02 | text

[monster_san]

[The network ID reads 'Fuu Hououji', but she's not putting her face to it.]

Good day, fellow imPorts. I've been considering something for a few months--perhaps I should have asked this earlier but it's been complicated recently and I don't have previous experience with the idea of being a 'superhero'.

I know it's practice for many to assume secret identities for superhuman feats and other sorts of derring-do, but I've also noticed that it isn't universal. I haven't done much in the way of individual combat or rescuing, but it's only a matter of time.

So I was wondering: if you have a secret identity, why did you make that choice? What are the pros and cons, and do you use it only on this Earth, or at home as well? If you work under your own name instead, why do you do that? Was it a conscientious decision?

Comments

text; ID reads Tetsuo

[iamtetsuo]

the hero business is bullshit but i got powers and i fight

anything i do i do it under my name im not gonna hide who i am

[monster_san]

There's certainly something to be said for taking pride in your actions, whether or not you're looking to be noticed.

[iamtetsuo]

why do something if youre gonna deny it

[monster_san]

A sense of modesty, maybe. I certainly wouldn't be ashamed of helping people, but I might not want a lot of attention either.

video because what is typing

[lightandglory]

Oh, I much prefer smiting evil under my own name! I did so incognito for a time, and it was great fun, but it can be such a hassle keeping your true identity a secret when the grateful masses are clamouring to know the name of their saviour!

[And especially when your retainer keeps calling you by name every time he speaks.]

video BECAUSE OKAY, L'ARACHEL

[monster_san]

[oh yes, how she can believe this. maybe not so much the grateful masses, but the first sentence, definitely.]

Were you quite well-known in your homeland, then? What was it like to be widely recognized as a hero?

[lightandglory]

I have always been very well-known as Rausten's princess, of course... but you know, it was not until after I set aside my anonymous quest that I received proper recognition as a hero. So I suppose a name can truly make a world of difference! Or perhaps it's simply that I chose a better epithet...

...Well, no matter. To answer your question, it is a true delight! To have the adoration of so many people... oh, I do miss it! There is nothing quite like having your own name cried out in exultation by a thankful stranger!

permatext

[hypnotherapy]

I work under my own name when it's appropriate, but having aliases and different identities to shuffle through is always helpful. [ When doing illegal things, cough cough. ]

But to answer your question more succinctly - I see no reason to hide my own name or identity as an imPort, so I would fall under your second category.

It is the name that was given to me, so it's important that people know me as such.

[monster_san]

[what an intriguing reply.]

I have to say, I've never been in a position where an alias would be convenient, but I suppose I can think of a few situations where it might be. [like being a fugitive? having two families? spying?] Do you mean that you were named 'Magicman' from birth?

[hypnotherapy]

Aliases are just an extra level of security. Just in case, you know.

I was given the name, yes. Not from birth, but it might as well be. [ Stop talking in circles Magicman ]

video!

[skyhiiigh]

Speaking for myself, I have several reasons to maintain my identity as undisclosed to the public. You see, for a HERO to reveal themselves...Is practically unheard of where I come from. It's not simply for the sake of professionalism, but also a means of dividing one's personal affairs from that of Heroics. To be a Hero in itself is something I take great pride and joy in and I would never change jobs, but it is a job. It is a duty to the People and to Everyone.

[He truly believes in such things, and all due respect to Barnaby, because he had his reasons, but Sky High could never do that himself.]

I would feel embarrassed if anyone really truly knew who I was. It is not my place to reveal myself. It could potentially hurt the ones you love, if not damage the rapport one has with the citizens! One needs Heroes to believe in, masked Heroes who are symbols of Peace and Justice, if not Hope. An ordinary man cannot fill such shoes!

video

[monster_san]

Oh, I see--much like a doctor wouldn't always want her patients walking up to her on the street asking her to look at a new rash. [yes, definitely, the same thing] And you mean that the public image you have as a Hero--you don't think it would be good for People [she can hear the capital letters] to see a Hero doing something so ordinary as buying groceries or going to the movies?

video

[skyhiiigh]

I wouldn't like to put it that way. While it overjoys me to see those that call themselves my fans, I just believe that keeping my Hero duties separate from my personal ones is for the best. It could otherwise be cause for confusion.

[He's not annoyed by the possibility of getting found out and people swarming him, by any means! Since in costume that happens quite a bit on its own. But it just isn't the natural order of things.]

Ah, well. I do charity work often so it's not that people don't see me doing ordinary things like community service work and cleaning up litter but...It's better they have an image of a Hero they can count on, at all times.

text

[resipiscent]

I don't really go in for the whole hero thing. I just do what I have to. So going under an alias is something that doesn't really make sense for me.

text

[monster_san]

I'm still not sure about becoming a full-time 'hero' either. It seems like it would be hard to keep regular hours. You deal with situations as you find them?

[resipiscent]

If I find something, I'll try to diffuse it, sure. But I don't go looking for it or anything.

[Trouble seems to find him just fine, thank you.]

text

[khajidont]

Like I told you before superheroes are real where I'm from and most of them keep up secret IDs.

It's mostly to protect other people I think. You go around making seriously powerful people angry and then they'll want to get back at you right?

[He feels kind of bad for lying, but... if Fuu's going to go out there, she should know what she's getting herself into.]

text

[monster_san]

Yes, that's rather what I'm worried about. I think most of my friends here could defend themselves if I did something offensive. But with war against Russia--if there's another Fuu Hououji in this world's Japan, I don't want Russian soldiers ringing her doorbell.

[it's fine she hasn't been totally honest with him either THEY'RE EVEN. or you know will be, once either of them figures it out.]

text

[khajidont]

Oh. I'm pretty sure none of us actually have doubles in this world Fuu so maybe don't worry so much about that one. If there were we would have heard about it by now. Like half of us are American so it would be bound to come up

text; id: Batgirl

[ichoosefight]

I'm sure you're getting the safety and legality speal from other people. All of that's true, but I thought I'd mention:

My name is a legacy. The first woman in my world to take the name Batgirl is an amazing person who's saved the world more times than I can count, and saved more individuals than she probably even knows. The second is my best friend, and she's the most incredible person I've ever known. And I know superpowered aliens, so that's saying something!

Batgirl is a name I've had to earn and I'm proud to be able to share it with such wonderful people.

[monster_san]

That's something I haven't heard of at all. [cause she doesn't follow western comics] It must be heartening to know that you're following in their footsteps, and that you'll inspire someone to follow in yours someday.

[ichoosefight]

Assuming I live long enough. But it means a lot to be a part of something bigger like that.

baaackdated

[attainment]

First of all, I wanted to apologize for my last message on the network. Due to the latest mishap, I was far younger and much less experienced than I am now.

As far as secret identities go, I never had any use for an alias, so I never adopted one. It was a conscientious decision on my part, albeit an unconventional one where I'm from. I can't say I regret it. In many ways, my life is much simpler for it. There's no need to deceive anyone about what I do.

[monster_san]

It's quite all right, Mr. Brooks. You were more well-spoken than a lot of teenage boys.

You and Mr. Sky High are from the same place, right? So then a separate alias for heroics isn't actually required by your sponsors... It must cut down on those awkward situations where you have to find a phonebooth, since there aren't as many of those around anymore.

[attainment]

I appreciate your understanding.

[He was better at communicating over text back then. Now, he generally prefers video, but he spent a long time in front of a mirror to get to that point.]

Yes, we were colleagues back home. We're actually provided mobile facilities to change into our hero suits when necessary, so that's not so much of a problem. Still, there's something to be said for not having to deal with the clutter of two separate names and identities. The trade-off, of course, is that your name becomes a brand. That doesn't bother me.