WELCOME TO DREAMWIDTH, HERO...

[ the feed turns on and it's a view of the city from way up high. ]

There's nothing quite like a trip home to help you sort out your priorities. [ a beat. ] And there's really nothing like spending time on an alien world to make you miss the sights, sounds, and smells of the big city. As much as I love the stars, there really is no place like the home planet. Even if this one isn't quite the one I was eager to get back to.

[ there's another longer pause. ]

Is it just me, or does the Porter pick... interesting times to pull people from?

[ carol's lounging in the living room of the mansion in a tank top and shorts because, well. ]

I can't believe it's almost summer. It seems like just yesterday it was the middle of January and everyone was freezing their asses off on the actually wintery days. It's a nice change, though. I like the heat more than I like the cold. Which is probably due to how much time I spent in deserts after college. What about you, City? Hot or cold...?

[ she trails off, then frowns a little as she looks to the side, out at the rest of the mansion. ]

Alright, this is getting eerie. I can't remember the last time the house was this quiet. And dog-less, but I'm not complaining about that.

[ as if on cue, there's a bark from off-camera. carol chuckles— ] Oh, that just figures. [ and turns off the feed, presumably to go play with whatever dog is barking. ]

( [ encrypted to: jennifer walters, reilly tyne, and matt murdock ] )

There's a phrase, supposedly a Chinese curse—the origin of it likely isn't Chinese, but it being widely known as a curse is the important part here—that says "May you live in interesting times." Some people know this as the first curse of three, each of which is worse than the last. The third one is "May you find what you are looking for."

I think it's safe to say we all live in interesting times just by being here, and I think whether or not it's a curse is a matter of opinion. I'm interested in phrase number three right now. What is it you're looking for? And do you think finding it will be a blessing or a curse?

[ gooooood afternoon, city!! today, you get a video of the corner of carol's room as seen from the floor. it's not very interesting, just carol in sweats, sitting at a desk covered in papers with model planes hanging above it from the ceiling. it's pretty obvious she's not the one who started this video.

that would be this little guy who walks into the frame after a moment and starts sniffing at the comm. he bites it once, and after determining that it doesn't taste good, he wanders over to carol, squeaking meowing the entire time.

he jumps up on her lap and she laughs quietly before putting him back on the floor. ] Luke, stop it. Mommy's trying to work.

[ and that's when she spots the comm. she scoops it up off the floor and gives it a small smile. ]

Sorry about that. Looks like someone's a little too curious for his own good. [ there's a little bit more meowing in the background and carol looks down at the cat before turning back to the video. ] I have to say, though, this is actually fairly good timing. Asking around about cat stuff is on my to-do list for today. Might as well ask the whole network.

So... Anybody out there feel like building me a kitty jungle gym so this little guy has something to do other than bother the dogs during the day? I'd buy one from the pet store, but the ones there cost a ridiculous amount of money for something that looks incredibly flimsy. I'd rather invest in something I know he won't be able to shred within a few days.

[ look out, city. ms. marvel just got her determined groove back and it shows. also, this is all public because lol there is no avengers filter set up ]

Alright, Avengers, listen up. We've got one of our own locked up, one Skrull in custody, and frankly it's high time we got our shit together and gave the civilians something other than paranoia and violence to look to.

Beast, Spider-Man. I need you two in the lab. Iron Man says all the equipment should still be in there from when you were working earlier. I don't care if you have other priorities, right now I'm saying the Skrulls take precedence. If you want me to write you a sick note or threaten your boss so you can get a few days off, I will. I'll also make sure we've got coffee, food, and whatever else you need delivered down there, just get me some progress on that detector.

The rest of you get yourselves over to the mansion or reply to this privately so I can tell you what we need to do. If there's any other heroes or civilians that aren't Avengers, would like to help, and would be willing to go through a number of possibly invasive processes to check to make sure you're not a Skrull... well. We'll take it on a case by case basis.

[ there's a pause, and then carol smirks. ]

Oh, and to all the Skrulls who are undoubtedly watching this? You better batten down your hatches, sweethearts. 'Cause we're going to kick your pathetic, green asses and get back everyone you replaced.

[ the video today is shot through an open window. there's carolers on the lawn singing, and they're actually pretty good. carol seems torn between amusement and exasperation at the sight, though. ]

It's amazing how few Christmas songs are really good for caroling. I think they've started to repeat themselves.

[ there's a pause as carol shuts said window, then she continues. ]

On a vaguely related note, how many people are doing or did their holiday shopping online this year? I actually went to the mall, and I can't help but wonder if ordering things online would've been more convenient.

[ look! it's a wet pug. except he's ever so slightly purple and in a bathtub. ]

So this little guy is now internet famous. As is our cat, Luke.

[ there's a pause as carol reaches out to scratch bee-pug behind the ears. ]

It's amazing, the things that are popular these days. Stupid videos of animals, Jersey Shore, Twilight... Maybe I'm getting old, but there's a part of me that just shakes my head at the stuff that gets put out. It's weird to think of books being stocked in a shelf labeled "Teenage Supernatural Romance."

But then I think of things like this one movie that's coming out, Red Tails, or this book that I read recently, though I can't remember the title, and I think maybe it's not as bad as it could be. There's always a balance between the crap and the good stuff.

[ another pause. carol stops scratching bee-pug's ears and he whines. she laughs quietly and starts it up again. ]

What do you think, City? Do you prefer the classics, or is there something to be said for modern entertainment? Soap operas need not apply, some of those have been around for longer than my mother's been alive.

I've been wondering for a little while now, how many people here have had to do something over again to continue life here like it was back home. Like taking the bar, for example, or getting a— [ the doorbell rings in the background, cutting carol off. ] Hold that thought.

[ the feed keeps running as carol walks away to answer the door. not much of the conversation filters through, but there for those with good ears, they can probably make out a guy saying, 'sign here,' and carol wondering what is with all the boxes. a few moments and some shuffling later, there's the distinct sound of tape being ripped off of a cardboard box and said box being opened.

then, a long moment of silence. ]

Alright, who's responsible for the ninety-six ShamWows that were just delivered to Avengers Mansion?

[ the video feed turns on as carol's comm clatters to the pavement. there's nothing but bricks to see, but there's the unmistakeable sounds of a fight in the background. after a few moments, there's a flash of light and a loud FWASH to accompany it. then, carol's voice. ]

Woof! After the past few days, I can't tell if this is exactly what I needed or exactly what I don't need.

[ the sounds of feet on cement and then the picture tilts until carol's smiling face comes into view. ]

Hello, Network. You're a pretty useful thing when someone's got questions about what the hell is happening when they end up in not-New York. No need to give me the big spiel, I've read enough that I think I got everyone and their mother's different ways of explaining it.

I was hoping to wait to use this thing until I had something other than just a typical, "Hi, I'm so and so and I just got here," speech. But... Hi, I'm Ms. Marvel. I just got here. And I've got some small-time crooks that could do with a pick-up, if anyone's got a line to the police.