1G | VIDEO

[weightoftheworld]

[ there's a pair of thumbs clumsily blocking the camera for a moment, and then a boy's face appears. the kid's barely a teenager, and he looks a little nervous, but he smiles politely for the camera. ]

Looks like it's working. Good. Uhm– [he takes a deep breath, then launches into a clearly-rehearsed speech] –Hi, everyone. My name's Alex Power. Obviously I'm new to this place, but I've already read all those pamphlets they gave us and done some research, so I think I'm mostly caught up on the City and how it works.

[ he smiles wider, though it's a bit forced. ]

It's pretty weird and all, but, my family lives in Manhattan, so I'm kinda used to weird. Superheroes really aren't anything new, ya know? [ he sighs, then catches himself and laughs a bit, awkwardly. ] If my parents were here they'd tell me to try and make the best of it, and that's what I'm going to do. I guess I'm headed to the MAC Building, so...if any of you are living there now, lemme me know if you want to meet up? I don't know anyone here yet.

[ ohgod. being abducted is nothing new, but alex hates being in a weird place without his family. MUST ACT MATURE. ]

Comments

[weightoftheworld]

And how old is your brother supposed to be?

[halfwitch]

He was ten when I left.

[weightoftheworld]

That's just a little younger than my sister Julie. Except now Katie's older than her...

[halfwitch]

That's pretty awkward.

[weightoftheworld]

Yeah...I dunno how to feel about it, really.

[ awkward silence. ]

[halfwitch]

[tramples on the silence with a loud sigh]

Be happy that she's at least here and alive.

[weightoftheworld]

I--duh, yeah! Of course I'm glad for that! At least, I'm glad that she's okay. I can't exactly be too happy that she's stuck here...

[ even though he'd be lonely if she weren't. ]

[halfwitch]

It's not the worst place to be stuck. But I guess you'd rather be home.

[weightoftheworld]

Much rather.

[halfwitch]

Wait around long enough and it could happen. People get sent home all the time.

[weightoftheworld]

But leaving Katie here alone again would be even worse. [ ... ] At least when I go home, I'm supposedly not gonna remember any of this.

[halfwitch]

At least? I think that sucks.

[weightoftheworld]

Well, I don't like it either, but I think it would be worse to be stuck here alone after someone Ported out--and to know that the people back home didn't even remember being there with you!

[halfwitch]

Worse is knowing the friends you made here are going somewhere you'll never see them again because of this stupid other universes thing. Doesn't matter if they remember or not.

[weightoftheworld]

I-I hadn't thought of that. [ aww. ]

[halfwitch]

It's something you should think about. [Sigh] And then they could show back up and never remember how you used to be friends. This place can be pretty messed up.

[weightoftheworld]

Yeah. So I've heard.

[halfwitch]

Still it's not all bad around here.

[weightoftheworld]

[ angry sigh. ]

Yeah. I've heard that too.

[halfwitch]

Doesn't sound like that makes you any happier.

[weightoftheworld]

Maybe 'cuz it doesn't.

[halfwitch]

Why?

[weightoftheworld]

Being abducted to another world isn't exactly my idea of a fun time. 'Specially when I don't have all my siblings around!

[halfwitch]

No one said it was ideal. It's just not the worst thing that could happen.

[weightoftheworld]

[ another sigh. then Alex tries for a smile. ] You're right! I said I was gonna try and make the best of it, and I will! I've just gotta keep my chin up. [ he's been through worse, after all. Alex pauses a moment. ] Sorry 'bout getting mad earlier.