001 ♚ VIDEO

[genoshan]

[ The video shows Erik seated in front of a desk covered in books, largely focused on the history of the past fifty years, along with the advancements in science and technology that have occurred in that time. There are several notebooks strewn about, and a map pinned to the wall with several marks made on it-- anyone who chose to scrutinize it closely enough may notice that they are the locations that are unique to this world. The room is well-lit, sunlight shining through the open window. ]

I hate to put a damper on this weekend's festivities. [ No he doesn't. ] But since my arrival, I have found myself with more questions than answers. That delightfully informative video that our hosts provided for us was of little help, I am afraid. You see, this is not the first time I have been branded against my will, and I have few reasons to believe that the intentions of this group are any more pure than the last.

So now I turn to you, my fellow imPorts, and I ask this: If you have chosen to register, why? I wish to believe that the majority of you are wise enough that you have not been drawn in by simple propaganda, so I am sure that you all have your reasons.

Comments

[video]

[glassinine]

I've registered in order to gain the material resources necessary to start a fund which others who do not register can draw upon. It is unconscionable that people are forced to choose based upon economic pressures; my intention is to remove those pressures.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

That is an admirable decision. I have had many similar thoughts on the matter.

video.

[heralding]

I believe that one day it will be unwise for us to be registered, but until that becomes apparent, I believe it's a good idea to use the resources available. I've done it before, and doing it here isn't any different.

[She speaks with conviction. Taking an offering from a different god until she has to strike back is really no different. Lightning is prepared to do what needs to be done regardless.]

permavideo;

[genoshan]

Ah, but do you remain confident that when that day comes, the option to unregister yourself will still be on the table?

video; private

[oxfordian]

I suppose I chose to register because I had no interest in making enemies.

video; private

[genoshan]

Are you so certain that we do not already have enemies?

video;

[resoul]

[ he's more interested in the map than the registration debate. ]

You've been busy. Damn. All I did when I got here was eat.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

[ Well there's that weird sense of deja-vu again. It doesn't help that you have a twin running around. ]

Have we met?

[selfimage]

Oh, you know, get in cushy with the government, gain a few perks, that sort of thing.

[there are other reasons, but ]

Why else, really?

[genoshan]

I imagine that is a common enough sentiment.

[telepathy]

[myownbestfriend]

[Well, that "branded against my will" thing is an opening, and Erik really ought find out how being mutants is suffering sooner rather than later...]

On the subject of genocides...we should talk.

You won't like it, I'm afraid.

[telepathy]

[genoshan]

[ His thoughts turn solemn at that... or moreso than they already were, anyway. He does not, however, seem entirely surprised. ]

Yes, I imagine we should.

video;

[hoboagogo]

[S-sup housemate? Though who knows if they've even seen each other yet.]

Because there ain't much of a reason not to.

Registered or not, you're still tattooed, and they still got a file on where you come from and what your powers are. It sucks, but bitching and turning down the stuff offered ain't exactly gonna do a whole lot for you.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

By registering, you are agreeing to fight their battles, to stand in line and do as you're told when the time comes.

[ video ]

[hostage]

'cause why not?

[Honestly. As far as he can tell, there's zero difference.]

permavideo;

[genoshan]

I have no inclination to do their dirty work.

audio

[nomorepantiesplz]

I mostly registered because I didn't want to end up unemployed and homeless. They're being really generous with the living assistance here, compared to back home.

I have some friends here that helped me look into what the government people have been saying about our situation, but considering what's going on here, it doesn't seem like they're being unreasonable about any of it. Sure, there's a chance that they're lying, but... I'm a lawyer, not a fighter. What use is a military going to get out of me?

It was just a low risk decision, compared to the alternative.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

I will not deny that they are being generous. But I also believe that there is little question that this generosity comes with strings attached.

video

[gottaswing]

Because I have no idea how I got here and how I can get back, but any answers are most likely to be found here. Just like anyone else who might come from my world.

The propaganda's more what made me not want to, I don't really like the idea of being drafted against my will.

[He might not be the best student ever, but he knows enough history for that.]

Or branded, as you said.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

And how much are you willing to put at stake, for the sake of those answers?

video

[khajidont]

I like not being homeless.

[But that's not why he responded. Them being roomies aside, he's clearly more interested in the map behind him.]

But man, you've been busy. Would you mind if I took a look at your map to see if it's any different from mine?

permavideo;

[genoshan]

[ He gives a shrug. ]

By all means. I have not spent much time in the States, relatively speaking, so I may very well be missing some of the less populous locations, but I think I have determined all of the major cities that differ.

voice;

[reptiledysfunction]

The perks, mostly. Aside from free housing, there's medical benefits to people who register.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

A reasonable enough decision. Though it seems rather unconscionable that they should hold such things over the heads of those who have nowhere else to turn.

video

[valr]

Whatever they're gonna do to us, it won't matter if we're registered or not. Might as well get the benefits while we can.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

I prefer not to resign myself to such determinism.

voice

[dissemble]

Any convincing arguments for registration yet? I still don't see the appeal, myself.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

I will not claim that no one here has valid reasons for themselves, but no. I do not imagine that anyone will be convincing me anytime soon.

[voice]

[heartstings]

I thought about it when I first got here and then decided it wasn't worth it. I've been completely on my own before and knew I could do it again. I'm doing pretty damn well without their help now.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

A sentiment I can commiserate with.

video.

[ex_question191]

Becaaaauuuuuse I've never lived by myself before. I mean, not that I'm living alone, here, but you know, I'm used to my dad handling work and the bills. It just seems easier to go along with what they want so I can get some help with that stuff.

I guess since you're old you've got it handled.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

And if you were in a situation where having a roof over your head and food on the table was not hanging in the balance, would you still register?

video

[pixiestyx]

Oh my God, and here's baby Magneto!

[megan really finds the whole situation with the time-traveling x-men more entertaining than anything. and, well, most of her interactions with magneto have been as an ally, so it doesn't occur to her to be more cautious. plus he's on the other side of a video screen.

oh that's right, he asked a question, didn't he? eh w/e.]

permavideo;

[genoshan]

Baby Magneto.

[ his tone might be just a little bit incredulous as he rubs at his temple.]

video

[alchemicallybonded]

[So a guy wearing a complete suit of armor isn't weird, right?]

I didn't register but my brother did in order to take advantage of the benefits they give him. He did the same thing back in our country too.

[Oh!]

Is that a map of this world? [Al's been researching the world and its history since he arrived but there's a lot to catch up on.]

permavideo;

[genoshan]

Yes, it is. It is much like my own, but I have been taking notes on the differences.

You were pressured to register in your own world as well?

video.

[nitidus]

Registering was convenient, given that we arrived with very little.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

Yes, that is difficult to deny.

video;

[shutterbugged]

[Wait, is that...]

Well, for me it was pretty simple. Technically it's possible to be another imPort's guardian even if you're not registered, but under the circumstances it seemed like a good idea to make sure there were no, uh, extra bureaucratic complications.

[Which is to say that Peter trusts this government about as far as a small fraction of the distance he could throw any one of its members, but: rock. Hard place.]

Nice map you've got there. What is that, places that exist in this universe but not in yours?

permavideo;

[genoshan]

So you registered for the welfare of another?

[ He gives a small nod. ]

Yes. At least, that is what I am attempting to determine.

voice

[liverletdie]

[ every import knew this was coming, and yet... ]

Why wouldn't we? We're superhumans, they need to keep account of who has what, in the case that someone uses them and hurts someone. We hide our identities and wear masks, so it makes sense to keep an eye to make sure we can protect the people who can't protect themselves from us.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

So because we are different, we should pre-emptively hold ourselves accountable for crimes we have not yet committed?

video;

[larker]

Yeah good luck getting an answer from this lot. The most you'll probably get is "because I get free shit".

permavideo;

[genoshan]

I cannot entirely blame them. I know what it is like to find yourself alone in the world without a penny to your name.

video;

[opticblasts]

Most just don't have enough reasons not to.

Not yet.

permavideo;

[genoshan]

I suppose we will see how long that lasts.

too late?

[notmymom]

You get a bunk and an assignment when you register.

[Though the feed is a video response, there doesn't seem to be anyone on the other end of it. The camera has been tossed haphazardly under a bed. Unless the dirty socks have decided to comment, the adolescent male belonging to that disembodied voice is nowhere to be seen. At least until he let's go of the button, and his fingers appear briefly before the response ends.]

[genoshan]

The bare minimum they could offer, if you ask me.