✪ V I D E O

[defensebonds]

[ To some, the blond hair and chiseled jawline that shows up in the video feed might be familiar—either because they knew him in his last go around here, or in some element or another from their own worlds. To others, he just seems like a particularly clean-cut guy wearing a plain cotton t-shirt and an sympathetic look in his eye. He's been playing a bit of catch-up on what he's missed during his absence; none of it has been good. ]

Seems you guys've been keepin' yourselves busy.

[ It wasn't his choice, but he feels damned lousy for not being here anyway. Not much he can do about that now, but he can at least try to catch up: ]

I'm gonna be at the Lucky Cat Café all afternoon; anyone that wants to drop by for a smoothie, it's on me.

[ Yes, that even includes you, random citizen he's never met; Steve's just that kind of guy. He hesitates a moment, then adds with a nod— ]

Good to be back.


[[ To come claim a free smoothie, feel free to hit up Steve's open log here! ]]

MARCH 10TH, 2016

[maskormods]

THE MAJORITY REPORT: MARCH 10TH, 2016

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
As seen in Washington Beltway newspapers via press release:
The NSA reports a pronounced pattern of imPorts who are disgruntled by President Freemason's patriotic attack on a Soviet ally. There will be a congressional hearing to determine if anything ought to be done in a legislative reaction, or not.

SHE'S BEEN CALLED A SUPERWOMAN
As seen originally on BlueTube, with news media outlets reporting in reference:
Downtown Heropa got quite the scare when an imPort later identified as Maria Posada bodily shielded Manolo Sanchez, a fellow imPort and budding musician, from getting crushed by an oncoming bus. Thanks to her impressive, superhuman strength, the two were unharmed. Although no charges will be filed, the incident still garnered attention after a video captured by an onlooker went viral. Certain fans on Rumblr and other imPort-related forums are charmed by the pair, and hope to see more from them in the future!

CARLMANIA
As seen on BlueTube:
A post made by Carl Grimes (teenage heartthrob, imPort, and USSR survivor) made his second post on Bluetube, thanking American citizens for helping out in the imPort rebellion against the Soviet occupation. He came up with an idea for a bonfire to burn all the Soviet propaganda forced upon imPorts and to the American people. There is some criticism on the youth's harsh language and vulgar gestures.

However, rumors are circulating on Carl Grimes' mysterious wound, even though he barely goes into detail about it.

RUNNING ON EMPTY
As seen reported in international news and major national newspapers:
The Washington Think Tank American Intelligence Counsel held a conference of diplomatic and social scientific experts on imPort behavior. This topic has been rising in popular insider discussion, and imPorts have proven themselves to be an explicably formidable force. As one conference goer, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "The strategic terrain of what to do next is not on any map, but rather the keys lies between that of imPort ears." The three-day conference begins March 10th and concludes March 12th in Washington, D.C.

SOFTBALL WITH CHRIS MATTHEWS
As heard on public radio:
Springtime is breaking pretty in De Chima and Maurtia Falls! With Daylight Savings just around the corner, many residents are thinking about outdoor pastimes. De Chima local Christina Matthews has petitioned the idea of both cities forming their own softball teams -- and imPorts are welcomed! Matthews said that given what both cities have recently been through, she thinks this would be a good bonding exercise for imPorts and locals alike. After all, they have more in common than not, and who doesn't like a little softball? Matthews has since been gauging interest through social media.

SOMEONE CALL MCCARTHY
As seen through BlueTube, local and national news stations, and discussed on Bwitter:
A statement from the imPort Ambassador of Nonah.

Statement as follows:

"I am not too proud to say that I am very pleased and grateful for the action of the brave citizens of Nonah and the other ImPort cities, who have shown that they are made of the Iron Stuff that will pull on the rungs of the Iron Curtain, bringing it down once and for all. In the time where others might have blinked, you brave Americans stared your invaders right in the eye and made them blink. It is an honour to live among your number.

I am grateful too for the brave men and women of the armed forces that helped rout the last of the Reds in our need.

But I am dismayed by one thing. It keeps me from the proper joy that our liberation should bring. Debrecen.

As Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of my world, I was asked to make some pretty tough decisions. I will even go so far as to say some of them would damn me to hell. I understand, deeply, what thinking that brought President Freemason to make her decision. I do not believe she took it lightly or out of ignorance. But I cannot ignore the great deal of collateral damage caused by the action. Hungarian children, nor indeed, many of their mothers and fathers, are not responsible for the actions of a misguided few scientists and their Russian masters.

It would no doubt be of grim and little comfort to the survivors of Debrecen, but I offer my condolences for the suffering you've endured in our name."

RUSSIAN IN WITH YOUR OPINION
As seen on the 24-hour national news cycle and in brief on the international news cycle:
"Russia has always had a very strong counterintelligence capability," reports ex-CIA Director Lucas Schwab. "So it is little wonder why President Freemason is rejecting calls for severe economic sanctions and is instead pursuing aggressive, offensive tactics. Remember that the presidential cabinet was infiltrated. Russia knew what we knew, and then misled us. Remember what happened to the imPort cities. You cannot afford to forget -- Russia will not let you."

Stay tuned, citizens.

CODE SWITCH
The Homeland Security Advisory System has moved from COMRADE RED, which is a fake color and will be ceremoniously stricken from the record, to CAPITALISTIC GREEN, because that's how it trickles down.

WANT TO SUBMIT TO THE MAJORITY REPORT?
The Majority Report comes out the 10th and 20th of every month. You may find details and submit here. The cut-off time is 12:01 AM PST on the 9th and the 19th for the corresponding dates.

one. ❝audio❞

[fourscores]

Yet another stage lacking in beauty, having to import for what should be a simple production. But I suppose I must make do, not that I have much choice.

[The voice is clearly augmented, though it doesn't seem by much there's some kind of unusual flair to it. Some kind of mask perhaps. He pauses a moment and there's the sound of shuffling papers before he speaks up again.]

Proposal planning is certainly an interesting choice, though not exactly what I was expecting... And while it is quite the setup they have here, what is the purpose of this device? It cannot simply be for "keeping in touch". How is this device supposed to make this whole ordeal easier?

[Someone does not have smartphones back home.]

This isn't anything like the hextech devices I've seen before.

♠ 1 ♠ AUDIO;

[wentfishing]

Well, it sure as hell is a conundrum for all of us, ain't it? Plucked from our cozy lives, offered to be made into heroes. Doesn't leave hell of a lot of options for most people, I suppose.

Anyhow, I ain't here to be all dour. Not really how I play. Nah, I figure, why not make the best of the situation?

So we'll start at the basics, ladies and gentlemen. Introductions, shall we?

The name's Twisted Fate. And I'm awful curious to know you and what you do to pass the time here if you aren't... hero-ing about. Assuming that you do heroics, after all. Presumptuous, but if you aren't, then I'm even more interested.

( video ) ; 1st hex | open

[divaricate]

[Wanda has already seen Steve Rogers's network post and replied to it. Touching base with The Boss (er, probably more like former boss, technically, as they're not in their world any longer) when she saw his post -- and pleasantly surprised at his presence here as well -- became first priority for her.]

Wanda Maximoff speaking.

[When she starts this video off with the introduction, her accent is Eastern European, probably unfamiliar for most to completely pin down; Sokovia also didn't get much attention in her universe, anyway (not before Ultron), so even the Sokovian accent may be unfamiliar to many from her own world as well. Though, to those with a Serbia as well in the universes from which they hail from, before they arrived in this one, they might think she sounds vaguely Serbian, but that's as close as they'll probably be able to come. Assuming they're familiar with the Serbian accent at all.

Appearance-wise, she has long and dark hair, Caucasian, mid-twenties, and the makeup on her face is mostly just dark eyeliner and red lipstick. She's changed into something a little less obvious than her Avengers outfit that she arrived here in, so no shot of a fancy costume for you people today, sorry.]

I am new here, and skipping the usual round of questions from others who have recently arrived -- [She's already flicked back a few entries on this network device, browsing through it before broadcasting this video. It's how she came across Steve's very recent post.] -- but since I have already seen one man on the network who is familiar to me, I thought I would take a 'roll' -- [English expressions for things are so weird sometimes.] -- and see if there is anyone else here who may be familiar with me. So? [That's her cue for people to introduce themselves.]

And a last general question: The information I was given has my housing in the Nonah apartment complex. If anyone could tell me their favorite places in the city -- to visit, to eat, whatever -- I would appreciate that and will accept all suggestions.

[And then she ends the video.]

1st rat - video!

[princeofrats]

[ There's a new face on the network tonight! Viewers are getting an extreme close-up of the newcomer's eye, then his face, and then the new guy at large once he holds the communicator out at arm's length. Dude is shirtless, and, uh... wearing a bandana on his head that makes him look kinda like he has mouse ears. The name that comes up on the device is 'Jayden Revell'. ]

Virtue, Katharsis, Vengeance Moth, Tremor, Burden! If any of you are out there, come find me! I dunno where you are and none of the rats here know what you guys smell like, so I can't find you! I'm at... uhm... [he falters slightly, and the camera wobbles as Mouse turns to glance behind him. ] ... The lady in the car said this was Heropa, and there's a... there's a bike shop next door. They sell bikes.

[ Suddenly, the camera pulls back and away from Mouse, settling a few feet away from him in an angled downshot that clearly shows the head of the alleyway he's crouched in, along with the nearest street signs. Something that looks suspiciously like a rat's tail flicks in front of the screen, and Mouse brightens up immediately. ]

Thanks, Benjamin!

... Okay, it'll probably be a while 'til my friends get here, so I should introduce you guys - anybody watching, I mean - to some new friends I made in the meantime. [ Mouse settles down into a cross-legged sitting position, and two giant, hairy sewer rats crawl up and over his shoulders to rest in his palms. He holds each of them up in turn. ]

This is Mrs. Nesbit! And this is her cousin, Hebert. He wanted to be fancy today, so I made him a bowtie out of a gum wrapper. [ The rat is, indeed, wearing a bowtie. He's very dapper. ] ... And they wanted to say they'd be very grateful if you'd stop putting poison traps inside your restaurants, okay? You wouldn't like getting poisoned if you were just trying to eat, right? Nobody likes barfing.

... Okay, that's all. I'm done now. [Click!]