opnet [OpNet] What's in a Name

[Guest]

Hello. I've just run across this site and I have to say that I think it's really cool that us Novas have some place to "hang out," if you know what I mean. I didn't really think I'd be posting here but I just had to ask, Why are Nova names so important?

I know it seems like a wield question but, well, I don't have a name and I'm wondering if I need one or not?

[Vile Bill]

Marketing baby, pure and simple. My little action figures gotta have names. When I was flashing mah grin on the American Express Ad, it don't mean shit if I say William Peterson. Vile Bill on the other hand, that's money.

Plus, William Peterson was a tough little fucker, yeah, but he wasn't Vile Bill. That's me and that's loads better.

[Fortune's Son]

There's the pedestrian approach; without a name several languages lack a precise way to indicate who is being referred to. The marketability approach is enhanced with a name that is evocative, slash or intrigueing. On the path of personal or spirtual development taking a new name, nova name is this context, indicates a stripping away of the old and marks the turning point in a life.

Elites with their mask for instance. Aside from the practical considerations, many Elites who don a mask are attempting to become something else. Something more. A mask in this context can be psychological or spiritual armor to protect the nova, or it may be part of their bid to actually become what the mask represents. The philosophy of Teras uses many of the same precepts.

Take your pick.

[Teknokat]

A new name isn't essential if you're a nova. But then again, a lot of people find the excuse to come up with a name that suits them exhiliarating. Finally, a way to truly express who you truly are! And even better, it's gonna be repeated Ad Nauseum on N!

At least, in theory. Sometimes, the name just sucks. It happens. It sounded so good when you said it with that cool, deep, baritone voice, but now that N! is announcing it everywhere, it's sounding more and more pathetic.

It's generally why you should try asking others around before you decide to stick with a name.

Why did I choose my current handle? Same reason as Vile Bill. I needed a name for marketing purposes, and as it happened, this one fitted the bill nicely for the company I had in mind.

Plus, it hadn't been taken by someone else. That's always a plus.

[Guest]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Chance:
taking a new name, nova name is this context, indicates a stripping away of the old and marks the turning point in a life.

Well my life has definitly changed now and I've been meeting the most interesting people, so I suppose having a name would be a good idea. So how do I choose a name? I mean, I've never had one before so I'm not really sure how I go about giving myself one.

[Fortune's Son]

You never had a name before? Your parents had a sense of humor then, I take it?

Sorry. Small joke there. Choosing a name and giving yourself one are two different things. You can give yourself a name by registering with Appelate Lexington, which is an off-shoot of DeVries (sorta) and picking from one of those available, i.e. not in use. As a matter of fact they'll assist you in putting together an entire persona. Spirituality and self-improvement aren't part of the deal but they'll offer you suggestions, assist in assembling a work suit and part of the package is even policing the public media to insure your "image" isn't being used inappropiately. When you cut them a check you are essentially paying for an agent to "protect" the persona.

You can do the same thing by offering up a press release. The news sharks will be circling within hours for a press conference and that hack Bronstein comes to the opening of an envelope so you'll definitely get known and quickly.

If marketability isn't the issue then all I can tell you is that it will come to you eventually. In the meantime, assuming you were joking about not having a name, the one your parent gave you should be good enough for the moment.

[Guest]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Chance:
Assuming you were joking about not having a name, the one your parent gave you should be good enough for the moment.

Why would I joke about that? I don't ever remember having parents so if they did give me a name, I have no idea what it would be.

I don't know if I want someone else to give me a name, I mean, I'm the one who has to live with it right? And I don't really want to be in the news either. The news is always about bad or unhappy things so I think I'll just stay away from them. Maybe your right and the right name will just come to me when it's time for me to have a name?

[Fortune's Son]

Quote:

I don't ever remember having parents so if they did give me a name, I have no idea what it would be.

Interesting. I know a couple of decent investigators if you're interested. They might be able to dig up something provided you can figure out a way to make it worth their while. Alternately there's an erupted cop named Preston running around in the US that would do it for free if you can get a hold of him. Not certain if he could help you if you're not in the US but its worth a shot if you care to.

I've run across a couple of novas here and there that talk about post-eruption retrograde amnesia. One is a chick name Babylon that hangs with T2M Europe last I heard and pops in here from time to time. Another is Terat whose name escapes me, that use to post here but I haven't seen anything more recent than a year ago. Sovem? I think that was his name anyway. The last one is a guy named Jager but he vanished into the wind a month or so ago. With his hobbies somebody probably made it a permanent vacation on his part.

You might want to think about something call yourself in the interim while you think about a real name. Just as a way for people to refer to you.

[Sakurako Hino]

No Name: Interesting. You have no name whatsoever? Sounds like post-eruption amnesia. That is, if you're a nova. Hopefully you can find an investigator or at least some help in finding out who you are. And besides, we'll know what to call ya. I don't even know if you're an input or output... Sorry, techie joke.

Now I gotta go. Prior responsibilities and all that jazz...

[Guest]

I've already been a guest of Project Utopia and they weren't much help. The only thing they could tell me is that I was found in the ruins of a building in Seattle. I supposedly blew it up when I erupted but all I remember is waking up in the hospital room that's been my home for the last 4 years.

I'm not all that keen on the police either. I don't think I've done anything wrong, but they keep wanting to take me back to the center and I'm not about to go back there.

For now, I guess you can call me Seven, short for Patient #7. Its what one of the interns at the Annabelle Lee Neufield center called me.

[Apep]

I think Seven is a wonderful name. There's a lot of power in a name, it's good to have one.

Sorry to hear about the amnesia. A word of advice, although they could probably get you all sorted out, never trust a telepath.

[Vile Bill]

Now Apep honey, why would you say that? I've dealt with 'paths a coupla times now and all I've got out o' them are all good memories. Man, seems like the best times I can 'member are the times I've spent with telepaths.

[Guest]

Thanks Apep, that means alot. So for now, call me Seven, and don't worry, I never trust Telepaths. They had some at the center and they were always prying where they weren't wanted. I don't care if they could help me or not, there's no way I'm trusting 'em.

[Fortune's Son]

Welcome to the Barrens, Seven.

I'm Jack Chance and lovely lady in the red and black outfit over by the bar about to hand somebody their ego wrapped up in their intestines is Graveyard Jill.

We do contract work for Annie DeVries; demi-gods specializing in feats of the impossible. We solve problems for people provided the problem's interesting enough.

Gotta run. Looks like Crystal Shard is about to do something stupid.

Oops. Too late. Well, she had to work off some adrenaline anyway.

And I thought tonight was going to be boring.

[Apep]

Bill dear I was going to respond to that but your reply speaks for it self.

Seven,

No problem, I've got some experience with the whole amnesia thing, if there's anything I can do to help let me know. Not to worry, I don't expect you to trust me either.

[Teknokat]

Seven, pleased to meet you. Teknokat, CEO of Teknokat Innovations and occasional Good Samaritan. Need any help, ask and I may just take you up on it.

Hmm, Trust. Sometimes I wonder if it's overrated. I get none of it and I seem to do OK...

[Fortune's Son]

Trust is a lot like money. It's not important until you absolutely have to have it and then its impossible to come by without extreme measures.

My experience anyway.

[Guest]

Nice to meet you all.

Thanks for the offer Apep, but I'm not really concerned about it. I'm more interested in moving forward, not backwards anyways. Besides, now I have a whole world I get to explore!

[Fortune's Son]

So Seven, you going to give us a little introduction? Who are you, what do you do and who were you before... that sort of thing. Kind of give us an idea of who we're talking with and if you have questions you can ask 'em.

[Guest]

Wow, how rude am I?

Okay, so what do you want to know? Lets see, the farthest back I can remember is waking up in the New York Rashoud facility where I spent a month getting my rampant Quantum energies under control.

Once I'd learned to stop radiating Quantum like Nuclear Reactor, they moved me to the Annabelle Lee Neufield center where I sat and developed my powers for the last 4 years. For those years my whole world was that center. In fact, I didn't even know there was a world outside of the center until two years ago. I don't know why I was kept out of the world, maybe it had something to do with my eruption?

So what else did you want to know? What I do. Well, if you mean my super powers, I generate raw quantum and manipulate pre-existing quantum fields.

I can fly, and have been clocked at a maximum speed of about 400 kph. I can project destructive blasts of raw quantum energy, protect myself from being hurt by that same energy and I can cause things to move through some sort of psychokinetic effect. My q-field control powers are harder to describe but I'll try.

I can project my senses to other locations and even travel great distances in the blink of an eye through some sort of "quantum non-locality" effect (at least that's how the science geeks at the center explained it), I can duplicate the powers of other Novas and even give them my powers for a short while. I can also alter the paramaters of of Quantum Fields I encounter such as increasing or decreasing their effectiveness or creating identical, but false, copies of a field. Umm, I think that's about it for my powers, but I'm still learning a practicing.

Did I miss anything?

[Guest]

Oops, I just realized I didn't give you guys an idea of what I look like or who I am. Sorry 'bout that. Okay, while I don't know exactly how old I am, I look to be in my late teens or early twenties. I'm about 5'7" and weigh about 135 to 140 lb. I've got Dirty blond hair with a small chin gotee and my eyes constantly change color (it's actually kinda hypnotic and it can be really distracting when I'm trying to shave!)

I'm all about finding out as much as I can about everything. Ever since I released myself from the center's care, I've been exploring New York, It's so big and there's so much to do! I can't wait to see the rest of the world. The one thing I love most is music. One of the only things I was allow to do at the center was create my music, I thnk it's what kept me together for four years. I think this site is great and I plan on sticking around here, you guys seem pretty cool so I hope I'm not bugging you guys.

Well, gotta go now, They're closing the cafe so I gotta find another computer to borrow.

Later.

[Fortune's Son]

Male in appearance I would assume? I know you mentioned having a small goatee but after working with Imelda "Mammoth" Sanchez I wouldn't bet the farm on a pronoun without being certain.

So what do you do for fun?

[Sakurako Hino]

Word of warning, Mr. Seven.

There are those who would be attracted by your mystique. Step carefully.

Wouldn't want a youngling like yourself get hurt.

Keep your eyes on the board. Sometimes they're better than a danger sense.

Oh, one more thing in addendum.

Although DeVries is known for elites, they also look for talent in various other fields. They might provide a good level of employment for you, and they pay good enough to keep you fed.

Also, I might be able to wire you a little cash. I got my first training stipend, and I'm feeling generous. I think 600$ US should be sufficient to get you a month's rent in some part of town?

I can also put in a good word at Nova Resources, if you want. My treat.

[Apep]

$600 for a months rent? What shit part of town are you sending him to?

[Guest]

Hey Endeavor, Thanks for the offer but I already got a place to crash.

Y'know I used to play music in the center but now that I'm out in the world, well, there's just so many things to do. Right now I'm having great time wandering New York and see what there is to see.

Like last night, I found this really cool place called Club Quantum. At first I thought everyone there was a Nova 'cause of the way they looked, but when I used my powers, everyone went nuts! It was like this wierd cross between being worshipped and a riot. It got so out of control that the cops showed up and there were TV people and everything. I jumped out of there so fast, I don't think the cops saw me. I did meet some interesting people though I don't understand why they went so beserk.

[Sakurako Hino]

Well, I think you ran into some Nova Poseurs. NOt to mention you may have some psychotropic abilities. Remember, not all novas can walk through a killing field and not even look bothered.

Sounds like you're a music talent. You might have something to go with. I hear there's a huge following to be had if you became an Idoru. Er... there I go, spouting Japanese... I mean a Novox.

Big money there. And if you got that "vibe", you won't end up a flavor of the week.

Good luck.

[Fortune's Son]

I've heard about places like Club Quantum. Jilly wants to check one out as an alternative to another night at the Amp Room but I've been hesitant.

How was it?

[Fortune's Son]

Uh oh.

I feel silly but its only now sinking in that you really don't understand the crowd's reaction to your display. Chalk it up to loss of memory compounded by hanging around the Uppies with their complacency and high nova concentrations but you don't really understand what we look like from the zip world.

Do you?

[Guest]

What's a Zip?

[Hugin]

Zip is a term some of our race use to describe baseline humanity. In nearly every instance it is meant in a derogatory manner.

[Guest]

Well geez, that isn't too friendly is it?

Anyways, no I don't have much experience with other people. The only people I came into contact with on a regular basis at the center were the doctors and interns, and they never seemed to get all worked up about me or what I could do. Occasionally I worked with some other Novas who looked to be about my age, but that was mostly power training exercises. It's not like I got to hang out with them or anything.

[Fortune's Son]

A baseline is a scientific designation for a human being not carrying the potential to express an MR node within their gene makeup, i.e. Homo Sapiens Sapiens. A zip is someone that covets who or what you are based on your expressing quantum abilities. You won't find that definition in the ViaSoft online dictionary but there you go.

A baseline will react with a hundred variations of basic human emotions to revelations of novas or nova abilities in their midst. A zip is the one that has to have a piece of you. Figuratively or literally. It's not so much about what you are as it is about what they are not.

[Guest]

Your a cheery on aren't ya

So what other terms should I know about? I read your posts on Elite slang, but what other slang can I expect to here?

[Fortune's Son]

Quote:

Your a cheery on aren't ya ?

It's been a strange week.

Bits and pieces of pop culture turn up on occasion but I think we covered the really variant stuff pretty thoroughly. Just remember that this isn't really an Elite dominated board though it seems that way sometimes. We tend to be a bit more vocal than some, and I think our habits draw a little attention.

From here on out its pretty much the same as being the new guy in the neighborhood. Some people will wave, others will scowl or ignore you, etc. And then there are the ones trying to sell something to you. You'll pick up on the scam artist pretty quickly.

Take a sit and enjoy the ride.

[Guest]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Chance:
[QBIt's been a strange week.
[/QB]

Tell me about it!

[Sakurako Hino]

Seven: Hey, don't sweat things kid. It's a strange week for you? You'll have more of 'em now. You've stepped on stage, and the whole world's watching. Well, at least the whole Nova world is.

Note: Even though I'm the latest "Elite-In-Training" there are some things that still are constant with me. Perhaps sometime, Seven, I should show you my complete Anime and Manga collection. That should put things down to earth for ya. We may be able to move mountains, but we still do things in our spare time that we find convenient or comfortable. Or maybe just plain fun.

Just watch out for the Nova Trekkies. I actually ran into one. I dipped soon after. Whaddya expect on Halloween. I can't stand 'em.

[Hugin]

You know something? Baselines are much simpler to deal with when your very presence inspires blinding headaches in all but the most resolute of spirit.

[Sandy Davis]

Well, TO me, a name is a tittle, that you should be give n to to set yourself apart form other,and to do in away that poeple get the felling of what you are talking of. TTake supa-fi,his name is like slang that the U.S. Marines use.It means something like honor,curgage,and dedaccatoin. That he is,if he told you that he was going to make Pax wear a dress, then you best take out your camrea,as nothing short of death would stop him from putting that bald man in a dress.

Name in aprefecct world would simplize your character,in more way than your powers.After all how many fire poepel are there?I think like 13..now becuas eyour not a fire one,still dosen't mean you have to pick a name based in anyway off your powers, but as the one before me said..names sell.NNo one is going to hire you if your the pink bunny,even you are the pink bunny of doom.but the may hire "amazing man"

As for why did I pick Miss-Fortune?Well, if you can find the preson who gave me that name, you can ask him.

[Fortune's Son]

I think the phrase is "Semper Fi" but your point is well taken.

Quote:

Baselines are much simpler to deal with when your very presence inspires blinding headaches in all but the most resolute of spirit.

I so want to know how to do that!

[Seven]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako 'Endeavor' Hino:
Perhaps sometime, Seven, I should show you my complete Anime and Manga collection. That should put things down to earth for ya. We may be able to move mountains, but we still do things in our spare time that we find convenient or comfortable. Or maybe just plain fun.

No offence En, but I just spent 4 year in a box with nothing to do but watch the boob tube, so the last thing I wanna do is watch a bunch of wierd Japanese cartoons. I did something much more interesting today. I rode a ferry for the very first time and I took the stairs up to the top of the Statue of Liberty. There's an absolutely amazing view of the city skyline from up there.