Video

[hammer]

[ The image of a rather ordinary, unremarkable looking man fills the screen. He’s clean-shaven, wearing a pair of black-framed glasses, and he’s got brown hair, cut short and though it’s a little messy, there’s something about it that suggests that it had been styled at one point earlier in the day. He’s just slightly disheveled, which those familiar with the comings and goings of individuals to Keeliai might recognize as a sign of a new arrival. ]

So this is… [ There’s a moment of silence, as he trails off and glances away from the camera. ] …different.

[ It only lasts for a second, before he looks back and rolls his eyes. ]

The whole—I mean, well… Whatever.

[ He takes a deep breath, lets it out, and pulls himself together. ]

Right, okay. I was given a place to live but no job, and I’m guessing that it isn’t free rent forever. So if there’s, I don’t know, a job center? Help wanted ads? Some turtle world version of Craigslist? Something? Could someone point me in the right direction?

Comments

[suoxi]

[ She smiles at him and shakes her head. ]

I'm not, no. I come from a planet called Sihnon. Earth is...very far away. [ She's learned that some people don't take well to her saying 'earth is a dead rock'. ]

[hammer]

I'll say. I've never heard of it. Not that I'm an astronomer. I'm not. But I studied it a little - you have to if you're going to try to make things that operate in space - and that's not one of the places you hear about. That must mean you're really far away from Earth.

[suoxi]

We are, yes. Several hundred years ago, there was a very large migration away from Earth. It took the better part of a few generations to get to the system I now reside in. Sihnon is one of the Core planets, one of the more well to do ones.

[ She smiles lightly at him. ]

But you didn't ask for a history lesson, forgive me.

[hammer]

No, that's okay. That's—It wasn't what I was expecting, but...

So you're from the future? The really distant future? What's it like? The future, I mean.

[suoxi]

In a way, yes. [ She considers this for a moment. ]

Though from what I understand, there are many different...'worlds'. We all come from such different places, it's difficult to say if I am truly from your future.

But...the year is 2518 where I am from.

[hammer]

So you're from maybe five hundred and five years in my future. Or maybe you're from some other dimension's future. Linearly speaking, I mean. Technically everything's just happening now, but...

[ Realizing he's off on a nerd tangent, Justin shuts his mouth, clears his throat, and has the grace to look slightly awkward. ]

Sorry. I'm a scientist at heart.

[suoxi]

[ Her smiles grows with every word that he speaks. ]

Oh no, don't apologize. I really find it quite fascinating. I'm only worried your talents won't be completely utilized working with me.

[hammer]

I don't think there's much call for Hammer Industries here.

[ It's a whole new world. He can try to do something different for a change. ]

It'll be fine.

[suoxi]

Perhaps not. [ She gives him a long look. ]

I've chosen to look at this almost as if it were a new opportunity; a second chance to do things differently than I did before.

[hammer]

Sounds like you've got the right idea. Hope you don't mind if I borrow it.

[suoxi]

[ She gives him a warm smile and shakes her head. ]

Not at all. In fact, I hope that you do. [ Sometimes that's all people need; a second chance. ]