video.

[connate]

[ when the feed clicks on, it's easy to tell that nick's in the kitchen, probably one that's similar to most in the issued residencies. his tone's a far cry from casual, but the fact that he's apparently wasting time at home at least offers some semblance of nonchalance. ]

My name is Nick Burkhardt. I'm with the Portland— previously of the PPB, currently with the... [ a pause, and extremely reluctantly: ] Heropa PD.

[ that's the formal introduction out of the way. which is the easy part; identify yourself, follow routine. going out of his way to make friends isn't something nick's done in a long time, which is probably going to be obvious in roughly ten seconds. his effort to drop the professional approach ends up sounding more neutral than genuinely amicable, but at least it keeps this from sounding like a full-on interrogation. ]

I wasn't planning on getting a tattoo, but given the choice I'd have gone for something a little less on the nose. And while I'm sure cops everywhere would appreciate the vote of confidence, something tells me this place is working with a flexible definition of the word hero.

[ definitely a judgement on what he's seen on the network rather than any kind of careful introspection. no offense. ]

Everyone's talking about whether or not we should register. I'm wondering what gives us the right to in the first place. [ a slight pause, and then he has the decency to sound a bit wry at his own expense. ] So on a scale of recycling to wearing spandex, how heroic do you think you rate?

Comments

video

[aggressiveapathy]

More moral types. It's just a night job.

video

[connate]

You think being a hero is just a night job?

[ said more like you're wrong than as a legitimate question. ]

video

[yourpiecenow]

That's a stupid scale. No one actually recycles.

video

[connate]

[ did you miss the portland part of this, or. ]

I recycle.

video.

[sleuthy]

[ veronica is at the police station actually, but she was snooping, not working (or was she — investigating her employer is still CIO work, right?). right now she's seated on a desk next to a stack of files. ]

[ she visibly perks at the mention of the HPD. ]

Veronica Mars. Welcome to the gang.

[ then, with a shrug. ] Eh, I'm pretty thirsty for justice. [ but not heroism. she likes her justice vengeful with a smug aftertaste. ]

video.

[connate]

[ there's a brief pause to squint at the screen, then an actual smile. ]

Working late? [ not snooping. well, maybe snooping, but in that casually observant way. ] I'm not sure justice has a standard definition, either.

[ and oh right, manners. ] It's nice to meet you.

permavideo

[slightlyoffchilt]

Ah, police? It's good that we have more individuals on the inside.

[A light shrug follows. Maybe that sounds clumsy without context:]

I've worked with law enforcement before. [He says, unnecessarily.] The FBI, in fact. [Oh now he's just gloating.]

same!

[connate]

[ wow yes, that's definitely gloating. the attempts at sounding friendly take a rough turn back towards formality. ]

So have I. [ "worked with". more like "was investigated by". ]

You're a consultant?

video;

[iampretty]

[Hans is just sitting on his bed as he records this, but he still looks pretty damn good....for a guy wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants.]

About that...what's spandex?

video;

[connate]

[ nice sideburns, dude. ]

It's a kind of fabric.

[ not very informative, reasonably deadpan. ]

[audio] hi housemate. Sorry he's a weirdo.

[closetshark]

Ooh an officer of the law, or are you a detective? Glorified desk jockey? Not that it matters.

[The voice is even, if dryly amused and that is definitely not an american accent. It sounds european.]

If you want to wear a collar than by all means do so, heroing isn't something most people shy away from.

[audio] bless u

[connate]

[ farewell attempt at being friendly, hello vaguely irritated deadpan. ]

Homicide detective. And I'm not interested in a collar any more than I'm interested in this tattoo; I can let my actions speak for themselves.

permavideo

[attractedtodarkness]

Registering gives me a place to stay so why the hell not? They're the kidnappers here.

same

[connate]

Because why the hell not isn't really the best motivation for playing hero. Neither is free room and board.

Shouldn't the kidnapping make you a little more wary of any favors they offer?

video;

[topslug]

[ she can see he's reluctant, but it's good to see someone who's not completely hostile to the idea of working with the locals. no question about it; some of the people the Porter's pulled in have been rather... odd. ]

Well, most of the police officers I knew back deserved to be called heroes more than I do. [ a beat. ] What kind of police work were you involved in, back home?

video;

[connate]

[ the first comment gets a slight smile, but he focuses on the question; slightly less difficult to dig up a humble reply to that. ]

Homicide, but hopefully a town full of heroes will be a little quieter on that front. [ there's an edge of skepticism, but it's not completely sarcastic. ] What about you? Did they hook you up with a similar gig here as what you did back at home?

permavid

[demonspawn]

How heroic? Not very.

Could've been worse though. At least the tattoo's subtle.

[connate]

Only if you never go out at night. [ seriously, why the glowing. ]

So I'm guessing you're planning on sticking with the day job here. What did they sign you up for?

[video] sorry I forgot to say video and I also forgot to rub up on you

[glassinine]

Good day. Miles Edgeworth, previously with the Los Angeles District Attorney, now a city prosecutor here.

The question you pose is an excellent one. Though I think another, even more basic one can be posed: what is heroism?

[permavid] oh well if you must

[connate]

[ there's a brief pause while nick tries to figure out if this guy's for real. "good day"....... ]

It's nice to meet you. [ mildly unsure, but polite enough. ] And I wasn't really looking to talk semantics, but— [ actually no, he's terrible at semantics. have a deflection instead. ] What's your definition?

audio;

[pyms]

As far as I know, imPorts are given certain powers when they arrive here. That gives them the ability to.

If you mean from a moral perspective, that's more complicated. I don't think they scan for past conduct or records even if they mean anything, they just pull people in and let them decide.

audio;

[connate]

Just the ones without powers, right? It sounds like half of them already had a little extra going on back home.

[ them, not us. obviously. ] It probably won't do much damage if they end up pulling in a bunch of well-meaning slackers, but what happens if they give powers to someone who shouldn't have them?

video.

[selfequipped]

[Ah, a convoluted question in light of everything, but a very, very good one. Kate knows she sounds bold when she claims herself as a hero, but being at this for four years tends to make her feel somewhat secure in her identity.]

Spandex is out of style, but I'd call myself heroic enough. I've been at it back home for a few years, but the whole "being a hero" thing is all in your intent. How you help. I wouldn't say a policeman or a fire fighter isn't a hero because he doesn't dress up in a more ... unique uniform. Would you? [And given what he says about his job, she thinks it's a fair question.]

video.

[connate]

No, I wouldn't. I'd probably say he's more of a hero than someone who puts on a mask. [ nick's not oblivious to the fact that she was on the network in costume. it's not like she's hiding her identity here, though, so there's no deliberate shade. ] Good intentions are great, but people need to stay accountable.

VOICE.

[acrossyourpath]

Very flexible. But some people like that -- less fun in having to get too literal.

VOICE.

[connate]

You say less fun, I say less of a headache. [ sightly annoyed, but there's a note of good humor in it. it's not like he's strictly by the books, either. ]

So assuming you don't fit the standard defintion— and I'm just going to go out on a limb and assume you don't— what makes you think you still qualify?

[ video ]

[hostage]

[Jesse starts to answer, then squints... Wait a second, is that his kitchen? Their kitchen? He's pretty sure that's his cereal box on the counter. Fuck, is he living with a goddamn cop?]

Uhh... Ain't registering kinda heroic on its own? I mean, especially 'cause you're signing up to be a huge target for whoever the bad guy is.

[ video ]

[connate]

[ hey buddy, merry christmas. nick notes the pause, though he doesn't comment on it — or the fashion statement, though that's also very noted. ]

It'd be more heroic if it didn't get you free room and board. But you have a point. [ a small point, but still counts. ] I'd argue that the people here are just looking for direction. Playing hero probably sounds more appealing than working retail in an alternate universe.

video;

[godly]

I try to do what's right, using my best judgment. I'd think that rates a little higher than recycling, though not quite as impressive as saving the universe from super-villains.

Also, it's good to know there's more law enforcement types around.

video;

[connate]

[ the straightest answer nick's gotten yet, thank you. ] Probably higher than recycling, yes.

[ and not the first time he's heard that. starting to wonder at the dearth of law enforcement types, considering the fact that they're supposedly pulling in heroes. ] Are you with the department?

voice;

[notdaredevil]

It's an interesting question. [ Matt has always believed that being Daredevil was the right thing to do; he could, and he can, so he has a responsibility to do what he can to see justice served. ] One that can only be answered through personal convictions, I think. If you can do something to make things right, shouldn't you? It's less about "the right to act" and more the responsibility.

[ There's no judgment, there, or preaching; just an honest opinion. It's gotten him in a lot of trouble, but he'll stick to it until the day he dies. ]

I'm curious, though. Do you see much difference between putting on spandex and putting on a police uniform?

voice; sorry for the delay!

[connate]

[ it might be an opinion that's gotten matt into trouble before, but it's actually a breath of fresh air in this case. nick's agreement with the idea is begrudging, maybe even slightly bitter, but it's still something he can sympathize with. ]

Just the spandex? [ there's a moment to set aside the requisite spandex jokes, and he manages to sound serious when he continues. ] Not necessarily, but I honestly haven't given it much thought. Where I'm from, putting on a costume to play hero isn't an option.

And normally I'd agree with you. It's a responsibility, but this— random people, government-funded powers— you still think it's that simple?