01 . action

[calmbeforethe]

[ Her last memories of Luceti had been of snow. Looking around the forest and sensing the patterns of weather upon waking, however, told her it was now early autumn. Either she'd been gone several months or at least a year this time, she figured. Ororo wondered idly if there was a reason that she came and went like this. Something to ask the veterans of Luceti, she thought. ]

[ When she felt well enough, Storm took to the skies of Luceti: she knew her abiliities were dampened here in the enclosure, but she needed some time to reacquaint herself with Luceti's nature before looking for the village. She needed to calm herself, too; less powers also meant less control, and it would probably be better if she kept her emotions from starting an off-season monsoon. The random flashes of thunder and lightning from her annoyance at finding herself back in Luceti might attract unwanted attention, and how embarrassing would it be if someone noticed... ]

[ As soon as she centered herself, she changed course and headed for where she knew the village was. She remembered where the little house she'd stayed in previously was located as well, and checking the journal's callbox had let her know just who was still around and who from her world had arrived while she was "back at home." She figured there would be no harm in dropping by the house unannounced. Hopefully there was someone in House 16 to greet her! ]

[ Storm's first order of business after moving back into her old room at House 16 was to visit the stores for some essentials: the clothes shop being her first stop. As soon as she'd changed into and picked up some familiar clothes, she stepped back outside - and when it was safe, Ororo called down a bolt of lightning from the sky to strike the damned New Feather dress into ash. Subtle? Not in the least, but she had to vent somehow, right? Right. ]

[ Her next stops include the Item Store, and the grocery (to re-stock the house's food supply with some vaguely nutritious food), but her final stop of the day, despite the groceries and other items in her arms, would be Cloud Nine. Some of her clearer memories of Luceti were of the quaint little club, and Ororo rather hoped it would jog a few more of her memories... ]

[ Anyone in town is free to recognize or even bump into her as she makes her way around the village! Storm will be all over the place in general, seeking to re-familiarize herself with the town again. ]

Comments

[shieldsup]

I'm going to guess that you're from the same world as Logan, Rogue, and Gambit? [Her young age, and their young age at least is a bit of a giveaway]

There are other realities where the X-Men exist represented here. It'll be good, having a familiar face here.

[calmbeforethe]

That's right, I am.

I find it interesting that no matter how different the reality, some things stay constant. [Like friendships and teammates... Of course, that she mentions Gambit is a little strange, but whatever.]

[shieldsup]

[Sue nods]

Indeed. There are things that my husband calls Universal Constants. Things that never change. Like, Logan will always be gruff, and Rogue will always have that white streak in her hair. Some things are just...supposed to happen.

[calmbeforethe]

[Ororo's first thought is that she's not sure what that means for mutants across the universes... But she sets that though aside and settles for a fond smile.]

Well, I think I would have a hard time imagining Wolverine as anything but gruff.

[shieldsup]

I think once you get past that gruff exterior...there's really a big softie inside. A softie with sharp, pointy bits though.

[She's smiling fondly as well, thinking of how her Logan would hiss and spit at the notion]

You say you've been here before, then?

[calmbeforethe]

[Ororo nods.]

I have. I do not remember everything, but I do know I've been here twice before. [Her smile turns wry.] As I've said, I think I've got more than enough experience on the New Feather front than really necessary.

[shieldsup]

I can't say I envy you there.

[She shrugs, returning the wry smile]

Are you hungry? I'm told eating does help with the initial disorientation.

[calmbeforethe]

[Well, she's already had a little bit to eat, but what's the harm in spending more time with this obviously friendly woman?]

Perhaps a little. Some food would help in gaining some steadier ground, around here. And I do remember that the quaint little restaurants here serve good food.

[shieldsup]

I'm pretty fond of the tea and coffee shop. How about that? They have nice soups too.

[Something light, easy]

[calmbeforethe]

Sounds wonderful. [Smiles! And lets Sue take the lead.]

If you don't mind my asking, how do you know me, exactly? You say the X-Men exist in your world, do you work with us often?

[shieldsup]

You and Logan both frequently help the Fantastic Four. There's a larger community of heroes though. I believe that you and I met first when we were both on the Avengers.

[She shrugs, talking as she walks]

But yes, the X-Men are on good terms with the Fantastic Four.

[calmbeforethe]

[Ororo tilts her head in consideration, listening. No, none of the names ring a bell, unfortunately.]

I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't recognize any of those names. But it's good to know that the X-Men continue to do good in your world. [Really, the X-Men don't exactly go around looking for reasons to save the world. They just sort of drop on their doorstep, giving them reason to fight when normally they just want to fight for better mutant-human relations.]

[shieldsup]

I'd guessed as much, its nothing to apologize for.

[Sue just nods]

My world seems to be some sort of common denominator. There are many realities represented here with some variation of the Avengers, the X-Men, or the Fantastic Four. Mine's the only one with all three.

[calmbeforethe]

[Hm. That's the second time now that she's heard of the Avengers, now that she thinks about it.]

[Curiously:] Actually, up until today I'd only heard of other worlds that have their own variation of the X-Men. But today I hear of these avengers twice in the span of mere hours.

[shieldsup]

Ah, yes, and you don't know what they are.

[Sue nods, and starts explaining]

The Avengers are a team of super-heroes meant to deal with threats to the world. They were founded in my world by Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Ant Man and the Wasp, but there are quite a few other members. Many of them are here. Iron Man, Hulk, and Captain America. In my world, both you and I have been members, which is where we met, like I said.

[calmbeforethe]

Hmm. [Give her a moment to process this new information.] This Iron Man... he doesn't happen to be Tony Stark, does he?

[shieldsup]

Yes, actually. Tony Stark is Iron Man.

[calmbeforethe]

And you say he is a founding member of this team of heroes? [A touch of humor colors her voice; talk about irony.]

... I wonder if he's still around. I got to know him a little during my last stay here in Luceti, and at that time he'd been quite adamant about "flying solo", as he put it.

[shieldsup]

Ah, you've met Tony before.

[A wry smile]

Well, things changed. I'm told that he returned home recently, and came back several years down his personal timeline. Events in his world forced him to work with the other Avengers.

[calmbeforethe]

Years? I can't even begin to imagine. I've gone and returned twice now, but the interval has only been months on both counts.

But that is a good thing to hear. Tony is... a good man, from what I remember. Jaded, but good. I am glad he found a place with a team in his own world.

[shieldsup]

He's a bit of an ass, but when you have that much money and charisma, who isn't? He's different from the Tony Stark in my world, though. Looser, younger, a lot more vibrant.

[And thats damn good]

[calmbeforethe]

[Ororo gives a surprised sort of laugh at Susan's choice of words. Well.]

I'm afraid I don't know much about the Tony Stark in my own world, though I must say my impression of him had been similar to that, prior to meeting the one here in Luceti.

[shieldsup]

He exists in your world as well?

[calmbeforethe]

Yes. I do not know him personally, but Stark Industries is a well-known weapons manufacturer.

[shieldsup]

Thats how he got his start in my world as well, and apparently this one as well.