001 || Video

[neverleftharlan]

[On comes the video. A handsome man in his early forties, wearing a Stetson, staring the screen down with the kind of suspicion typically reserved for interrogations.

And for about ten seconds that is all he does. When he speaks, it's with a thick Kentucky accent.]

I suppose, now I'm thinking about it, using this means of communication is an acknowledgement that this is in fact happening and I am not higher than a summer kite or having a trauma-induced hallucination of some kind. S'funny, I didn't figure myself as the type, but I suppose one never does.

I'm going to find a drink. Somewhere in this… [A pause that stretches long enough to indicate he's at a loss for words.] Extremely creative venture into the deep recesses of my apparently disturbed psyche. Because god knows if I'm in my head, there's got to be a puddle around here somewheres.

Comments

[the_other_eight]

I hate to say that this isn't in your head. I thought the same thing when I first arrived.

video

[shootingshields]

It's not a hallucination, however it may seem like one. Though fortunately for you, there are a number of locations that serve alcohol.

[video]

[nolimitation]

[ Olivia's amused more than anything, though there's real sympathy in her expression and tone. ] Talking to people means this is real... and getting a drink doesn't? If it's not real, then there's no harm in just going with it for now, is there?

video;

[grimreaping]

[ Have an odd looking teen studying you very intently across the video screen. So intently it looks like he might actually bore holes through something, but he seems rather focused on... your hat. ]

[neverleftharlan]

[Dottity dot.] Somethin' in your eye, kid?

[neverleftharlan]

[Pressing his thumb to the corner of one eye.] You're asking me to question my own logic while I am, presumably, afloat on the most creative interpretation of Purgatory I have to this point encountered.

[neverleftharlan]

And my subconscious has a healthy supply of attractive women I've never met.

Not entirely sure what that says.

[neverleftharlan]

A stranger telling me I'm not hallucinating via the shapeshifting turtle version of Skype isn't as convincing as it otherwise might be, I'm afraid.

[nolimitation]

It's not Purgatory, and you're not insane. But if you think you can find your way to the water sector, I'll buy you a drink or two anyway. All of this is... a lot to wrap your head around.

[the_other_eight]

I completely understand. Do you drink coffee?

video;

[ancillary]

I won't make any assurances that you're dry and sober when your knee jerk reaction to the inexplicable is a 'bad trip,' but I can provide medical assistance if it was a rough landing.

[ What creative sort of peyote did you smoke to come up with floating turtle, son. ]

[neverleftharlan]

[...MEH. Why not.] Suppose I could do worse.

--Not a commentary on you, ma'am, more a statement regarding my... utter unfamiliarity with what I might find palatable and what will send me looking for the ship's edge, as it were.

video;

[neverleftharlan]

I am rarely dry, though most times sober - haven't had the constitution for a trip of any sort for longer than I'd care to admit, but thank you for the offer. [BEMUSEMENT.]

[neverleftharlan]

As frequently as most in law enforcement.

[the_other_eight]

What district are you in, I'll buy you a cup and explain things a bit better then the locals have.

[neverleftharlan]

And here I find myself with more attractive company than an honest man can properly appreciate.

Earth. Take their elemental divisions rather seriously in these parts it seems.

[nolimitation]

[ Olivia's eyebrows shoot up briefly, more amused than offended. ] Smart man... I'm sorry, what was your name?

video;

[ancillary]

Your frankness speaks well of you, so maybe we can discredit that the kedan fishing you out of the drink when you were already...drenched. [ You're making a solid case for yourself of not being drunk. Miranda Approves +2 ]

The kedan would be the native inhabitants. I'm Miranda Lawson, and far away from being a native as you are.

[neverleftharlan]

Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, of the Eastern District of Kentucky, at your service. And you are?

[the_other_eight]

To be fair, I am the head of the welcoming committee.

There's a small care on the edge of the Earth and Fire sectors that has good coffee.

[she'll send a decently drawn map along.]

I can meet you there in about an hour.

[nolimitation]

[ She inclines her head in polite acknowledgement of a colleague. Somehow she's not surprised. ] Agent Olivia Dunham. FBI. Sorry to meet you under these circumstances, marshal.

[neverleftharlan]

Ma'am. [And yes, he actually touches the brim of his hat in that particular salute of southern politeness.] Whereabouts are you from? Been down as far as Brisbane myself, though that was years ago now.

[neverleftharlan]

[He immediately straightens and raises his own eyebrows.]

FBI. [It comes out slowly, like he's sounding out the name of a foreign country.] You either do a masterful job of pretending to be smart or they've gotten worse at screening out the good ones. I'll keep that particular failing between us, if you so desire.

[neverleftharlan]

How cozy. Is there a town council for abductees too?

[He grimaces slightly at his own testiness.]

Apologies. I'm sure you know it's been a long day already, miss...?

video;

[ancillary]

New South Wales, but I haven't been groundside for longer now than memory serves. [ Her eyes narrow from dispassionate curiosity to miffed scepticism. Personal questions, however benign, rankled her quicker than anything. Especially when you don't offer a name.] I'd ask the same but I tend to not bother knowing where someone is from when I don't even know their name yet.