metaverses | Open | The city at the center of it all

Open | The city at the center of it all

Who: open to all, 4th wall visitors more than welcome!
What: New faces and new cracks in the sky
When: August 2022 4th Wall- Weekend
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: If needed

[As Friday night rolls into Saturday, the repercussions of this Earth rejoining the multiverse are starting to become more clear. Missing persons reports are flooding the airwaves, the OurPowers metahuman-only social media network included. In Excelsior, it seems the newly-sentient tech devices are adding to the noise. News coming from Sunset Falls is terse-- there is also a Strong Magical Effect of some sort active in addition to the disappearances. Not even Little Love is immune; thankfully, the residents report no additional hazards.

But here in Central City, the citizens only grow more tense with each resident taken. A powderkeg with a long fuse that has just been lit. The sky is starting to crack, and the feelings of homesickness and fear are starting to spread.

It’s not the warmest welcome a visitor could receive, but the meta population has been put on alert for new arrivals, searching from rooftop to water’s edge. Central’s a VERY big city, but hopefully some generous souls can point you to the swanky Diadem Hotel in the end.

Resident metas, you might want to check in on your nearest and dearest before heading out. Some of you might be deploying to Sunset Falls or Excelsior soon, or making plans to get to Little Love before Central gets… too rough. Some of you might be adventuring Elsewhere very shortly. But maybe there is time to help out a fresh face, extricate them from a confrontation, give them the lowdown about this alternate Earth? After all, you were once new yourself.]

((4th-wallers, feel free to touch down here! Network/”text” threads welcome. Mingle to your hearts’ content))

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[The video looks out on the skyline of Central City from atop a building, at a strange angle, as though the recorder is lying perfectly prone, or very, very small. His voice has a comforting, radio static hiss.]

Whoever is out there, I've seen a similar phenomenon to this where I come from. I'd like to help you, if I can.

They call me Mr. Mind.

1. Moth in the Big City [IN PERSON]

[For anyone who's met Quentin Beck before, this one is... definitely different from his counterpart of this world. For one, he's definitely got antennae and- moth wings coming through the back of his shirt? Huh, weird. For another, he's not exactly backing down or throwing out some tricks to get some angry citizens off his back. An obvious 'meta' makes an easy target in this stressful situation.]

Hey-, hey! Stop throwing shit, and answer my goddamn question! Is this Bavan, or isn't it? Where the fuck am I, hasn't the Fog done enough already-

[ "Central City!" One of of the small group hollers, and Quentin can't help how he rolls his eyes.]

No shit, central to where, asshole? Plenty of places are centrally located, I need more to work with here-

[Someone may need to intervene before either the three citizens decide to kick his ass, or he swings at them first. He has teeth and hands, and will make both of them everybody's problem.]

2. UN: Disillusioned [NETWORK] ooc: I totally accept jokes on this one.

Alright, I want some answers here, jokes not accepted at this time. I am *dead* serious.

1. How many fucking worlds do this thing where you're dragged in, and then they shove a piece of tech at you to communicate like this? This has happened to me twice now, and I'm pretty sick of it at this point!

2. How many of you twitch if I say Avengers, SHIELD, the Snap, *whatever*. Yes, I have to ask this, because if you twitch, goddamnit. I do NOT want to be back in that clusterfuck, and I'm already being reminded of it right now! How do you even LIVE like this around here.

3. If one more person looks at me knowingly and says "Society, right?" I am going to bite them. What even IS this Society shit? If this is some Avengers-level bullshit, I decline. I don't even respectfully decline, I straight up *deny* it. No thanks! I have plenty of my own shit to worry about without getting lumped in with whoever those guys are.

[Well would you look there another 'meta'. A giant rat. Peter has been getting a decent amount of heckling given his appearance. He managed to lose a few people giving him a hard time when he comes upon the group shouting Beck.

Even with their very mixed history, Peter is relieved to see the familiar face. The relief is what pushes him to weave through the crowd to hook his arm with Beck's in an attempt to make a great escape.

The fact he's 4'10 and just showing up gives the group some pause.]

Uh, if you'll excuse us! We have... stuff to do!

[Smooth, Peter.]

[Oh thank fuck it's the kid. There's only one pooka around with that kinda patterning. He's not the only one who's been tossed into this bullshit, then. Quentin is going to fucking kill Octavius for not keeping the kid out of this somehow, though. Motherfucker. They had one deal-

He manages to smile pleasantly at the other people as he briefly pats Peter's hand. It's strained as hell.]

Yup, we gotta- Go do that thing. See if Octavius needs a hand or something, let's just-

[He's about to go with Peter's plan of 'great escape' when one of the crowd throws something.]

[The teenager tugs Beck along, with the intent on getting his weird frenemy out of harm's way. Maybe together they can figure out what is going on here.

Unsurprisingly something being thrown is a milkshake. The cup all but explodes upon impact. Peter squeaks indignantly, ears pinning back as the cold liquid pours down his back. He whips around, his free hand pawing at the back of his hoodie.]

Oh, c'mon! For real!? We're leaving! Like right now!

[This is Beck being pulled even harder to just get away from this mess.]

Edited 2022-08-14 02:24 (UTC)

[A wall of flame suddenly appears between the moth and the citizens. Loki stalks out of the shadows' on the citizens side, giving them a withering look.]

Are you certain you wish to continue with your course of action?

[Quentin doesn't protest being dragged along, but he does give the person who threw the milkshake a very dark look. Yes, the eyes are bulging a little. He will bite anyone who's hands get too close to his face at the moment.]

Hey, quit it! You try any other shit, and-

[He hasn't planned this far. His inability to lie is really biting him in the ass right now.]

And I'll fucking break you. Don't even fucking think about it! Let's scram, this place isn't even worth our time, kid-

[And now time to absolutely book it, because Quentin may have just dug this hole a little deeper. Sorry, Peter.]

[Good news! The citizens look suitably startled and alarmed by the sudden wall of fire. The bad news is, that moth is looking at Loki like he's seen a ghost. It's hard to forget the face of the guy that wrecked New York while you were living there.

If it hadn't been for Loki's whole... world ruling thing, the Avengers wouldn't have been formed. It's a lot of things to unpack for the moth-man, in the span of a handful of seconds. So he'll shove the whole lot down and not think about it until he's out of this situation.]

I- he's right! It's not worth it! You really wanna try shit with this guy around? He means business, I've seen him wreck a place before-

[Quentin's stretching of the truth leaves him paling for a moment. He has to support himself on the wall with a slightly shaky breath.]

You really don't want to cross him.

[The citizens are now sharing more than a few dubious, unsure looks. At least one of them looks ready to run. Another one has quite the unhappy expression.]

[Loki gives him a puzzled look. He's never met a moth-creature... unless this is one of the fae? He turns his attention- and ferocity- back to the humans, but he does conjure a flicker of the same flames at the moth's feet. Through his feet. Don't worry about the fire, it's an illusion, he's trying to be reassuring to the one who is clearly under attack.]

Well, then? What is it to be? Will you brave fools take on two powerful beings from worlds beyond your imagining?

[To punctuate his words, a lance of fire stabs out of the wall, towards the citizens.]

[Quentin doesn't miss the puzzled look, but that's- fine. Manageable. Probably came from some other point in the timeline, or whatever. Quentin can work with that. Probably.

But he visibly startles at the illusion fire, and the lance just as badly as the citizens do. Fuck. He's seen some weird things in Ryslig, but this is- somehow beyond that. Feels more real. The vaguely familiar setting doesn't help either.]

Either way, it's- not going to be pretty. Beings like us have to feed, did you know that-? And you're looking quite appetizing right now-

[It's not a full lie, but he still ends up swaying on his feet again even as he flashes the citizens an uneasy grin. The only good thing is that the previous hunger for- energy, for lack of a better word, isn't gnawing at him anymore. The citizens don't look like food. It's a strange weight off his shoulders.

But the citizens are definitely scrambling to get away now, panic clear on their faces.]

[Loki flashes him a smile, just before he waves a hand and turns them both invisible.]

That should be enough for now. Though we may want to move before they regain their courage. I suspect we will be in this world for some time, and it would not be wise to harm the native inhabitants when we are outnumbered.

I presume you have arrived suddenly from another world, as I have? The land of the fae, perhaps?

[Quentin can't help the laugh that slips out. Well, this is- going to be a hell of a conversation, then. Loki, fucking Loki of all people, thinks he's a fae. Whoo boy.]

Yeah, that's- a good idea. You definitely have more tricks in your pocket than I do right now.

[He scrubs a hand down his face, antennae twitching a little with the motion.]

I wish it was the land of the fae. While I'm a faerie, fae is... kind of a catch-all for some monsters. But this is my- third world I've been dragged into-? I think. The second one is where all this- [He gestures loosely at himself, the antennae and red fluff peaking of of his shirt collar.] Started coming in. Can I ask a quick question, though?

[Time to feel out when Loki is from, even if it's as small as 'So, do you know the Avengers?']

Well, of course. I am a god. As I presume you already know, as you seemed to recognize me. I am sorry to say that you have the advantage of me there.

[There's sympathy mingling with coldness in his voice.]

You consider yourself faerie, then? But not the type to bedevil those weaker than you, I hope. Or you will not, now that you have experienced being pulled from your world and left to the mercy of your new world's inhabitants.

[He makes himself visible enough to shrug and show where he's about to go.]

Ask away. Though I would do it on the move. I am told there is a hotel in this city that is safe for those such as us.

A. In Person/ Rough Landing
Wren doesn't even realize something is wrong at first.

Well, okay, something is obviously wrong in that Wren was in the bad part of downtown in the middle of the night one moment, and the next it's a bright sleek uptown in the middle of the day. Something is very wrong. But the immediate anger from all the people suddenly around, well - Wren's costume has a reputation from the past owner. It's been a while, sure, given that Wren has been the one wearing it for the last year but it's not unheard of.

"It's okay - look, I'm not here to cause any trouble-" Wren says, voice modulated through the headset in their helmet to sound deeper, a bit older, hands up and open in a placating gesture as if not being visibly armed made them any less dangerous.

"That's all your kind does!" someone in the crowd shouts, which is the first signal that this is a different kind of anger than Wren is used to having to diffuse.

"-my kind?"

A barrage of insults about metahumans follows that. Too much anger, and moreover too many people feeding into it - Wren's better at de-escalation than the rest of their team but this is beyond their abilities. Time to look for a fast exit.

B: Network/ UN: Shrike
I don't suppose anyone else here is familiar with the place Cobalt City or the organization Supergroup? I'm trying to find out if anyone else is from the same place I am. If there are any beginner guides of any kind I would appreciate it.

I also assume just going home isn't an option if enough people have gotten stuck here for there to be a process about it now.

We're- scary! Leave us alone or- else! [His attempt at a threat is not great.

This is a 4'10 rat dragging a man much taller than him away from a crowd best he can. Peter starts hurrying a bit more.

Yeah, they are definitely running now away from the group. Peter's need to live outweighs dignity.]

[ There are no visible tweets or responses on the account, which still has an egg icon. ]

You get a better view two buildings northwest, Mr. Mind.

[That's excellent, whoever's replied to this has done so very discreetly, and given the way people in this city are reacting (justifiably?) to the crisis, he can see why.

It's a simple matter to levitate from one building to the next, though the little sorcerer prefers to have someone holding him, or being inside someone's cranium, this isn't impossible. Once he's made it to the suggested 'vantage point', he lands delicately on an air conditioning unit, all five inches tall. He doesn't respond in text, but audibly, having a lot of faith in this mystery tweeter's acumen already.]

That's impressive. You figured out exactly where I was from a single viewpoint of the city. You may well be the earliest bird.

[ Oh, that was quick, clean, and quiet. He’s impressed, and increasingly cautious. There’s not a lot of places to hide on a roof top, and he is, in fact, simply on the shadowy side of the maintenance access. ]

Thanks. Most people don’t appreciate the nuances of learning a new city.

[ Robin spent several weeks, when he first arrived here, patrolling with an eye for the views and the street names. It does one no good to traverse the city from the rooftops without recognizing landmarks just as well as from the ground.

What he doesn’t immediately recognize is where the sound is coming from. Tim is keeping his eyes peeled, but, when looking for anyone smaller than, say, Mister Mxyzptlk on the roof of a midrise, proportions start playing tricks on you. ]

Do I get the worm?

[ Just the slightest hiccup in patter indicates when he spots something dark and tiny near where the sound originated. ]

Edited 2022-08-16 19:15 (UTC)

Whatever this phenomena is, it feels like the whole world is on edge from it. Jason has been keeping an eye on the crowds, both as a civilian and as the Red Hood. Speaking from personal experience, he knows fear has a hell of a way of whipping up people to do unreasonable things.

He was on his way to do some grocery shopping when he sees the mob surrounding another meta. The new arrival's suit is also hard to miss. He walks over, hoping it's not too late to help.

Steph isn't a stranger to negative reactions from the public, but it feels different when it was directed at Batgirl specifically. This is just... anger and frustration bleeding through and making people dangerous, and she can't say she's a fan.

It has her out in uniform, knowing it's likely a bad idea but unable to just sit somewhere safe while people are in trouble.

Like Wren, being dumped into an unfortunate situation with no idea what the situation actually involves. Steph doesn't think twice about stepping in, which mostly involves hooking her grapple gun on a nearby building so she can swing down and land next to Wren.

"Hey folks, you mind if we cut this short? I've gotta take our new friend for a tour." It's not really a question, and she holds a hand out for Wren, her expression a very clear suggestion that Wren should let her help so they can get the hell out of here.

There's always going up, but to get the force to lift off significantly there's a certain amount of blowback that occurs at the liftoff point and with everyone so close together Wren has far too many awful visions of crushing injuries that can happen of falls in a tightly packed crowd. Okay, fine - a smaller one then, not full on up up and away but just enough to get over the crowd. That's easy, Wren's used their flight to finesse what looks like inhuman acrobatics plenty of times. Kickoff up and over, hitting the ground on the other side so they're no longer penned in with a tumble that absorbs most of the force of that fall - and of course almost colliding directly with the guy who just approached the outer edge of the growing mob. At least he doesn't look ready to pop off - only a little curious. And Wren managed to stop themselves from an actual collision that would have definitely toppled groceries. They'll take their lucky breaks where they can get them.

"-Sorry!' for the close call, though.

Look, Wren's got no idea who the purple suit is (that logo is fully unfamiliar) but in spite of what their former team might say Wren is fully capable of playing along when needed. It could of course go pear-shaped, some kind of draw away and attack trap, but even if going 1v1 against another mask is the significantly harder fight Wren would much rather risk that than hurting a bunch of non-powered people. People don't get this angry overnight - not without mind control involved - so Wren's definitely missing something here and even if it is mind control that's another check into the box of 'do your best to not let them get hurt'.

"Sorry for the interruption, back to your regularly scheduled programming - uh, maybe," okay, that sky looks questionable to say the least, but that is not yet Wren's problem to deal with. They take Stephanie's hand without hesitating. Sure they can fly but this way they don't set off a blowback and potentially knock people over that are standing too close. "Thanks."

Jason watches the... liftoff? Or at least the person attempting to escape. At the same time they nearly topple him over, Jason had taken several steps back.

"It's okay!" He says after they apologized.

Then Jason sees the crowd start to turn to them.

"Come on. You don't wanna hang here any longer. There's an alleyway shortcut down the block."

Jason starts to take several steps back as the mob notices him trying to help.

Wren's helmet usually has a heads up display that can access city maps, but it can't connect to any network here and Wren doesn't have the time to stop and go through every firewall they've got on it to see which (if any) is the problem. So they'll have to rely on the directions given.

"You don't have to do this, I can handle myself," Wren says quickly as they head in that direction, hoping to absolve the helpful stranger of any possible need to help that would put him in the line of fire too. As far as Wren knows Jason's just a normal guy on a grocery run after all.

Welp. Too late. There are shouts at Jason for helping "another stinkin' meta" so he's going to bolt with Wren.

"Don't suppose you got knockout gas in that suit?"

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Open | The city at the center of it all

Twitter | Video Stream | Public (@therealmrmind ☑️)

Quentin Beck | MCU | Ryslig CRAU

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Wren Fulton-Gray (The Shrike II) | OC

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