001. video.

[goldtoxicity]

You know, I don't super trust any government, ever, but this kind of just drives home that like everyone behind a desk is probably a little evil or at least really unethical.

[ It's pretty clear from the get-go that he doesn't know how to say what he wants to say. This sucks comes out in a sigh after a moment, a hand scrubbing down his face and shoving his hair back from his face. Treat it like a vlog, he guesses? Something something talk to the camera, organize your thoughts and then hope that familiar faces are here and have a plan to get back home. ]

Gotta say - not a huge fan of being recruited against my will? Not that - I mean, not that it's your fault, assuming nobody I'm talking to secretly did it. But you'd think if they need our help they'd at least ask nicely before deciding to make any changes. I didn't ask for any ink? I mean I'm pretty sure it's not actually ink, but you know. And if I did it wouldn't want this. Actually, I was pretty sure I couldn't get tattoos for like, kind of obvious reasons, and now I can't get it off. So kudos to them for being second most irritating kidnappers I've ever had.

Anyway... Hi. I'm Josh. And I actually have a question - do I have to work retail? Because I'd really like to not work retail. And I guess I should ask what I'm in for since y'know [ he gestures to the gold skin ] this is kind of hard to hide. So, how friendly are the people of [ he holds up a finger and pauses, fishing into his hoodie pocket to double check the name ] De Chima to mutants? I can handle unfriendly I just need a ballpark on how unfriendly things are going to get. Oh, and, where's the best place to buy good but cheap clothes?

Comments

[ video ] » ID: Psylocke

[violetnce]

[ oh hey. ]

The second most annoying? Damn. That's high praise.

[ X-folks run into a lot of annoying assholes, for sure. And yes, that was still a bit of dry sarcasm in her Maldon, Essex accented voice. ]

[goldtoxicity]

[ he practically chokes at the sound of a familiar voice - not the one he'd been expecting, and one he'd actually been a little worried about hearing. the last he'd seen or heard of psylocke - well, he'd been literally cleaning up her mess. ]

Well, you know. They didn't throw me in a room with a guy that smells as bad as Sabretooth so I can't give them full points.

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[mildmanneredwriter]

They talk like they're making the best of a situation they can't control, us porting in like we do, and maybe that's true. But then, they're the ones who decide what 'the best' is, aren't they?

Hi, Josh. I don't think you do, but getting a job you actually want might be easier said than done. What's your line of work?

[goldtoxicity]

In my experience people deciding 'what's best' just want an excuse to tell you what to do and not feel guilty about it.

[ but he flashes a little smile. ]

I technically have a PhD in biology and medicine.

[mildmanneredwriter]

[His expression says he doesn't entirely disagree.]

Why only technically?

Text, Anon;;

[fridgeflower]

imPorts are usually more celebrity fodder than cannon fodder.

What do you do?

[ Because she has to act like she doesn't know this person. Totally just an anon stranger, busy not having the an extremely surreal moment.]

[goldtoxicity]

Yeah, sure... Not really sure I like that angle either.

[ Being a spectacle for people to gawk at. Been there, done that, saw where it gets you real fast. He's not bothered by the response being anonymous even if he maybe should be. ]

Medicine and healing. I mean they put me in a like, new age-y kinda shop, I guess? But that's... really not the same thing.

[fridgeflower]

New Age? Like Yoga and crystals and stuff?

You should look up Iris West. She manages a hospital, and did work for an imPort-run clinic before that. She can probably point you in the right direction.

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[melodramagic]

[ Sabrina doesn't mean to stare; it's not as if she's frightened by Josh's appearance rather than intrigued by it. But she's also nodding along to his words. Finally, someone with sense. ]

Exactly! It's extremely unethical and probably illegal how this is all being handled. I'm sorry you have to go through this now as well.

This is probably a dumb question, but are you okay?

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[goldtoxicity]

[ It's fine, he's used to it. He barely even notices anymore - and if people are rude, well, there's a lot of mean things you can do when your skin is this reflective. ]

Yeah, it's - well it's not cool, but it is what it is. [ He shoots a smile. ] This is kind of my normal. [ assuming she means the kidnapping, but also you know - the gold skin. it sucks being a mutant and this is the life you get. ] I'm fine.

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[melodramagic]

Are government kidnappings "normal" for you?

[ She is concerned! Nobody should have to endure that!! ]

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[ghoulking]

They weren't the ones bringing you here, so they couldn't ask. Except for the tattoos, I suppose they could ask about that, however we can not live without them even if we'd like, but I'm sure most of us would not believe that. [ so they just give the nanites to them anyway ]

But to answer our final question, you are not forced to work if that job doesn't please you. You can find another one. [ or be unemployed. ]

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[goldtoxicity]

I'd just like the option to consent before someone starts bringing needles into the equation.

[ It doesn't end super well usually. He's done the whole - jobless and wandering thing before pretty successfully, and honestly? He'd be lying if he said it wasn't appealing. ]

I guess there's that at least.

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[ghoulking]

We all would. But I'm sure everything would go terrible very fast if they did ask. [ because no one would consent to it. He imagines the government doesn't want to deal with imPorts dying within the first few days of their arrival.

Plus, let's be honest here, the nanites are a failsafe too. ]

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[drivesadesk]

Oh, they're really friendly. Super friendly. Mob of excited fans randomly taking your picture friendly.

It can be kind of unsettling some times.

But no, you don't have to actually take that job. I'm not working my original assigned job.

[goldtoxicity]

Okay, so like - the opposite of normal. Gotcha.

[ Now if that doesn't sound unpleasant he really doesn't know what does. It's better than being attacked in the streets for sure, but also he's been captaining the good ship s. s. leave me the hell alone for the better part of the past three years.

This sounds like a headache. ]

Does this imported superhero hype help you land a better one?

[drivesadesk]

Pretty much, yeah.

The good news is...yeah, the hype totally helps you land a better job. They generally assume you're qualified for anything you say you're qualified for.

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[aboveand]

As someone who worked in retail for way too long when I first got here, I can tell you with certainty that you do not have to stay where you're assigned.

What would you rather do?

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[goldtoxicity]

Okay, good. Retail sucks and I'm really glad that's a multi-universal concept. But, uh - medicine, probably. I have a background in that.

[aboveand]

[Terry smiles slightly.]

You're in luck. I know someone who owns a hospital.

And I'm sure she'd be happy to hire another imPort with a background in medicine.

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[eloquentness]

Hey, Josh.

By "friendly," I'm going to go out on a limb and say you'll be stopped for autographs and selfies way more than the rest of us, [ on account of that lovely skin, ] so... it depends? On how much you like that kind of thing?

Also, you don't have to work retail, but it's nice to have a job while you're looking for something more your speed.

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[goldtoxicity]

I joked about working as a living statue but I'm starting to think that's actually a real money making option.

[ He's not GOING TO but that'd be hilarious. ]

I guess. I'm just not as jazzed about yoga mats and crystals as I was when I was a teenager.

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[eloquentness]

It'd be less effort than starring on the next big reality show.

[ those crop up and recruit imPorts like what, twice a year?? ]

I can't blame you. Hm... [ she pauses, ] I own a couple of businesses, and we're always looking for people. What sort of work would you be interested in?

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[baetiful]

De Chima isn't so bad about imPorts. In my experience they are unlikely to be either unfriendly or truly friendly. Though perhaps avoid some sections as they may view you more as a science experiment than a living being.

[ Maybe joking. Maybe not. ]

The worst city in terms of unfriendliness would probably have to be Maurtia Falls.

[ Says the mayor of Maurtia Falls. ]

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[goldtoxicity]

Guess I'll swing by those spaces if I ever feel homesick.

[ But this is a little more familiar. Y'know - being universally loved and adored for being different was feeling too good to be true. ]

How unfriendly are we talking?