( 001 ) ➶ ( voice )

[arches]

Okay, so not to be ungrateful--because I really appreciate being fished out of the ocean and given a crash course, really, I do--but the whole time thing? Things are just frozen, back where we came from, is that it?

_{( He pauses for a moment, and huffs. Perceptive listeners will be able to tell that he sounds exhausted, more so when he continues. )}

Yeah, I find that a little hard to swallow. More than this place, even. Has there been any verification, on that? Or am I just supposed to assume the nice people fishing me out of the ocean were telling the truth?

_{( Another pause, some muttering that isn't quite audible, though there may be a curse or two in there. Something about deserving this? Who knows. And then, just as unceremoniously as it began, the feed cuts. )}

Comments

[arches]

Any of them seem more likely than mine?

[sophos]

I wouldn't consider any unlikely scenarios.

[arches]

Okay, then here's a question: what do you consider unlikely in a place like this?

[sophos]

An easy way home? [Probably not quite the answer he's looking for but oh well.]

[arches]

_{( That actually makes him laugh. )}

Good answer.

[sophos]

[There's a tiny smirk in her tone] I tend to give them.

[arches]

I'm sure all your friends really appreciate that.

[sophos]

They do, most of the time. Whether or not it's right away or after the fact is another story.

[arches]

Let me guess-- it's more often the latter, and it drives them nuts.

[sophos]

They learn eventually.

[arches]

Good for them.

[sophos]

It is.

If I ask who you are, am I going to get an answer?

[arches]

If I tell you my name's Barton, will that mean anything to you?

Probably not. But there you go.

[sophos]

Nope. Not a thing. But it's good to put a name to a voice.

[arches]

Guess so. Can't really know who you're dealing with on these things otherwise.

[sophos]

There's a pretty significant number of people keen on keeping themselves a secret, too.

[arches]

They can try, and good luck to them. But there's not that many of us, and secretive's probably not going to get you anywhere, even if you can manage it.

_{( somewhere, natasha is glaring at him. )}

[sophos]

[she nods, even though it's only audio]

Process of elimination for identities, at the very least. And with how little we know about this place, it seems stupid to keep something important to yourself.

[arches]

And unsafe. If you're going it alone, and something happens to you, there's no calling for backup. No one who'd go looking for you.

[sophos]

[tiny sigh. a little wistful.] Exactly. And that's not a position I like to be in.

[arches]

Smart girl.

[sophos]

I know.

[arches]

And modest, too.

[sophos]

[sarcastically] I'm aware of that, too.

[arches]

Glad to hear it.