The Doorway: a panfandom game

I will be back. Wicked calls my name.

Let me die

I dreamt that I sat on a wide verandah in the French West Indies and the scent of the dew, the blooming flowers and the raw cane from the fields filled me with wild delight. It was cool, yet, and I stood to descend the stair only to hear the call of a macaw from within. Qui-est la, he said. Qui-est la. Again and again. Qui-est la. I made no reply. Qui-est la? Finally, as I moved away I heard him answer himself. Che Coco. The poor beast's wings were clipped and as it rustled on its perch, I could not hear the creak of wood as I descended into the yard.

Beneath the wide bows of a tree (willow, perhaps), I stopped and upon turning to gaze back at the house to get my full bearings I noticed that flames leapt from the roof and danced along the edges of my vision. The house was burning and there was no one within or without who seemed to see. Children moved through the yard with their eyes averted. A woman, her skirts catching the edge of the flame, rocked in a chair upon the verandah. And I, rooted to my spot, could only watch for I could neither move nor sing out to warn these folk of their imminent demise.

There was only Coco. With his clipped wings alight, he hopped from surface to surface until he sat upon the wide railing and called out again: Qui-est la. I knew that he would attempt to save himself but the poor bird, upon spreading his flame-engulfed wings, soared free for a moment before he fell in a heap at my feet. I began to kneel to offer him what succor I could.

Then I woke.

I haven't spent a whole lot of time around the Tower so far this month. First, it was the rotten eggs smell (which surprisingly isn't the worst food-related thing I've smelled, but it's close), then there was that laundry room disaster.

A lot of my time has been spent familiarising myself with the city. Getting the hang of my immediate surroundings was fairly simple, but I just hadn't found the time before now to actually explore. Actually, that's a lie. I had plenty of time, I just never bothered. I like New York. It's similar to home but different enough that things are throwing me off and keeping me on my toes. I'm almost used to cars being driven on the wrong side of the road. Almost.

In honour of Larry I went to the SoHo Film Festival on Saturday. Well, at least I tried to go to the festival. A pillow fight and more kilts than I've seen since my holiday to Aberdeen in grade nine kind of became rather hard to ignore distractions.

I'm trying to think of a way to end this, but I'm not really sure what else to say. I've been here a month already, and I'm not cripplingly lonely or perpetually bored, so I suppose those are good things. I'd still rather be back home, but I suppose most of us feel that way.

Oh, also. My roommate has vanished. She was nice enough I suppose. Does this mean I'll get a new one?

Well that was unexpected. Ain't ah glad ah was a good girl last night, yeah?

Air horns are never a good wake up call despite what you think. Glad ya'll didn't get near me, ah practically leapt off the couch. Tha' coulda been messy.

TEXTS TO BRUCE BANNER:

» How's the genius faring today, good sir?

( S.H.I.E.L.D. Advisory Notice to Potts Tower Network )

nononononononononononononononononononoinonononoomonobonpionono

Who: Mara Jade & Luke Skywalker
What: A road-trip and a bit of training.
Where: New York State.
When: Sunday, April 7 (slightly backdated).
Rating: Low
Status: COMPLETE



( It was interesting that Mara had never considered travel as something she could be addicted to until she was no longer in a situation where she could easily travel. )

I've been taking the time to have a look around the city and I rather like it. There are a lot of tall buildings and people don't have a tendency to look up. Of course, the latter was a failing of people back home as well so it's not really a criticism, more a facet of human nature. It does however have a lot of rats which is depressingly familiar. However, since the rats aren't carrying a plague which turns people into weepers and don't have a tendency to swarm and eat people down to nothing within a few minutes, I find I don't mind them that much.

You elves talk about desiring death because your souls are tired of trying to subsist in a world that doesn't totally understand you as it continues to self-destruct. I think Leoben understood that; I hope he finds peace on the other side.

I wish that this place had garden space. I'd kill everything because I'd go on a mission and forget about it and it would dry up just like that. But wouldn't it be really nice, in essence, to be able to grow some of our own stuff?

I think I got inspired when I went away this weekend because everything we ate was more or less grown on site and it tasted better than I ever remember anything tasting.

Somehow, somewhere, Sick Boy and Renton are celebrating.

I can feel it in my bones.

[SHERLOCKED]

I think our associates talked.






[OOC: Discussion of drug use, heroin addiction, Which -- I guess I should have realised would happen when I mentioned Trainspotting]

Who: Mycroft Holmes & Sherlock's handler Greg Lestrade
When: Monday morning
Where: Mycroft's flat
What: Greg returns Mycroft's umbrella to get back Joan & Sherlock's turtle so he can trade Clyde II for his sofa!
Rating: PG

( Placeholder )

Okay, that was the best bank robbery I ever got in the way of. It's always funny when you're minding your own business and then BOOM! Crime lands in your lap. You can look for me on the news tonight.

FILTERED: AVENGERS & ALLIES (All universes):

So one of the guys I took down? Guess what his name was?

Anyone who said David Cannon gets a giant cookie. One I'm not making.

FILTERED TO X-MEN MUTANTS, ALL 'VERSES (*):

You kids get it all out of your system last night? Or this mornin - saw more than a few toss their cookies in some shrubs on the run.

Better hope so, because what you kids need is direction. We don't got Xavier's or Jean's school here. We don't got a Danger Room or scenarios were can run on the front lawn. But we also don't got the baggage and the public hate we had back home. Still need to be trained. Still need to learn discipline.

Few of us have set up a warehouse we think'll do just fine. Back to the roots. Vacation's over. If they need the X-Men, we're gonna be here for this world, and if you wanna join, you've gotta be good enough to take the name. That means training.

Adults, we're gonna need everybody on board to train with their strengths, show these kids what you know and how you got there. Junior X-Men, you're in training. Anybody who wants it, gets it. Don't want or think you need it? Get lost.

We'll do a rotating schedule, I'm thinkin 3-4 days a week, but I'm gonna leave that to the adults better with time management, cause if it was my idea I'd have you there every damn day.

[OOC: * If your character is classified as a mutant even if they're not specifically an "X-Men" or they're only on one team, etc, they're included. This is pretty open. So Magneto, Raven, Laura/X-23 are all on this! Poke me if you're not sure!]

When you don't have a job, money disappears really fast. Booze is expensive when your roommate won't get you free drinks at the bar he works at.

If I'm gonna be here for a while, I need a job. I played pro basketball in Europe and I know sports radio, and I'm a good manny. I bet there are tons of moms here in New York who'd kill for a good manny.

( Delivery to River Tam )

Empty Night.......

First Molly, now Harry - Thomas please tell me at least YOU are still here?

FILTERED TO AVENGERS (616) AND BEN REILLY:

Hey, so, I know everyone was thinking to themselves, "You know what would be better than one Spider-Man from our world?"

No, the answer isn't none.

AHEM. Everyone, this is Ben Reilly. Ben was my substitute for a bit because my powers started fritzing, stuff happened, other things happened after that stuff -- okay, the takeaway is that he didn't really meet most of you because the Avengers were slightly non-existent when he was doing his thing. But you get to meet him now. And, yeah, you're not seeing things. He looks like me beneath all that bruising and blond hair. Reason being because we're genetically the same guy.

Ben, eyes are on you, buddy. Say something profound.

FILTERED TO AVENGERS (616):

I don't want to make this a I-never-ask-favors thing, but just... this is his second chance. Keep that in mind, okay?

Text to Ben Stone
Would you like to go for coffee?
Or something else?

Who wants to go car racing?

Family and Friends
Ok! Leia and I have settled on a birthdate in thus world - May 25th

Does it seem that it's always the same people posting in this? I'm not saying that others don't post but over all it seems like that. I have been thinking that I might like a hobby or something to do with my time, I mostly just work and read. I haven't had any luck getting into any of the local riding schools either which is a shame,

New York Library People Plot
Is it alright that my books are rather tame... A lot of classics and so forth too.

Well that weather change wasn't drastic at all.

I do like all the sunshine, though.

Firefly minus River
This Sunday is River's birthday and I was hoping that we could all go out to dinner for it. Would you join us?

Also do you know if she has any other friends here?

FILTER: X-Men, Mutants, ETC, All Verses and so on.
Hi. Most of you don't know me but I'm Daisy Johnson. I've spent the last two years of my life denying that I was, in fact, a mutant. But since I am here, I wish to make a new start of things. I want to learn how to control my powers better, and better myself with them.

nevermind the fact that I've already tremor-ed someone's heart into smithereens..

Is... is anyone willing to help me figure this stuff out a bit more?

And Yes. I know. My Fury trained me. But he ain't ya'll. welll...never mind Also, I don't expect world secrets, here, just... a lil nudge in the control department. And maybe people my own age to train with.

FILTER: NICK FURY (616)
So I've made my plea. We'll see how it goes, yes?

PUBLIC
I really am thankful for the fresh Spring air. It's lovely.

HULK SMASH

Kidding.

It’s clear this place could use a bit more color in it so here I am. No, I’m not Elphaba and I’m not Fiona from Shrek. I am, however, the one and only Jennifer Walters. She-Hulk if you’re a fan, Shulkie if you’re a friend and Oh Dear God Why if you’re an enemy. I can't say this isn’t the first time I’ve been put up in a Stark residence, but last time I was kicked out for too much partying. Here’s hoping this Tony is a little more understanding. Don’t worry, Tin- Man, I’ve matured since then. You can practically call me responsible.

Now, where are my ‘we missed you’ hugs? Don’t worry, I promise not to squeeze too tight.

[Bruce Banner]
Brucie! Okay, I know you're not my Bruce and I'm not your Jenn, but that's no reason for us to be strangers. I don't know if I exist in this world, but I'm told that if I do she's not big and green. This is probably weird for you, but I’m happy to answer any questions you might have. I'm also available for a thumb war or two. I could take you down as a kid and I can do it now.

[Filtered to Ianto]

Apparently it's Tartan Week in New York. You'd look good in a kilt. And apparently so do I. Besides, kilts are very handy for having fun if you wear them like a true Scotsman.

Also! One of my team, Ashley, mentioned we should probably put a limit on the bar. She's probably right. I suspect many of our fellow refugees could drink us out of house and home.

We should probably also set a date. End of the month? What days could we get at the venue?

[/Filter]

WHO: Christine Chapel and James T. Kirk
WHERE: The Tower
WHEN: 8 April 2013
WHAT: Kirk decides to bug Christine.
RATING: Low
STATUS: Complete!

( Christiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine )

I’m vain enough to admit that I’m curious about this actor with my face. I have rented every movie I could find with him in it and plan on marathoning them all starting immediately. Anyone interested in joining me? We can make this a thing with a new person each week.

And no, Star Trek is not one of them. I already know how that one ends.

Goes to figure - I was about to explain why London had its knickers all up in a bunch during a certain period in history and Margaret Thatcher actually ... dies! Whot? I actually liked her!

And tending bar doesn't come with free floral advice, okay? Acacia, Apple blossom, Azalea - you can't go wrong with the A's. Except for Aconite and Amaryllis. Anemone - depends. Anyway, I'm sure it's online in a dusty, seldom looked at corner of the internet somewhere.

Yes, I crashed at the club. Couldn't be bothered getting home.

It's strange the things you suddenly realize you miss. I haven't heard the Chant of Light in months. The Chant rarely caused me anything but trouble, but Andraste's words did carry their own wisdom.

I did happen upon a giant pillow war the other day. No casualties, outside of the pillows. I think this should be adopted as the leading method of warfare. I know it won't be, but it'd certainly make a healer's life easier.

[Filter Team Fundraising- Amber, Elizabeth, Cinna, Portia, Sam]

I think getting together might be a wise course of action, yes? To work out more than the details we've started so far. We could have it at my apartment if you'd like, though I will promise not to cook anything. Herbal remedies are about the extent of my ability.

Amber, feel free to chastise me for taking so long.

[Hawke]

It is all right if I have some people over to help organize some things for the clinic, yes? I likely should have asked before. I just figured it'd be a quiet place for us to discuss things.

Also I discovered they make playing cards for our game. Nothing exactly like a Wicked Grace deck, not that I'm any good at all at Wicked Grace to begin with.

But I did enjoy that I was on the card called the "King of Hearts".

[Primrose]

Have you been enjoying your time at the clinic so far? I hope you feel that you are learning.

FILTERED TO PETER & ELIZABETH BURKE AND NEAL CAFFREY:

Peter, try to keep yourself contained, but Neal and I are taking a vacation to Ravello, Italy this coming weekend.

I have no plants to water or fish to feed, this is more of an informational post. Try not to get into too much trouble while we're gone.

Hanami has been one of my favorite traditions for a long while, and I intend to continue to observe it while I'm here. If anyone would care to join me, I will be traveling to Washington to view the cherry blossoms later this week. I expect there will be plenty of opportunity to follow the flowers north as the weather warms and the parks and gardens of New York awaken, and this will not be the only excursion to view the blossoms that I will make.

Hello? Can anyone hear this? I'm afraid I don't know anything about this technology that they've given me. No one really explained it to me. They did say that I could talk into this and someone would answer. I don't really understand if I'm doing this correctly.

My name is Elizabeth. I was wondering if there was a Booker DeWitt here? Or possibly a Zachary Comstock. Or even someone named Lutece. They said no one was here, but I'm not sure I trust anyone.

This is the future. It's odd, I didn't imagine it quite this way.

Could someone perhaps help me? I'm from 1912 and well.. I need some help.

Thank you.

TEXT: to Jason Todd
¤ can you bring me a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream
¤ Harry's gone
¤ we weren't close here but... still...
¤ they both left...
¤ im curled up in bed

FILTERED TO PEETA & PRIM:

SORRY guys. I was TRYING to surprise you both with cookies that I baked. I followed the recipe, but I really don't know what I did wrong? I left them on for the right amount of time. It smells like burnt fl - you know when they used to burn tires down by the old mine? And it had that really terrible smell that lingered in your hair? Yeah.

It's too late for me, but RUN. SAVE YOURSELVES.

[Follow-up to this post, filtered to the same senior 616 characters: Bucky, Clint, Carol, Jessica Drew, Nick Fury, Logan, Pietro, Wanda, Peter, Natasha, Tony, Jan and Alex.]

Thank you for your input on the matter of other!Natasha's database. After careful consideration of all that you've said, we've decided to give SHIELD something of a "test case" to see how they handle the information that they're given. Specifically, they've expressed interest in Justin Hammer. Given that Justin exists in this world -- albeit in a different form -- and has acted in a criminal manner here, Tony has agreed to provide them with a file. What they do with this information will determine what, if any, information we provide on personal enemies and "big bads" in the future.

Wanda – if you've already written a file on Doctor Doom, I'd ask that you keep it somewhere safe until further notice.

Pietro – since (some variation of) Magneto is already here, there's some merit to debriefing them if you personally choose to.

With regard to dramatic events like the Civil War and the Secret Invasion, it doesn't appear that there's been enough careless network discussion to necessitate full disclosure. Per Nick's suggestion, I intend to touch briefly and vaguely on them without naming names or putting a target on anyone's back. The point is for them to learn from our (or our SHIELD's) mistakes, and to give them a head start on the threats that lurk beyond this planet. It's my understanding that they're aware of the existence of the Kree, but the sooner that any version of SHIELD knows about the possible existence of a shape-shifting alien race like the Skrulls, the better.

I will still be doing write-ups on some of the smaller-scale foes to better equip SHIELD to prepare for, and deal with, their possible appearance. With Jan's recent capture of Whirlwind, there's every reason to believe that some of them will pop up in some form or another. At this time, however, I will only be disclosing aliases and capabilities –- not real names. I'm not willing to play God and deliver "potential" villains into the hands of a shadowy organization on the basis that they "might" become evil someday. In a world where the Avengers themselves have different origins, the difference between an individual living a normal life and becoming a villain could very well be unwarranted government scrutiny. Accordingly, I won't sanction any pre-emptive profiling of individuals who may not currently (or ever) be destined for villainy. In the event that they make themselves known in a destructive and degenerative manner, that protection will likely cease.

As always, I greatly appreciate your thoughts and concerns. I promise to keep you in the loop as we go forward. Rest assured that I understand the increased importance of transparency in these uncertain times.