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

[cleptes]

I find a lot of people intolerable back home so I don't see that attitude changing very much. [If she absolutely had to Bela would make alliances but it's highly likely that they'd be temporary.]

What kinds of things happen? I can assume that they're power related but I'm interested in knowing if it's because of a select group of people or interference from our 'beloved' government.

[excitababble]

Terrorist groups.

[ Plain and simple. ]

There's a lot of people around here who don't seem to like the idea of super powered strangers coming into their world. Sure, some of us cause problems, but just as many are heroes, and I get the feeling most of us don't really want to be doing any of this. But reasoning like that never seems to stop groups like these.

[cleptes]

[ Oh, joy. ]

The groups might be concerned that we, both the heroic and not so heroic, will take over this place. Why else would they go to such lengths to make themselves heard? And if they can't be reasoned with, I can imagine that it doesn't bode well for everyone here.

[ Stating the obvious but she had to get it out of her system. ]

Do you know who is the leader or leaders of these groups?

[excitababble]

Not really. I've only picked up bits and pieces about them here and there... Try finding a guy called the Blue Beetle, he seemed to have a understand what was going on with them.

[cleptes]

Duly noted. I'll be sure to look out for him. [She's hoping that he won't be too difficult to find given his name.]

Mind if I ask who you are?

[excitababble]

Kangmo Yang, but knowing my name isn't going to help you much. I told you most of what I know for sure already in this conversation.

[ From this angle his shoulders are just visible enough to see him shrug. ]

Which isn't much. Everything else I've heard you'd be better off finding someone that's been here longer to fill you in on the details. They're called the Hornets if you want to ask around.

[cleptes]

Well, I like to know whom to thank. My name is Bela Talbot.

[He might be able to help her in the future and knowing his name would be an easier way to track him down.]

It's more than what I did know before I started asking questions so I appreciate any kind of information. [Bela offers him a smile.] The Hornets, you said? I'll remember that. Thanks.

[excitababble]

[ He can't hurt her pursuit of knowledge in any case. ... Probably. ]

No problem. Good luck figuring out everything else. If you learn anything else feel free to find me and tell me. The more I know about this place, the more I know what and who to avoid if I want to keep living.

[cleptes]

If I find out any useful, I'll pass the information onto you. [Maaaybe.] Thanks for the luck though. Even if I don't always believe in it.

Perhaps we'll run into each other sometime here.

[excitababble]

[ If she doesn't it won't be anything new. Most people leave him in the dark about important matters. SIGH... thus is life. ]

It's possible. For a big country it really feels small sometimes.

[cleptes]

I can imagine that I'll find that out for myself soon enough.

[Among a plethora of other things she suspects.]

Thanks again for your time and for the information.

[excitababble]

[ Oh, plenty of things, it's true. A lot of them things she probably doesn't want to find out either. ]

No problem. Good luck settling in.

[ He gives her a forced smile that kind of screams "you'll need it" and a wave, before signing off. ]