[ There's a cup of tea on the desk, long since cold and just kind of sad. Hanging precariously close to the cup is an Erlenmeyer flask that, judging from the color alone, could be what Yusuf brewed the tea in (waste not want not) but most likely is something not meant for human consumption. Yusuf has been in his lab at Stark Industries for the past three days, lost in his work and rarely about in the halls unless it's to ask the whereabouts of x chemical or y pipetter.

Leaning back in his chair, he runs a hand over his face; fingers stroking his beard down.

(Okay, it might occur to him that it's time to go back to the flat, his beard is feeling a little wild...)

When it registers that the green light on his device is on-- again-- he reaches over and clicks it off. ]



[ooc: yusuf needs something to be working on, so if you've got anything let me know! otherwise, its just stark business-- whatever that may be.... /shrug ]

I've officially been here over three years, and I've seen basically every kind of curse there is (although I won't say I've seen them all because tribbles) and there's always people who are like:

Oh, oh no, I killed people/hurt people/showed people my deepest secrets which is all understandably upsetting, so I'm just going to post this handy list of stuff to-do when a loved one is acting funny or a horrible curse involving tribbles happens:

1. Check the Network. Chances are stuff's going on.

2. Magic probably won't work? I don't know, I've never gotten any of the curses to do anything with magic and the only thing I get in return is a headache.

3. Do what I do - tape a little note on the back of the door saying your name and address and who you are and why you probably shouldn't go out if you don't recognize this information. Do't do what I do and just teleport out of your room every day.

4. Don't eat anything that falls from the sky. We are not Isrealites, this is not us following a Burning Bush, and I can assure you that it is not Manna.

5.Don't trust the deities but don't mistrust them, either? Just, uh, keep a healthy suspicion but take it easy?

6. Don't mess with the clock.

7. Or the barrier.

8. If it's cute, don't trust it or feed it after midnight.

9. If you turn into a cat, don't, under any circumstance, go out and let yourself get bitten by ticks. Apparently you can still get diseases while cursed. And while I've never seen anyone get pregnant around here (which makes me hope for the human race) don't assume you can't because you're cursed.

10. Don't panic. (Hey, it worked for Ford Prefect)

[Gazelle is looking very much like a shivering drenched cat standing in the fountain when she flicks on her device without realizing it at first. She seems to be somewhat in shock since just moments ago she was swimming in the cold Pacific waters and about to kill herself with the gun she's already dropped at her feet, but not so shocked to not have the memories she's gained from the City return to her bit by bit. Eventually she seems to snap out of it on her own and realize the device is live.]

[Only then does she move her free hand to keep the tears of many mixed feelings and confusion away before they even dare to fall. She shakes her head a little bit to help and takes a breathe in and then out again before dropping her arm down and less than bravely giving eye contact to the device.]

... Is this place still the City?


(OOC: In short, she's just came back from a canon update.)

[In the most clipped tone possible.] I have to ask this question, now. Do the - Deities who think themselves in charge of this City enjoy human suffering so much? That was - cruel. Cruel beyond words. I've heard of curses in this place, and curses are usually a thing born out of cruelty, but never did I imagine that it would be like that.

[She looks away from the screen, her jaw twitching with anger, her fists fretting with her new dress. Someone has been unsurprisingly bottling things up.]

Maybe I am expressing this far too late but it's as if they create lives - new memories, new...beings - only to destroy them. The boat, then those creatures.

[If steam could come out of her ears right now...] If I had a word in this, any word or choice at all, I would like to give them a good, solid spanking. Toying with lives is not - just.

[Huffs. Pauses. Grumbles to herself. Rubs her forehead and pinches the bridge of her nose, and eventually, after enough time, she remembers to breathe and stop shaking.]

I'm sorry. There was a reason behind this, I think. It just escapes me right now.

[Unfortunately, the message has already been sent, so all she can do is - to turn it off.]

--

[And back on, two seconds later.]

Yes, my question. Death in this place - why does it seem to not be permanent, and how does that work?

[ Pepper had been reflecting on recent events, all the destruction and sorrow and confusion, and how much she wishes there was something she could do about it. She had been up all night pacing in frustrated futility, and when dawn rolled around and she ventured to the kitchen for coffee, she found a mysterious badge-like device sitting on the counter. At first she thought it might be Sif's, some shining relic of Asgard, but when she picked it up for a closer look, there was a flash of light and she found herself wearing a strange orange, white, and black spandex bodysuit with a stylized helmet.

Now, she stands in few of the camera, helmet under her arm. ]

Is this happening to anyone else? Or is it just me?


[ ooc: backdated to this morning, obv. ]

The City's been busy again.

I certainly hope there are no incriminating photos of me falling out there. If there are, I would appreciate it if you contacted me ...discreetly.

I have photos of Bucky, the Doctor-- the, uh, bow tie one-- Thor, Steve, and Harry. Do let me know if you would like them back.

[ There's a pause, and a bored sigh. ]

There was one of you too, Tony, but it was nothing I haven't seen before so I threw it away.

Curses like this past weekend- No one should have to adjust to the kinds of things--

As always, there's never a real chance to rest between curses. I've always thought, if the City has one positive effect, it's building and reinforcing resilience.

You can never say back to normal, here, but I hope everyone is recovering well.

Maybe the less said about it, the better.

I'm looking for Dr. John Watson. I believe I have something of yours.

[Private to Chase]

Are you free, some evening soon?

[Private to Wilson]

Do you need to-

How are you?


[ooc; not an IC link, but you should read it, courtesy of nothaunted! Sorry it took so long to post ^^;;]