sirenspull | March 21st, 2012

March 21st, 2012

[The NV feed comes on to Duo's face some what obscured by the hood of a heavy black sweatshirt. It's not easy to see at all (which is kind of the point of the hood) but nearly all three feet of his hair is gone. That long braid he once wore with pride? Yup. Not there anymore.

He had Claire help him fix it, but it took a lot of work to go from waist-length hair to something that barely came to his chin once Sylar was done with him. It's even shorter than that now, kind of a layered mess since there really wasn't much to work with. But he still wants to hide it. For now.

He might get used to it. ... eventually.

He doesn't look particularly happy, either. Though all things considered... he really could be a lot more angry.]

I came back to a pretty full voice mail inbox. Not surprising. Sounds like Claire was uh... pretty upset... don't blame her for that...

[He pauses to scratch under his ear, glancing way from the camera.]

It's a long story. I don't want to get in to it. But... just for the record?

I didn't go after him. I've done some stupid, stupid shit in my life but I'd like to point out that is not one of them.

... what was probably stupid was givin' the guy lip and being an ass to him but--

[he shrugs. What? He's not going to apologize for being himself. And Sylar did kinda deserve the attitude.]

In all seriousness, I was walking home, he was on the other side of the street and he really didn't leave me much choice in having a little "chat" with him.

[a scowl at that. Some chat. What the hell was the other man hoping to accomplish with that? Really? That 'almost family' bullshit was just that. Bullshit. But... he's not going to talk about that. Better to keep the topic of their talk between himself and Claire, really.

He sighs and rests his chin in his hand, fingers tapping against his cheek.]

Whatever... done and over with... mostly.

Probably gonna have to move out of my apartment soon... and I don't think I should stay at Wayside anymore, either. I'm gonna need another job, part time at least. The freelance stuff doesn't pay the bills as much as I would like it to.

[He hates admitting that Sylar had this much impact on his life, but damn it, he is not leaving Claire. Screw doing the smart thing. He cares too much about her for that.

But that "better life" he had going for him here has pretty much been shaken up to the point where he'll be lucky if job and home are the only thing that change.]

I've asked this before but, does anyone need a really good mechanic? Or an ex-mobile suit pilot? Or... [wait, no, lock picking and stealing are not good job skills, Duo.] er... just... anything would be good at this point...

[Awkward cough.]

Yeah.

So. I'm back. Sorry if anyone missed me.

[He manages to grin a bit, trying to look a little like his old self. He reaches forward, hesitates, then clicks the NV off.]

thepull_mods

Wednesday, March 21st 2012

WeatherThundershowers continue into the morning, with pebble-sized hailstones. Expect strong gusts of northwest wind until mid-afternoon. High 8°C and a low of 2°C (46deg;F/36°F)

Current Moon Phase: Waning Crescent

Morning sirens go off at 7:13am, and evening sirens are at 7:25 pm

News & Advertisements

- A controversial new study has some bad news for brainy kids and pushy parents all over the city- but only those with a certain affiliation. Children from all over the city were randomly chosen for IQ tests through their schools, and the evidence is clear- children of parents who are affiliated with SERO are smarter than their AGI counterparts.

"I realize this is going to sound like a corporate shill, but that's what the data says," said Dr. Sarah Goodheart, one of the researchers contributing to this study. "On average, children whose parents are SERO affiliated scored 12 points higher on an IQ test than children whose parents are loyal to AGI. Their reasoning and logic test scores are also higher, as well as their average GPAs, for the high school students."

SERO released the following statement in regards to the study: "We are pleased that our fine corporation is finally receiving the credit it deserves for taking a position of leadership and support in the educational system of Siren's Port. We hope to continue enriching the minds of all children in the city through our revolutionary educational programs."

AGI had no response to the study yet, but plenty of its affiliates were furious. "What a joke!" scoffed Renard McCain, an AGI-loyalist and statistician, whose daughter Camilla is scheduled to be the valedictorian of her high school class this spring. "This is clearly just SERO trying to push stupid corporate propaganda out as real science and real news. There is absolutely no evidence to support this. Correlation does not equal causation."

- AGI's premiere karaoke bar, Mike's Mics, just got a lot spicier. Starting tonight, every Wednesday will be Strip Karaoke Night. Belt out your favorite tunes all night long... and show off your goodies while you're at it! Strut your stuff like a pop star with our hands-free karaoke system and glamorous light and fog set up. For those of you who really like to bare it all on stage, there will be a Strip Karaoke Contest once a month. The winner receives $100 and a lifetime of bragging rights.

If karaoke isn't your thing, stop by for cheap cocktails and our gorgeous, multi-talented karaoke hostesses. They'll be leading the show, and showing lots of skin.
------------------------
[ News Notification Thread]

gabriel_gray

[ The NV flickers on for the first time to--what is that?--bubbles and bleak murky water. Green and grey, and a flash of light high above. There's wild splashing, white water, and a bleary shot of the city in the far distance.

The water swallows up the NV, and then over the next minute or so everything is just dark. Bleak and dark and wet.

And then the splashing starts again. The NV goes off in all the activity.

An hour and a half later, it comes back on, and a sand smeared, wet, bedraggled Sylar is leant over the NV, shivering--the water is subzero. There's seaweed in his hair, and his eyes are blazing gold, as though on fire. He's considering exploding just to teach Lucifer a lesson he'll not forget. ]

I have a wonderful idea. [ His voice is harsh, as though he's spent the last few hours choking saltwater, which would be accurate. ] The next time you decide that something is yours, write your goddamned name on it.

[ OOC: Sylar's replies will come a couple of hours later, as in the meantime he'll be stopped from exploding the city. He doesn't appreciate getting dumped in the ocean much, not really. Also shh it's totally Wednesday here. ]

vaguelysauntered

[The NV turns on, showing a very sleek-looking dark-haired man with sharp cheekbones and sunglasses smirking at the camera. Even over the NV, one can tell that this is a person who knows he's better than everyone else around him- there is no uncertainty in his features, just full-on arrogance. When he finally speaks, his English accent is so smooth one can practically roll a carpet on it.]

Well, let's see here. You know, I've been going through this thing's previous posts and such, and wow, all the entries from people who have just arrived really share a lot in common. You'd think that there's some kind of checklist that we have to get through once we arrive. Like, number one, you must certainly, without a doubt, ask "where am I?" or "what is going on?" or "why have I been dragged across time and space itself to the wretched wannabe of a place that is Canada?" Because finding out things by asking people who might lie to your face instead of quietly gathering information by your lonesome is clearly the way to go.

[A pause as he lets that sink in.]

Second, you must ask where your friends or family or dog or beloved garden gnome is in this place. Which, most of the time, results in nothing but statements like "No, I haven't seen your gnome" to "Oh, yes, your gnome was here before, but I'm not sure where he's gone off to now, sorry about that".So why bother asking? No, I'm going to skip that part entirely- I've already checked the NV for the people I know and they're not here, so, just look at all the time I saved.

Third, you may either a), mention that you "can't stay here because you have something important to go back to" or b), basically give your whole life story to people because you can. I'm not doing the first option because, frankly, I'd rather not repeat the Apocalypse all over again, thank you, and I'm not doing the second one because, honestly, I'd rather keep all of you in the dark. Why in the world should I reveal who I am or what I do without knowing exactly who lives in this place?

[He grins widely.]

What I can tell you is that the name's Crowley. [He pronounces it like it rhymes with "holy".] Anthony J. Crowley. And I do not need your pats on the back or your offers to be my best friend ever or your little cheerful fake welcomes. All I need is information about the darkness at night and how this city works and other such things.

Do be nice and provide it to me. I'm sure a few of you have the collective brain to do so.

littleshit

[Claudia's NV clicks on, recording the peppy, sweet voice of a fourteen year old girl.]

Hellooo~? [A small pause, before her voice raises an octave.] Hello? I don't know if anyone on the other line is listening, but I just wanted to thank whoever it was who brought me here! This is the best vacation ever!! I mean it! I've never even heard of this place before, so that must make it all the more exotic and exciting!

I haven't been this scared since someone told me the legend about the Rail Tracer! [There's a beat as she collects emotion in her voice to emphasize her next question.] ... Is this fear? It's been so long that I think I must've forgotten the feeling!

Well, that's not important right now, anyway! I have a lot of shopping to do, since no one told me I'd be going away on a trip. That's kind of rude, isn't it? Someone tell me where the nearest mall is, please and thank you!~

[A long pause.] Hellooo?

dr_orpheus

[The video feed cuts in suddenly, and the network is treated to another accidental show. In this case, it's the downside to having a skull NV with a tendency to bounce when it's sitting on a table and you bang your fist against that table with great force because, well...]

WHAT is going on here?

Dude, nothin'! [If anyone could believe that someone yelling at Pickles could really be over “nothing,” the proof is in the visuals: a naked blonde tearing through the frame with her clothes while Pickles tries to cover himself up with a towel. Yeah, even he seems to know he doesn't have much to stand on in the innocence department.] ...S' fine. Dude, s' only water--s' not like we were in yer bed or nothin', relax--

It is not only water! It is a beaver habitat! Would you entertain a lady of the night IN FIDO'S BACKYARD HOME?

[A sound escapes his throat, almost like he was going to say something to that, but then...doesn't.] It's a fuckin' pool in yer house! How was I supposed to know beavers lived in there?!

I introduced you to them on your first day here!

...I thought they were stuffed animals. [He was high, okay?]

Stuffed-! [No, there are more important things to be enraged about at the moment.] Where are they now?

How the hell should I know? S' not like I was lookin' for a bunch of beavers to come out when I opened the fuckin' door.

[Orpheus sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. They most likely retreated to the bathroom after the intrusion. He will look for them later.] Well, the damage has been done. [He walks over to the edge of the whirlpool tub and peers inside.] I will have to give the pool a proper cleaning... [His voice trails off as he leans over the side of the tub and reaches for something. That something comes into view when he stands up, holding it pinched between thumb and forefinger and keeping it at a great distance. It is a well-used lady's thong. There are no words, just a look of utter disgust for Pickles.]

[While Pickles stares back at the thong without any noticeable reaction, adjusting his towel a bit.] ...Hey. I can throw that out for you if you want. I mean, she probably ain't comin' back for it now, y'know.

[He listens to the offer with no change in his expression, but then something snaps. Orpheus has had enough. His hand, still holding the thong, whips towards the door.] OUT!

[Pickles looks a little shocked for a second; then he settles on annoyed, rolling his eyes and heading back to where his own clothes were.] Fine. Jeeez. Don't have a fuckin' heart attack, dude.

[Both Pickles and Dr. Orpheus disappear off-screen, but the argument doesn't end there: it just becomes distant and harder to hear, as though the vitriol was coming from the other end of the apartment. About eight minutes later, Pickles’s voice comes closer, choice words like "douche bag" and "fuck" being uttered, and the last thing the NV sees is him slamming his key down on the table before the feed shuts off.]

integrity

It seems we've received another rush of individuals to the beloved city of Siren's Port.

[Crowley sounds fairly content with this.]

Ignoring the problematic situation you've now found yourself in, consider this hellish alternate Canada your new home. I'm Crowley -- [and he takes great care to enunciate his name as it is properly pronounced] -- your resident demon, though I suppose most of the citizens of the Port are more familiar with my invisible dog than they are me.

Should you require information on your situation or assistance through employment -- or less savory information regarding the Darkness -- you can feel free to speak to me. I promise I don't bite people I don't know and only those that willingly earn it.

Consider this an open forum on our collective agreement that we would all much rather be in Maui. Or perhaps some of you are actually Canadian and this is some kind of invisible pull towards home.

I hear hockey is a fantastic sport if you're part Neanderthal.

his_own_will

--here, then the video will...

Aha!

[ Oz smiles brightly from the video screen held a good foot away from his face. ] There you are! I was told this thing could do all sorts of things and I guess he was right. So, tell me. Do you prefer dogs or cats?

[ This is a question of extreme importance. To pretty much absolutely no one. ]

showbizpanache

[Kurt looks...like shit. The only reason he's doing video is so he doesn't have to speak up to be heard over Voice. The 'little head cold' he said he has turns out to be a big, kind of shitty head cold. He sniffs before talking to the camera.]

I haven't been sick since I was in middle school. I exercise every day. I eat healthy food, I avoid unnecessary human contact, I take vitamin supplements every day before my morning skin care routine... Ugh. [He sneezes.]

Well, the show must go on, as they say.

( Anonymous voice; it sounds a lot like Harry Osborn )

( Snake; video )

( Finn Hudson; video )

[...It seems like that's it, and then Kurt adds one more:]

( Blaine Anderson; video )

arealwoman

[ After the last disaster she's not so quick to broadcast herself on the network so Christina texts her questions instead ]

Where do you go here? Either because you have to or want to. Just curiosity.