The Cross-Medium Meme [gen and romance options]

[interjection]

the cross✘medium meme

[the first edition]

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene...

When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way! From you first cigarette your last dyin' days.

Fiction often thrives on the conflict of groups not getting along. The funny thing is, half the time those groups don't even know why they dislike each other. This can lead to hilarity, tragedy, or the often romanticized doomed lovers.

In this meme, characters have been divided (by themselves or by society) into factions loosely based on medium types. What started this whole affair? Who knows? All that's obvious is there's bad blood on all sides.

[the rules]

one. This meme is cross-medium. That means tagging characters from a different medium/origin. In example, video game characters can tag characters from comic book, live action sources, anime, etc. For clarity, western animation and anime will be considered different mediums for this meme.

two. Characters' names, canons, and general preferences can be put in the comment box or the subject.

three. Other people reply with the scenarios they rolled.

[the scenarios]

Take a chance and roll the dice.
ROMANCE OPTIONS
1. This is the start of something new. You've just met this great new person. They could be the one! Only problem is, you're from the opposite sides of town, if you get the meaning. What to do?

2. I just can't be with you anymore, Alejandro! The stress is too much, or your family/gang/faction has found out about your romance with the enemy and you're being forced to end it. Even if it breaks both of your hearts.

3. At the end of your rope? Elope! You love birds can't stand all the fighting and separation, so you're leaving this town in the dust to start a new life.

GEN OPTIONS
4. Friends in enemies' clothing. You have a friend on the other side, but the climate keeps you from broing it up. Meet in secret and hang out, even if it's risky.

5. Do you bite your thumb at me, sir? Hey, look! It's somebody from the rival side. Looks like they're mocking you. This means war, you know. Fight, fight, fight!

6. Kill Bill. That other faction somehow wronged you, and now you want revenge. Maybe it's closer than you think...

7. Make up your own option!

Comments

[sir_hellsing]

Lead the way. I would be interested in meeting more of your colleagues as well. [Diplomatic as ever, is Integra.]

[dominion_war_graduate]

Of course. [And don't think he doesn't appreciate that. When they do reach the lounge, however, it's increasingly obvious that Matthews is one of the younger commanding officers. Everyone else is at least in their forties or more, and all of them except Matthews sport four golden pips on their collars.]

And they say leading a ship into battle is dangerous.

[sir_hellsing]

[Now here is a situation with which Sir Hellsing is intimately familiar, the shark-infested waters of command. She's chanced upon meeting a couple of those gathered in the short time she's been aboard the starbase, patiently submitting to questions and the occasional less than thinly-veiled low opinion of her home time.]

What does not kill us...

[dominion_war_graduate]

Can sometimes make us wish it did.

[While everyone is diplomatic to the youngest commander of the group, it's deeply obvious to anyone with a modicum of experience in the field that some hide their disdain behind just such a diplomatic facade. The commander, for his part, is very good at not getting ruffled about it. At least until the admiral grabs his shoulder.

"Commander! So good to have you here. I was afraid you might not show on such short notice." If nothing else, the admiral is a very cheerful sort. "I hope you don't mind, but the other commanders suggested, and I rather agree, that our youngest up-and-coming officer should be the first to perform." Like it wasn't obvious why. Most of the captains are in their forties or fifties. They've easily had at least thirty years or more to practice whatever artform they've elected to study. Warren can almost hear their expectations.]

Oh! No, I don't mind ... at all, Admiral Grant. Thank you for the opportunity.

["Think nothing of it. I don't need to tell you how important the Thomas Jefferson is to Starfleet. There's a reason we trusted you with it, after your performance during the Dominion War."]

Yes, sir. Thank you.

["And don't let the others get to you. They were all in your position once, don't forget. It can be hard, being the youngest. As for you, Sir Integra--" And he looks at her with a rather jovial smile-- "Enjoy the show." And with that he leaves, off to meet and greet everyone else before this command recital begins.]

I ... I think I may very well throw up. Hopefully not on stage.

Who takes forever? This gal.

[sir_hellsing]

[For her part, Integra listens and absorbs the information presented herein, smiling appropriately when necessary. As the Admiral walks away, she gives Matthews a glance.]

Some things never change, I see. As my father would say, "Knock 'em dead".

[Though Arthur Hellsing most certainly meant it in the literal sense, she's figures the commander won't take it as such. That could prove rather awkward.]

I am so sorry; I seem to take a long time myself.

[dominion_war_graduate]

Thank you, Sir Hellsing. I guess I should go up there before I lose my nerve completely. [He's at least able to spare her a wan smile before he goes to sit in front of everyone, grabbing the case that holds the old Spanish guitar from the edge of the stage.]

[He takes his time tuning it again, very obviously stalling as much as he can. Right now, however, it's less about not wanting to show his relative lack of skill, and more ... something else.]

I guess it's ... now or never. [The something else becomes obvious only when he plays. Unlike the standard classical music Integra might have heard across the base, or even more jovial alien music, or exotic sounds, the music that the Commander plays is entirely melancholy, nigh-depressing. He's only on stage for all of eight minutes before the Admiral brushes him off as politely as possible. This was intended to be a simple recital, a chance for commanding officers to show their less stoic side, not a chance to depress everyone into a living fugue.]

[At least it frees up the rest of Warren's schedule.]

That ended quickly enough.