selfhelp | [Action / Voice] evening + morning

[Action / Voice] evening + morning

[...This doesn't look like Prison #42. At least, not as he recalls it. Billy pushes himself upright in the grass, squinting in the early evening light, and absently lifts a shaking hand to his ears. There's no device there, nothing to prevent him from casting any spells... a fact he proves to himself with a wave of his hand, conjouring up a shirt to go with the unfamiliar white pants he finds himself in. What's all this about, exactly? Some new trick that Stark and Richards came up with to keep their prisoners placated? Or has he - against all odds - been freed and dumped somewhere in the wild?

What've you gotten yourself into now, Kaplan?

Cautiously he lets his magic take him up to the tree line, resting on a high branch to get a better look around. Up ahead, not far in the distance, he can see a village, but it's so small and old-fashioned that he doesn't recognize it at all. Wherever he is, it's pretty remote.

Well, whatever. What does location matter to a witch who can teleport? His priority is finding Cap and the rest of the Young Avengers. Teddy's probably flipping out right about now. Dropping back into a crouch, he sits himself down on the branch, cross-legged, and lifts his hands again, letting the glow return to them, and begins chanting under his breath-]

"IwanttobeinNewYorkIwanttobeinNewYork..."

[Yeah, he's pretty noticeable like that. Especially since he'll be there until he's discovered, pointedly not teleporting to New York. Awkward.]

[In the morning, however, things are a bit different- he's settled (sort of), he's rested (a bit), he's informed (just enough). And he's sorted out how to use the journal. Thus, around mid-afternoon, he sends out a message:]

Okay, this is weird, but... let's give it a try. Hey, uh, whoever's listening out there. I've heard there are people from all over the galaxy, and lots from Earth, especially. That's where I'm from, too. I was wondering, though- are there people living here who'd be considered "super heroes"? Here or on your own world, I mean. I'm actually-

[Actually... he really shouldn't just announce it. What if someone from the Initiative is here and remembers him when they get back to Earth? Even a slim chance isn't worth the risk.]

...I'm actually a huge fan of the superheroes from Earth! You know, heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-man... I've been a fan since I was a kid. Though I guess it's not unusual for someone from New York. There's a ton of superheroes living in the city these days.

Sorry for rambling so much. To be honest, I'm just nervous... I've never been to another world before.

[....]

Teddy? You here?

[ooc: first dibs to action (chronologically) goes to Buffy, otherwise he is free to be met wherever/whenever. Also if you could have a look at his permissions post I would be much obliged!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[yeah I'm still here watching you unable to get down

good luck with that]

Sounds like a bunch of fictional mumbo-jumbo?

[r u d e won't you catch him like a good hero or something]

That's it in a nutshell, yeah.

[Dude I'm not a hero, I'm a sniper. Would you rather me, like, shoot you down?

Actually, he starts to figure things out from down here.]

...

...

You're stuck up there, aren't you?

[...dammit.]

Uh. Kinda, yeah. I was trying to save my pride a bit.

....

I could always catch you if you fall, at least?

[at least that's something :|]

[....ow. Pride. That kinda stings.]

Hang on, I'll... uh. Lemme just try to climb down.

[At least being caught by another man is less silly-looking than being caught by Buffy. If less cool. Because it's Buffy.

Still, he swings a leg over the branch, tentatively trying to work his way down. Next time he is totally picking a tree he can just jump out of...]

...I'm Billy, by the way.

Sergeant Rick Doyle at your service - welcome to Luceti, home of the weirdest shit from each world.

[He'll just stand at the ready, just in case. Wouldn't want you breaking your neck or something on the first day here. `_`]

Whoa, military? Wasn't expecting that. Does that mean you're from Earth, or is th-

[Scrrrrrrape goes his sneaker on the bark, and down he goes about ten or fifteen feet before catching himself on one of the lower branches, clinging to the bottom of it with his arms and legs like the world's silliest monkey.

Never. Climbing. Trees. Again.]

....Um. I think it goes without saying that I'm a lot more graceful on the ground.

[Whoop - he tenses, his arms out in an instant, but fortunately, he doesn't have to go swooping in to catch any falling kids around here (yes you're a kid to me, deal with it). He just laughs a little and shakes his head.]

I'm hoping as much.

But yeah, I'm from Earth. There are about a million versions, but they have enough in common.

[And... now he is stuck. Billy glances warily over his shoulder- still a ways up, probably too much for a direct drop. Crap. He might need a rescue after all.]

...Okay, so you can either catch me or let me break my legs, but either way I think I'm gonna let go in about ten seconds.

[He has his arms right back out; geez, make up your mind on if you're going to fall or not! Such an indecisive klutz.]

No leg-breaking on my watch, I promise. Just try not to flail and kick while you're going, huh? I like my nose not broken.

Thanks... I'll, uh. Do my best. [Or. Whatever. You know what, he's just gonna let go, closing his eyes so he doesn't start in a mad flail of panic as he drops. He could just hover, so- uh. Enjoy the trust exercise.]

[AND THEN HE DROPS YOU.

Just kidding, though the thought is funny, admit it. He catches the falling teenager with a grunt, and to let the kid avoid a kick of embarrassment he's nice enough to move him right into a standing position, safe and sound on the forest floor. Because you totally didn't have to be caught, nope. No near-bridal carry over here.]

That wasn't so bad.

[A grin - a humored raise of the brow - as he pats the lad's shoulder.]

Now, did you find a journal with your name on it, or is that still MIA?

[Oof. Billy dusts himself off with a sheepish and grateful smile, then reaches back and fishes the journal out of his jeans pocket, lifting it up.]

Yeah, I got it. Haven't really gotten the hang of it yet, or I'd have tried using it... weirdest Blackberry I've ever seen, that's for sure.

[A laugh.]

I wish. Then maybe I could believe it more than the whole 'magical book with magical pages' craziness they're selling. It's all like a computer from ye' old earth.

[sigh]

On the positive side, it's probably way above the Flinstone's: they could've given us a rock to chisel on.

I think I'd just turn into a hermit if talking to people took that much effort.

[Still at least there's a voice function.]

[He laughs faintly at that. He's already half a hermit to begin with, so he can understand the sentiment. After a beat he nods his chin toward the village - or at least, the direction of it.]

Need a little guidance? There's a village that way where we all took up bunk. It's pretty nice, all things considered.

Ah... [Crud, he's already done this song and dance with Buffy. Just... keep it casual, then?] Maybe you could show me? I'm usually pretty good at fending for myself, so I should be okay.

['Ah'? You sound pretty hesitant about being shown civilization, for a new guy. He smiles and fathoms a small guess.]

If you already know the way, of course, I can always just keep you company while we head back. Since the tree thing didn't work out for you an' all.

[Oh, that's a more convenient explanation, now that he thinks about it. Score.]

Actually, I did see some lights in the distance when I was up there. I'm okay with company, though. What were you doing all the way out here, anyway?

[Oh - right. He forgot! After a beat he turns, walking over to a tree where he'd leaned his fishing pole down and holds it up.] Was doing a little fishing. It's a good way to sit around and think without looking like a weirdo.

Oh, got it. Sorry to interrupt your thinking session, then.

[Though it doesn't look like he actually caught anything, so there's that.]

[yeah no, the fish don't like me

it's unfair, man]

Don't worry, I don't think of anything that important. [Just death and the meaning of life and rage-fueled viruses and what-have-you.] The fish here must be mind-readers, though, because I think they hear me comin' a mile away.

With how weird this place already is, I wouldn't even be surprised if they were mind readers.

[Come along little Billy.]

There might be one or two of those around here. Depends on the New Feather weather, I'd say. But I've seen plenty of people I never thought I would, regardless; it's been crazy as hell.

[Action / Voice] evening + morning

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]