add them to my little list of people to look in on, and I am equally sure that others will be willing to step up and join me.

It should go without saying, but I'll mention it anyway, that the Potts Tower Youth Center was closed today and will be for the foreseeable future, until both our children and staff have recovered from this illness that has affected so many. Additionally, Youth Night was canceled this evening, and will be so until the Youth Center is open once more.

Filter to Mary Margaret

Are you still not sick? And Neal?

Steve, Walter, and Basil have all come down with it, so it's left to me and Bucky. Neither of us are having very good birthdays this year.</strong>

Just a reminder that tonight is the video game slumber party at the youth center! We've got pizza, sub sandwiches, brownies, ice cream, and more chips and soda than I've ever seen in my life (yes, most of it is Mountain Dew and Doritos). Teens and pre-teens, you are welcome and encouraged to come by. I've had a promise extracted from me that I'll play Mario Kart, so anyone interested in watching me get my behind kicked should definitely show up by 9 this evening.

We've also got some movies set up, and a room or two just for people who want to socialise. Everyone is welcome, but please, only the youth and their chaperones will be sleeping here.

I also want to thank Billy Kaplan for hosting Wednesday night's party. It was a fun event and I think that more like it should be planned.

Filter to Bucky Barnes (EMH)

What do you want for your birthday? And how do you want to celebrate?

Who: Everyone who performed at or attended the PTYC Talent Show
When: Saturday night, February 28, 2015, beginning at 7 p.m.
Where: a local community center not far from Potts Tower
What: the PTYC Talent Show
Rating: Low, probably

---

The doors opened at 6:30, and shortly after 7 the show began with an introduction by Anne Blythe, Mary Margaret Blanchard, and Jean-Luc Picard. They announced that the monies raised would benefit the Children's Aid Society of New York, with a preliminary sum of a pretty decent amount going to the charity. After that, they turned the stage over to the first of the performances.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

I also hope everyone will mark their calendars for February 28th, because at 7 o'clock that evening the Youth Center and Jean-Luc Picard will be hosting a talent show, to benefit the Children's Aid Society of New York City. This will definitely be family friendly, with refreshments sold. Please stop by the Youth Center if you're interested in purchasing tickets. If you're interested in performing, also stop in to fill out a form! Everyone is welcome to showcase their talents; we won't be turning anyone away.

Filter to Steve

I had an interesting conversation with Kathy MacComber on Friday -- she teaches Algebra at Poplar Academy and her son is one of the children in the daycare at the Youth Center. It seems that the senior English teacher, Hugh Pringle (honestly, I can't actually beyond the coincidences in this story), will be retiring at the end of the year. She's put in a good word for me with the administration, and thinks I should apply.

I know you'll tell me to do what I feel is right for me to do, but I don't know whether it's to stay here at the Youth Center, or move onto a new position. I looked into it some, and if I apply and I am accepted, it would also behoove me to start earning a Master's Degree in education. I could start on that this summer, before or after our vacation.

I can't even think of what Matthew and Marilla would advise me to do, because I know they would be so proud of me either way.

I don't know if I'll enjoy the Super Bowl, but I can say with absolutely certainty that I am enjoying the Kitten Bowl, and I will probably also enjoy the Puppy Bowl when it is on in a little while. I do have to admit that this is making me want a cat, though. But not a kitten, though. I think an older cat would be preferable.

I must mention, though, that I have come into possession of some new powers, which makes it difficult to interact with people as I normally do. I am still at the youth center, though, but expect me to be not as present for a short while I continue to understand my powers and learn to control them. I will be wearing gloves in public, but but aware that if you visit me at home, I won't be, and so touching me, skin on skin, will result in vertigo for you for the duration of our contact.

Speaking of, if there is anyone who is willing to help me to learn to understand and control my powers, I would be very appreciative, and will of course compensate you for your time.

Filter to her students & Delta advising group

I am deeply sorry for having had to adjust our schedule this week to being mostly online work, but I'm afraid that after the blackout I've been affected in some way. At this moment I feel that it is safest for everyone that I keep my distance. I am, of course available via text, phone call, and email.

Filter to SWORD

Hello. I'm Anne Blythe, and I am afraid that I've had an ongoing problem since the blackout of last week. I glowed, and since then I've noticed that if I touch anyone (except Steve Rogers) they are afflicted with dizziness, confusion, and some nausea. In extreme cases (a child, specifically) they have became physically sick at their stomach. I know I should have contacted you sooner, but I've been in a bit of denial, hoping that it would disappear, but it has not.

Filter to Steve, Bucky, Walter, and Basil

I've contacted SWORD about my... problem. I'm still mostly staying away from people. I miss you all, and even though I still see you, I've discovered just how dependant on touch I am in my close relationships. I absolutely can not wait to hug each of you without making you sick.

Filter to Laura Roslin and Mary Margaret Blanchard

Hello, Ms. Roslin. I apologize for not replying to your filter to me, but my life has been turned upside down by recent events and I've been working on overcoming that. I can tell you that we always have room within the PTYC for a person with your background. I am not in the PTYC this week, and I am absolutely certain that Mary Margaret, my co-director for the PTYC, would be happy to meet with you and put the necessary wheels into motion.

Filter to Logan (added during her conversation with Basil)

Hello, my dear friend. I have a favor to ask of you. I'm sure you recall the blackout from last week. During it, I seem to have gained the ability to make people... dizzy, and it can be rather severe. Do you happen to know someone who might be able to help me?

Text to Steve Rogers (EMH), written at 8:47, sent at approximately 8:51 p.m.

-- I need help
-- I'm glowing, and Walter is... sick. Or something.

Filter to Algebra I and II, English Composition, Women's Studies students, and Delta Advising Group

Hello! I'm sorry that I'm posting this so late in the week, but as you're probably aware, it has been quite a busy week for everyone as we settle back into the halls of learning and begin the process of truly readying ourselves for the Regents Exams at the end of the school year. As a reminder, my classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and my office hours on those days will be 8-10 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I will try to make myself as available to you as possible, but please remember that I am also a co-director of the PTYC, and so may not be in my office all the time on those days. If you have any questions or need an adult to talk to, please, please, please do not hesitate to come to me! My cell number is [number], and I live in room 2501. Any and all of you are invited to text, call, or visit me at any time!

To my advising group: I would like to set aside a time to meet with each of you individually within the next week or two, to go over what you've done so far, and you still need in order to advance to the next level of your education, or to graduate. Please get in contact with me, or you will find me bugging you.

Filter to Steve

Is it too early to begin planning a vacation away from New York for this summer?

You know, I'd decided that there really wasn't anything I could possibly want for Christmas, in terms of material possessions. All of my needs are taken care of, and more than that, I am able to afford many things that aren't needed but are wanted -- books, chocolates from the shop down the street. But it's people that I miss most of all, as I believe many of us do. Marilla and Matthew, Diana, Rachel Lynde, Gilbert... I also miss the children that I know I had, but haven't met yet. Sometimes I even miss Charlie Sloane, of all people -- but that's mostly to prove just how Sloaneish Sloanes can be. (Spoiler Alert: So, so very Sloaneish.)

None of those people have been brought here by the Tesseract, and that saddens me. But that sadness was eased, just a little, on Christmas Day when Walter brought me a gift that had been accidentally delivered to him. How well and fondly I remember Marilla wearing her amethyst brooch, and how mortifyingly well I remember the scrape I found myself in when Marilla accused me of stealing it. We both learned something that day, and several years later, on my wedding day, I pinned that same brooch onto her dress. I admired it all over again, and told her how well it looked on her. She told me that one day it would be mine -- and my very fervent wish was that that day would be very, very far into the future. How little I imagined how prophetic that wish would turn out to be! It came to me on Christmas Day, and amidst the laughter and the celebration with my loved ones here -- and yes, they are very deeply loved, all of them -- I had a piece of home with me.

This is belated, but nevertheless: Happy Christmas, Potts Tower. And may this new year bring with it peace, joy, and laughter.

Filter to Potts Tower Youth Center Staff

As some of you are aware, Rose will be leaving us very soon. Her last day is Friday, so we'll be holding a small gathering for her at lunchtime Friday. We're having it catered by the Greek restaurant here in the Tower, so make sure you don't pack your lunch then!

Rose, thank you for being such a wonderful part of our team here. It's going to be very sad here a week tomorrow and you're not here with us.

Who: The whole game!
When: Leading up to Christmas
Where: Under tree. Delivered with bows. Handed to a person. Whatever!
What: Christmas presents!
Rating: Who knows!

Because this game is massive, and even if every character just sent ONE package to anyone, it would end up being so many posts that it would overrun the game. So to save our friends lists from imploding, we the moderators are asking that you fill out this form and reply HERE. It'll make it easier to find (Control-F is a lovely thing!) and we won't have to abuse our scroll button. Here's how we're going to do it. You will post for one character with everything that they got for their friends/family/etc. Make sure to tag your character and all the characters that yours gave gifts too as soon as you get their information up! <b>Character name:</b> Name! <b>GIFTS:</b> • <b>Giftee:</b> Present. • <b>Giftee:</b> Present. • <b>Giftee:</b> Present. • <b>Giftee:</b> Present. • <b>Giftee:</b> Present.

Tomorrow evening, the Youth Center will be celebrating Thanksgiving a week early. We're eating at around 6, but starting at 5 or shortly after the children are going to present a short program, and we're going to show A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. After dinner, we're going to celebrate November birthdays with birthday cake, ice cream, and pumpkin pie. Tomorrow night's activities are open to the families of our children, and friends of the youth center, and we would be honored if you would join us.

TEXT TO STEVE ROGERS (EMH):

-- I have a question.
-- Do you absolutely have your heart set on pumpkin anything at Thanksgiving?

Hello, friends! This is a relatively early reminder that the baking club will be meeting in the 13th floor kitchen on Sunday at 1 p.m. This week we're baking goodies to be sold in a bake sale that will benefit the American Legion, and sold on Tuesday for Veterans Day outside of the Youth Center.

I'd also like to mention that the Youth Center will be having a short program to honor the local veterans at 11 a.m. If you'd like to join us, you are very welcome, and if you are a veteran who should be honored (and that is all of them, including those veterans who are not from America but still fought in wars), please join us. A small reception will follow, and the children will be happy to see you, I'm certain of it.

I think that Halloween might rank up there as one of my favorite holidays -- it was such fun dressing up, and a much-needed distraction from recent events. Bringing one of my new favorite books to life was an added bonus, especially since I was able to do so with two of my favorite people in the world.

I would also like to take the time to announce that the Youth Center will be hosting a baking club for all ages! We'll be having an organizational meeting tomorrow afternoon on the 13th floor at one p.m., for anyone who is interested in joining us! Keep in mind that this is for adults and children alike. I'd like for each adult who joins us to be paired with at least one young person, to be a friend and mentor outside of our endeavor, and for all of us to learn from each other. But as I said, we'll have an organizational meeting tomorrow. Hot drinks and a small snack will be provided, so please join us!

Filter to Steve:

Last night wasn't the time for me to say this, so I'll do it now. I feel the need to apologize. I was completely blindsided by everything that happened at the pumpkin patch. I discovered much about myself that I was perhaps not ready to face since that day, about the nature of love and why I chose the path I did when I came to the end of my time at Redmond. I can't say I would choose differently were I to go back now, because it would never have been a choice truly given to me. But I do know this: I love you, and I love you more deeply and fully than I could have ever imagined it was possible to love someone other than my own child. You are the gift that was waiting for me here, and I'm sorry that I wasted so much time in understanding this gift. I settled for Gilbert, but I am absolutely not settling for you. I am reaching out with both hands to grasp at this time we have together, and I promise not to squander it. Long after I have turned to dust or returned to words on a page, you will remain with me, a part of me.

Filter to Bucky:

Would you like to be my partner in the baking club?

TEXT TO BUCKY BARNES (EMH):

-- I won't lie, I'm worried about you, and I worry for Steve.
-- He loves you so much.
-- And so do I. I love you.
-- But I don't care where you've gone, or how long you think you need to stay away.
-- Be safe, and come home to us eventually.

TEXT TO STEVE ROGERS:

-- Let me know when you find him.
-- I'm coming home tomorrow.

I'd like to remind everyone of the day trip to Washingto, D.C. to visit the Captain America exhibit one last time before it closes. The bus leaves at 6 a.m., so please gather in the lobby of the youth center at 5:30. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring a jacket and spending money.

And of course, if anyone else in the Tower would like to go, you are definitely welcome. Just let me know here.

Bucky (EMH)

How are you?

TEXT TO WALTER BLYTHE

-- Are you safe?
-- I love you, son. I need to know you and Basil are safe and not