01 | video

[cleptes]

[It was only on her second day here that Bela decided to address the network at large in the hopes that she would gain more insight from others who had been around longer. After locating the antique store she now owned, she had remained there for a while and went out occasionally for food. The idea of sharing a residence was appalling to her but until she found somewhere else, Bela was mostly sticking to her store.

The feed clicks on to reveal Bela from the shoulders up, not giving away her location. She looks at ease and comfortable, even if she was still coming to grips with her new found abilities. Neat and presentable without a hair out of place. Make-up immaculate, emphasizing the green of her eyes.]

Instead of blathering on about how "wonderful" it is to be stuck in this part of America with powers and undesirable living arrangements, I'll keep it brief.

[Okay, so Bela likes the antique store but details. She means business right now.]

First thing- Is there any particular area I should avoid? I don't need a long-winded explanation, just be blunt.

Second thing - Anyone with particularly dangerous powers? I'm not looking to get myself injured or killed because let's face it, that would be a shame.

[A smirk, as Bela allows that last sentence linger for a moment or two.]

And thirdly, someone should tell me where to get a decent drink because I damn well need one.

[The feed cuts out there.]

Comments

video. IT'S THE TWILIGHT ZONE

[unhidden]

( What if the name of Christ.

Tara takes a long while before replying: she watches the feed, taking in the make up, the accent. Neat and presentable aren't what she would deem Maggie things, but in fairness, they pretty much live like wild animals sometimes. Either she drank far, far more than she thought last night and it has done lasting damage, or that person looks a lot like Maggie.

In the creepy weird clone kind of way, or maybe the body snatcher sort of way. Which... actually sort of was just creepy clones, wasn't it?

Never mind. She flicks on the feed, and: )

I hear there's been a crime wave across the lawns of Heropa. Flamingos and gnomes going missing, pretty scary stuff.

( ... Tara this isn't very tactical at all, but she is horribly hungover and just wants to see if her eyes are playing tricks on her. And maybe her ears. )

video. SPOOKY

[cleptes]

[She doesn't answer Tara straight away, choosing to study the young woman first. It was impossible to read someone's body language via a video feed but reading their expression was something different. Idly, Bela wonders if there was a volume button on the device because she didn't want to overload her already sensitive hearing.]

Cute, but I'm looking for serious information. Not your attempt at humour, sweetie.

[SO MUCH JUDGMENT RIGHT NOW.]

video;

[flowerette]

But you don't think it's wonderful...?

video;

[cleptes]

Sweetie, that was sarcasm. In case you missed it.

video

[firstborncopper]

In answer to your third question, we're all dangerous. I assume you mean dangerous with immediate intent to cause harm which is harder to answer.

video

[cleptes]

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. Perhaps I should have clarified before. [A beat.] Harder because no one actually knows the answer or they just don't feel inclined to share?

Permavid

[governorkang]

I can assist with the third.

[He lists the names of a few bars and their locations, at least one in each major (for imPorts) cities.

He remembers what it's like for new people.]

[cleptes]

[Don't mind Bela as she gawps at the feed a little before answering him.]

Thank you.

[She manages a smile.]

I suppose my next question is what are you exactly? I'm sure you get that a lot.

voice

[aggressiveapathy]

Any childhood themed people are danger zone. Clowns, bunnies, family therapists. Whatever. Just don't even touch that.

voice

[cleptes]

[It takes Bela a moment to switch to voice.]

I'm assuming that you have had a bad experience or two with these kind of people?

[She could take or leave clowns, bunnies were fine by her. The only thing she may have a problem with were the family therapists. Not that she had a family.]

Voice

[johakyu]

[Although Nobunaga and Bela haven't met one another yet, he recognizes her name when it appears on the network. Hers is the same name as one of the residents he's supposedly 'housemates' with in Maurtia Falls. Not likely a coincidence, he supposes he should at least answer her questions (those that he can) and introduce himself.

After all, people who speak their mind and leave out all the unnecessary bullshit—he can't help but approve.]

I'd suggest not avoiding places, personally.

[And he means that, but he's also not the type to avoid danger. Actually, he's more the type who presents it.]

And as I just arrived, don't know too much about who's got what for powers. [Bullshit.] But I can say there's a lot of great places for drinks close to home.

That is...where I'm fairly sure you and I both live.

[Or rather, "live". It would appear that neither one of them spends much time at the residence. Thieves...thinking alike.]

Voice

[cleptes]

[The network ID is something that Bela hasn't looked into yet. She knows that she might have to scroll through past addresses and announcements in order to find out more information about where she was. As for housing? Bela wanted a place for herself. Her own space that she could possibly scheme in.]

Then you don't know much more than I do. Fantastic.

[But he had a point about not avoiding places. The only way Bela was going to learn about her new 'home' was through exploring it.]

We live in the same place? I haven't seen you around there. [As she hasn't been at home a lot.] I'm willing to hear suggestions for good drinking establishments so by all means, go ahead.

video.

[selfequipped]

Depending on where you are now, you may or may not be in a dangerous part of town. But Maurtia Falls is known for its crime, which means it's more interesting than the other cities. But it's all about smarts at the end of the day.

[That's point one.]

Beyond that, most everyone has powers that can be dangerous in some way, don't you think?

[She'll give a bar recommendation in a moment. Possibly.]

video.

[cleptes]

[Crime? Bela tucks away that information away for later. Might come in handy one day.]

I can handle myself. Though it amuses me somewhat for you to call Maurtia Falls more interesting because of the crime rate. Others might deem it as something else.

[Maybe this girl was one of the hero types. She couldn't tell.]

I guess you have a point there. Depends on how they use those powers as well. Be it for good or indeed evil.

[Or selfish gain.]

What about my third question?

Video

[excitababble]

If you want to avoid anywhere dangerous, you should probably just stay in this country. From what I hear they don't like it when you travel outside of it without their permission.

As for people... There's lots of people with dangerous powers, but that's not really the concern as much as how crazy the person who has the power is.

Video

[cleptes]

'They' as in the government types who appear to run the show? The thought of going beyond where I am hadn't crossed my mind until you brought it up.

[So she might attempt it one day. Once she's more settled and has a handle on her powers. Maybe after making a few allies.]

Of course there are crazy people with powers here. Just my bloody luck. [Another piece of information to keep in mind for later.] As a follow up question, do some of the powers make people crazy?

voice

[debauchewy]

Should they be answered in order if I can answer more than one? Or is the drink pressing enough to offer first?

voice

[cleptes]

Answer in whatever way you like. I'm not picky. [Mostly.] Feel free to add anything else other than what I've asked about.

[ text ]

[enucleation]

Most powers can become dangerous.

You perhaps should avoid people, not powers.

[ text ]

[cleptes]

I can't avoid everyone now can I?

And I can't tell whom I should or shouldn't avoid. Unless you're inclined to share.

voice

[sunasuna]

[Quick and to the point. He can appreciate that.]

First, Maurtia Falls is known for it's higher crime rate, but it's hardly an issue for anyone who knows how to take care of themselves.

Second, any power can be dangerous if someone knows how to use it properly. You'd be better off being more wary of the people you associate with.

And there are plenty of places to get a drink. All you have to do is look around. But if you're more picky, I know of a few places that have a decent wine selection.

voice

[cleptes]

[It's how she rolls.]

Someone already mentioned about the crime rate to me but having it clarified by another person helps.

I've always been careful about the kind of company I keep back home so that shouldn't really be a problem. I'm guessing that most people don't advertise how dangerous they might be so publicly.

Wine is one of my favourite kinds of drink. I would appreciate the information.

voice

[ferrisbuellean]

[He can't be much help with the first few questions, mostly because he's not been around for more than a few days himself, but he can and will jump at the opportunity for drinks.]

I see you've got your priorities straight. I might even be able to help with the third one. What's your poison?

voice

[cleptes]

[Another voice response. Maybe some people were too afraid to show their face over the network but to each their own.]

Wine preferably. But I have been known to drink the occasional glass of scotch when the mood strikes me.

video;

[chiroptophobic]

I take it you're not sold on the new version of the American Dream, then?

video;

[cleptes]

Not really, no. But I suppose I am going to have to deal with it.

[Hello, handsome.]

What do you make of it?

video. sorry i got to this so late!

[glowsferatu]

[ the video clicks on to a young woman in her late teens, but her age will hardly be notable compared to her distinctly inhuman appearance. grey skin, horns and fangs,, not really common features. ]

You'll find a surprising correlation in any answer to your first question and your third.

As to the second, we're all dangerous. Congrulations, you're an imPort now.

video. it's never too late!

[cleptes]

[ her appearance causes bela to stare for some time, taking in what she could see via the video screen. she looked positively demonic and that didn't sit well with her. ]

I hardly think a congratulations is due but you're probably being sarcastic.

[Now that is out of the way-]

What the bloody hell are you supposed to be?