[Video]

[dontgetcarter]

Hello?

[The feed is focused on a young teen's face. Her hair's dirty, there are bags under her eyes, and there's evidence of having recently had a bloody nose as well as a spatter of it across her cheek. Though she at least seems to know what to do with a smartphone, she still gives the phone a confused frown.]

Is this even... I don't think I called anyone? Maybe it's like a public broadcast? Or I'm just talking to myself.

Okay, if anyone can see this, can you let me know, please? Even if you don't have any information or whatever, I am freaking the hell out, please just let me know there's someone else here. I mean, if you've got answers, I am so not about to turn that down, because I've got about a million questions, but, y'know. One thing at a time, right?

Comments

[ video ]

[noblexcompanion]

Looks like you turned the video function on. We can see you, yeah. I'm guessing you're new here? Sorry. This place likes to being new people in from time to time. Not quite sure how or why.

I'm Donna, by the way.

Do you need some help? No offence but you look a little rough.

[ And this is one of many reasons Donna should not be allowed on the welcoming committee. ]

[ video ]

[dontgetcarter]

Oh, thank god. Hi, I'm Carter.

[She visibly relaxes, and gives her a relieved smile.]

Help would definitely be appreciated. And I'm gonna have to ask you about the place itself bringing people in later, 'cause I was kind of expecting abduction, but right now I'm mostly concerned with finding a shower and some clean clothes. I am beyond gross.

[ video ]

[noblexcompanion]

Nice to meet you, Carter. Sorry the circumstances are sucky though.

Shower I can help with! The rooms have showers. Beds too. I mean they're a bit on the clinical side, but they're comfy enough. And there's food in the kitchen. Some of it's a bit weird and alien looking. But at least it's sommat to eat. We had a bit of a food shortage in the last place.

[ video ]

[dontgetcarter]

Ha, believe it or not, these are not actually the worst circumstances I've met someone under. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go take the longest shower known to man.

[It is not actually the longest shower known to man. The feed comes back on in about 20 minutes, and she's at least cleaned off, though she still looks like she needs some sleep.]

Thanks, Donna. You seem pretty familiar with how this place works, have you been here a while?

[happytobleed]

I'm not certain that I will have all of the answers, but I've been here long enough that I may have some.

[ Of course, this facility is relatively new, but that doesn't mean that some things haven't carried over. ]

[dontgetcarter]

Do you at least know who's running this place? Because, like, I knew someone was keeping an eye on me, but I don't know, maybe there's someone else? Or, at least, does everyone here have, y'know... special abilities? Is that what we're here for?

[It's a logical conclusion to jump to, anyways. At least, she can't think of much else that someone would want with her.]

[happytobleed]

No. Something powerful. It's keeping a lot of us here who should be able to leave. There were scientists, but they seem to be gone now.

[ Maybe he has fewer answers than he thinks. Even the scientists are a dead end now. ]

[dontgetcarter]

Huh. But, whatever it is, it's still bringing in new people. If all the people who'd be experimenting on us or whatever aren't here to actually experiment, what's the point?

[She pauses, and shoots him a sheepish smile. It's not like she's saying much right now that most anyone here hasn't already thought.]

Sorry, I'm probably not asking anything new, am I?

video;

[heart_of_a_witch]

Ten-four. You okay there? [Another girl about her age. It's like high school all over again. If...high school were set in a creepy laboratory and all the students were shell-shocked and couldn't go home.]

I'm Courtney, we've all been abducted, but I don't think you're in any immediate danger.

video;

[dontgetcarter]

I'm fine. Or, at least I'm not hurt or anything. I'm still freaking out, but it's not like I'm going to be doing anyone any good if I lose my head.

I'm Carter, and the way you're specifying "immediate" danger is making me a little bit nervous.

video;

[heart_of_a_witch]

You've got a little nosebleed, but if you say you're okay, I'll take your word for it. [At least she's level-headed. That bodes well.]

Heh, sorry. This is kind of a weird place. Sometimes there are earthquakes and stuff. I haven't been here long either, though. What I mean is, everything's calm right now, but whether it'll stay that way is anyone's guess.

I think I recognize the hall you're in. Want me to meet you?

video;

[dontgetcarter]

Oh. [Don't mind her, she's just going to try and wipe off the remnants of her nosebleed on the end of her sleeve. Gross, Carter. Gross.] That, um. That happens, it's no big deal.

Donna mentioned earthquakes, I think. Glad I at least came in on a slightly less weird note, at least?

I'd appreciate some company, yeah. I mean, if you're not busy or anything.

[video]

[wolfofmidgard]

[Meja switches her video feed on with a smile. It's a worried smile, perhaps a little on the wry side because, yes, this place is weird and confusing. She herself had arrived in the forest, and she's certain that that was slightly less confusing than this facility.]

Hello, there. Don't worry, there are a number of us here; you're not alone.

[video]

[dontgetcarter]

That's a relief. Do you know about how many is 'a number'? I mean, I'm pretty happy to hear more than three, but just out of curiosity.

[video]

[wolfofmidgard]

[She considers; she hasn't taken a head count, recently.]

A few dozen? Somewhere around that. Our numbers have dwindled some in the past week, but there are quite a few of us still here.

[video]

[dontgetcarter]

[A few dozen? Okay, that's definitely nice to hear. Somehow, Carter's beginning to get the impression that she's better off now.]

Good to hear. I mean, not the part about people leaving, though I guess that's good if they get to go back home...

I mean, a shitty situation is always better with a group.

video;

[heavensmostadorable]

You're not the only one here. There are actually a large number of us.

[Speaking calmly in an effort to be reassuring, knowing pretty well what it's like to show up here terrified, he offers a slight smile. Even if there's not all that much to smile about around here. He just hates it when such young people are brought here and wants to calm them down as best he can.]

I'm not certain that I am capable of answering all of your questions, but I'll offer you what information I can. If you haven't gotten all you need from others, that is.

video;

[dontgetcarter]

[She returns the smile as best she can - he doesn't look that much older than she is, and seeing someone else her age adjusting well definitely does some good for her peace of mind.]

Thanks for the offer. I've gotten a couple explanations, but it seems mostly like everything's still pretty mysterious. That sound about right?

video;

[heavensmostadorable]

[If it makes her feel more comfortable to see him as someone her age, he's happy to let her continue that for the time being. Even if the actual case is him being eons old.]

That's essentially the case, yes. I'm afraid it's all rather bleak, though it seems possible that as time goes by, we'll figure some things out.

Video

[cinereoargenteus]

[There's something comforting in knowing he's not the only one here who doesn't really understand what's going on. Since he can't really answer any questions, he provides his own version of help. One long struggle with the smartphone later and he finally ends up with his face on the screen.]

Should clean up the-- [Garrett makes a circling motion of his own pelt-covered face.] --stuff on your face. You hurt?

Video

[dontgetcarter]

Huh? [Oh, right. Nosebleeds. She checks quickly to make sure there's no fresh blood, then shakes her head.] I forgot about that. I'll clean it soon as I can get to a shower, heh.

Cool, uh... [She mimics the circular motion around her face.] thing you've got going on there. Is that a mask or something?

[cinereoargenteus]

Or something. [Garrett nods and gives Carter the first genuine smile he's had in this place. He's more than just a little bit proud of his unusual appearance and what it means.] It is a fox hide.

Video

[servingmichael]

There's between forty and fifty of us here, I haven't taken a headcount in a few days, so no, you aren't the only one here.

[ The nice suit maybe doesn't quite match the voice - calm, gentle even, and slightly warm. The suit reads 'CEO' but the voice reads 'concerned teacher/doctor/caregiver'.]

Take a breath, ok?

((Mind hitting Raphael's perms post please? ))

Video

[dontgetcarter]

Okay.

[Carter nods, and takes a deep breath, nodding as she exhales.]

I'm okay. Mostly okay. Y'know, all things considered.

Video

[servingmichael]

Good girl. And yes, I understand. Has someone explained what this place, where you are?