nebulochaotic | OPEN POST;

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OPEN POST;

WHO: James Solo & OTA
WHAT: January Catch-all
WHERE: Mostly Eglaf, otherwise specified
WHEN: January 2020
WARNINGS: TBD, but possible cursing, being an asshole, etc.

WALLMART (WHO THE HELL THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?) [OPEN]

This place really isn't that different from some of the other places he's been dumped into. It's beyond old, but just a part of his life at this point. It's never mattered how powerful James is all on his own - he's still a slave to the pull and power of whatever is responsible for it this time, Seal or otherwise. And he's probably not going to be any happier here than he has been in any other place, truth be told. His people aren't all here - yeah there's Casey, and she helps even if he'd never admit it, but he hasn't seen his mom in what feels like forever. Or even Allana. Izzy usually isn't far behind, though a part of him hopes that she doesn't get sucked in here.

Much as he loves to torture the girl he never wishes anything like this on her, and it is his job to protect her where he can when he's not tormenting her. That's just the way of it.

One of the hazards of getting sucked into a new place like this, at least for other people, is it takes James no time at all to realize what he doesn't want to do...and what he does. It's a whim that has him showing up to work, honestly. Might as well see what it's like before he blows it off. And whoever thought that this was a good idea....totally wrong.

Jame's eye twitches at the ugly ass vest that was handed to him. He'd not bothered to listen to the training video. And he definitely didn't listen to the cotton-candy haired grandma who'd been instructing him on his post, and standing there with him up until five minutes ago. It's obviously to anyone who walks in, who takes a good luck, that James already hates this. And his mood is not improving in the least. "Welcome to Walmart. Hello." He monotones, not looking at anyone really who comes through or walks passed. And, no, he's not checking your damn receipts - instead waving those who try off impatiently.

In fact, the only thing James bothers to actually do that's within his job is to creatively stop a shoplifter (not bothering to hide it for anyone that happens to come in and sees it. The guy didn't really stand a chance, though, trying to run out the door only for James to literally turn him into a snake surrounded by a pile of his own clothes and stolen crap. Afterward he doesn't bother to help, isn't changing the guy back (it'll wear off in a few days anyway), and isn't accepting the shock and aw of the few fangirls deciding that it was 'so cool'.

It's not even halfway through his shift when James groans at the clock. "There is no way in hell I'm sticking this out and keeping this." He mutters - he'd rather set the place on fire. there's merit to the idea, but he refrains, instead beginning to pull the vest off - he's getting the hell out of here!

HOMES SWEET HELL NO (ROOMIES OR APARTMENT ADJACENT PEEPS OPEN)

[Appearing in the entrance of the apartment building James is less than impressed. It's not like the complex, which wasn't impressive to begin with, but ever since he came into his powers nothing has ever been just...plain for him. James and plain don't go together.

As he pops around various places in the government housing complex he lets out various expletives. Don't mind him if he shows up nearby. He's mostly friendly, anyway. The last stop on his pop around to get a lay of the land - after popping all around (and okay he may have taken a few days to actually get to the apartment because he was just checking around the whole of the country just in case anything was familiar and because he does what he wants, literally) he appears in the middle of the living room in the apartment that was assigned to him.]

Oh fuck this....

[James bitches immediately taking in the layout, the look, and the space. It doesn't take long to gather that there are three bedrooms, one of which is obviously his. He's sure that whatever the situation, or setup, is with them here he's not going to dig it.]

Yo! Anybody here?

[Casey's words come to mind - he probably should take it easy on whoever is stuck here with him. He'll have to see if he can even manage that. Casey'd appreciate it, anyway, considering she's the one person he's got here.]

WILDCARD

[Or if anybody wants to request something else hit me up on discord or schmer and we'll work out details!]

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[ To say that being pulled by his navel into another dimension was weird is more than just an understatement. He wound up in some place in Florida on a completely different Earth thirty years in the future. He spent the first day trying to process it all, the second day at the beach and now he's trying to make the most of it by finding a way to spend the $5,000 burning a hole in his pocket.

He knows of Walmart, there's one a few towns over from Hawkins, though it's nowhere near this big. He glances around when he walks in and is immediately overwhelmed by the size of the store. It's like one solid floor of the mall in there.

He spots a guy shrugging off a blue vest like the ones they have at the supermarket. He strides up to him, hands in his pockets. ]

Hey, I heard I can buy a boombox here?

[ And maybe some hairspray, but he'll build up to that. ]

[Wooooooooow. Holy 80s, Batman - is the first thought that hits James' brain as he just manages to rip the vest off, dropping it on the stool provided, technically.

Whoever this guy is he reeks of new arrival. Reeks of interdimensional travel. And James has no patience to do the walmart bullshit.]

Are boomboxes even a thing anymore? James doesn't know.]

New arrival, right? Through the portal?

[Nope, he's not answering the boombox question. Nobody's going to make him. He's not doing the helping thing here. He's not even going to stick the full shift.]

That's gotta be the only explanation for...that.

[James gestures to Steve's hair and down, vaguely.]

Yeah. How'd you know?

[ This guy going on break or what? He glances around for someone else who might actually answer his question. Except that the guy gestures at him like there's just no words for what's standing in front of him.

He's not sure, but he's pretty sure it's not a compliment. He clenches his jaw, his eyes narrowing a little.]

For what?

[ And if there's a little bit of a challenge in those two words, well, it's been a long, long couple of days. He's over it. ]

Oh, y'know, I've only done the interdimensional travel more times than I can count. I can spot a newb a mile away.

[James offers flippantly, still unsure as to why the hell someone with either a hard-on for the 80s or straight out of the 80s would get their ass thrown through the portal and into life here.

He's going to wind up screwed, really, with no idea about the big changes that have happened. James is going to just assume that he is from the 80s. there really is no excuse for the fluff on top of his head otherwise.]

You - the hair, wanting a boombox - all of that.

[James actually gestures to the guy this time, so tempted to just give him the haircut that he needs magically.]

You stick out like a sore thumb. You look like something straight out of a straight-to-tv 80s movie.

[ He runs a hand through his hair, confident in the fact that it's standing strong. He's pretty proud of his hair, all things considered. It's his trademark. He furrows his brow at the other guy.]

I'm pretty sure that's meant to be an insult, but I'll take it anyway.

[ He sighs and shifts on his feet.]

You've done this interdim-- [ What had he said? Whatever.] Traveling thing before? What are the chances of making it back home?

[James grins, amusement hitting him.]

Let me just confirm - it was, but that.. [James gestures to the other guy, indicating his response.] ...was funny.

[Dealing with this guy is better than idiots stealing and the dull monotony of working here, that's for sure.]

Interdimensional. [James provides, cocking his head to the left.] And I'd put your chances at low - once you wind up in this cycle you've got a better chance of being thrown into a brand new fucked up world than getting back wherever you're from. I grew up with this kind of thing and once you get pulled through it tends to happen again - a very small amount of people get lucky enough not to.

[James shrugs not exactly sorry to be the bearer of bad news like he could be.]

You grew up with it?

[ Steve wrinkles his brow trying to imagine what that would even be like. It's been less than a week for him and he feels so homesick he could puke. ]

Don't you miss your family?

That's what I said.

[James' eyebrow pop up as he stares at the other guy.]

You kind of get over that after the second or third time - or at least bury it down pretty deep, dude.

[ At the sound of the unfamiliar voice, Rikki looks up from her work, a half-formed, football-sized dolphin hovering in the air when she pauses her ministrations to look round toward the source. ]

Yeah, in here.

[ The Aussie accent is as thick as ever and it stays where it is. She isn't getting up until she finishes this piece and if whoever that is doesn't feel inclined to come in to find out whos he is, then so be it. She's busy. Busy, but not a complete ass, right, she's made herself known when he called out to see if anyone else was home. That's enough, yeah? ]

[Damn.

If nobody had been home he'd have a reason to do whatever he wants, feign like he didn't know or some bullshit. But the answer takes that option out the window.

Disappearing, he reappears just behind the source of the voice. They're going to have to get used to him as he is, anyway. The little voice in the back of his mind, the one that sounds vaguely like Casey, pipes in about taking it easy on his roommates, though. It's not their fault. Still, he's got to be him.]

What're you doing?

[He takes in the sight of the half-formed...is that supposed to be a dolphin - he thinks to himself cocking his head to the side. This is probably not the way you meet a new roommate, or introduce yourself, but James has never been normal...or like anybody else. And he's never had a roommate beyond his mother, or crashing with one of the people he already knows.

So, this'll be an adventure for everyone involved.]

[ If she hadn't gotten so used to the way Ben can ghost in and out as needed, having the stranger appear not to unlike that would've scared the shit out of her and she'd have acted out in self-defense.

As it stands, she startles and the dolphin drops a couple of inches in the air before she regains her focus. ]

I'm making sure I haven't lost my touch in the transition to this place. Do you always just invite yourself into strange women's bedrooms or am I special?

[ She isn't looking at him, really, but she can see him. Her focus is on the blob that's becoming more and more dolphin-like with every movement of her hand in the air. It only takes her a moment to get it looking the way she wants it to look and then she quickly shifts her hand in the air, turning the piece to glass and leaning forward to catch it when the new weight of it drops it from its levitating state.

Finally, she looks back at him. ]

I'm Rikki. And you are?

[If James cares, or realizes, that she's startled his roommate he doesn't show it, rather focusing on looking over her project curiously.]

Do you lose your touch without regular practice?

[James asks, curiosity actually there. It's never been a worry for him. Never been a worry for Casey. Hell, most of the future kids with abilities have never had to worry about that kind of thing, actually, so the prospect makes him ask, interested at least for the moment.]

You're special, I don't normally bother doing the whole roommate/shared spaces thing to invite myself in in the first place.

[He's honest, waiting until the dolphin drops and she catches it, giving a few claps of his hands at the show - and the product.]

James - nice trick. So, how long you been here, Rikki?

[James stuffs his hands in his pockets, the thought genuinely not crossing his head to try and shake her hand or be more polite - this is minding his ps and qs for him.]

[ Rikki shrugs. ]

I didn't have this ability back home, I only had my own one. For all I know, I only had this one because I'd been in Jeopardy.

[ Her expression is a little flatter at his response. He'd either missed or intentionally ignored the sarcasm in her question, brilliant. ]

Yeah, well, I'm not fond of it either, seeing as how, until now, I've had this place to myself.

[ Still, she gives him a small smile when he claps. ]

Hi James. Thanks. Erm...a week, give or take a few days?

Oooor because there's a new, fun, added little bonus to this particular dimension and portal.

[James adds on, not really caring about the expression on Rikki's face as he looks around her room and then back at her, fighting off boredom...and judgement of their new digs.]

The place could use some changes too - to make it bigger, but I guess it's not the worst place I've seen. If you decide you want some more space I guess I could give you a hand - I'm going to change my room up, though.

[There. That's nice, right? Casey'd approve...he figures.]

Little longer than me. I had to check this whole place out before I checked my new digs out. So, you done the whole interdimensional travel thing before or are you a newb to all this?

Ooooor I've always had it and just never knew how to use it. The world may never know.

[ She gives him a wry grin and shrugs. And then her expression shifts into something more curious. ]

What'd'you mean bigger? How do you that?

[ Her nose wrinkles and she frowns again, her attention turning back to the finished piece to assess her work. ]

No, I've done it before. Came here from another place.

[ One where she left a handful of really good friends and a boyfriend, so she's less than thrilled about the relocation. ]

[James shrugs.]

Or that, never known multiverse travel to unlock abilities like that in someone, though, personally. I've seen people with no power getting it in certain places, though.

[Baubles have done it through the seal at the very least. James puts his eyes back on the blonde and grins.]

I've got skills. Power.

[James takes a look around before lifting his hand and snapping - the room shifting - though not interfering with any other parts of the apartment building (he figures he probably shouldn't push it too far yet) - and doubling the size of Rikki's bedroom with a bit of the ground shifting (barely noticeable) and the walls moving before settling. He makes it look easy, but then again dear 'ol dad always did too.]

Bigger.

[He gestures around, as if to say 'see'.]

You like? Or you want it regular sized?

[James asks, figuring that if she wants it back this is her chance for the request - it was just a demonstration, after all.]

At least you're not new to all of this, it's usually a lot fucking harder when it's your first time.

Yeah, I dunno. There's really no way of knowing unless the government here happens to know and, honestly, I don't reckon they're worth trusting enough to bother asking.

[ Rikki gives him a dubious sort of look, but when he snaps his fingers, the whole room starts to shift around her. Her incredulity drops away in favour of wide-eyed confusion. How is that possible? Even with powers, how...wouldn't it...wreck the other flats in the building? ]

Is this real? I mean...how can it...

[ She gets to her feet finally and moves to one of the walls, touching it. She did have to walk much further to get there than she normally would. ]

How can it be bigger and not affect the other flats?

[ Rikki looks back at him suddenly. ]

It isn't affecting other flats, is it?

[James points at Rikki and gives a nod before dropping his hand.]

You think like me. I approve.

[James probably should remember that other people don't take his power in stride - Rikki hasn't known him as long as Casey. And if she's not from a place like Lawrence power like his isn't commonplace. Still, he can't help but nod, trying to be patient. It doesn't come easy to him.]

It's real and it's not interfering with the other apartments. The inside is bigger, but not the outside, it's a type of magic the space isn't sucking into what's here but what's beyond - easy to do, for me anyway, not so easy to explain. I'm part angel.

[James shrugs.]

So, leave it like this or you want it back to normal?

I mean, it seems silly to put it back...

[ It's her way of saying she'd like to keep the room larger without having to come out and say that in just so many words. ]

An angel, huh? What's that mean for you, then? What can you do? Besides this.

[ She sounds curious because she is, and she looks thoughtful rather than suspicious. ]

Got it, you like the extra room.

[James smirks and shoots Rikki a wink before slipping his hands into his pockets, nodding at the question.]

Part angel - and only thanks to dear 'ol shitty dad.

[James rolls his eyes at the thought of Gabriel.]

Mom is a Jedi, I didn't bother going through the whole process, but I've got some force sensitivity along with angelic power. I can do a little of this little of that - warp reality.

[He gestures around them, pointing out what he'd just done.]

Conjuring, I can play around with elements, so on and so forth.

[ She shrugs a little, smirking. All right, she can get on with this guy if this is how he is.

Her eyes narrow slightly with focus as she listens, trying to wrap her head around that. Jedi, that's...something she's heard before. Anakin, maybe? No...no, Anakin wasn't, right? Maybe it was someone else from his world or maybe it was a word he'd just used before. She only got together with him once and had only talked to him a couple of other times in addition to that, so she can't remember.

It's interesting to hear someone with an opposite view of their parents than she's got. Ben never really talks about his mum, so that doesn't count, even though he clearly resents his father, just like the rest of them appear to. This is a little different. James is talking about both but his father is the one he's bitter about. For Rikki, it's her mum. ]

That sounds really broad. ...is it easier to ask what you can't do...?

[ She grins a little and lifts an eyebrow. ]

Basically yeah.

[James smirks while he nods.]

And even then the list is pretty small.

[He's not going to bother to try and be humble, or put himself out there like somebody that he isn't. This is pretty nice behavior for him, though. So, Casey is on his mind, and her words to be on better behavior too.]

Can't do spells and potions and shit, but don't really need them either. Can't, technically, take your will out of the equation too, so I can't brainwash people or anything crazy like that, not that I would. I'm an asshole not a psycho.

[James shrugs]

[ For a long moment, Rikki just looks back at him, her eyebrows lifted in something caught between impressed and incredulous. ]

So...you can pretty much do anything you want except mind control? Christ...that must be nice.

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