VIDEO

[shootwithmymind]

[The viewer is greeted with a pair of huge, gold-rimmed eyes peering at them from behind a longish snout that is currently sniffing delicately at the screen. A moment later a young boy with blue eyes and shaggy blond hair desperately in need of a trim leans down over the golden-eyed creature, an almost identical expression of curiousity on his face.]

I think I've got this thing working. Guess we'll find out, huh?
[The boy clears his throat self-consciously before continuing.]

If anyone else is listening... Um. Hi. My name's Jake Chambers, and this is Oy--say hi, Oy.

[The strange, gold-eyed creature again sniffs at the screen before barking out.] I! Oy!

[The boy giggles and shakes his head.] Smartass.

[Oy grins--there's no other word for it.] Ass!

[Jake smiles again, but it quickly fades.] Is anyone else out there? I...um...I'm guessing this isn't the Clearing, after all, 'cause if it is, then somebody really needs to come up with a better name. [Another short laugh, slightly tinged with hysteria.] Anyway. If this isn't the Clearing, then could someone please tell me where we wound up this time? [He pauses, chewing thoughtfully at his lower lip for a moment before adding] I woke up on a--a spaceship, I think. I can see what looks like a village down at the foot of the mountain. Is there anybody down there?

Comments

[chooser]

There is a settlement in the southern portion of the city ruins.

[The woman frowns slightly, and adds after a moment,] Does "we" refer to your small friend there, or have you located others from your own world already?

[shootwithmymind]

Okay. [He looks rather relieved when someone answers, and he'll be heading thataway shortly.]

Oh, no ma'am, I just meant me and Oy. [He glances back over his shoulder in the direction of the ship.] So, you mean my friends are somewhere on that ship?

[chooser]

It's possible. I know little about the ship. There are some who are studying it, and might be able to tell you with more certainty.

[shootwithmymind]

Would they be able to tell me how I got on there in the first place? Because the last thing I remember, I should have been...um...someplace else.

[chooser]

They may give you theories. But it seems none who waken on that ship recall precisely how they came to be there.

[shootwithmymind]

Well, that figures... [This expression? Is Jake's complete lack of surprise.]

So what is this place? It doesn't look much like anywhere I've been before.

[chooser]

Those native to this world call it Verdana. The ruins themselves are called the Old City.

[Amusement briefly softens her expression.]

Not the most creative name, I know.

[video]

[girlworthfighting]

I've never heard of the Clearing. That is your homeland?

[Frowns and blinks a bit at Oy, but they can get to...that, later.]

I've just arrived here myself. You say you also woke up on the -- you called it a ship?

[video]

[shootwithmymind]

[A wry smile at her question. Really, it might as well be at this point.] No ma'am, that's just where I thought I was going. I'm from New York.

[He nods] A space ship. I mean, that's what it looks like to me. Not that I've ever seen a real one before. Just, you know, in movies.

[video]

[girlworthfighting]

I have never heard of either place. But then, I don't suppose you know of the enchanted forest? Or... [She tries to recall the name of the place Emma and Snow White were from.] a village called 'Storybrooke'?

['Movies' doesn't make much more sense to her than 'space ship'.] I've never seen anything like it. Real or otherwise. I can't imagine a world where such a thing is commonplace.

[video]

[shootwithmymind]

[He shakes his head.] No ma'am, I never heard of either place, sorry. But judging by the people I've talked to already, just about everybody here's from a different world.

[video]

[girlworthfighting]

I've gotten that impression as well.

You and your...companion, you're here on your own?

[video]

[shootwithmymind]

Yeah, as far as I know. If any of my ka-tet were here, I think one of 'em would've answered me.

I guess you're in the same boat, huh?

[redhat]

[The video flicks on to show a girl about his age, looking genuinely enthusiastic.]

Aw, man! Numbuh Five didn't think there were any other kids in this place! You and your, uh, friend there still at the ship? 'Cause I can come get ya, if you need it.

[shootwithmymind]

[Jake smiles back. He hasn't been around another kid his age in quite awhile, so he's glad to see her, too. He nods at her question]

Yeah, we're just outside the ship right now. We should be okay coming in, but you can meet us halfway, if you want.

[redhat]

Sure thing, baby. Numbuh Five will be up in a jiffy. Say... the name Kids Next Door don't ring a bell, does it?

[in her world, even if a kid wasn't in the organization, they knew it existed. If there was any chance he was from where she was, she had to know.]

[shootwithmymind]

[Another brief smile. He could easily make it on his own, but just now, he could definitely use some company.] Sounds good.

[He considers the question a moment before shaking his head.] No, sorry. Is that something from your where?

[redhat]

[The scenery shifts as Abby starts walking.] No, huh? Man, that's too bad. Guess you've already been filled in about this place? Everyone bein' from different times and worlds and all? Ain't found anybody from mine, yet.

[shootwithmymind]

[Jake and Oy are likewise moving toward the Old City.] Not really. One lady just told me about the settlement, and another sounded like she'd just gotten here herself. I just kinda figured that part out. This isn't exactly the first time this sorta thing's happened to me.

I'm sorry you haven't found any of your friends, though. That one lady I talked to said my friends might be on the ship somewhere. Maybe yours are too?

video.

[fotlenke]

I suppose someone has already told you about the settlement?

[ She's stirring a salve concoction in the kitchen of the hospital, golden hair pulled back in a ponytail. ]

video.

[shootwithmymind]

[He nods.] Yes ma'am, a little. Mostly, they've told me that nobody seems to know too much.

video.

[fotlenke]

Aye. A misfortune, as well a reality. [ She pulls her wooden spoon out of the salve mixture. ] Do you have any plans now that you are here?

video.

[shootwithmymind]

[Plans? Perfect. For a moment Jake considers telling her, why yes, he'll be looking into the best private schools in the area, and colleges, of course, at the appropriate time. Maybe get his degree in quantum basketweaving, or something. But no, that probably wouldn't be a good idea at all, so he has to turn away for a moment to choke back the wild peal of laughter seeking to escape. After a long moment, he turns back to the screen, more or less composed.]

Um...no, not really, miss. Just, y'know, finding someplace to stay the night. Everything else, I'll probably just leave for tomorrow.

video.

[fotlenke]

Oh good. [ She sticks the wooden spoon into the mixture and then spoons out a bit of goopy green mixture onto the little paper plate to her left. ] Perhaps you would care to give assistance to a lady?

video.

[shootwithmymind]

I guess so. What kind of assistance? [He's really hoping it doesn't have anything to do with the green goop.]