Second Chances: the Network

I get traditions are tradition. I do. But leave that poor groundhog alone. No matter what happens with his shadow, we have six weeks until the Spring Equinox.

It has always been six weeks no matter how you slice it.

Six weeks till Spring.

Six weeks left of winter.

Six.

Weeks.

The Liaison Officer tried to explained things but I am kinda freaked out right now. I was at a gas station and the next thing I know I'm here! And it's freezing outside. But the officer said I should post something so... okay?

My name's Diana, I'm 17, originally from Chance Harbor, Washington, which I can't find online anywhere. No searches or no maps nothing. So other than the being-15ish-years-in-the-future thing, there's that. Though, technology's really improved since 2012. Is this normal? Are we just here now and that's it?

Okay... No Grant, no Circle - but you were trying to clear your head anyway. You didn't cast anything to get here, you didn't cast reflexively when you got here. You're fine.... You just need to keep a lid on the dark. And try to keep calm. You can figure this out. Just hold it together.

[Una Chin-Riley and Christopher Pike]
The Liaison Officer gave me your names and said that you two would be keeping an eye on me. That's really nice of you - and I appreciate it - but I can look after myself; I don't want to impose. And it might be safer...

Hey, so, everyone who wished for snow and cold weather? I'm not magicking it anymore, thanks, I feel like we're good for a year or ten.

[Filtered AGAINST Chris and Una]
So...my parents are getting married. And I don't really know if there's anything special I'm supposed to be doing? I'm so truly, genuinely excited and happy for them but like...what's the traditional way to show that? And does tradition matter when two of you are from hundreds of years in the future and the other isn't even from this realm??

I assume gifts are a thing but is it just gifts for the wedding? Are engagement gifts a thing, too? Are engagement parties a thing? If Fig were here, she'd know what to

Suggestions, please! They're amazing people who took on a kid that isn't theirs and made her into theirs and I want them to know how appreciated and loved they are!

I have never really been a fan of cold weather like this. It makes me think of winters back home, which weren't always kind to my family.

However, one thing that I do like about the cold is making food that just warms the entire body. Thankfully, I have everything I need to make stroganoff, so no need to go out in this weather for groceries. I'm making an extra large pot, so if anyone doesn't want to go out in this to hunt down food, I can save you a plate.

This is the kriffing worse. I can manage in the fog, but the ice? Yeah, no. I ate ground a little more than I wanted.

Is this normal weather here? I hate ice planets. I don't like being cold.

It's funny that no matter how many different calendars I learn about - lunar, solar, other planetary ones... something about the Terran calendar year turning over still feels like a new start.

And I/we've got some good news to share. Operation: Put a Ring on It was a success!

SHE SAID YES!

For some unknown reason, the gods have smiled and Una's agreed to marry me. With everything that's happened back home and here, felt right to seize the opportunity.

Una

No take backs.

Quentin & Adaine

Thanks again for all your help with this.

Of all the goddamn mornings to oversleep, I had to pick this one. I still gotta get the ham ready to go in the oven for dinner, and that's not even worrying about the sides...

Hope y'all have an amazing Christmas, and if you don't have anywhere you're going for dinner then come on over and make yourselves a plate, food'll be done by 1p.

This is my first time really celebrating Christmas, so, hit me with your 'must-try' Christmas traditions.

Also, it seems ridiculous that tomorrow is the last day of finals, but then they want us to have a normal day of class on Friday. Are we actually going to do any work?

[ZED]

What are your thoughts on ugly Christmas sweaters? Because I have an idea.

[Fam: Ray, Zed, Loki, Sylvie]

Are we doing anything for Christmas and/or Yule?

So, Lila mentioned this on National Cookie Day and lots of folks have been talking about cooking and baking - would we want to do a holiday potluck / cookie / whatever exchange? open to everyone, no cooking required.


Also, I've managed to build & juryrig some sleighs into sand sleds, so at the stables will be doing sleigh rides on the beach through new years. If you want to see me drive a sleigh with a team of horses - and maybe be dressed like Santa.

[Adaine & Quentin]

Alright, team. When are you free this week. There's some jewelry shopping I need your help with.

[Una]

That dress you wore to the art show - any chance I can convince you to wear it again on a date some time?

I'm sorry to whoever's window I plummeted past five minutes ago. It's fine, no splat. But I get it might have been concerning. Your tree looks nice!

[ Elliot, Hardison ]

Elliot. You have a friend called Ezra who's from a future science-fiction place. A guy called Ezra is talking to the new girl who's from a future science-fiction place and he mentioned school. Do you have a kid.

I mean, I'm not surprised, you're good with kids. But you didn't say he was a kid when I said he had a cool name!

In case anyone doesn't have plans today, feel free to drop by our apartment (509). We'll have food throughout the afternoon and evening. There will of course, be turkey (which has been brined since earlier this week) and all the fixings including plenty of vegetarian options and three types of stuffing because I might be an overachiever. And multiple pies since my response to the apple vs pumpkin vs pecan debate is all of the above.

Come for as long as you want or just for a doggie bag.

[Starfleet + Chris & Una's Friends & Family]

All of you are obviously invited and welcome to bring friends/guests. There's no way we're going to run out of food

[SpaceFantasy]

In case I/we don't say it enough, Adaine, I'm so grateful you're in our lives and part of our family here.

[Quentin]

After the holiday, I may need your assistance with something.

This is a surprise. I don't like surprises that put me in strange places. They make me stabby.

The suits said my people are here.

[ filtered; friends & family ]

Chris didn't really get the longer chance that I did to try and let everything sit for a little while. I went back home to live more of our lives and got back on the 6th here. Not long to be gone but enough to worry some. I might not have had a say in it but I am sorry for the worry I caused.

Whatever that feather was that I found later, I didn't expect to find my away-mission armor in my closet later. I think my heart wanted a better way of protecting me and mine should something like last month happen again.

Filter: Serenity Crew

Kaylee was just helping me with something I had to do. Didn’t want to bring that trouble to any of your doors so leaving seemed like the best option.

Filter: Eliot Spencer

Your tip about that shady guy at the bar paid off. Thought you should know.

Filter: Kitty Norville

Hey. [...] Sorry.

And just like that, the systems are mine.

I got the network. I got the phones. I got the CCTV around the apartments. I got what the liaisons had, and now it is only us. You can still call and text anyone outside of our network, but anything you post can't be found by any non-displaced resident.

If anyone, even friendlies, tries to hack this, they will get a nasty little something as a consequence. I have contingencies built into the system in the event of my departure, but as long as I'm here, Big Brother can't get any of our information.

And with that, I'm gonna go sleep for 36-48 hours. If you see me on here, don't judge. I'll at least be in bed.

I'm not sure how these bugs got in this apartment, but I've got the best bug zapper on the market. I'll make short work of this. Probably get rid of 'em in a couple of days.

Unrelated, but, y'all. The internet is forever. You gotta be careful what you put out there for everyone to see. You never know who's on the other end of the screen.

[Friends + Associates 18+]

Ran into a stranger in a bar last night who was awful chatty. I couldn't put a pin in it but there was something strange about the whole thing. Mostly because who thinks I look like the kind of guy who wants to have a heart to heart over my beer?

I was talking to Hardison about it and he IDed him just because we were curious. Nothing fishy about the guy, not on any list anywhere, but he's pretty far from home to be having a drink by himself.

Maybe I'm being paranoid, but maybe keep an eye out anyway.

Okay, so this is clearly not Boston and not Valhalla. No idea why Odin would send me to San Francisco, this isn't our normal territory. Unless this is just another trick of Loki's, in which case... ugh..

Um, hi. I'm Samirah, and I guess I'm stuck here too?



[Ray Palmer]

Mister Palmer? I believe you're my guardian here. I won't be much trouble. Just don't mind the axe. I think the only weird thing is that I keep a halal diet, but that mostly just affects meat and I can help take care of that. Or I don't mind eating vegetarian if that's simpler.

I know y'all just heard from me, and normally, you know, I sorta just lurk, watch, read your very public conversations (some of y'all are nasty (good for you)).

But today is a very special day, and this painting might not live very long, so I need to share with you Old Nate's wall buddy.

I call it Beauty, Grace, Punch You in the Face.

Happy birthday, big guy! Everyone tell Eliot happy birthday when you see him! Sing, too, if you feel like it. He loves that.

[Private to Stephen Strange and Simon Tam and Zoe Hart]
I saw mention of a clinic either in the apartment building or near it.

I got space near it. I have the licenses and other official paperwork you need, both through my means and our handlers'.

I just need y'all to go through the catalogs and then walk through and let the contractors know what you need so they can build it out. Don't worry 'bout the money of it all.
[end]

[Filter to 21+ minus Stephen Strange, Simon Tam, and Zoe Hart]
We're opening a clinic near the apartments if you'd like to help fund it. Money isn't an issue, but I wanted to open this up to other residents.

Don't feel like you have to contribute. It's only if you can, and even if you can't, you'll still be able to use it.
[end]

[Private to Clint Barton]
Can I build an arcade in one of your community centers that's closer to home so the kids have something that's easier to get to. And where they won't have to pay to play, but that part's hush hush.
[end]

I might need a new hyper-fixation. I put 100 hours on a new video game in the last week. 👀😵‍💫