maskormenace | 1° }} VIDEO, id: Mick Rory

[ Heat Wave turns on the video, wearing his signature costume, and tries to smile a little. ]

This is convenient, isn’t it? It's like having a support group for people stolen to an alternate universe. At least that's something. [ He wonders if it’s really a good idea, though. Mixing criminals, civilians and superheroes seems like a surefire way to get things heated. But he figures it's better than nothing.

Mick got here yesterday and has been figuring out his bearings. He’s less in shock now, so he might as well introduce himself. There’s also something he wants to address, especially given some of the folks he’s noticed merchandise for around. Just in case. ]

My name’s Mick Rory. They call me Heat Wave. I’m a hero. [ It almost sounds, very slightly, like he’s trying to convince himself when he says that. ]

I know I wasn’t always, so I wanted to make it clear. Save us all a headache. [ Pause. ] If you don’t know what I’m talking about, don’t worry about it. Just remember I’m one of the good guys.

[ Not sure what else to say, he’s about to turn off the camera when he remembers something important. ]

The pamphlet said Registration included health care – anyone know if that covers therapy?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Doctor Frederick Chilton. I practice out of Heropa.

Nice to meet you, Dr. Chilton. You specialize in imPorts, you said?

Pleasure's mine.

And yes -- it's something of a departure from my original discipline. The criminally insane. [Best to just get that out there.] Quite obviously, some find that... Off-putting.

[ Focusing on people kidnapped to an alternate universe for months to years at a time probably would be a departure for anyone, really.

It does hit a bit too close to home, though. He's sick, he reminds himself, not insane. Not like Murmur, or those Gotham rogues. ]

Places that specialize in that sort of thing can gain a bad reputation. They don't have to, I'd think. Everybody deserves a chance to heal.

Oh, I agree.

[Heal, or be tinkered with. It really depended on the patient and their profile.]

If you are interested, we could set up a preliminary meeting. [Wryly:] I promise we won't make fear the crux of any initial discussion.

[ Between this guy and Scarecrow, he's feeling imPort people in the field come on rather strong.

But maybe having Scarecrow makes them all look bad. He's not sure yet. ]

Saw that conversation, or is he just that infamous about it around here?

Both. [Honesty was the best policy.] He's already suffered a fall from grace, I imagine he is hard pressed for professional attention.

Heard something about that. [ Which mostly sounded like he'd done what someone called Scarecrow does. ]

But what about you, been here long?

Quite long. Since imPorts had returned to this world.

[And then there was the world before that one, but Chilton often refrained from referring to it. Sometimes a mass multi-multiverse jump disarmed new imPorts.]

Needless to say, you'd be in experienced hands. [A beat.] You know the basics about this place, correct? The tendency we have for resurrection?

[ He whistles slightly. He doesn't know exactly how long imPorts have been here yet, but that definitely sounds like someone in the "years" category. ]

Read the pamphlet. Nanites, right? Only a couple of days isn't a bad turnaround, but personally I'd rather not test it. Happen a lot?

More than what would be expected of a population our size -- though I suppose when you include the variable of superhuman powers, it is to be expected.

[A beat.]

It should be noted, however, that not everyone comes back. Someone -- from my world, in fact -- she was murdered almost a year ago. I have not seen her again.

[So was Abel Gideon, actually, but that was an accident and Chilton didn't speak of it.]

Superpowered community always seems to rack up the deaths. [ And the resurrections, for that matter. He chooses not to mention his personal experience with both, though. Especially at that last comment. ]

Jeeze. That's tough, I'm sorry. Hope they caught whoever did it.

Sadly, they did not. It is possible the murderer had been exported out -- far more likely an imPort, given the defensive and offensive powers we're imbued with. Harder for a local to get one over us.

I suppose, if anything, Freddie Lounds is a cautionary tale. Good for those incoming to know about, because we are all prone to getting cocky.

That's a damn shame. [ He hasn't really thought about the reverse of this situation much so far - what happens when you leave. Maybe get away scot free, apparently. ]

Trust me, I'll remember it. Anything else you'd like to warn me about, doctor?

Nothing immediately leaps to mind, but you may contact me if you have any specific questions later in your tenure here. Sometimes they arise.

Yeah, I may do that. [ He pauses, considering his options. ]

Got a few bites about the therapy, but might be worthwhile to see who works best for me. If that offer's still open, I wouldn't mind a meeting.

Certainly that offer remains open, yes. I hope you find what fits you best.

Got a time that works for you?

As long as it isn't Tuesday. [Peter Pan has requested that, for the immediate future. The whole day.] I can otherwise fit you in any day, to include weekends.