House of M - The Beginning

[selfhelp]

Who: Billy Kaplan + Anyone who wants to be involved in the House of M Plot + Related CR + Anyone Really
What: Um. The House of M Plot.
When: October 1st-7th
Where: Literally anywhere in Luceti, yo
Summary: Billy returns from a kidnapping feeling a bit, er, different. A white light envelops the village for just a moment, and when it fades... well. All kinds of things are different, actually.
Rating: Varies, anything above R take it elsewhere!

Still accepting last minute sign-ups, if anyone is interested.


It starts off so innocently, early on the morning of October 1st. A burst of light, a warm rush of energy that consumes everything it touches, and it's gentle enough to feel like stepping out into sunlight from the shade. It's so brief that some people might not even notice it happened. But there are certainly... differences. Some subtle, some not. And those changed won't even understand the problem.

After all, why would perfection be a problem?

The truth is, there are no problems. There can't be. It's perfect, Billy thinks. Believes it. His belief is his reality, and now, it's their reality. It all has to be perfect; they deserve it, all of them, for one reason or another. And he'll do whatever he has to protect that perfection from being tainted, ruined, taken away from them.

Teddy died so this could happen, after all.

So what is your new reality?


((first two threads reserved for the intro thread and billy's status; after that consider this log a free-for-all.))

Comments

C! (because who can resist a Tony in a tiara?)

[widows_kiss]

[Knowing Pepper's still at the art gallery and having a few hours to herself after her shift at the cafe, Natasha swings by House 49 on her way home with a milkshake as a treat for the little girl. The sight of the tea party in the front yard, however, has her struggling very hard to hold back a laugh as she saunters towards them.]

Am I interrupting a party? If I'd known, I'd have brought cupcakes. Or a camera. [That's added with an amused smirk in Tony's direction before she gives a wink at his daughter. Who, admittedly, she enjoys spoiling more than she probably should.]

[alloys]

"And ruin my reputation? Perish the thought." Though Natasha is met by snark from Tony, Susanna beams at the woman as she approaches - at that milkshake she's carrying, too.

"Do you want to be a princess, too?" She asked. The more princesses the merrier, of course.

[widows_kiss]

"I don't think you need my help with that," Natasha shot back, coming and crouching down beside the tea table and offering the little girl the milkshake with a fond grin.

"Hello, munchkin. Is that what we are today? I'm not sure I have the qualifications to be a princess. Besides, your papa already makes such a charming one."

[alloys]

Tony couldn't help but roll his eyes, but at least he curbed his snark around his daughter. He was trying not to be a bad influence - too much.

Susanna seized the milk shake with a well-reheased "thank you!" (definitely Pepper's influence there) while Tony said, "Oh, don't be so sure. This is a democratic kingdom. All you need to be a princess is a majority vote, and I think all three of us are in favor."

Him, Susanna, and Princess Unicorn, that is.

[widows_kiss]

"A democratic kingdom with Princesses. Your papa is truly a genius, sweetie," Natasha just grinned as she handed over the milkshake. "And you're welcome. And I would stay and have tea, but this Princess has a Prince to rescue. He gets himself into trouble when left to his own devices too long. Something I'm sure your mother is all too familiar with."

Which reminded her. She shot Tony a sideways glance, her gaze brightening. "Speaking of which, she dropped in for coffee this morning. Although I hear we're going to have to start substituting the caffeine for something else."

She wasn't sure they'd told Susanna yet, so she didn't bring it up outright, but the congratulations were implied.

[alloys]

Tony was about to do the responsible thing and tell Susie to wait to start her milkshake until after dinner, lest she spoil her appetite - but she gave him a puppy-dog look and he was done for. She happily sipped the straw, and instead Tony moved his arm around Susie to pat her shoulder.

"That's right. Know why, Suze? Why mom didn't drink coffee this morning?"

'This morning' was her clue in, since that was when Tony and Pepper had broken the news to her - if the bright young girl even needed the hint. She gasped, touching her nose.

"I know! 'Cause she's gonna have a baby." She turned her grin on Natasha. "I'm gonna be a big sister, Tasha!"

[widows_kiss]

Natasha shared a conspiring grin with the little girl, her own delight gleaming in green eyes. It was genuine - she couldn't be happier for her friend, to add to this family that was already so precious. "Are you? That's wonderful news, munchkin. I bet you're going to be a great big sister. Are you excited?"

She flicked a glance at Tony at that, a smile curving her lips, warm and pleased. "I bet your Mom and Dad are excited."

[alloys]

Tony was grinning as well - how could he not be? "You could probably say that, sure."

Understatement of the year. Tony was ecstatic, and so was Pepper. Susie had taken the news well, and now they just had a few short months to wait before their family expanded.

"Pepper might not be so much when the morning sickness kicks in, though."