maskormenace | video.

[ 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?

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[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.

[ 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.

I guess. But, I mean, that's kinda like saying cops ain't heroes 'cause they get paid for doing the job.

[Not that he actually thinks cops are heroes L O fucking L.]

Or soldiers or doctors or anybody.

You're right, they're still jobs. But they're entered into freely— not under duress. We've all been displaced, and signing up is being presented as the easy option.

[ his tone's patient, if direct, but that might just come across as patronizing. ] Did you register?

Well, yeah...

And back home, did you ever consider any of those jobs? Law enforcement, medicine, that kind of thing?

Ain't smart enough.

[ oh, well that's slightly depressing. also not completely reassuring on the superpowers front. ]

Sometimes it's just about motivation, not being smart. But my point is that half of these people would never have chosen this under any other circumstances, which isn't exactly the best commendation.

I guess.

But isn't it just... I mean, maybe this is stupid, but it's like fate, ain't it? This kinda thing just don't happen where I come from. It's the closest thing to a miracle I ever seen.

So... I guess what I'm saying is, once you get pulled to a whole different universe and get magic powers all of a sudden outta nowhere, dontcha think it's worth trying out, at least? Seeing if it's your destiny or whatever?

[Because if this was a comic book, that's how it'd be.]

[ nick doesn't even like comic books, man. that said, talk of fate and getting dragged into this kind of power isn't exactly something he can just dismiss. there's a pause while he considers disregarding it anyway, but when he replies there's reluctant agreement in his voice. ]

Not as stupid as you might think. But I'd hold off on calling it a miracle— this kind of thing, it's a lot of responsibility. If you take it on, you don't get to turn back.

[ not without consequences, anyway. there's probably something about that in jesse's comic books. ]

It's better than the shit I usually get up to.

[Killing people, for instance.]

It's just, like... It's like somebody finally picked me up and pointed me in a direction, you know?

[ nick can guess half of it, based on basic profiling, but if it's any consolation he wouldn't guess the whole murder thing. so good job?? ]

I think you mean the government of some alternate America, not "somebody". [ joke, mostly. ] But yeah, I get what you're saying. Can I ask what kind of power they gave you?

Healing.

Like healing quickly?

Like healing other people.

Oh. [ so much for the assumption that all of the given powers could be weaponized. ]

I guess that would back up the higher meaning theory. What about the day job? Did they put you in a hospital?

[Higher meaning. Karma. Whatever.]

Nah. Um, like daycare? Babysitting?

[ wow, nick would absolutely not hire this guy as a babysitter. ]

I don't know if I'd call it fate, but I'd say they're definitely trying to give you a hint.

[Why does he feel like he just got insulted? First that headshrink, now this guy.]

What's that?

Healing and babysitting? Not exactly caped crusader material, but it's still helping others. I'm just saying it seems more pointed than some of the other assignments. [ a pause. ] Unless you worked at a nursery before you got here, obviously.

[ dubious. ]

I had a kid. Not, um, mine. My girlfriend's. But I'm okay with kids. I can take care of kids.

[And he would love it if people could stop being shocked by that and demanding drug tests.]

[ hey, tactfully not demanding drug tests! yet. ]

Then I guess they know what they're doing. [ ceding the point, if not apologizing for the assumptions. ] It's Jesse, right?

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sorry this is so late!!

it's ok bb

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