video ↪ un: crowe (cw for mention of policework/real world current events)

[pridecroweth]

（ the image opens on sam, obviously pretty comfortable with being on camera. zoom calls will do that to a guy, even the one who'd prefer by far to be an absolute luddite. ）

Whoever got to bring their Jaeger, text it, I'm mad jealous. Do you do ride-alongs?

（ the gundam. he's talking about the gundam.

of course, he wouldn't have wanted his car here — poor old blue isn't built for offroading, and it's not like this place has a gas station just around the bend. ）

I'm new. Trying to get the lay of the land. Was wondering if anyone's done a headcount yet? The better we're looking after each other, the less likely anyone will slip through the cracks. Somebody goes off and falls down a well, no Lassie to warn us, could be a bad time. This goes double for anyone who doesn't know how to use the comm devices.

I understand not everyone's going to be on board with announcing themselves or handing over their name — that's fine. I don't need anyone to tell their life story or even their real name, just basic identifiers so we have a rough idea of how many people should be here. You also don't have to tell me, but — if there's someone here you think you can trust, let them know if you're going out on your own. Call it a personal favor.

（ sam's spent years working with at-risk kids, he knows how to gentle himself. his tone is mild, his body language is open. not a threat. ）

Name's Sam. I'm from Earth, for the familiar, year 2021. I'm a detective with the Chicago PD, which I know isn't going to make me the most popular guy around — ACAB, trust me when I say I get it. I also served with the 75^th Ranger Regiment, 2002-2009. I know a thing or two about a thing or two, but alien planets are a little out of my wheelhouse.

（ a bit of a crooked smile. magic and the like? werewolves? vampires? sure. all that, he can handle (which he wouldn't announce anyway) but the rest? yeah. ）

That said, if anyone needs a second pair of eyes on patrol or someone who can lift heavy shit and doesn't care if I bitch about old football injuries, I'm your man. Peace.

Comments

[chaoswitch]

I don't mind. Enough people know my story at home, sharing it here isn't a problem.

I'm what others call a superhero. Or I was. It's complicated when you have powers like mine. So mostly, I keep to myself. Keep my powers away from others for everyone's safety.

[pridecroweth]

Lonely way to live.

If people call you a superhero, sounds like your instinct has generally been to help others. That's not what I'd call complicated, even if the moving parts of it may be.

（ how many people does he know like that? too many. even simbria started out like that, before it twisted her. ）

[chaoswitch]

Sometimes our hearts are in the right place, at least.

[pridecroweth]

I'd say intent matters.

If I ask what your powers are, will you share?

[chaoswitch]

Of course. I know it's important when taking stock of people.

I have telekinesis and telepathy. But I've recently discovered I'm more witch than anything else.

[pridecroweth]

（ witch. hearing it makes his gut clench uncomfortably, even if he knows — their earth isn't the same (no superheroes, for one) and it's not like simbria knows every witch out there.

he still rubs a hand across his chest anyway. old memories. ）

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I'm pretty sure Glinda the Good would argue.

[chaoswitch]

( he does a good job of seeing the good. good enough it makes Wanda laugh to herself. )

Wanda the Good has a certain ring to it.

It's dangerous, but only because I don't know how to control it yet. But I will learn. ( no room for trying. she will do it. )

[pridecroweth]

See? I'd say it suits you.

Funny story, I also teach Hapkido in the youth center I volunteer at.

The most dangerous kids are the ones with a lot of strength and no technique. It's not malicious, it's just a lack of practice.

If you've still got things to learn, that's not a sin.

[chaoswitch]

Perhaps not.

But for now, safety is further away from the rest.