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[ when the video comes on, it's on accident, and there's a moment there where the feed shakes around a bit before it jerks - almost as if someone hit it, before it tilts back to a head full of red hair and a very unamused look. ]

Not sure on what planet these kinds of kidnapping-and-drugging shenanigans are even legal, but hey, I can take a joke. You did a great job setting this up, but genre clash? Doesn't start till next month. And this whole Silent Hill thing - what did you call it, Cape Kore? - while really cool and thought out and overall A plus for effort, still not okay. Not a game, here! [ and wow, okay, flashback. why are there so many weirdos who take this game too seriously? she's really done getting kidnapped, and there's no hot fairy here. so immediate negative points. ]

The wrist communicator is really cool. Feeling a little Might Morphin, just without the ti kwan do or spandex suits. Not that I want the suits, but just, if you're going to go half-way might as well go the full way. Go big or go home. Right? [ and at this point she's just kind of babbling. someone's starting to feel really, really nervous. ] I'm serious, guys. Not funny. I just- home? Yeah? Please?

[ there's a moment where she bites her lower lip, looking off and around her - seeing only a cape and a lighthouse and totally unable to drop that 'Big Brother is Watching' feeling creeping down the back of her neck. after the moment is over, she closes her eyes, as if she's finally convincing her to say something she'd been worried about saying.

and, with her eyes closed (though her left does peek open to the camera), she continues. while she is secretly hoping no one answers this last bit because that would not be good. really really not good. ]

And Sam and Dean, if you two are here...help?

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[ Ned knows a nervous, I'm-trying-not-to-completely-panic-right-now ramble when he hears one; he's on the other end of them often enough. That's why he responds to the message, even though he's got dark smudges under his eyes and is looking a bit like something the cat dragged in. ]

I'd love to tell you this is all some elaborate hoax and congratulate you on your lack of gullibility but unfortunately it's not a joke, and it's not funny, and none of us have found a way home, yet.

[ That's the worst of the bad news. Might as well get it all out at once, as gently as he can, before someone else delivers that news in a less. ]

I'm Ned, by the way. I'd say welcome, but that seems a little bit sick considering you've just been kidnapped, so I guess I'll substitute welcome with an offer to answer any questions you have, if I can.

[ oh hey bro, it looks like someone stayed up for one too many all-night D&D sessions. you should get some sleep, but first, charlie appreciates the explanation. despite the fact it's everything she really doesn't want to hear. ]

Charlie. [ because that's a safe enough place to start. ] So this isn't some screwed up version of punk'd? And I saw screwed up mostly because I'm not actually a celebrity and therefore my reaction would be exponentially un-funny compared to someone who people actually cared about.

[ so much for not nervous-rambling. breathe, charlie. breathe. ]

Just- how long have you been stuck here? How long am I going to be stuck here? And why doesn't this- [ sudden shaking of the wrist communication device ] have a text function?

Month and a half. There are others who've been here longer. I don't know how long you'll be here. People show up and disappear. Sometimes they reappear again, sometimes they don't. We don't really know if they're sending them home or... [ Ned trails off, gives a little shrug. He knows that detail probably isn't going to help with the panic, but he doesn't want to lie to her. ]

It can do voice-only, if you'd like? [ He isn't really sure why she's asking: doesn't want her face to be seen? It seems an odd question to ask at a time like this ]

What year are you from, Charlie?

Or not. [ yeah, no need to finish that sentence there, ned. she's got you covered as far as the 'doom and gloom cape kore edition' goes. thankfully the panic is kind of subsiding into frustration. a general air of annoyed acceptance. she really should have just called the cops the first time sam and dean showed up in her apartments. things would have been so much easier. ]

Do we get to know who the they is, or are we just gonna have to be happy with Big Brother and all his allusive tendencies?

[ her face kind of scrunches up at that a little. not the answer she was looking for. ] No, I just need- do you know anyone with a keyboard? And a USB cable?

[ and then there's a moment of silence, because charlie's not sure how that's relevant... ]

Uh, twenty thirteen. Why?

None of us have managed to find anything out. The Wizard of Oz's got that curtain buttoned up pretty tight. Best guess is that they're some kind of scientists, running some kind of experiment. But that's all it is - a guess.

[ He wants to be useful, but he shakes his head at her request ]

I don't know what a USB cable is, and I don't know if any of the houses has a piano. You can certainly go around knocking on doors and asking, or you could try another message over the network. [ Yep. He thinks you mean that kind of keyboard, Charlie ]

Because not everyone here is from the same year. Or planet. Or version of reality. I'm from 2007, so that's not so far from you, but for all I know, where you come from they have giant floating cities. [ He pauses, asks: ] They don't do they?

And yet none of us got red shoes. We got jipped, I call do-over.

[ . . . what. ]

No, I mean- a computer keyboard. [ which she is now acting out on air, in case you were confused. ] And a USB cable is like... [ non-computer terms charlie. ] a plug that goes in your computer.

They're not? That actually explains a whole lot more than I wish it did. And as cool as interdimensional-hopping is... what? How? Where's my Enterprise? [ huff huff. because when it all comes down to it, that's all she's really pissed about. WHERE IS HER BLUE SHIRT, SIR. ] Uh, not really. Everything is still pretty much on the ground.

Oh. No, there are no computers here. Nothing very high-tech, except for these. [ He taps at the screen of the communicator ]

I don't know how any of it is possible. Not really an expert. I just make pies. [ Ned smiles apologetically; she definitely is taking all of this a lot better than he had, when he'd first heard about it. ] There's no Enterprise, but I do know a space pirate. Well, former.

[ . . . . . . . . . . . ]

I'm sorry, but what? No. Not possible. I had my computer right here, so it's got to be somewhere around here. I just need to- [ oh god no she didn't mean for her Survivor metaphor to actually apply. ] Are you sure there's really no computer around here. Anywhere.

[ just when she thought today couldn't get any worse. just...breathe, charlie. deep breaths, and then pause. ]

What kind of pies? [ obviously the most important piece of information. up until the space pirate bit comes alone. ] And what do you mean by [ air quotes ] former?

Bearing in mind that I'm not exactly a computer expert, because they're no so much a thing where I'm from, I'm sure. It's not a big town. There's not that much stuff to be accounted for and they've been very careful not to leave around any technology that people could use to plan escape. Sorry. [ He really looks it, too. ]

What did you need it for? If it's for calculations or something like that, I know a guy who might be able to help. He's sort of a robot. [ Ned still slips into the habit of thinking of computers as technical, scientific or military equipment that experts use to do complex algorithms, rather than a tool that everyone has access to. ]

All kinds. It's my job- was my job, before I came here. I'm a former pie-maker, just like she's a former space pirate. Hard to have a career in here. Not a lot of booty to smuggle, or customers to bake for.

Pretty sure they had computer in oh seven. [ squint. ] Where did you say you're from again? The shire? But okay I guess that would make sense but usually in this say and age it's kind of hard to take everything. [ she does shake her head after a moment. ] No, it's...fine. Just. Not used to being this cut off. Actually cut off, at least.

Trying to see if I could find some answers, actually. Just feel more comfortable with a keyboard under my fingers. Unless we're in Moondoor, which in that case I'd prefer a good sword, but beggars can't be choosers. [ wait, back up. important things to talk about here. ] Did you say robot?

Was she more of the smuggling kind of space pirate or the killing and pillaging kind? Cause we can go Muppets on Treasure Island or Pirates of the Caribbean here.

So I've been told, but like I said, different versions of reality. Apparently mine was a bit backwards in terms of technology. My roommates are constantly teasing me about never using a portable telephone before. [ That's right, portable telephone, he just said those words ]

Moondor? [ That's not a name he's familiar with, and he doesn't see what it has to do with swords. ] Yeah, I did. [ A hint of suspicion creeps into his face, then. Call him overprotective, but he's got reasons to be wary ] Why, is that going to be a problem?

[ River, though, can take care of herself. ] I don't think pillaging was involved, and if there was killing, I'm sure it was only in self-defense and when all other options had been exhausted. [ No need to mention the whole government-trained psychic super-assassin thing. Not on the first day ]

[ ... yeah. just need to. take a moment with that. ]

Portable telephone. [ oh lawd. ] You don't even have cell phones? How backwards are we talking? Like, because cell phones were definitely an 80s thing but if you're from before backwards time...

[ oh god, she hasn't had this hard of a time dealing with timelines since her last not-doctor who tv marathon. but wait, wait. that's better. ]

Moondor. It's my LARPing community I'm a part of. [ oh what she wouldn't give to be there right now... ] Oh, no! No problem. More interested. He's not like...actually a calculator or anything is he?

[ and charlie just nods, because that sounds like the kind of pirate she could chill with. ] That's cool, yeah. I mean, more than just cool but I feel like the awesomeness of it is a little down-played thanks to the overwhelming sense of fear and terror I'm still trying to work with over here. [ smile! because she's trying. ] There aren't like...a lot of space pirates around, are there? Or Jedis? Actually, I'd kind of prefer Jedis. And maybe some cowboys.

[ Her shock that he has never used a cell phone doesn't surprise Ned; he's been through this with Kenzi and both the Jesses. They must be really great, for everyone to be so flustered that he's never had one. He supposes it's a bit like if he met another professional baker who had never used a food processor, or something like that. ]

LARPing? [ Yeah it's like she's speaking another language at this point. But it doesn't bother Ned because she's asking about Daneel next and he's always more than happy to talk about him, especially now that he's confirmed she's not some kind of anti-robot bigot ] No, no. He's not- he's much more complex than that. He's pretty much just like you or me, but with a few differences, and way smarter. And nicer. [ And handsomer, he thinks, but he's definitely not going to say that one out loud. ]

You'll probably meet him soon enough - it's not that big of a town and he likes talking to the new people. His name's Daneel. I can introduce you sometime, if you'd like. [ There may or may not be an excess of fondness in his voice. He knows that Charlie is still freaking out, and of course he can't blame her, but the best way he knows how to comfort her is to tell her about the people here, to reassure her that it's a good group she's found herself amongst. ]

[ Then she mentions Jedis and Ned's interest is visibly piqued. Well, there's one thing that is the same in both their versions of reality ] I wish there were. Sadly, I think all things Jedi remain strictly fictional. No cowboys, either. But there are various people with… unusual abilities. [ And here comes the part of the conversation where Ned tries to suss if Charlie is a fellow mutant ] You wouldn't happen to be one of those people, by any chance?

[ can't even wrap her head around. can't. won't allow herself. it's a cell phone. but larping is a question she can actually answer. ]

Live action role playing. [ because this is an explanation she's had to do a couple of times already. ] It's like acting out a play but you have to adlib it. [ but hey man, robots are cool. she might be more of a medieval kind of nerd but everyone can appreciate a good robot every now and then. ] So like an android. Even sweeter. It's not gonna go iRobot on us all is it?

But no, that sounds cool. [ and it actually helps, if anything just because this is all starting to feel...kind of awkwardly normal. ] Might as well meet the neighbors, right?

I'd argue the state of fictional and how that doesn't seem to apply here. But blast, I was really excited about that. [ but wait! her looks at him curiously. ] Unless you want to call an unnatural talent at all things code an unusual ability? No. I got nothing. Do you?

That sounds kind of really awesome, actually.

[ Ned gets just the faintest hint of a frown, head tilting to the side ] I'm... not sure what that means, but if it's something bad, then no, he won't. He's harmless. Too harmless for his own good, actually. And he's definitely a he, not an it. [ Touchy subject? No, never ]

Code like... secret messages and ciphers? [ Yep, still knows fuckall about computers. ]

[ He's not disappointed that she's just a run-of-the-mill-human, exactly. She appears open-minded and great, so far, and her curiosity sounds friendly rather than hostile (or perhaps worse, over-friendly) ] Yeah, I do. [ Yep, that's all she is getting for now ] That's not gonna be a problem, is it?

I kind of is.

[ totally modest don't mind her. ]

Well that's totally sweet. Meeting him sounds awesome. [ and oh lord, suddenly charlie is confused. mostly because she doesn't know how to explain things to someone who...has never even used a phone before???? ] No, no I mean like. Code. Ones and zeros. It's computer talk. Or...the stuff that computers are...made up of?

[ :D? :D???? ]

Dude? Really? That's mega-sweet. What can you do? [ yeah no, just. excitement mostly. ] So are you like...G-PEOPLE special abilities or like experiment gone wrong kind of thing?

Edited (i'm so subtle.......) 2013-07-11 02:51 (UTC)

[ The look he gives her when she starts talking about ones and zeroes is baffled but believing. It's all over his head. He knows much more about what pies are made of than what computers are, but he'll take her word for it. She's some sort of computer expert genius smart person. ]

G-PEOPLE? [ Clearly all the cultural references aren't going to be equivalent across universes. But that doesn't matter at the moment. What matters is how exactly he's going to explain what he can do. How much he's going to tell her. She may think it sounds mega-sweet now, but there's always the chance she'll change her mind. ] No experiments, botched or otherwise. It's just ... what I am. [ Come on, Ned, spit it out ] When I touch dead things, they come back to life.

Edited 2013-07-12 20:42 (UTC)

[ yes ned some sort of computer expert genius smart person. it has a good ring to it, doesn't it? ]

Yeah, you know- [ eh, not worth it. just let him explain, so she does. shakes her head to tell him to just keep going. when he does explain, she just kind of thoughtfully nods. yeah, okay, easy enough to accept. until, you know, she considers what that actually means. ]

Wait, so. How dead are we talking? Like, dead dead or just sort or kind of dead?

Dead dead. But there really isn't anything in between. [ And he would know ]

Edited 2013-07-16 04:10 (UTC)

Well that's handy.

[ but actually though, you know the whole 'let's be best friends thing?' let's do it. ]

Does it have any pay-back? Like the more you use it the less you can do something else? Or are you just a giant fountain of life?

[ When she asks if there's any payback Ned laughs, but it's an odd, humorless sound ]

I'm not so much a giant fountain of life as a complicated municipal water system moving life from point A to point B, except some of the pipes are rusted and the design was never all that streamlined in the first place.

[ Much as he likes that metaphor, he realizes that it isn't actually all that explanatory, so, with an air of having gone through this many times before, he says ] If I touch something that's died, it comes back to life. I don't control it or anything like that. But if I touch that same thing again, ever, it dies again, permanently. It's a one-time-only deal. And if I bring something back and leave it alive for more than sixty seconds, something else nearby dies.

[ So it's not so much that he's producing life as... stealing and redistributing it ]

Gonna take a wild guess that there aren't any plumbers that specialize in life-pipes.

[ yeah, a marginal amount of her excitement falls away there because that sounds complicated and a little too heavy-handed for her. ]

Wild guess number two is going to be that you can't control what it is near-by that dies? Like a tree for a person kind of thing?

[ she's really just trying to be hopeful, here. maybe he can, maybe not, but that's a lot of weight to carry. have a sympathetic smile. ]

With great power comes great responsibility, right?

Not that I've run into.

[ Her guess is pretty accurate, all things told. Ned is impressed by that, and by the fact that she is only reacting with mild disappointment and not outright disgust, fear, or accusation. It's not exactly the easiest thing, explaining all this and then waiting to see if (and it's only become an 'if' rather than a 'when' very recently in his mind) she calls him a freak and decides to stay away from him ] Wild guess number two is correct. I can predict it, somewhat. It's partially proximity, and partially similarity. It would never be a tree for a person. For a person, it's always another person. For a plant, it would be another plant. For an insect, an insect. You get the idea.

[ He doesn't really get that that is a quotation, but appreciates that she grasps so quickly what a burden his power is for him ] Yeah, it kinda really does.

That hardcore sucks, man.

[ yeah, as awful as it sounds she's coming kind of...jaded. to the whole superpower bit. not that she had any or knows anyone who does, but nearly banging a fairy kind of lessens the shock were those things are concerned. ]

Ohhh, see. That makes sense. Eye for an eye but instead life force for life force. That kind of thing. [ no need to recognize the quote. charlie would love to take credit for uncle ben's level of wisdom any day of the week. ] Still pretty sweet, though. Equality of energy be damned.

[ Ned smiles in a way that doesn't really hide his reluctance to agree that his power is, in her words pretty sweet. Of course, he knows why it would seem that way to a stranger - particularly one who is, for all intents and purposes, a normal human being. So it's really not worth contradicting her or going into it. Particularly not right now, when she must have a million other things on her mind. ]

Guess so.

[ It's probably clear from his tone that he doesn't agree, but doesn't want to make a big thing of it. ] I've kept you long enough, I should let you go. But if you have any more questions, or... if you need anything, just give me a call, okay?

[ With that and one last, encouraging smile, he cuts the connection ]

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intraining - 2013-07-27 02:20 (UTC) - Expand

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