001 ♓ [Video]

[apologiesmyking]

[Kaldur takes in the location as calmly as he can after having the strange location explained to him. He knows that this is a city on the back of a turtle—which sounds vaguely like something out of one of the books on surface-dweller mythology he had read once—but why he had been chosen and how cut off his final memories were before arriving here was still a mystery.]

It is said that to better understand your surroundings you must look at it with many eyes. [He is formal, but genial. He does not wish to start a confrontation on his first day.] I am known as Aqualad. It is a very…unique situation in which I find myself. Where we are and how we may have come to be here has been explained to me, but I would greatly appreciate any further information that those who come before me are willing to provide. The frequency of arrivals, whether others have managed to leave before, and general disposition of the native inhabitants would be very helpful. Those I have met so far have been...amicable, I can say.

[If none respond, he will have to seek a less direct route of coming by the information. He bows his head slightly, but visibly.] Thank you for your time.

Comments

[video]

[relentlesstide]

[Oh hell, Jackson's here too now? When did he show up? Arthur is kicking himself mentally for not noticing before now. His mind races with things he needs to say, but at the same time, he doesn't want to speak publicly; he knows most everyone else he knows here can and might look in on the conversation.]

Aqualad. Where are you staying? We have a lot to talk about, I'm sure.

...Did you dye your hair recently? [He's a little bit confused by that honestly.]

[video]

[apologiesmyking]

My King! [There is a great deal of surprise at seeing Orin here, but he is also at attention. Why would they have brought his king? Was this something connected to Atlantis in some way? Why does Orin seem...different. He is clean shaven in a way Kaldur has not seen him in many a year. But his king asked a question and answering is more important than seeking his own inquiries.]

I do not understand your question, King Orin. I have been directed to the Water Sector, Annex, for reasons I believe to be self-evident. [Atlanteans in the water sector. Cliche, yes.] I will debrief you of what has passed since my arrival here as soon as we meet.

[It is only after he agrees that he realizes he should be more wary, more on guard. Orin asked him if he had dyed his hair. Why would his king ask such a thing?]

[video]

[relentlesstide]

['My king'? That is definitely not what Jackson called him. The kid had been... defiant, at first, had even lashed out at him. Certainly hadn't treated him like royalty, not that he'd had any reason to. Arthur looks thoughtful, a little perplexed, at the greeting. But still, it's one of his proteges, even if the boy is his newest one and they aren't all that familiar with each other yet, and it's good to see him in a way, so he smiles, easy and relaxed.]

I meant your suite number. Mera and I are in the building 2B, though we'll likely be using hers for storage- [Huh. He must be learning Atlantean.] Ah, it would... seem we do have much to discuss. I'll fill you in in person.

[video]

[apologiesmyking]

[He is very open. Less formal than Kaldur knows his king to normally be. Something is off here. It is disconcerting. If someone were attempt ting to disguise himself as Orin, getting such a simple as the color of Kaldur's hair wrong would be strange. What is going on?]

Yes, meeting in person would be for the best. I have also been assigned to 2B. If you are currently home we are near each other.

>action

[relentlesstide]

Must be the last formerly-empty one, I'll be over in just a moment. [It's good that they're close, at least, the three of them. Not that another building in the Water Sector would be all that far off, but he likes the idea of being able to hear any commotions potentially being kicked up at Aqualad's place. He hasn't found any trouble yet, but you never know in a place referred to by some as 'turtle hell'.

It doesn't take him long to get there and knock on the door. He may be clean-shaven and a little older but his posture is the same, tall and straight and proud. There isn't much of an expression on his face, but his eyes are warm.] I should probably ask what the last thing you remember is.

[video]

[littlecousin]

You have gills!

[Very good, Nita. Gold star for noticing.

She sounds happy about the observation. Water-breathers everywhere!]

[video]

[apologiesmyking]

Ah... [Well that is most certainly not what he expected people to notice first about himself, although he should not be surprised. He hid them when he moved about on the surface for a reason.]

Yes, I do. I am Atlantean.

[video]

[littlecousin]

I guess you can be in the club.

[She smirks and turns her head to one side, making her gills flare so that they're visible instead of tightly closed as they usually are on the surface.]

[video]

[apologiesmyking]

[There are somewhat surprising to see of another person here, but his Queen and King are here, so why not another Atlantean.]

I was not aware it was considered a club. Are there many of us here?

[video]

[backwordscompatible]

[She hasn't been this happy to see a familiar face since a certain Boy Wonder first showed up in her windowsill.]

Aqualad!

[...but then she has to stop and think about this. It had been a few months' since, but the memories of that battle were still as fresh in her mind as when she'd showed up in Keelai. And she was fairly certain Kaldur hadn't been down for the count.]

[Then she remembered the situation with Wally, and her expression twisted into one of curiosity.]

The "native inhabitants" probably aren't going to be much help, honestly. But I can try to fill in the blanks if you need.

[Hopefully, he could do the same for her in return.]

[video]

[apologiesmyking]

Zatanna, you are here as well? You sound as if it has been some time for you, but I remember seeing you only a few hours ago.

[It is good to see a familiar face, indeed. And she does not look different in the way that his king does.] Any information would be greatly appreciated. What do you remember from before you came to be here?

[video]

[backwordscompatible]

Yeah, that sort of thing happens around here a lot, apparently. I've been here...[She stops to mentally count off the days in her head.]...four months, give or take.

[Her expression turns dark when he asks what she remembers, though. Clearly, it wasn't a pleasant memory.]

Klarion. Klarion's the last thing I remember.

[video]

[apologiesmyking]

Four months... Then time here must not flow as it does in on our own world. Do you mean the battle against Klarion and his wizards to rejoin our world after it had been split into two?

[If Klarion is the last she remembers...they are months apart.]

video.

[queenoftheseas]

[Aqualad. Well, he certainly isn't Garth and there's only one other person she can think of who would be using that name. He looks...different, though. To say the least. If this is an alternate dimension thing she might scream. Internally]

Well, it's certainly surprising to see you here. I trust everything has been okay so far? No trouble?

video.

[apologiesmyking]

[There's a pause because if seeing Orin here was a shock, seeing Mera drawn away from Atlantis is even more so.]

Greetings, Your Highness. [She looks different as well, but not nearly as much as he might say that Orin does. Still, it unnerves him.]

It is no more surprising than seeing yourself and King Orin here, my Queen. I have not encountered trouble as of yet and hope to continue to avoid conflict.

video.

[queenoftheseas]

[Your Highness, Orin, Queen. Well that certainly doesn't sound like the boy she knew. Does that mean she doesn't have to feel guilty about her people experimenting on baby Jackson and his mother? No, she still does]

Good. That's good. It wouldn't do to draw too much attention to yourself after just getting here. I guess my husband has already been in contact with you?

video.

[apologiesmyking]

Yes, my Queen. He has asked that we meet to discuss what has occurred. I have been told that what we remember of our worlds may not be the same. [Considering that Zatanna's memories are weeks behind his.]

video;

[storm_warning]

The kedan are mostly cool. [Ororo's sitting cross-legged in her chair.] Watch yourself in Fire, Earth, and Metal though because they're not all happy-go-lucky.

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[apologiesmyking]

I have been assigned to the Water Sector, but I will keep that in mind when I travel. Thank you, miss.

video;

[storm_warning]

Ororo. [Then, before he goes thinking that's her whole name, she clarifies.] The name's Ororo Munroe and I'm over in Earth, where some of those gang parties are at. Been around a while too, if you've got questions.

video;

[apologiesmyking]

Noted. [He says it with a small smile.] Gang parties? I have not been informed of the unrest between the Sectors. If you don't mind elaborating, I would greatly appreciate it, Miss Munroe.

anonymous text: English → Batcryption 100% SUPER LATE HI

[hackingyoursensors]

[Dick feels a weight he didn't realize he was carrying lift off of his shoulders. Kaldur's presence was always a comfort. Level headed, good at sorting things out and getting people to listen. Kaldur can't see it, but Dick is smiling when he replies to the message.]

Some are more amicable than others. I can debrief you in person.

--Robin

anonymous text: English → Batcryption 100% hey there bro-bird

[apologiesmyking]

[Kaldur is not surprised that Robin's response is less obvious that Zatanna's. He has come to expect some level of secrecy, even with the amount of trust between them.]

I am meeting with my king. After, a debriefing for our team would be best.

anonymous text: English → Batcryption 100% hey there aquabro

[hackingyoursensors]

Right now, it's just Zatanna and me.

[Kaldur can't see it, but Dick just made a sympathetic face at the screen. The Aquaman here definitely isn't the same as the one back home. Dick had the same problem with Bruce-- both Bruces-- here.]

Good luck with your meeting.

anonymous text: English → Batcryption 100% always hiding to make a showy entrance

[apologiesmyking]

[Kaldur is already thinking something might be wrong, but he is hopeful.]

Thank you. I feel I may need it. Is there a location you think best for meeting?