video.

[langsyne]

[For someone who's just found himself the winner of a cheap turtle cruise, Scott looks pretty calm sitting in his suite with his chin propped on the palm of his hand. He's skimmed the console posts and wheedled tiny bits of information from the kedan. He knows something is up with the turtle. ]

God only knows I deserve a vacation on a tropical turtle paradise right about now, but usually when I take my days off I like them sunny, not sickly. [Here he straightens, features losing some of their humor.] I know I'm the new guy around here, but if there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

[Admittedly, this might not be his best move considering he still has no idea why or by whom he was brought here, but no one's killed him (yet) so Scott's taking that as a good sign.]

Oh, and.

[The levity's back in his voice now but it's harder, more forced, and anyone paying attention can hear the undercurrent of worry slowly rising to the surface. He's already asked Tea but she'd only been one person and this turtle place is massive. Can't hurt to ask around more.]

If anyone's seen a group of nine kids - including two fish kids and a head in a jar - I'd also like to know, thanks. You can't miss 'em. Really.

Comments

video;

[sciencewhizard]

[ This was honestly about to slip past Wally's attention, if not for that last bit that got him arching a brow. What did he just say? ]

Fish kids? What, Atlanteans or something, right? But a head in a jar?

video;

[langsyne]

Uhari, actually.

[Said like it's the most normal thing ever and not the name of an ancient aquatic species found in only a few places in the world.]

They're close to Atlanteans but—greener. And fishier. [That totally didn't come out speciest or anything.] The head in a jar's not one though. He's a Moloid.

video;

[sciencewhizard]

[ Squint. He's just going to go out on a limb and assume different universe... It happens enough. ]

Moloids? Never heard of 'em. Are they all heads in jars?

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[relentlesstide]

[Congrats, Scott, you've got a blond man staring at you, looking rather unimpressed and mildly annoyed.]

Do said "fish kids" enjoy being referred to in such a manner? [ARE YOU MISTREATING ATLANTEAN CHILDREN?]

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[langsyne]

[DON'T JUDGE HIM ARTHUR, it was the best description he could come up with on short notice. And technically they're not Atlantean so hush.]

Uhh... [unsure look] They've never said they didn't enjoy it? But I also call them by their names more than I call them fish kids.

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[relentlesstide]

[Fish kids would still be technically under his protection he'll have you know.]

I know I've never appreciated being called fish man, so perhaps when you see them next, you should ask. Or come up with a less offensive and surface-centric description. [Don't be fish-racist, man.]

That said, they aren't here. I'm pretty sure I know all the water-breathers on this turtle.

video; I am sorry in advance...

[demon_brat]

What do you want with that group of nine kids?

video; no apologies necessary!

[langsyne]

I want them back because they're currently under my care and if their parents and guardians find out that I've lost them, I will possibly maybe definitely be hung upside down by my toes and left as dinner for a bunch of hungry piranhas.

[His words might suggest that he's being flippant about all this but his serious tone implies the complete opposite.]

video; Ahahaha HE IS HORRIBLE THOUGH!

[demon_brat]

[Damian pauses for a moment, then nods in satisfaction. That might be an adequate punishment for the crime.]

Previous data suggests that you either are not technically missing from back home, or are returned to the time and place you were taken from. They will not be aware of your absence.

[backinakidflash]

Seconding the 'why are you looking for nine kids?' Thirding the Atlanteans thing. I'll add that the head in the jar is creepsville, unless they're working on a production of Hamlet or Young Frankenstein or something.

[langsyne]

[Lose one group of kids, gain another group peppering him with questions he would think the answers would be obvious to. What is his life now?]

They're not, but that's a good idea. I'll keep it in mind for when I get off this turtle. [If he ever gets off.] That is possible, right?

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[escarabajo]

I don't know what it says about me that "two fish kids and a head in a jar" aren't the weirdest thing I've ever heard of. I'll keep any eye out, though.

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[langsyne]

That you are a boy experienced beyond his years, or something like that. [BLASE SHRUG he can't possibly be expected to know all those silly cliches and idioms. Although:] How old are you, though?

[WHY ARE THERE SO MANY YOUNGSTERS ON THIS TURTLE this is not okay. :(]

[video]

[hackingyoursensors]

I think you win the award for "weirdest request." But, no, I haven't seen anyone like that.

As for helping, it depends on your skillset. Pretty sure nobody would turn away help either way.

[video]

[langsyne]

Do I get a trophy for that? My walls are looking pretty bare right now.

[But no, this kid - how many of them are there in this place? - has been the first one to take him seriously so he isn't about to throw this chance to the wind and joke around more.]

I'm an engineer. I work mostly with electronics but I can build and fix just about anything as long as I have the time and supplies. [A small shrug.] But if there's other stuff that needs to be done, I don't mind learning.

video.

[hugmagnet]

[She knew Scott was back but she kind of hasn't gotten to see him since then. Life and all that. It also occurs to her that this might not be the Scott she knows but she got lucky with Steve and Tony so maybe]

Do I even want to know what you've been up to lately?

video.

[langsyne]

[Life is great at getting in the way of things, it's true. All things considered, Scott should probably be more surprised that Carol's here but if nothing else, it's telling him that whatever grabbed and brought him here isn't something to be trifled with.]

Babysitting. A lot of babysitting.

[Even without the quip, he manages a tired smile because hers is the first familiar face he's seen all day.]

Hey Carol. So they grabbed you too?

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[supremefaith]

It almost makes you feel sorry for the turtle, doesn't it? [Because a sick turtle carrying a bunch of people on its back can't be much fun for the turtle either.] I'm pretty new here myself actually. I've been told of ways you can volunteer so there's probably a lot that could be done.

[She's still chewing on that whole fish kids, head in jar thing.]

I...can't say I've seen a group of nine kids that match that description, that's pretty unique even for me. Sorry.

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[langsyne]

I—guess, yeah.

[Actually he hasn't thought about the turtle's feelings at all. For a guy who fusses over parts of the animal kingdom others usually loathe, he's not very considerate of giant turtles.]

What kind of things were you told? And don't worry about the kids. I'm hoping the fact that no one's seen them means they're not here and that I can sleep easier at night.

[Both because he won't have to worry about them and because they won't be waking him up, literally.]

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[crotcharrow]

--Do I even want to know why you lost a head in a jar?

[Hi Scott, have one of Cassie's team mates.]

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[langsyne]

[Wow this is not okay, this is not okay, he does not want to be reminded of those shitty days he's just managed put past him. There's a tidal wave of feelings hitting him right now and it's stressing him out, and poor Tommy's getting the brunt of it.]

Oh, I don't know, maybe because I was kidnapped and whisked away to a giant turtle? Why else?

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[zinthosmantra]

... wouldn't have thought a head in a jar to move much from where you left it last.

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[langsyne]

...It's a sentient head in a jar with magical mind powers and is telepathically connected to the jar it's sitting in?

[Aka he actually has no idea how the heck Turg moves around in that jar and is making crap up.]

permavideo

[firestars]

I haven't seen anyone like that, but like, I'll keep an eye out. I know a lot of people are looking for familiar faces and stuff.

permavideo

[langsyne]

[.....What is this place, the lost-and-found kids corner? This is ridiculous.]

Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm hoping they don't actually show up but here [small shrug] I don't usually get what I want.