tushanshu | 10° VIDEO

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[There's a pause before Johnny's face appears on the screen, bent over to press the buttons. Once he confirms that the screen is on, he straightens and makes sure he's in frame, wearing very basic clothes.]

Aw, Reed. You shouldn't have! It's a little small, but I admit, I like what you've done with the place.

[He waits a beat, as if Reed might actually respond.]

There are two obvious possibilities for why I'm here. One, the Emperor is a crazed fan who abducted me to find out if The Torch is really as hot as they say he is – I am, by the way – or, two, I'm actually dead, they're lying to me, and I have a motorcycle and a pile of women waiting for me somewhere.

[A split-second pause.] I'll tell you what. If it's the first option? You can come find me. If it's the second, let me know and I'll come find you. Until then? This Fire Sector is like home, sweet home.

Johnny out.

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[Bryn has to wonder if she's inadvertently stepped on a sore point with the way he reacts as he speaks, and her expression softens.]

They're lucky to have people who care about them, who want to keep them safe.

[And that she means honestly. She didn't grow up with her mother's family and values not to appreciate the value of those who are true guardians and protectors.]

You work with others also, it sounds like?

[Johnny shrugs lightly, not taking the whole superhero thing too seriously in general. In fact, he only takes it seriously when it really matters, when peoples' lives are on the line. For the rest of the time, it's basically just a fun way to be famous.]

Yeah. My sister, Sue, her husband, Reed, and a good friend of ours, Ben. We were all exposed to the same radiation that gave us powers.

[Ah, so he's been separated from family as well. Bryn tucks that knowledge away, tilting her head with curiosity.]

Radiation? That's what gave you the ability to...

[She gestures toward his hand, remembering the fiery thumbs-up.]

[He lifts his hand and snaps to create a small fireball above his palm, obliging her trailing off.]

Yeah. [Johnny opens his palm suddenly and splays his fingers. The fire disappears.] It affected each of us differently and we each had to learn to control it and to strength ourselves.

[She watches the fire as it burns over his hand, marveling at the way it doesn't actually burn him. Such powers are...impressive in Askoupur. Elemental powers are something of a prize among the Gifted.]

What powers did the rest of your group get then? Were they similar at all?

[There's a small part of Johnny that wonders if he should be talking so much about his team and his family, but the larger part of him doesn't see anything wrong with it and doesn't really care if there is. They're not here and no one's going back to his universe to cause trouble.]

Nope. Sue can turn invisible and create these sort of.. barriers, I guess, or shields. Reed's cells are flexible and expand, so he can stretch to insane lengths. Ben got the worst of it, so now he looks like what I imagine it would be if a brick wall and mud had a magical night together. Guy packs a wallop and takes hits like a powerhouse though.

[He shrugs.] I have fire. I can melt steel, shoot fireballs, and I could even cause a supernova that would destroy Earth if I really wanted to. [A beat.] And I fly.

Edited 2013-06-17 04:45 (UTC)

[Invisibility is something Bryn's familiar with, barriers as well. Stretching...stretching seems odd. She can't quite picture it, though she'd be curious to see it herself. It's what he says of his friend Ben and himself that is the most impressive, however.]

You and your friend have abilities that are prized in my world. What you can do with fire is incredible, and that your friend embodies the earth... In Askoupur they would consider he got the best of it, not the worst.

[And then she gives him a side-look, unable to help her curiosity.]

What's it like, flying?

[Johnny mocks shock and turns to look at her with the comment about Ben getting the best of it. The guy's great and all, but Johnny can fly. Without him, they never would have gotten a lead on the surfer.]

Too bad we're not in your world. [He replies lightheartedly. Then he smiles as he thinks of how to answer the latter question.] It's impossible to describe. It's amazing. Flying through the air, especially as fast as I can? It's the best thrill you could ever ask for.

[Except maybe sex, but he's not about to toss that out there so early in getting to know her. Johnny glances around at the end of it.]

Hey, are we almost there?

[There's a certain wistful expression on her face as he talks about flying, and truthfully it's what distracts her so much that she's missed the restaurant they were walking to. Bryn stops as she notices, as he asks, and blinks.]

Oh, yes, we...passed right by it a moment ago.

[With a sheepish smile, she turns back and points to a well-lit place down the recent cross-roads they passed through. Heading toward it, she nibbles on her lower lip.]

I was just trying to imagine what it was like. I had the opportunity to ride with Temeraire once but...riding something through the air isn't the same as flying yourself, probably.

[Johnny chuckles at that, pivoting around and continuing to walk alongside her. He lifts an arm and slides it around her shoulders for as long as she'll allow.]

That's alright. I know I'm distracting. But you're right about it not being the same. [He once flew while the Surfer carried him. By the throat. Not really the same, but understandably unpleasant.] Maybe we can find a way for me to show you sometime.

[The arm around her shoulders earns him a look with a raised eyebrow, but Bryn's lips quirk up at one corner and she leads him to the front door of the restaurant.]

Would that be easy to arrange? Safely?

[Though Bryn can't quite hide the spark of curiosity, almost eagerness at the prospect.]

[Johnny drops his arm from her shoulders as they arrive at the restaurant, leaning forward to try to open the door for her as they make their way in. His smile is apologetic as he answers though.]

Easy? No. We'd have to find a way to make you fireproof. But it's possible.

[Letting him open the door for them, she speaks to him over her shoulder with a sheepish smile.]

I haven't met anyone here capable of performing the spells to make me fireproof, unfortunately. Until then I suppose we'll have to make do with both pairs of feet on the ground. Come on, this way.

[Giving a wave to the hostess, Bryn makes a quick exchange, a nod to an empty table, which the kedan returns with a gesture toward it. Bryn heads toward it and explains simply:]

My usual table.

[Johnny watches Bryn, somewhat oblivious to the exchange, catching on at the last minute, partially thanks to her explanation. Then he trails behind her, smiling as he follows her and then sits across from her when she sits.]

I bet you bring all the boys here.

Only the pretty ones.

[She says this with a teasing sort of bravado, breaking eye-contact only to thank the waitress who brings them glasses with water. Picking it up, she takes a sip.]

So how are you settling in, hm? You had a couple hours or so before meeting me.

Lucky me. [He offers with a grin. Johnny makes the same quick but sincere thanks to the waitress for the drinks before his attention returns to Bryn. The torch tries not to think about the fact that he's sitting in a restaurant on the back of a turtle with a woman who can do god knows what - although that last part's a great thing.]

[His smile fades a little at the latter and he shrugs.] Some of the people here seem to know some version of me, which is a little weird. Otherwise, it's not so bad. I met this mutant, Victor. He's a fan. Good kid.

I've heard of that happening before, though it seems my world is entirely unrelated to anyone else's.

[Meaning it hasn't happened to her, recognizing anyone, or anything from any culture or place. And vice-versa.]

But hey, having fans must be pretty cool. And if people know you it's like you got here with friends you just haven't met yet, right?

[That makes him laugh. Johnny reaches a hand up to scratch awkwardly at the back of his head, as if just caught with someone he's not supposed to be seeing, awkward and just a hint embarrassed.]

Not quite. Lots of people have heard of me, but it seems like only one was any kind of a friend and I get the feeling she got along a lot better with my sister. I already stormed out of her place.

[He drops the hand, still smiling that crooked smile, and reaches to grab a sip of his water. The man doesn't like sitting idle.]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear it.

[Her smile falters just a little bit, because wow how incredibly awkward for him. It makes her wonder if perhaps it's better that she's arrived so...disconnected from everyone else.]

Care for something stronger than that to take the edge off?

[She gestures to his water glass, expression showing hints of sympathy.]

[Johnny grins in response to the sympathy, never wanting to be someone who draws attention in any negative way. His response is upbeat and optimistic, completely contrary to the situation just because he can be.]

Hey, dinner's supposed to be about you and how amazing this place is, not the other Johnny's acquaintances. We'll both get something stronger to drink so we can toast to our time together.

Well if you don't mind sharing, here.

[She reaches under her jacket to pull out a metal flask and offers it toward him. It's about two-thirds full of the local equivalent of vodka.]

It's some of the local stuff I've been savoring since rationing began and the prices went up. A bit like vhedir but not as sweet.

[Johnny accepts it with an appreciative smile, immediately lowering it into his lap as he unscrews it. Once open, he takes a sip, makes a face, and then takes another. He lowers it again to recap it.]

Wow. This is terrible. I don't know what vhedir is, but this tastes like middle shelf vodka and that is.. whew!

[He's still grinning through it, complaining in a teasing way. The torch unscrews it and takes one more sip before screwing the lid back on and returning it to her.]

Thanks, for sharing. [He means that.] I forgot about the rations.

[She grins the moment he says it's terrible. It is. She's had all kinds of terrible, cheap alcohol. The Keeliai liquors aren't horrible and they do in a pinch, but she doesn't prefer them at all.

Taking it back, she shrugs.]

It does the job, I find.

[Bryn unscrews the cap and takes a sip of it herself, no, two of them. Unlike him, she doesn't make a face because she's used to it.]

But you're welcome to see if there's something better to your tastes here, but this place is better for food than it is for booze.

[Johnny chuckles at her response, then at the idea of trying to find something better. He doesn't expect that to happen and isn't about to waste his rationing tickets for alcohol here. The torch shrugs.]

I'll take your word for it and save the drinks for another time. So what's good then?

Mm, probably any of these.

[She reaches over and points to a few items on the menu. Vegetarian. Chicken-like. And a third:]

That one has some kick. You don't mind a little spice, I assume?

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