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

[curiositykills]

[Whenever something changes in Luceti, Jason tends to be all over it. He can't help himself—he's always been a pretty restless kid, and any excuse to go out and stretch his legs was always a good one. He doesn't even think twice about investigating the source of the spotlights, even knowing that there was a chance it could be dangerous. Because hell, if it was dangerous, then all the better for him!

He really doesn't expect to see what he sees, though. Jason expects to have to sneak around, but instead he finds a circus tent, big and colorful and a lot more lively than it probably should be. He immediately assumes that the people are made up, like they were during Luceti Valley, because he doesn't recognize a lot of them, but that doesn't stop him from moving further along, eventually making his way into the tent.

And you know, even for a kid who spent his days in an expensive manor and his nights up on rooftops, he's still surprised by the sight he sees once he walks in.]

Whoa.

[He just needs a moment to take it all in. He's never been to the circus before.]

[teenwonder]

[The outer areas are bright and cheerful, but the main show playing now is a more somber affair, as the two elder Graysons performed a romantic midair duet.

Dick remained on the sidelines for now, but was close enough to the audience to notice latecomers. He occasionally paid enough attention to help usher spectators to seats, so when Jason made an appearance, Dick smiled and approached, his sequined costume catching the light in a haze of sparkles and glitter.]

Hey! Thanks for coming tonight.

[curiositykills]

[There's a familiar voice, and when Jason turns toward it, he just kinda has to stare for a second at his particularly fabulous-looking friend.]

...Dick?

[Is this for real, because he's not really sure how to feel about it.]

[teenwonder]

[It's as real as any setting can be where dick doesn't automatically slug Jason for using his name like that.]

If you're here dressed up, does that mean you're going to watch from the rafters tonight? I think old man Haly had it cleaned so you won't have to deal with the dirt issue.

[curiositykills]

[Secretly (or maybe not so secretly), that's Jason's first test to figuring out Dick's mental state whenever something weird's going on. It hasn't failed him yet!]

Well, I wouldn't say I was planning on it, but if that's an invitation... [Wait, now's not the time for joking!] Uh, what's all this about, anyway?

[teenwonder]

It's a circus, Jason. Lighten up and enjoy it.

[curiositykills]

You know, that's usually my line. [He might be just a little indignant about hearing that come out of his mouth!] I know what it is, Dick, I mean... What's the special occasion?

[teenwonder]

[He shrugs, because the occasion doesn't really matter. And thinking about the question mostly makes his mind wander.]

Hey, can we talk a little later? It's getting close to my cue.

[curiositykills]

Oh. Right. [He blinks, looking around for a second. He's not entirely sure what's happening here, but maybe he should wait and see.] The show must go on an' all that. Uh, break a leg?

[He guesses?!]

[teenwonder]

Thanks!

[And then he rushes out to rejoin his family, scurrying chipmunk-like up to work the trapeze. He's in his element here, beaming with joy and life as he swings over the stage, working in tandem with the older couple. At times, he feigns missing a bar only to tumble into the waiting arms of his mother or father, defying luck and gravity at the same time.

It goes on for another half-hour, until the ringmaster announces the completion of the Flying Graysons' set, and ultimately the events for the evening. All are encouraged to come back tomorrow for more entertainment.]

[curiositykills]

[Jason stays long enough to see him off, but after that, he goes to find somewhere where he might stand out a little less. Truthfully, he didn't actually know a lot about Dick Grayson—Bruce hadn't told him much even after they met, and it wasn't like they talked about stuff like this on the few occasions they got to hang out. Jason knew about the circus, but not many of the details, and it isn't until he sees the Flying Graysons together that it really clicks for him.

He didn't know them, nor did he know exactly what had happened that night, but when it hits him, he's left speechless. He thinks he knows what's happening now, but if that's true, then the real question is why?

...but he doesn't really have time to think through it. Every time he tries, he's distracted by another incredible stunt, and it takes him a while to remember that he's not here to spectate. That's not what Batman would do. Sure, nothing had happened so far, but he didn't trust this place, and surely there would be something...

The show ends without a hitch, though, and Jason is at a bit of a loss. He watches as the people start to file out, feeling... well, kinda confused.]

That's it?

[teenwonder]

[What else should there have been? It's a circus, not some kind of murder mystery. Everyone came to have fun, fun was had, and then everyone went home. What else could there be?

If Jason lingers for much longer, Dick will return to his side, giving his wrist a light tug.]

Are you hungry? There are snacks backstage.

[curiositykills]

[BUT IF NO ONE'S GOING TO DIE, WHAT'S THE POINT.

...okay, he feels awful for thinking that way, but really, if not to make him miserable, why would they do something like this? Since when did things happen here just to make people feel good? It's so suspicious. (Or was the problem him? Was he being too skeptical?) It's bothering him so much that it sort of takes him by surprise when Dick makes his way over.]

Uh— Sure. Why not? [He shrugs a little. He'll let him lead the way.] That was pretty amazing, Dick.

[teenwonder]

Thanks. [His face lights up at the compliment, though. More attention, yes please.]

Haven't done that routine since I was a kid. I guess it's like riding a bike.

[curiositykills]

[Jason nods like he understands, though there's still plenty of uncertainty in his actions.]

I've never seen anything like that. It all looked so natural. I would've figured you'd been practicing for days.

[But that's not possible. Dick knew who he was, it didn't seem like he'd lost his memory... So what did he think was going on? How should Jason even approach that?]

[teenwonder]

[The uncertainty doesn't go unnoticed.]

I hope this isn't the part where you tell me Zatanna sent you. She didn't send you, did she?

[curiositykills]

[Zatanna? So she had seen him, too? Good. ...or maybe not good. Was she like him or was she different, too? He'd have to catch up with her later and find out...

Jason doesn't mention any of that, though. He shakes his head, managing a little smirk.]

Come on, I know you know me better than that. [Like he just listens to people, don't be silly.] I just... don't get it, Dick. Isn't this all a little... sudden?

[Where is your suspicion, huh? He's suspicious of everything!]

[teenwonder]

[Jason could have had a change of heart! Those seem to be going around these days.]

Of course it's sudden. [What exactly is the problem about that?] Does that bother you?

[curiositykills]

It's not like you.

[At least, he doesn't think it is. Jason would be so suspicious if something like this happened to him... Or, he would be if this Shift or whatever let him. But even then, maybe that just went to show how different they actually were.

Ugh, this sucks! He wishes Batman was here.]

[teenwonder]

I decided to make a change. What's wrong with that?

[Ick, why would you wish Batman was anywhere?]

[curiositykills]

Uh, besides everything? [He can't help feeling frustrated. He already knows how this stuff works. What's he expecting to happen, anyway? But leaving it alone wouldn't feel right, either...

Perhaps ironically, it's a frustration he's very familiar with. But he can't think about that too much.] Don't you see anything wrong here? I mean, you get the problem, right?

[teenwonder]

You mean the part where I'm most likely not myself right now? Zatanna thinks I'm under a spell.

[He shrugs though, because who even cares?]

[curiositykills]

And you're okay with that?

[...ugh, why is he even asking. Of course he is.]

[teenwonder]

Jason, whatever's going on right now brought my parents back.

I don't care why they're here. I'm going to stay with them.

[curiositykills]

[Okay, so he sees the problem, he just doesn't see what's wrong with it.]

But... you know it won't last, right?