outer_divide

[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?

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[He can see that once again, he's made her uncomfortable, so he lets the subject of Cleveland drop.] The really weird thing though is the little stuff that changes. Brands of soda, types of cars, stuff like that.

[And in a couple more minutes, she'll see him round a curve in the path, Oy running along a few feet ahead. When he catches sight of her, he waves.]

Hey!

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.

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.

I'm still gettin' used to this place not havin' candy, so I don't think there's soda around to be different brands. Like all the adults would let us drink any if there were.

[Yeah. There's a drinking age for soda where she's from, and it's thirteen.]

[Abby spots him easily enough, and takes off her hat to wave back with, grinning.] Hey yourself, baby!

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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. ]

[He smiles a little at that.]

No, but I guess it's as good as any.

[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.

[Jake is a little confused by the soda comment, but lets that pass. Instead he grins back at Abby. She would be able to see that aside from his backpack, he's also wearing a shoulder holster complete with a Ruger.]

Nice to meet you in person, Five.

[Oy takes a moment to sniff at her shoes.]

The town's down that way, right? [He nods in the direction she came from.] So, is there anywhere in particular everybody stays, or do we just camp out wherever?

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

I've gotten that impression as well.

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

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?

Yes. I'm also on my own. But I've been that way before.

[Pointedly.] How old are you?

[He has to think about that a moment.]

I'm not really sure. I was eleven when I left New York, but I'm not really sure how long I've been gone. I guess I could be twelve by now.

Likewise, kid! [Abby slaps Jake on the shoulder companionably, then leans down to ruffles Oy's ears. The gun does get a sidelong glance, but she can hardly blame a kid for having something to defend himself with.]

Well, I guess there's this buildin' called the Flop. A lot of people stay there. Me, I'm buildin' a treehouse on the edge of town. And there's plenty of abandoned houses too, but not all of 'em are safe.

[Oy leans slightly into the ear scritching. Yep, Abby has just made a new friend.]

A treehouse, huh? Cool. If you need any help with it, let me know. Dunno if I'll be much help with building, but I can hold boards in place and stuff like that.

I guess I'll try out the Flop for tonight, at least. I don't think I'm up for house hunting right now. [He pauses a moment, frowning slightly.] Nobody's gonna bitch about Oy, are they? 'Cause I'm not leaving him outside.

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?

[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.

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?

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

Edited 2013-02-23 23:27 (UTC)

Menial assistance. I cannot bottle salve on my lonesome. [ She picks up the little paper plate and blows a breath on the goop settled to the plate. It begins to harden. ] If I do not have the salve bottled by the hour, it will be useless. [ She sets the plate down, and turns to the video, her lips plump pink and eyes big and hopeful.

The Freyasdotter pout. ]

Will you help me?

[He was afraid that assistance would require tasting. This he can do.]

Oh, sure. I can help you out. Um. Where are you?

Such a sweet boy. [ She smiles. ] I am in the hospital in the staffroom kitchen.

[He nods.] Okay, yeah, I think I remember where that is. I'll be there in a few minutes.

[And within about 10-15 minutes, he'll find her there. Oy will, of course be padding along beside him, because it's totally appropriate to bring an animal into a hospital, right?]

[She stifles a sigh through her teeth, ending up making a sound like a huff of frustration. Eleven or twelve is not too young to not be able make one's way alone - she's seen it before in her homelands, unfortunately. But it is still very young, at least a few years of shy of what could respectably be called a soldier.]

It sounds like you're no stranger to travel, Jake, but. I don't think you should be out here by yourself.

[ No doubt, some of the hospital staff make a bit of a fuss, but generally, they don't say much in regards to Jake and Oy. They're thankful when he disappears into the staffroom kitchen, where Sigyn is setting out ten clear glass bottles for the salve. When she hears the door swing open, she lifts her head and smiles at the appearance of the young boy. ]

Greetings, Jake Chambers.

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