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.

[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.

[the_other_eight]

I completely understand. Do you drink coffee?

[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.

[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.

[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...?

[the_other_eight]

Very much so.

[Look at the ease with which she deflects things. Pepper is a professional.]

And no, there isn't. Apparently there was discussion of the idea before I arrived though.

[She finds that idea a bit silly. There's honestly no way someone like the Emperor would allow that to get very far.]

[neverleftharlan]

Before you arrived. [This is starting to concern him more and more.] How long has all this been going on?

[the_other_eight]

From what I understand at least two months. Perhaps longer.

[neverleftharlan]

Two months or longer of mass kidnappings. [He smooths a hand over his lips.] Wish I could say I was surprised that no one has noticed.

[the_other_eight]

Well,

[She winces.]

It's more complicated then that. As far as we can tell there's no indication back home that you're gone.

[neverleftharlan]

[Nonplussed.]

How's that.

[the_other_eight]

I don't know. My employer was here for two months and I had no knowledge of it until I arrived.