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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

One of your parents? [ not information he needs, really, but this is casual conversation, right. he's still capable of that?? ]

Not that it helps, but I think this is a change for everyone. I'm used to a more— [ not sure how to put it. ] Modern take, hovercars aside. This is my first time in Florida, but I'm pretty sure I would've heard something about Cape Canaveral being a hotbed for supernatural activity.

My father. He's a member of the Japanese police force. [He can deal with casual conversation, no worries there.]

That's the strange part about alternate worlds, isn't it? Some things are the same, some not so much. Such as the... 1950's theme there seems to be here. I don't think I've seen so many jukeboxes.

Then I'm sorry he's not here. We could probably use the help. [ there's some truth in it, but it's mostly pleasantries; nick wouldn't really wish for anyone else to be dragged into this mess. ]

It'd almost be easier to swallow if it was a different world altogether. [ less easy to settle in, maybe. there's enough here that's familiar to trick you into feeling like you're not somewhere you shouldn't be. ]

Have you been to America before? [ a beat. ] The real one. [ "real". ]

It would be good to see him. [He frowns, thinking on all the people he's left behind.] Though I feel a little selfish for thinking it.

And no, this is my first time. ...Not that I'm counting it, really. Alternate universes are a little difficult to factor into the equation.

Not selfish, just human. And it's actually a pretty close facsimile, minus the time travel part. I also like to think our propaganda's slightly more subtle, these days.

[ not that he's been paying that much attention to human politics, lately. ] This isn't your first time away from home, is it?

[ please say you're at least old enough for college. nobody should have to do roommates for the first time with a bunch of wannabe superheroes. ]

in a permanent fashion? Yes, it is.

[He is old enough for college, and he is attending said college! ...But he also lives so close to the school that he just lives at home.]

video.

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;