Stage One: Grounded [] First Day in Mayfield

[istreamustream]

Action -- 1650 Albright Lane[Keith's eyes are met with a bright sunlight peering from the window. He snaps out of his nap, feeling... heavy, like after eating a large meal, but he is still hungry. Had he slept in? Normally, after a night of patrolling the city, Keith gets a few hours of shut-eye before walking his golden retriever, John

Comments

❶ Action

[anonnomnomnom]

[A disembodied voice drifts down from one of the trees, like it's perfectly normal.]

There isn't really anybody here named John, you know. That's just the name of the park, or at least that's what the drones told me.

[Have boy draped on treebranch, grinning vaguely like the Cheshire cat.]

[istreamustream]

[Even after having his entire morning turned upside-down, he still jumps to each little surprise. The outdoor air has calmed his nerves just an inch though, and he speaks to the boy with an attempted smile.]

Oh, no, John is actually the name of my dog. I believe he has run off and I haven't the slighted idea where he took off to.

If you don't mind me asking, have you seen him at all? He is a large golden retriever. He may have a leash on still...

[He states the last part thinking about John walking himself. After considering how ludicrous it would be for a dog to put on it's own collar, he begins regretting that last statement.]

[anonnomnomnom]

[Of course Anon has no idea that the dog's supposed to be walking itself, so he just looks intrigued.]

Haha, that's weird! I thought dogs were supposed to be completely loyal, I didn't know they could run off.

[He continues to look far too amused.]

I've seen a lot of dogs since I got here, but I don't know what a golden retriever looks like.

[istreamustream]

He is loyal, he just... may be walking himself. Out of loyalty.

[masterful execution of that thought, Keith]

Well, he is big, for a dog that is. He is um... gold. I have a feeling that I am not going to find him here.

Thank you, and again, thank you for your time. I'm sorry for not introducing myself: Keith Goodman. What is your name?

Home

[igotthisdown]

[Okay, this is a bit of a break from the monotony of the drones lately... Nobody really runs around the house anymore. So Tim is going to investigate, when he passes by a picture...

Bruce isn't there anymore. He's been replaced by someone else. Tim's eyes go a little wide and he heads down to the 'parents' bedroom... pretty much running into the new father of the family.

Have a 13 year old just glaring at you.] Where's. Bruce.

[istreamustream]

[Keith jumps at the sound. Though earlier he suspected someone would wake up from his running about, he is still caught off-guard.

He recognizes the boy from the photo. Keith tries to keep polite and positive, despite being at a serious disadvantage.]

I'm afraid I don't know. I'm not a burglar, I promise! I woke up here for some reason and I'm very sorry for waking you! I can help you find Bruce if you would like.

[igotthisdown]

[He half pushes, half slips past him and pokes his head into the bedroom, ignoring the drone lady. Once it's clear Bruce isn't there, Tim is going to start looking around the house for him, all the while keeping a very wary eye on New Dad but acting like he's completely ignoring him.]

This can't be happening. [Muttering under his breath.]

[If he takes a few moments to think about what New Dad is actually saying, the words 'woke up here' might clue him in that his guy isn't a drone but he's too focused on finding Bruce that he's just assuming he's a drone too for now because of his politeness.]

[istreamustream]

[Keith doesn't fully understand what is going on. In fact, he hardly understands what is going on. He awkwardly freezes by a wall, trying to stay out of the boy's way.

He feels that he is powerless to help the boy find his Bruce, and that he should probably keep out of his way. But standing and doing nothing is a terrible way to make up for breaking into someone's house.]

What does he look like? Maybe we can call him. Does he have a phone?

❶ Action

[windplay]

[ This was weird. This strange guy was calling out his name, numerous times even, but didn't seem to be looking for him in particular? But he didn't see anyone else named John, or anyone approaching the guy to claim their name... He'll just have to go up and ask himself.

For a split second, John felt like some kind of dog but immediately brushed it off as ridiculous poppycock, and curiously poked the guy in the arm. ]

Um... yes?

[istreamustream]

[At first, Keith is startled by the arm poke. But after seeing the boy next to him, he felt a little more at ease (perhaps he was expecting something worse?)

Though the child had only muttered one word, Keith felt he could empathize with him. There was an... airy sot of disposition about him, the kind Keith felt he could relate to, somehow.]

Oh, hello. I am looking for my dog, John. Have you seen him?

[windplay]

Heheh. I'm no dog, but I am a John!

[ John laughs. He couldn't help but think this guy looked like one of your average stereotypical American guys in the movies. ]

I have not seen any canine Johns around, though. What does he look like?

[istreamustream]

It's a pleasure to meet you John! I'm Keith, Keith Goodman.

[oblivious to his enforcing of aforementioned stereotype]

Well John, John is a golden retriever. Big and yellow, or I suppose gold. I'm afraid that if he was here, he would have responded by now, but it seems unlikely at this point.

But thank you! And again, thank you!

Action 1

[justicecrusher]

[Kotetsu spots Keith walking around the park and runs over to him.

...is he looking for his dog? John's the name of his dog, right?]

Ah, Sky High! Looks like you're here now, too.

[istreamustream]

[A wave of relief washes over Keith. At last, someone he recognizes! It's good to see an old friend.]

Wild Tiger! I am very glad to see you!

I woke up in some lady's bed, I'm now the father of a family of two kids, and I can't find John! Do you know where are or what's going on? This isn't Sternbild, is it?

[justicecrusher]

Nope, this isn't even close to Sternbild. I'm not sure how much anyone's told you yet, but you've been kidnapped here, and that family of yours isn't actually your real family. Welcome to Mayfield.

[He hesitates telling Keith about John for a moment, not knowing how he'll react.]

And, uh...you can't find John because he's probably not here. Sorry.

[istreamustream]

Kidnapped!? Was this the work of some diabolical NEXT?

[he realizes he is getting too worked up. He doesn't want to stress out his friend after just finding him.]

Thank goodness that is not my real family. If I were to start a family, I would at least like to remember it. Is this a sort of practical joke? I don't recall it being my birthday.

...but then again, I don't recall coming to this strange town either. Where are we? Mayfield, was it?

2

[freakinblur]

[As Keith is trying to open the police door, a cop conveniently strolls up behind him. Well, he may not sound much like a cop, but he's dressed like one.]

Ya need somethin', pally?

[istreamustream]

[Oblivious to the tone in the "cop's" voice, Keith approaches the upstanding symbol of law enforcement with a sunny disposition.]

Hello officer! I'm looking for my lost dog, John. He is a golden retriever. Have you seen him?

[freakinblur]

Dog? Nah, not today. Not yet. Where'd ya seen him last?

[istreamustream]

He was with me in my apartment. [noticing the lack of apartments] In the city of Sternbild. [noticing the absence of any sort of skyline in the distance] Which probably isn't anywhere near here.

[over the course of today's event, he is almost absolutely positive that John is not here. Almost.]

Might I ask, why are the doors to the police station locked? What if a civilian in distress needs to report a crime?