selfhelp | [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

[Low laugh.] She mighta called you a friend anyway, garçon. I never knew her 'fore here but that didn't stop her.

[The first person here - or even in a very long time - to show him trust. He's still got a soft spot for her.]

[Right, right. She'd be way before his time.]

Yeah, that sounds like her! I hope I get to meet her someday, too.

Might be back someday. Never can tell wit' this place.

[Much as Remy would like to see her again, he's not wishing this place on anyone.]

You think? That would be awesome. I mean, not so great for her, obviously, but- yeah.

[Oh god he sounds like such a tool.]

Sorry, I kind of ramble a lot.

[He gives a soft snort of amusement.] I'm gettin' that idea, homme.

You ain't one of the Institute kids, are you?

The Institute... y-you mean Professor X's school? The one for mutants? No, no! I mean- I wish. But definitely no.

[Technically he could have gone eventually, but Nate had found him first. Funny how things work out sometimes.]

That's the one. School for the 'gifted'.

["I wish" is juuust enough of a hint that he's going to take a stab in the dark here.]

What kinda powers you got, then?

[What's he gotten himself into now?]

Powers? I never said I had powers.

[He does have a lousy poker face, though, if that helps.]

[It does. But he just grins.]

Ah, right. My mistake. The Institute ain't too well known outside'a mutant circles where I come from.

[Careful observation will reveal it sooner or later.]

[...Man, he is so caught, isn't he? Well, his main concern is keeping it from being publicly announced, for the moment, so it's not the worst thing ever. It might do him some good to get to know the mutant population, small as it is.]

It's more well-known where I'm from. I'm probably from your future, though, or some kind of alternate reality. Seems to be some kind of trend around here.

[Yeah, you're pretty much caught, Billy. But if anyone has to have your secrets around here, it at least isn't going to be a guy who'll blab to everyone.

Unless there's something really good in it for him.]

Y'know, wouldn't surprise me too much. Jubilee was from the future, too.

[And yet also the past. He's long since given up trying to wrap his mind around that one.]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[Okay it's scary when "from the future" is a valid explanation. Oi.]

If you know about the school, does that mean you go there?

Non. Bit too old for school, myself.

[Which isn't the point, and he knows it. But that doesn't mean he's not tossing that out as an explanation.]

So... you're not an X-Man.

[Might as well be up front about it now.]

[Another world where he was an X-Man. He's really in the minority here.]

Who said I wasn't? Jus' never got an invitation 'til I got here.

[Not that it's official, but. He did tell Rogue she was stuck with him the last time she'd asked.]

Oh, so you're- okay, got it. Sorry.

[Oh, man. To get invited to be an X-Man... that must be so cool. Almost as cool as being an Avenger. Almost.]

Don't worry 'bout it, mon ami. [Because you were right.] Ain't a big deal.

Does that mean you might join when you get back to Earth, too?

[Because that would be super cool, bro.]

[Yeah, and get carved up by Wolverine and half the others soon as I set foot in the door. There's a dismissive 'hm'.]

Could be. I ain't gonna remember bein' invited once I go back.

...Well, do you want to be?

[Just... gauging interest. There's very, very little that he knows about pre-X-Men Gambit, after all. It's hard to weigh subtlety against his curiosity.]

Homme, I got a boatload of my own stuff to handle when I get back there. We'll see what happens after that.

[Because he may or may not end up dead, married, or both. The Guild mess comes first. After all, he walked right into it.]

Worth a shot, anyway. Good luck with it, it'd be a pretty cool goal to reach, I think.

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