shieldsup | First Shield: A lack of unstable molecules...[Action/Voice]

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First Shield: A lack of unstable molecules...[Action/Voice]

[Action]

[Early in the evening of July 9th, Susan Richards wakes up in a very, very strange place, an unfamiliar couch. In YOUR living room. She blinks and looks around, extremely confused. When this strange, blond woman sees you...her eyes go wide she disappears, clothes and all. Astute listeners may hear the sounds of her feet as she gets up and moves away from you and the couch.]

Wha! What on Earth?! WHO are you and WHERE am I?

[Susan's voice is pretty demanding for an invisible person who just woke up in your house, and it seems to be coming from all around you, her powers distorting it.

Maybe you could help talk some sense into her? Explain the situation? Perhaps you're feeling pretty mad? Break time, go nuts! This isn't locked to anyone!]

Voice

[Much, much later, Susan's voice will appear over the journal after she's collected herself and gotten out of whoever's house she wound up in]

Hello everyone. This is Susan Richards of the Fantastic Four. If there are any members of the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the X-Men, or even anyone that just recognizes my name I would appreciate it if you would get in touch with me. Hell, even if you are just feeling helpful and are willing to share information, I'd really appreciate it. I've just arrived and I need help getting my bearings. I don't want to impose, but I really need some answers.

Also, if anyone comes across a blue jumpsuit with a 4 on it, I'd ask that they not touch it, its made of highly unstable molecules that can react oddly to anyone that isn't me.

[Her voice isn't terribly upset, more confused. Its not like she's never woken up in strange places or been in rough situations alone before. Thats...sort of what the Fantastic Four do!]

(OOC: Feel free to break time with the action portion of the post! I've got nobody in particular who needs to find her so she can wake up in anyone's living room that wants an Invisible Woman)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From your...place. Hmm.

[THAT changes things. Her tone softens. Maybe...]

What year is it for you at home? And have you ever heard of the Superhuman Registration Act?

2012, and no. [Although she can take a guess at what it is, based on the name.] Should I have?

No, you shouldn't. We're from different realities, Ms. Potts. I'm from 2011, so if you've never heard of the Fantastic Four and the Registration Act then our timelines are very, very different.

Nick, Director Fury, retired a few years ago and was replaced by Maria Hill. Director Hill and Tony, well...this is complicated...

[A sigh]

Pepper, is there a place in town we can have a cup of coffee or something?

[Pepper again raises an eyebrow as she considers the book on her end. It's not hard to guess what Susan wants to talk about, at least in a general sense.

Well. No harm in hearing the woman out.]

There is. Have you made it to the plaza yet, Mrs. Richards?

[Because Susan may know a version of her, but Pepper hasn't met this woman, yet. So it's better to stay polite.]

I'm nearly there now. The fountain, yes?

[She notes the politeness, and it IS appreciated. Pepper and Susan had never been particularly close.]

That's fine. I'll meet you there shortly.

[At which point Pepper closes the journal. She leaves a note for Tony, although chances were good he'd see the conversation anyway. Either way, it's not a bad habit to establish.

She and Tony don't live far away from the plaza, although it's still likely Susan will beat her there. Either way, Pepper heads to the fountain, keeping an eye out for someone who looks like the pictures she saw in the journal.]

[Susan walks up, still dressed in her New Feather uniform, and makes a beeline straight for Pepper. She didn't look too different. A bit younger, and softer maybe.]

Hello Ms. Potts.

Mrs. Richards.

[Pepper turns at the sound of the voice, offers a hand to the other woman. It's appropriate for someone she's just meeting, even if the introduction is only true on Pepper's end.

The New Feather dress, though--Pepper has all too recent memories of being stuck in that outfit herself, and how eager she was to get rid of it.]

Are you sure you don't want to wait a bit for this? Considering what you're still wearing, that is.

[Sue takes that hand and offers a firm shake. She's stronger than she might seem, and happy to meet you besides, Pepper]

If you don't mind directing me to a shop, I'll have no trouble finding something more suitable. If my jumpsuit is there, it won't take long.

[Pepper nods, then points to one of the stores close by.]

You'll find whatever clothing you need in there. And I don't mind waiting a few minutes.

[It's nothing new, considering how often she waits on Tony in one fashion or another. She settles on a bench beside the fountain, and busies herself with her journal, pulling it out of the bag she carries.]

[Sue nods and leaves, returning a few minutes later in a blue jumpsuit with a 4 emblazoned across the chest.]

Thank you for waiting Ms. Potts. Its better that this didn't get taken by someone else.

[Pepper puts her things away when she sees Susan approach, and is standing by the time the woman reaches her.]

Yes, you mentioned that. Something about unstable molecules.

[Which makes the outfit unique for more reasons than its appearance. But that's more Tony's department than hers, so she'll turn toward the opposite side of the plaza.]

The teashop is this way. They also serve coffee, if that's your preference.

Yes, my husband designed them to work with our...unique...genetics.

[She follows your lead and turns towards the teashop]

That's fine. Tea, coffee. Something strong.

Unique genetics? [Somehow that phrase combined with "unstable molecules" doesn't inspire much confidence in Pepper.

At the mention of something strong, Pepper pauses.]

There's also a bar, depending on the sort of strength you're looking for.

[That much, at least, Pepper can relate to.]

No, no. Coffee. I don't need alcohol right now.

[She laughs that off. A stiff drink wouldn't be BAD but not the best idea right now]

Oh, right. You wouldn't know would you? My family. The Fantastic Four? We were in an accident, exposed to a unique sort of radiation during a space flight. It changed all four of us. The suits adapt to the changes.

[She holds up a hand, and suddenly its invisible]

[Her choice. Pepper starts heading toward the Welcome Center then, with the teashop above it.

She listens when Susan talks about her family, the exposure to radiation. Bruce Banner went through something similar (though not in space), so Pepper's at least willing to hope the effects are--contained.

She has to take a second look when the woman's hand disappears, though. Pepper's eyes go wide, and she stares at what looks to be open air.]

Oh. That's...convenient.

That's not all. In recent years, my body has developed the ability to generate force constructs. Barriers, shapes, almost like telekinesis. I'd show you, but they're invisible.

[And she catches a sense of your worry]

Don't worry, the radiation isn't catching. It was a freak accident. We've tried but it cannot be duplicated.

[Pepper manages a smile as Susan describes her powers. Considering that Pepper's seen her share of powerful beings lately thanks to the alien invasion and the formation of the Avengers, it's not quite as unbelievable to hear about.

When Susan offers reassurances, Pepper lets out a quiet laugh.]

Well, I'd hope so. You are walking right next to me. [Otherwise they would have a few issues to address.] I was concerned, though. Accidents involving radiation usually don't have good results. [On the environment or on people.]

You mean like 3 Mile Island. Or...something else?

Edited 2012-07-11 05:01 (UTC)

Anything like that, really.

[Pepper pauses then, long enough to open the door to the Welcome Center and head in. She leads Susan to the staircase, then up to the second floor.]

This is it. We can sit anywhere; do you have a preference?

I don't, do you?

[Pepper shakes her head, then moves to one of the small tables. Once they're both settled and a waitress has come by to take their order, Pepper looks calmly at the other woman.]

So. I think you left whatever you wanted to tell me at "It's complicated."

[Susan looks down at the table for a long moment and sighs]

This may take a while. I hope you had nothing planned for a while.

[When the drinks arrive, Sue gratefully accepts]

I mentioned the SRA, right? The Registration Act. Its something that the US Government and SHIELD came up with. The first thing to keep in mind is that Maria Hill is the current director, Nick Fury retired after a good sixty-plus years of service.

A group of rather irresponsible young people with powers caused an accident that destroyed a large part of a town, killed a lot of children. It was a tragedy. So the government proposed this bill in response. It seemed reasonable, at first, until it became what it is. Basically, the bill forces powered individuals to register with the government, whereupon they are deputized as Agents of SHIELD and are mandated to take orders from the government.

You following me so far?

Nothing that can't wait. Luceti seems to move at a slow pace.

[Certainly slow compared to the fast pace of Pepper's life back home.

She leans forward, listening while Susan talks. The first part is simple enough; just a changing of the guard.

What comes next is harder to take. News of tragedies is never well received, and Pepper grips her coffee cup a little tighter. The government response isn't surprising in that light, considering how many bills have similar history. And the hidden motive involving SHIELD--well. Pepper's heard tales of that in her own world too.]

So far so good. [Pepper takes a sip of her coffee, then nods so Susan will continue.]

Good.

This...act, it divided the superhuman community. Mutants, like the X-Men, were exempt because a Mutant Registration Act was ruled unconstitutional. However, for people like my family, or the Avengers, it was put very, very simply: Register with the government or be arrested as a criminal. It also meant going public with hidden identities, a prospect that would endanger many families of superhumans.

[Now comes the hard part. She'll leave out her side just yet]

Two camps formed within the community. The Anti-Registration movement was lead by Steve Rogers, Captain America. He and a lot of others disliked the idea of heroes being used as a means to fight wars. They also disagreed that identities need be public knowledge, to protect families.

The Pro-Registration movement was...well...it was headed by Director Hill and Tony Stark. Iron Man. And my husband, Reed Richards. They want to preserve law and order, and protect the innocent from accidents like in Stamford.

[Sue swallows]

The Pro-Registration movement started locking people in a special prison designed to hold superhumans. There have been battles fought, my own brother is in a coma, and people have died. There are rumors that Tony and Hill have started using mind control drugs and nanites on former villains to force them to help fight this...Civil War.

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