selfhelp | [Action] Fourth Wall

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[Action] Fourth Wall

BILLY KAPLAN will be either a) flying/teleporting around or b) wandering through the chaos just wondering what the hell is going on; he's never seen this in Luceti before, and it's definitely something to look at. He'll be watching for familiar faces, definitely, or just poking at interesting-looking people.

EDWARD ELRIC is, surprise! Back from his kidnapping. Sort of. Temporarily. And he's trying to get himself home, but who knows what he'll run into on the way... eh-heh.

ASCH is in Good Spirits, mostly unruffled because he's been through like five years of this madness and refuses to get his feathers ruffled. But he will anyway, because he's like that. You might catch him outside as well, if he decides he's had enough and tries to drown himself in the lake or something. (This is entirely possible.)

[ooc: please put who you want to ping in the subject line or something, this is a catch-all! And Ed's just back for 4th Wall, his real return will be a few days after this. |Db]

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[Among the swarm of displaced wingless people is an equally displaced Eli. He's got ref-white-and-blue wings, presently puffed out in annoyance as he sits in Good Spirits sipping on some bubbly drink from a world he's never heard of glaring out the window at the mobs.

Hmph. You don't get this kind of pampering in Kin'corra.]

[Reed steps inside reluctantly himself, not really sure if this was the best idea either, but he'd do his best.]

Thank you. I understand your reticence to speak with me, given past actions and mistakes on my part, but I do appreciate it.

[He looks around the apartment, a little awkward maybe, but hey, he's incredibly awkward with people.]

[Man, they make quite a pair of awkward losers, don't they. Billy shuts the door behind him, shifting from foot to foot before gesturing further inside.]

Yeah, uh.

[What does he even say to that? "It's fine"? Because it's not. "I don't mind"? Because he does. "You're welcome"? Because he's really, really not.

"Can I have your autograph"?

....No, Kaplan.]

What do you want?

To talk. Nothing more.

[He shrugs absently.]

I'll go if you'd prefer. I won't force my presence on anyone.

[Oh my god. That is a very familiar bald head he's looking at from the doorway of the bar.]

Eli? Hey- Eli! Is that you?

Yes... Some place quiet would be best.

[And warm, seeing how she's in a plain button-up blouse and a skirt. Rebecca holds her arms and lets out a huff of a sigh, very, very tempted to pinch the bridge of her nose. She only resists because she's cold, and because there are other things on her mind, like this whole wings business.

Lead the way, however you want to lead, Billy.]

[At this rate they'll be running circles around each other all afternoon. Billy sighs faintly, shaking his head.]

If you talk, I'll listen.

[Goddammit, you crazies, he's just trying to enjoy the peace and quiet.

It's pretty hard to sneak up on the spy-types, but it's not like the sneak is being subtle. At the flash of movement, Asch scowls and turns to look in that direction, hand on his sword.]

Who the hell's out there!?

[One ear swivels to the sound of her name, and Ammy comes to a halt during her run, standing still on the lake's surface, causing only a gentle ripple as she looks around curiously for the one that called out to her. Someone that knows her name? Her full name, even! That's a rare thing, even back in Nippon. Hearing her name here is just even more bizarre.

Anyway, Ammy finally spots Asch and begins meandering over towards him. Not at a run, but a calm trot. Were you the one that called her? ...Do you know who she really is? That'd be kind of nice.]

Wuu?

[Reed straightens and nods]

I'm not really good with people, but, I'll try and put it as plainly as I can.

[He rubs his chin, thoughtfully.]

What happened with, well, all of that? It was a mistake. I am sorry, but it was the logical decision at the time. I thought it was correct. And I was wrong. I stood up for what I believed was the correct choice, and you can ask my wife. I'm not always as observant as I should be. I design things. I don't always dictate how they are used. And that entire situation was badly handled.

By everyone.

But particularly by myself, Tony, and Hank.

Edited 2013-01-26 14:00 (UTC)

[BILLY. Even though he tries to look cool about it, he's mostly jumping up from his seat to acknowledge his fellow Young Avenger.]

This is the part where you tell me you've learned how to shift between dimensions and are getting me home, right?

[He takes note of her clothes, the way she's hugging herself in the cold, and the windchill he feels on his own exposed skin. Yeah, it's way too cold for this, even if it isn't that much of a walk.

What's the worst she could do, say no?]

...Do you want to- I mean- I could fly us there?

[He's still not sure how really feels about the whole superpowers thing, but... no time like the present?]

[Hey. That's superstar crazies to you.

There's no reply to Asch's question. Just a long, unnerving silence. Even in this silence though, he keeps watch, waiting for Asch to find himself all turned around.

Lurking in the shadooows.]

[Oh. Oh, wow. Yeah, that's... not what he was expecting. At all. And while it's not as if he can just wave his hands and go "hey, sure, no problem, you're forgiven!" But it's a start. A good one at that.]

Did you get a lecture from your wife, sir?

[It's halfway on the road to teasing. Actually, Sue had been kind of intimidating when she talked about Reed and the war. He wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that.]

[That actually gets half a smile from Reed, but he shakes his head]

About you specifically? No. About all of it together? Yes. A lot of it.

[Some of it borderline violent...]

For what it's worth, I am sorry for what happened. The whole thing was just. Well. It was mismanaged, badly handled, and a botched bit of fearmongering. And I'm beginning to suspect that there was more at work than just that.

[Skrulls.]

Hello! Hello! Hello!

[He's so excited, he keeps poofing around Billy. Then he reaches out a hand for Billy to shake... and continually produces more hands held out for him to shake.]

Fly? [It sounds like she doesn't quite know what he means, not until a few seconds later, when she remembers that he can fly.

In truth, Rebecca has mixed feelings about her son's powers. On one hand, it's kind of scary. Him being a hero without registering is the reason why he was locked away with no guarantee of a return during that horrible war, why she wonders if she's going to see him again when he's doing his job, and why he'll sometimes be somewhere she never imagined any of them could ever be.

On the other hand, his power is a part of who he is now, and she'd be a terrible mother if she didn't accept some part of him that he can't help. Not only that, but he's using it to be productive, to do some good in the world. That, plus Teddy being around, she's sure, is the reason why he doesn't seem as depressed anymore. And how can she not be happy and proud about something like that?

So, she smiles.]

I would like that. Just don't go too fast. Such erratic movement could lead to an unsettled stomach.

[She's still not really used to the fact that her son can fly, but might as well see how he does it. ~~And see if he does so safely, it'll show her if he truly deserves a car or not later in life~~]

[His eyes widen at first, before he eases into a more astonished smile, pleasantly and somewhat shyly surprised that she'd agreed. Explaining his powers (and the whole Young Avengers thing) had been difficult enough after they'd rescued Teddy from the Super Skrull, nevermind attempting to give the full experience.

Now? Now he gets the chance to fly with her, something he's only really done with Teddy so far. A chance to show off what he can do and- maybe she'll like it. It's not as if she's never praised him - the psychological studies had ever been on his side in that regard, and at the core Rebecca Kaplan really was a fantastic mother whether she was annoying about it or not - but this is his talent. Something naturally his, the way academic success never could be.

And it's exciting to share.]

It'll be the smoothest ride you've ever had, I promise.

[He offers his hand out to her, blue energy flaring between the fingers of the other, making him hover gently above the ground.]

[He's not surprised by that; people forget as soon as they go back, after all, and he's never met Susan Richards outside of Luceti. It's... sad for that fact to hit home, that apparently none of this matters in the long run, but he can't grieve it right now.]

I can't... really disagree with anything you've said. But it's nice to hear it acknowledged.

[There's no forgiveness to be found, but there is less hostility, and his nerves are soothed a little. It's just been hard to have the three main faces of "the enemy" back home be that of heroes he grew up idolizing.]

What do you mean, 'more work'?

[Billy just can't believe he has wings. Could he be a New Feather and not a random visitor, and Billy hasn't noticed him until now!?]

I wish I could tell you that. I'm stuck here, too- I haven't found a spell that could get us out.

[But he's so glad you're here!]

[You never nee a heart, Ed. Trisha turns around to face him when she hears him call her, and it only takes her a second to wrap him in the tightest hug she can.] Edward. I'm so glad to see you.

[Reed shook his head]

People were acting off. Not just strange. Off. I've got a few theories, but nothing I can put any hard evidence behind. The entire thing, if you think back on it? It feels very orchestrated. I certainly never expected Steve and Tony to fight like that. Did you? Or for Hank to behave the way he did.

There's something more afoot here. And I can't help but feel all of us were manipulated somehow. It doesn't change what happened, that was wrong, but it does point to something larger at work. An unseen hand, dictating our every action.

[~~Reed, you're this meta even in comics. Stop.~~]

Edited 2013-01-26 18:37 (UTC)

[...Ha... it totally is her. She doesn't seem to recognize him, or at least he can't read it on her face. He's not well-versed in dog-face. He does crouch down as she draws near, taking note of her markings and how she really is walking on the goddamn lake. And it's not even frozen where she's standing.

Yeah, he can understand why people consider her to be a god in her world. Still he has to smile a little.]

Hey, mutt. Long time no see.

[....He's not turning around, are you crazy 8|

He's stomping into the bushes to chase you down, whoever you are

~~and who is that whispering~~]

[He can't-

This guy's-

Why does he keep moving-

Wide-eyed and utterly baffled, Billy finally just... leaves his hand outstretched, waiting. Pick one, this is way too much effort for a handshake.]

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[Action] Fourth Wall

[ACTION OR SOMETHING]

It'll be fantastic?

unless billy does some avenging

Don't do it! Don't be the x-factor here...

[ELI BAYBAYYYYY]

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well how can he compete with a man of his (ex)caliber

omg wat fjkdshfkjds

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By joining the Exiles, I guess?

[HEY BRO SUP]

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im so sorry

he'd probably just runaway

Take the (Alpha) Flight path?

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only if it's lit by at least Five Lights

[NOT MUCH BRO]

[action] yeah, I know

Better than the Power Pack I suppose.

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no you're not

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