video

[faderbroderson]

[The boy who appears on camera could be no more than sixteen, if one were to judge by physical appearance alone. At best, the sober expression and conservative haircut might cautiously elevate him to as old as twenty. It’s the eyes that reveal the lie in that assumption. The eyes and perhaps a quality to his presence, something still and weary and aged that he makes no effort to conceal.]

My name is Godric, and I am newly arrived here.

I do not doubt that many of you have heard every possible question that could be asked in regard to our arrival, so I will be brief.

[A faintly wry expression crosses his face as he says it, as if in apology. But it passes as he pauses for a few heartbeats, unhurried, taking the time to consider his words.]

I am not altogether comfortable being proclaimed a hero, nor am I necessarily comfortable with the hand the military has taken in all this. For those of you who chose to register, if you had doubts, what swayed your opinion? For those of you who chose to abstain, or indeed took any other path, what convinced you it was for the best?

[His eyes wander back to the camera then, his gaze steady, focused wholly at whoever he may be addressing on the other end.]

They say the Porter is sentient, but I wonder over the nature of its intelligence. Do you believe our presence here is as deliberate as they imagine? If so, is it punishment or providence? Or is all this merely chance?

[Another pause and he shifts, eyes going distant and unfocused, considering whether to ask more. Deciding against it, he smiles politely. There’s no real happiness in it.]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

video;

[23wishes]

[Oh boy, this is a heavy one.]

For me, it was personal. In my own world, people there tried to make me use my powers for their own gain. They... more or less, they wanted to enslave me and treat me like an animal, with no care for my own freedom or what I wanted to do.

Coming here... It felt like the same thing.

I don't know this world. I don't know its enemies. I won't fight for them against Russia because I don't know why I should. I can't just believe everything they say and be their pawn just because I was pulled here against my will.

That's not to say I don't still try to be a hero, though. Instead, I just help out where I can, day to day. The government doesn't like it, if you're off doing that kind of thing without their "approval" but who cares?

[faderbroderson]

I can understand your feelings.

[It's been a very long time since he was a slave, but he hasn't forgotten.]

It's admirable that you still choose to help where you can. Do you find that it makes your life more difficult, to act without their approval?

( video )

[jeaniegrey]

I don't really know why the Porter pulls us here or who it decides on taking. I mean, I only just got here not that long ago, but it doesn't seem to be anything anyone's really figured out yet from what I've gathered.

[ There's a brief pause as she glances down from the screen. ]

But I don't want to see anyone get hurt here.

[faderbroderson]

And so far, have you found that's a common sentiment among the people brought here? A desire for the safety of others?

[ video ]

[ididntsaybanana]

I registered at the time because it worked in my favor and because it's beneficial at the moment. However, situations and decisions can change over a period of time. Right now it works for me. Later? Who knows? I don't particularly care about being a hero, and I don't particularly care about being called one either.

[ he pauses, cocking his head slightly as he crosses his arms ]

Maybe it's none of those, maybe it's all of those. I don't really know. I'm still learning a lot about this place and how it functions because despite how new you are here, I've only had a couple of months to get my bearings here.

[ he uncrosses his arms after saying that so he can say, in an almost musing tone ]

Though it does help that I'm not alone here. There's someone else from my world here as well. And that played a big part in what decisions I made here.

[faderbroderson]

So your choice was based more on pragmatism.

[He can respect that.]

This person from your world, they're a friend?

[video]

[wordaday]

[Normally Sookie checks the network on and off throughout the day, just to see if she can offer helpful advice or scope out the recent gossip (it's fun, alright, so sue her). She never really expects to see a familiar face though, not beyond Sam or anything. So when she casually scrolls through and lands on this face—

Well. Maybe it isn't him? The name is different different...but everything else seems the same. His mode of speech, the tattoos, the fangs...

Rrgh, Sam'll understand if she takes a quick break, right?]

Ah....Godfrey?

[faderbroderson]

[Godric didn't expect to see any familiar face here, much less the last face he saw. Excuse him while he runs the expression gamut from surprise to confusion at whatever the hell you just called him.]

Miss Stackhouse? How--

[Okay but for real, the roof was less than a day ago, did they get ported in at the same time? Is she feeling alright? But she's clearly at work and not looking unsettled, except in regard to him.]

...How long have you been here?

[Give him a minute. He's no Time Lord, but he's catching on to the possibility of the non-linear pretty quick.]

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

My decision was personal, after being controlled and used by the government who used me for their own twisted objectives. As such, I decided I would no longer be under anyone's hand or affiliated to any government directly. [ he shakes his head softly ]

It's unfair to say they have forced us to do anything, however, and registration has helped many - specially younger imPorts. And I'm willing to work with the government against common enemy. [ because damn right he sees the Russians as enemies ]

[faderbroderson]

So you chose not to register, but the government still welcomes your help when they require it? Do you also help people of your own volition, without the government's approval?

video

[rathercommon]

I think not registering is a bit silly, honestly. [ Kitty shrugs - ] It's not like it gives them any extra power over us, does it. Just means we get a bit of extra money to use however we want. And how I want is turning right around and pouring it all into good solid social causes.

But anyway. The Porter. [ She gives a little shake of her head. ] Why's it got to be punishing us? I figure, if it is a spirit, it's probably awfully old and awfully frustrated and half-mad by now, poor thing.

[faderbroderson]

[Awfully old, awfully frustrated, and half-mad. No, no, that doesn't ring any bells at all, which is why he's smiling now.]

Perhaps you're right. Perhaps it's all madness and no method. I find myself hoping for some deeper significance in the Porter's choices, but that may be a fool's hope.

Nonetheless, I can respect a pragmatic response to registration. What causes do you support?

[He's genuinely interested. Look at this face, please tell him how he can contribute.]

1/2

[drizzle]

....that wasn't very brief....

[She doesn't want to see him when he's in a talkative mode while all at once she does too. He doesn't seem like a bad person neither. Thoughtful, actually. She hasn't though too deeply about most of the questions he asks. It just makes her wonder if he is having trouble making a decision of his own.]

( video )

[drizzle]

[That's really the reason behind her giving him a smile and wave of her hand.]

But, it wasn't a bad way to introduce yourself to us. Hey there, Godric! I'm Nike. Welcome!

I don't think many of us feel comfortable being labelled the way we are nor the situation regarding this world's government too. I know I don't! I'm still having a tough time getting adjusted to everything, but for different reasons...

[There will be a moment of silence soon after that as she tries to concentrate her attention elsewhere than on herself right now. She's has had enough time thinking about it and other things.]

I can't really answer any of your questions though. I think in these circumstances...everyone is different in way of thinking and values. As much as you'll hear different responses, with their own personal stories and basis behind their decisions, many or none may ring true to your own. As for the Porter, I only know it isn't from this world or someone believes so due to it being a very....advance technology or something like that. It's difficult to make any theories or gain a read on it due to knowing so little about it...but I do like to think positively about it though!

text, ID reads 'Playmaker'

[tacticianing]

In the viewpoint of the USSR and their allies, ImPorts like us belong to America. We won't be left out of the crossfire by not registering. In the long run, the only difference it makes is how much of a target you make yourself. America makes it very hard to survive if you don't register. In short, this world is full of false choices.

[And now that he's failed to mention which choice he took-]

As for the Porter, I'm not sure. I've heard that the AI currently controlling it is different than the one that used to. It could be that its agenda is different now as well.

[faderbroderson]

[Godric doesn't even need civilization to survive, if he even gives a toss about surviving at this point. But he can see how this would be concerning for most everyone else.]

War holds its breath for no one, and many things are beyond our individual control. Safety and choice are often nothing more than a comforting illusion. But that does not mean that making the choice has no meaning or merit. We cannot float through life aimlessly and allow others to make our decisions for us.

It is absolutely an AI then, and nothing more?

video

[dendarii]

[ A rather gaunt man with a vaguely Russian accent frowns at the screen. ]

You certainly don't mess around, do you. Asking the important questions up front.

[faderbroderson]

If I were to guess, I would say the more obvious questions have been asked altogether too many times by now, and I can assume their answers by the clear evidence that you're all still here.

The questions I ask have less obvious conclusions, but are the ones most significant to me and the decisions I must soon make.

video

[am_i_a_monster]

They gave me a file when I got here. I figured they already knew things about us; they'd probably be watching us either way, so why not register and get the benefits?

I like to think that I'm here to get a second chance. But back home, there were many other people more deserving of a second chance than me and they're not here.

I don't think just being here is a punishment. Sometimes, strange thing happen that feel like punishments. They don't last. It's good here, most of the time.

[faderbroderson]

[That's the kind of answer he was looking for about the Porter. He smiles ruefully.]

I could have named others more deserving of a second chance as well. But what's done is done. I am attempting to find the silver lining in this, I suppose. Someone once told me that God does not punish, but if the Porter is a god of its own design, no one can seem to speak to its intent. That is why I asked.

[His head tilts very slightly as he considers.]

When you say strange things happen, strange things of what nature?

[trouvaille]

( this doesn't -

gwen has stated in as many words that she has no interest in advising anybody on anything and doesn't give a damn what anybody else decides to do with registration. but jon's stupid doe-eyes and his big dumb serious face are in the back of her mind and she does at least deign to contribute; )

If you don't register, you have no support from the local infrastructure. I didn't feel that I was able to make my own way at the time when I made my decision.

( so, nothing convinced her, but for a lack of better options-- )

[faderbroderson]

You are not the only one to take such a practical approach. Indeed, it seems to be the popular opinion.

[Frankly, he sounds approving. He isn't about to get on anyone's case for doing what they must to get by. The same concerns don't necessarily apply to him, but that doesn't mean he isn't taking it all into account.]

Do you feel that you could make your own way now that you have been here longer?

video

[musclemothers]

I've been made to do nothing as a Registered imPort. I mean it, literally nothing. You get all the free shit, and none of the responsibility. What's the downside?

[faderbroderson]

They never make any demands of you, or ask that you hold up your end of the bargain, so to speak?

[inmyothertights]

Didn't register because in my world there was a war over it, and registering meant a lot of loss of rights for superpowered individuals.

Anyway, hi, Godric.

Private

[faderbroderson]

[Well this is interesting.]

You were already a superpowered individual before the Porter, then?

From what I've been told, to refrain from registering here is more likely to guarantee a loss of rights. Which is not to say I can't understand your objection... My world has its own parallels, if not as severe as what I think you're implying.

video;

[shifting]

I mostly think it's all a little too organized to be chance. There's too many people from the same worlds who know each other.

[a statement with some irony, given that Sam doesn't know he's staring at a vampire from his own home. He's never heard the name "Godric".]

And not that I'd risk tryin' to speak to purpose, but I'm not sure there's any good sayin' this world's meant to be some sort of heaven or hell for us. Feels more like... purgatory.

[faderbroderson]

An excellent point, on both counts.

[This is definitely not the restful peace he'd been hoping for.]

For all that people do come from the same worlds and often know each other, their relationships seem to vary widely. I do wonder how deliberate the selections really are. Have you been able to make any sense of it?

video.

[glowsferatu]

[ The grey woman has a distinctly nonhuman quality to her, but the large fangs poking out from between her lips may stand out. Not as close together or as retractable, but definitely vampire fangs. ]

When I first arrived, it was from a great upheaval. I'd just lost everything I'd worked so hard to achieve, and didn't have the energy to start again just yet. The support the government offered at that time was vital to my recovery, so I accepted it. It's been over three years since, and I've seen no real reason to break away from them in that time.

The thing no one really mentions about registration is it doesn't make as much difference as we want to think it does. It isn't really enlisting in the army, any more than declining to register opts one out of military involvement. The military very rarely asks for our intervention, and the times they have were volunteer missions that didn't take our registration status into account at all.

The only thing registration actually does is guarantee you housing, employment, and healthcare, and it makes the government worry about you less. Possibly far less than they ought to, really.

[faderbroderson]

[There is very little that's new in Godric's world. Even through the haze of depression, between the impossible situation and the incredible variety of people among the imPorts, he's feeling a little spoiled. His expression betrays his fascination with her appearance, but he doesn't ask invasive questions right off the bat.]

That they seem to demand so little of us in exchange for so much is part of what concerns me. Multiple people have assured me that military missions are purely voluntary, that we gain legitimacy whether or not or choose to participate. I can assume some of the government's reasons for allowing this, but I also wonder how long such generosity can last.

Have you been here long?