[Video]

[histruename]

[The six hour cart ride from shore left Hellboy with a crick in his neck and a bad taste in his mouth. Not much surprises him anymore, and after spending who the hell knows how long being hunted by the Baba Yaga, he was glad to be out of her reach, even if he knew he was nowhere near familiar ground.

The guys who fished him out of the ocean had no problem telling him where he was or how he got there, but after a few moments of conversation, Hellboy realized that he just didn't give a crap. Wherever this "In Between" was, he knew it couldn't be good. It was only a matter of time before the real reason he was here reared its ugly head.

Until then...]

Anyone know where a guy can get a drink around here?

[He looks like utter crap, every inch of him cut and bruised, his hair falling out of its knot at the base of his neck, and his jacket blood-soaked and tattered to pieces, but looking presentable is obviously the last thing on his mind.]

Comments

video;

[virology]

[Red.

So much red.

Marta stares at the screen for a moment before opening a video feed.]

There are a few restaurants that serve good drinks--

[And as she gets past his red, non-humanness, Marta notices the cuts and bruises, and her eyes widen slightly.]

--but don't you think you should get those cuts seen to first?

video;

[histruename]

[He waves her off.] I'll be all right.

video;

[virology]

[She doesn't look convinced, but she's not going to give a stranger a hard time about it.]

If you say so.

[She clears her throat.]

But there are definitely some good places in the sectors, depending on which one you go to.

video;

[histruename]

Any suggestions?

video;

[virology]

The Jade Flower in the Water sector is good, and there's another in the Fire Sector...Three Tree Cafe or something like that, not far from the palace?

Which sector are you in? I might know something closer to where you are.

video;

[histruename]

Earth, I think. But I'm okay with traveling.

video;

[virology]

I'd try the Jade Flower then. It's in a quiet neighborhood, not far from the other foreigner suites, and they might have something to your liking as far as drinks go.

video;

[histruename]

Okay. Thanks. [He'll remember that.]

video;

[virology]

Of course.

[She pauses a beat.]

You're a new arrival, I assume?

video;

[histruename]

I got dragged out of the ocean this morning, if that's what you mean.

video;

[virology]

Yes, it is. Did anyone happen to get in touch with you yet? Anyone from home, that is.

video;

[histruename]

Yeah. I have a friend on the way, so I probably should get going.

video;

[virology]

Oh, that's good. They can catch you up with everything then.

[She pauses a moment.]

And if you find a better place to get a drink, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mind letting me know sometime.

video;

[histruename]

Sure, but I didn't catch your name.

video;

[virology]

Oh, I'm sorry, you're right. I'm June. June Monroe.

[The name gets easier the more she says it.]

And you?

video;

[histruename]

Hellboy.

video;

[virology]

[...not a name she expects, but Marta's not rude enough to comment on that fact.]

It's nice to meet you, Hellboy.

video;

[histruename]

[He's glad about that. He's not in the mood to go through the name thing again. Actually, he sounds somewhat pleasantly surprised.] You too.

Now I really should get going.

video;

[virology]

Of course. Good luck with your search.

[She gives a bit of a wave and disconnects, just able to keep herself from telling him to get those cuts looked at before she does.]