[ After looking the device over multiple times and trying to figure out what it did, Mako gave up on a small grunt of frustration. There was no point in pressing all the buttons--what if one set it to self-destruct? He’s soaking wet, dripping water everywhere, and to top it all off, he’s lost. Mako doesn’t have the patience or time right now to piss away with the box with buttons he’d nearly stepped on trying to get out of that fountain. Gripping it in hand he heads off to wherever, not sure where he is or how he’s landed himself here. All he knows is that he has to find Bolin and Asami, Korra and the others. Tenzin and Lin.

There was no way the airship could’ve gone down; he woke up in this place fairly unscathed. This didn't look a thing like Republic City or Air Temple Island. So what was the big deal anyway?

Where does he even begin looking? What if they’re hurt? What if Amon’s gotten to them? All these thoughts push him to quicken his step, his fingers tightening around his device. That’s when it turns on, showing on the network scenery scrolling sideways. It blurs as water drips down onto the camera portion, but the voice is there and calling out. ]

Bolin? Bro, now’s not the time for a game of hide-and-seek-the-fire-ferret. Asami? Sweetie, answer me please— Korra? Tenzin? Lin?

Anyone?

 [ It's routine for him to patrol the neighborhood. Hidden on rooftops under the dark sky. Skulking unseen in alleyways. On guard for strange activity. It's the only time he feels like himself anymore. The daylight hours, his mundane obligations, leave too much time to speculate where his life is going. What his life here is. ]

[ No Syndicate. No Gate. No Contractors. No teammates. ]

[ At least this keeps him focused. Allows him to sharpen skills, burn energies, that can be exerted no other way. At quarter to two a.m., a round completed, he slips into civilian clothes. As Li, he walks the empty streets. Stops off at a store for a quart of milk on his way towards a hot bath and bed. The clerk, a pretty redhead, smiles and rings up his order. Hei smiles back. ]

It's a really nice night out, isn't it? I can see all the stars.

[ Patrols are perfunctory. But tonight he's filled with (inexplicable) jubilation. So much that he leans across the counter, tipping the girl's chin up for a kiss. Which. Goes on. And on. And ... Okay, kids. Enough. After a moment Hei jerks back, red-faced and stammering. ]

Ah! S-Sorry about that! I think -- I-I-I think it's a curse.

[ The girl blushes and mumbles likewise. Flustered, Hei grabs his purchase and hurries off. She watches him go, a guilty little smile on her lips. Someone doesn't seem to have minded. ]

[ OOC: Hit with Victory Kisses. Feel free to run into him and get smooched, or vice versa. Just a warning: he may freeze up/eyetwitch/smack/injure your character. Or just blush and sob hideously! Whichever reaction you want is upto you! ]

[Good morning. Coming to you live from at a cafe in the City, one of your regular stand-ins for the many Starbucks that this place should have. Angela's at the head of the line, small duffel bag slung over her right shoulder, as she points down at the pastry case.]

Yes. A coffee, milk, seven sugars, and can I get a raspberry danish too? And the triple chocolate brownie. Oh, wait, and that coffee cake too.

[The cashier looks so obviously concerned about Angela's raging sweet tooth that he's not quite prepared for what comes next. As soon as he hands the paper bag over the counter, Angela's leaning towards him to lay a fat juicy smooch right on his lips before calmly dropping her change into his tip jar. Mmm, pastries. Definitely a victory.]

Thank you!


[ooc: Angela is finally getting a break! She quit her hospital gig to run the store full time, but before all that she's going on vacation... as much as once can do in the City. This is her main victory so pucker up if you want to run into her.]

[Roaming somewhere around the City, is a devil in people's wolf in sheep's clothing. The usual painted smile is gone, along with the rest of nir makeup. Don't let that fool you though as this is the real performance.

Just as ne turns on the device to comment on the day, the device falls to the ground. A moment later there's a muffled apology while Hatter picks the device back up.]

Not at all. It really was a pleasure.

[Back to the original intent of having the device out...]

What a wonderful day to be out and about. Wouldn't you agree?

((ooc: Hatter is not cursed, but is taking full advantage of those who are and maybe a few who aren't. Just a reminder, there is the possibility of Hatter cursing anyone who kisses nem. Just let me know if you're up for it for the potential future plot possibilities or PM with questions. Either way, kisses should happen...Hatter likes kisses and isn't too particular about who ne kisses.))

I'm curious about something.

People come and go, but there's no method to it, right? I feel like there should be rhyme or reason to it.

[He misses Tony and Thor already okay.]

[Private to the Avengers, Bucky, Sif, Coulson, Mr. Orange and Justin Pendleton | Unhackable by Tony's codes]

The more I think about it, the more I'd like the Avengers to have their own police presence. We're not vigilantes and we need to be able to move within the police force. Justin Pendleton's in charge, there, but I would still want the Avengers to act on their own, without Fury here to oversee, I guess that duty would fall to the next highest ranking agent - Agent Coulson, that would be you, right?

I'd also like to propose that we bring in the Lady Sif into our conversations. She knows the most about Loki, she's smart and strong and I think that we could use her, if she's willing to be of aid.

[Action]

[Steve Rogers is out and about town today, mostly running errands. Victory kisses don't mean anything unless they're performed by someone actually in World War II]

[Charlie looks damn pleased right now. Damn pleased. She's sorting through a pile of clothes she dumped out of one of her bags a moment ago and is hastily putting them away in a dresser. Petichor and Phantom are running around her feet but she doesn't seem to mind at all. In fact, with the way she steps around them, she's used to it.]

Guys, give me a minute or two and we can go outside. I'm almost done.

[A drawer opened, the final shirt put away and Charlie throws her hands up in the air in triumph.]

Yes! Finally! Last item is put away. I'm officially moved in!

[...okay so it's a dorky thing to get excited about but considering who this is and how life has been for her since oh...forever? This is a good thing to get excited about. When she notices the device is broadcasting, she picks it up, gives the camera a wave and then turns it off.]

[ accidental video ]

—here! I'm here, sorry, sorry ...

[The feed starts with a jolt, the image jerking all over the place as if the device is being held in a fist of someone running. Which it is. From what you can see between Ginny's fingers, it's a clothes shop—Passione, which she now co-owns with Angela, who is on holiday as of today.

Of course, today is the day Ginny is late to work.]

Overslept, must've hexed my alarm clock when it went off—

[The video finally comes to a halt when Ginny does, the device set down face up on the counter that she's leaning across, speaking to Ellis the NPC who has been assigned to be her extra pair of hands and eyes while Angela's away. Thank Merlin.]

Hey, you're fine. It's okay. [A hand creeps into the frame and points at something, a clock, offscreen.] You got five minutes.

I'm not late?

[There's a self-congratulatory yes quickly followed by Ginny's hand and arm reaching across the device and yanking Ellis to her over the counter; and without preamble, she plants a hard, bold kiss on his mouth.

Poor Ellis startles and his hand knocks the device off the counter and it goes clattering to the floor, ending the feed.]



[ooc; Come at her, bros. Ginny will be working at the shop, out getting coffee, and probably flying later today, as usual. She's a Gryffindor, she celebrates small victories all the time. WON'T YOU COME AND JOIN HER. (P.S. she's 20 years old now, no one has to feel creepy.)]

Yeah, that one. [It's Lena's voice, coming in slightly muffled. Her phone's in her back pocket and it's turned on, but the only thing that can be seen is darkness. An NPC tells her the total, and there's the sound of coins clinking in a jar.]

Oh, you get a free doughnut with your coffee if you donate to our local charity.

I do? That is so cool! [She lets out a cheer and a moment later, there's a yelp of pain.] Oh, no! I-I'm sorry, I forgot. Are you okay?

Yeah, just, uh... here's your doughnut.

Thanks, sorry again. [The phone is finally moved out into the open as Lena takes it out to sit down at a table in the cafe. She sees it's recording and she rolls her eyes.] Maybe I should go back to the apartment. This curse is going to be worse for other people than for me. [A pause.] Not that I want to kiss strangers, but at least I don't get hurt by it.


[ooc: So here's the deal! Casters and Mortals can't touch without it hurting the Mortal, aka Human. So if Lena touches your character, they get the feeling of warmth coupled with a slight electric shock, that increases the longer they're in contact with her. (If they're not human, well, IDK if it'll affect them.) Have your character come find her in person and they can try to kiss her/see if she'll kiss them!]

[Coming at you live from Lucy's store for bath supplies and all the stuff to make you smell really nice, it's Mae and - she's in a very good mood. A...victorious mood?]

So I'm not talking in lists anymore, and needless to say I never want to see another list again. I'm even giving up grocery lists. Shopping will become a whimsical affair from now on. I'm sure nothing wrong could come out of that! [Sarcasm.]

That was a ridiculous curse, and I know I left a few people hanging. Sorry - some answers just can't be put in a sequential way. No hard feelings?

[ooc; Oh, please. Feel free to action the hell out of this if you want to; be it at the store itself, or on the street, at any point where Mae might hang out. /applies lipstick.]

[He'd stayed inside all day, well aware of the curse and its unfortunate effects, but by the evening, he'd become stir crazy, and had decided that it was safe enough to venture out on a walk. After all, he wasn't affected by the curse... was he?

As it turned out, it was a poor choice. Walking by the fountain, he noticed several people, and did his best to avoid them. He wasn't feeling particularly victorious, but he also didn't know what counted as a victory. Better to keep his distance, though muttering to himself would probably draw curious people over.]

Damn. This is ridiculous. Completely ridiculous. I shouldn't have to feel uneasy simply stepping outside.

[OOC: And yes, his version of muttering is definitely loud enough that people walking by might hear it. Have at it, and make his life difficult!]

[ Eleven's talking and walking, device held aloft in between his fingers. Occasionally the screen dips so that all the viewer sees is his bowtie, but that's quite all right, it's a nice looking one. ]

Let me tell you, I've been wandering these streets all day and I have yet to find the one shop I'm looking for. Honestly, you'd think it'd be sign-posted or someone would have been able to point me in the right direction. Who doesn't want to buy funny shaped balloons? I've a real hankering for one like a crocodile. I think it would brighten the place up considerably and -.

[ At this, he turns a corner, and runs straight into the building. It's clearly one of those kitschy birthday places, fancy dress costumes in the window and streamers hanging from the door, lifting lightly in the breeze. ] A-ha.

[ Feeling rather victorious, the Doctor grabs the poor woman coming out of the shop and places a very loud smack of a kiss on her mouth. She looks amused, fortunately, but he immediately flails, flushes and drops his device. From above the sounds of traffic, you can just about hear him apologising profusely. ]

Honestly, I have no idea what came over me, I am terribly sorry.

( ooc: yep, victory kisses, do your worst )

The next person to come within seven feet of me is going to get punched in the face.

Same for everyone else after that person.

( ooc: Agito will be wandering around the City and hanging on rooftops despite.. his want to avoid attention. so feel free to start an action thread for victory kisses. )

[He's putting on his most charming smile for you today, City.]

Good day, fair citizens of The City! This address goes out specifically to the magic users likewise trapped here: I am in need of a teacher. Instructor. Master magician. You get the point.

We can negotiate a fair price for lessons- or we can work something out in trade. I am excellent at cleaning and organizing and hunting down materials or the like.

[His expression goes stern and he raises a finger] However, I have a few criterion : whoever takes up this post cannot be evil, evil intentioned or fostering ambitions to take over the world.

Unless the ruler of your world is a tyrant and evil oppressor and you are actually some sort of resistance fighter. Of course, at that point, you would not wish to take over the world so much as liberate it. And some people might think the world is ruled by tyrants and in need of being freed, but they would wish to take it over and that might be considered bad intentions- you know, this is getting complicated.

Contact me if interested.

[Howl is on his front lawn. He's beaming, looking happier than he's been in months, his blond hair flying artfully in the wind.]

Good morning, City. Or is it afternoon? I've been rather preoccupied, actually.

[He sends another blinding grin in the direction of the camera before he turns around. He raises his arms, and begins to speak. The words sound not entirely like his own voice, and don't seem to stay in your mind no matter how well you listen. They finish with a crack of thunder, and suddenly storm clouds start to fill the clear blue sky. They gather over the lawn where Howl is standing, and it begins to rain torrentially, carefully avoiding getting Howl wet of course. After a few moments it clears, the clouds dispersing to leave hot, wet sunshine and a single rainbow.

He's grinning so hard his face might split.]



bloody hell it feels good to be back.



[ooc: Howl's magic is returned! Which means he is in a celebratory mood. /nudgenudgewinkwink. Feel free to come by his place to witness this little display, or bump into him around town.]

In a moment, he saw it all. The car speeding down the road, the puddle that came out of nowhere, the little old lady (who bore a striking resemblance to Duchess Rainsworth. Perhaps it was the walker she used?) standing on the curb.

In a frantic moment of OMG WHAT DO I DO, he ran! He dove! He…

Found himself drenched from head to foot in dirty street water. With a small wipe of his face to remove stray droplets of water, he smiled at the stunned lady and kissed her cheek, blushing all the while. He's being so forward! Liam can't get much more celebratory then that. He's Victorian.

"I'm glad you're safe, ma'am."

And with a press of his fingers against his glasses to keep them from slipping, he skipped continued on down the road. Even if he was still drenched.


((ooc: cursed, obviously! He'll be everywhere in the City today hunting down a new job. Who wants a personal assistant to kiss them?))

[Video Post]
[In a blink and a shudder, the image begins with a start, the Network device held at something like arm's length or shoulder height, or maybe it's being held out of someone else's reach. Either way, it's recording, well, an unexpected scene:

Namely, it would be one of Lord Cain C. Hargreaves (almost certainly immediately recognizable to his acquaintances) in the rather distinctly passionate embrace of an unfamiliar but handsome and fair-haired young man. Not that Cain looks at all thrilled with the ordeal, given the expression on what can be seen of his face, and the way he seems to be trying to extricate himself from the embrace, and how he keeps trying to grab for his Network device (the one recording the whole scene, naturally). To be more specific, it appears the two are engaged in a very long kiss...

... ... ...

And it persists.

... ... ...

Look, now, really. This has gone on at least twice as long as it should have and shows few signs of stopping.

Cain is still fighting--perhaps for air now, it really must be said. And it is at this point, mercifully, that the other gentleman does release him (perhaps more slowly than would really be desirable, given the circumstances) and, with a less-embarrassed smile than one would hope, takes his leave and vanishes from the view of the Network device. And, in so departing thereby also leaving Cain with the Network device still suspended in his hand and looking more than a little disheveled and put-out (his tie and collar are both a bit undone, to say nothing of his hair).

With the device still fixed on him, he stands there in the street for a moment to collect himself, as pedestrians pass him by and a few similar scenes go on in the distance with different couples and different victories.]

And here I had thought my good fortune might continue a day or two more...

Hasn't this all happened once or twice before...?

[There's little more that he can do at this point, really, besides give an exasperated sigh and turn back to the Network device (still recording) in his hand. He turns away again as he turns it off, driving the image back into the dark with a flicker and a blink and--]
[//video post ends]

[ooc: An NPC with a crush on Cain using the curse to his advantage? Well, stranger things have happened ;3c What you didn't see: Cain came out of the Turnabout Cafe looking for this particular fellow after this particular fellow walked out without his order (charmingly boxed and tied up with string, I can assure you). Cain stepped out to try and call to him about it and this stranger (now half a block away) then turned back and ran the sidewalk obstacle course of people, baby carriages, dogs on leashes, and miscellaneous creatures and road furniture in nothing short of magnificent style and record time and thereby claimed his...prize for it? As part of the game (to record it for posterity or for himself, naturally), our other gentleman here managed to nab Cain's Network device and get to postin'! Well, it's a curse, which explains the kiss...but not the rest of it... For the record, Cain is still in the cafe and is still very much kissable.]

Uh, so... I get that there's a curse going on today, but. Uh.

[Jack is way too flustered over this.]

If anybody feels like kissing me — uh, especially while I'm at the bar... Could you maybe, uh. Warn me first? Please?

( ooc: Jack is tending bar today, so open action at the Blue Light, or out on the streets if that's your fancy! give him all the victory smooches. )

[Lockdown's holoform is out and about, looking rather smug right now.]

Still not sure I wanna make the full jump to fleshies yet, but this curse ain't that bad.

[Waggles his eyebrows before turning the video off.]

[ The first thing that comes into view is the inside of a jacket pocket, fingers grabbing at it in their attempt to rummage deeper, and then a blur of colour as it slides out and drops to the floor with a thud. ]

Hey, Phil, you seen the--?

[ Further noises of things being moved around and a close-up of a spectacular jeans-glad ass later with the treads of boots that might be familiar to some, and Clint comes into view, grinning triumphantly with a dog lead held up in one hand and a pleased looking dog butting at the other. ]

Call off the back-up, I got it. [ And this is far too victorious - no, but, really, he lives like a slob, finding anything before Coulson makes him tidy up is an impossible mission - and it's clearly deserving of him crawling over to the couch, knee nudging the device along with him, and throwing his arms up around what he can reach of Phil, pulling him down, and kissing him right on the mouth for everyone to see. ] Leave the repeats of Supernanny and come with? Trouble might be out there waiting for us, and we all know how that ends.


[ OOC: Feel free to throw people at him while he's out and about with Fury. ]

[Hercules is making a bit of a face, he is not a big fan of today's curse.]

While I enjoy a good kiss as much as the next person, is this curse not a bit... mouth-rapey?

[ Amy is playing with Wanda. The cat has her claws on the piece of string but Amy pulls it out from under them. ]

Ha! Didn't think you'd get the better of me, did you?

[ Success! Victory! ... Which means that she cannot resist the urge to get to her feet and cross the distance to the Doctor (11), kissing him.

Avert your eyes, children, there may be tongue. ]


[ ooc; feel free to catch her around town as well if you want smooches ♥ ]

( Private to Justin Pendleton | open to the Avengers, Sif, Bucky and anyone on the police force )

I hear you're in charge of the police force; I was wondering if you had time to discuss the possible involvement of the Avengers?


( action )

[ Coulson is walking Fury in the park; he isn't even doing anything that would constitute a victory but that doesn't mean others aren't -- the jogger there apparently just broke his own best time, if his joyous expression when he looks up from his watch is any indication.

And then he grabs Coulson and plants one on him, Fury barking at them both. ]

Well. [ A beat. Then, drily: ] That was unexpected.

[Mercy had gone running early in the morning, then headed into the magic shop to get some stuff done before she opened. All of which meant that she had missed the curse happening until her first customer came in and kissed her in what she assumed was some random outburst of gratefulness for having gotten him the hard-to-find ingredients he'd ordered. She disentangled herself quickly and moved a few feet away.]


Well, um... you're welcome. Glad we could help.


[And she was back behind the counter.]


You have a good day now.


[She shook her head as he left.]


What the heck was that about?


{OOC: Please come in and kiss her or catch her on the way home.]

[Another day, another curse, and Rapunzel is hard at work in the kitchen of the Jasmine Dragon, Pascal hanging out on her shoulder.

It's her first time making pie jars without Charlie's assistance, and she wants to make sure she can get them down perfectly before the Weasley's birthday party.]

Okay, Pascal...moment of truth. They're almost done...all that's left is to take them out and let them cool. You think they came out all right?

[Pascal smirks, nodding before gesturing to the oven.]

Right. Only one way to find out.

[And with that, the oven dings, and Rapunzel grabs her oven mitts, removing the pies and placing them on a cooling rack before taking a closer look.

They're perfect. She lets out a noise of joy, before picking up Pascal and smooching him. The gesture came out of nowhere, and they both look rather shocked.]

Er...sorry, Pascal...I don't know what came over me...

[She laughs nervously, putting down Pascal, who gives a fond and exasperated sigh.]

I should get these out to the customers...

[ooc: Action to anybody at the Jasmine Dragon, or whoever wants to smooch Punzie!]

A good evening to be 'topside', isn't it... [Referring to the apparent kissing craze hitting the City right now.]



[This part directed to Karl Fei-Ong but not filtered]
So, Karl... how's that 'brother' of yours~

[As they sometimes do, the network device turns on of its own accord. There's nothing interesting to see; Justin is hunched over a never-ending pile of paperwork, still trying to put the police force back in order in the only way he knows how.

A group of laughing officers comes into view. One of them--a rather pretty woman--breaks away to set a piece of paper on Justin's desk.]

We found the person responsible for the break-ins.

Thank you. Where is he?

Being held.

And the items reported as stolen?

Found those, too. We just need to get things back to their owners.

Good. Please keep me--

[The officer grabs Justin by his shirt collar and kisses him, effectively cutting off that particular sentence. The device only offers a view of the back of the female officer's head until she breaks away. Justin looks horrified; her expression isn't visible.]

...Updated. Please keep me updated, Johansen.

[The other officers are trying not to laugh. Johansen returns to them, blushing furiously.]

I--yes. I'll do that.

Thank you.

[As the officers retreat (one of them slapping Johansen on the back in a congratulatory fashion), Justin glances at the network device. Of course it would turn on. Thank you, City.

He reaches over to turn it off without comment.]


[ooc: Purple is an npc officer named Johansen, apparently. Action is welcome. Really.]

[ Flynn is in the kitchen. Yes, and he's just finished cooking! Those who enter will be treated to kissing because of:

• the success that is infiltrating the kitchen
• procuring the ingredients AND cooking
• actually finishing cooking before anyone came in to stop him!!!

And... first on that list.... are... ]

Now let's see how this tastes...