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[cupio]

[ At first it takes some getting used to. Clary's had a webcam before, obviously she'd needed one for her nightly meetings with Simon during the latest WoW raid. It's not like the concept is that strange in itself. But it's the fact that it's on her phone that's giving her a little bit of trouble. The first time she'd opened it all she'd been able to see was her face, too up close, worried and freckly. Part of her doesn't even want to inflict that on the general population. But she's had a look through the network by now and it seems to be the done thing. So she goes for it.

The first few seconds are awkward, her frown more pronounced as she checks if it's on, but then her smile clears that all up. ] So, uh, hey? I think I'm using this right. I hope you guys can see me. And also hear me. It would suck if you couldn't. Unless your superpower is lip-reading - which sounds like a bum deal actually. [ Focus, Fray. ] Anyway, I'm Clary. I'm new. I got here like a couple of hours ago and seriously, the welcome committee could be a little better. But I won't waste anyone's time and ask how I can just turn around and get back home. I'm guessing that won't happen.

I have a few different questions. Mostly about the superhero gig. Can we like change our superhero names? Because I was not expecting that question. I panicked. It's awkward. Do we need costumes? Do they have to be spandex? Is there a universal law about saving the world in a suit that shows - literally everything - off? [ Nobody wants to see her in a fitted suit, nobody. ]

Also, is there an art supply store around here? Apparently that's part of my gift from the gods or whatever, and I really want to test it out ... although I guess - do they use dollars here? What's the currency in the alternate US? Am I going to get arrested if I pull out my wallet? It would not be a good start to my heroism if I got put in the back of a cop car. Also I think my mom would be able to sense it across the universes, so.

[ A shrug and then a semi-awkward smile. ] Any help would be seriously appreciated. I kind of don't know anyone here.

Comments

text

[kinesia]

[ New people. More people. Grey is glad to see more people. He's more eager to talk than most days. ]

they use dollars . they wont arrest you for dollars

there are lots of stores . there is a place to get pencils and paper

i could show you .

text

[cupio]

Cool. I have five dollars.
Do you think it's cheating to draw more dollars? It probably counts as fraud.
Okay! I like to shop with strangers, it's like living on the edge.

[kinesia]

do you have a job ? youll get more dollars there

[ Just in case he isn't aware. He hadn't been, at first. He turns on his video now, although he still keeps texting. ]

im not strange . my name is grey

youll be safe

[cupio]

[ Seeing someone and texting them is a bit weird but she'll continue doing that after giving him a little wave.

It probably helps that he's really, really cute. ]

Hey Grey! You don't look like a serial killer so I'm sure I'll be fine.
I do have a job. I'm going to be a graphics designer part-time. I think they also said something about school but idk tho.

[kinesia]

[ The idea of not looking like a killer seems to amuse Grey, who lifts an eyebrow and cracks the tiniest of smiles. She’s not seen him hold a knife to anyone’s neck, that’s why she’s saying that. He wonders idly what she would think if she knew the truth.

But he’s not going to tell her. If people think he’s harmless, it will make his life easier here. ]

i dont go to school . kate might

you should ask her . what does a graphics designer do ?

[cupio]

[ What is it with hot boys and their knives, that's what she wants to know. ]

I mean, it already seems like a waste of time. They have me here for a reason, right?
I doubt that reason is to keep up with my studies.

[ She didn't even go to school after her mom got caught up in Valentines plan. She doubts she will here. ]

Who's Kate? I should probably find out how strict they are about it.
Oh! It's a person who designs ... well, graphics? You know like store signs and posters and that kind of thing? I'm used to drawing but I'm sure I can figure out the computer parts.

[kinesia]

[ Oh. So it's about art, like Painter. Grey nods. ]

you can draw things ?

kate bishop . shes the girl who knows everything . you should ask her about school

[ 'Everything' might be a stretch. But Kate had been Thomas' friend, and had known as much as him. And Grey trusts her, which cannot be said for most people here. ]

none of us know why we're here

except to be 'heroes'

but we dont know what that means either

[cupio]

yeah.
probably not well though. my mom's a great artist but i'm getting there. i'm surprised they gave me that job tbh. i don't even have a portfolio with me.

[ Serious art student, Clary Fray. ]

kate bishop. i will keep her in mind.
so no one's saving the day with a cape on?
bummer, i was excited.

[kinesia]

[ Why would anyone want to wear a cape? Grey's face clouds with evident confusion, but after a moment he shrugs. ]

you can wear whatever you want ?

there are a lot of stores

[ He can't really blame her. He hadn't known there were stores for clothes either, at first. She probably assumes she'll only have what she's wearing, which of course is what he'd thought too. ]

i can show you .

[cupio]

[ She just wants to be a hella cool superhero, Grey. It's like her dream wish or something. ]

yeah? that'd be great actually.
then when i finally make money from my new job i can go back and get clothes.
because jeans + fake florida are not what i want right now.

[kinesia]

[ Fake Florida? It's the only Florida Grey has ever known. He leans back, watching the image of her. His expression softens. ]

what is the real florida like ? have you been there ?

[cupio]

once.
when i was a kid.
my mom took me and my bff to disneyworld and it was amazing.
it was like this only less back to the future.
just as hot tho.

[kinesia]

[ He has no idea what that reference is. But okay. ]

disneyworld ?

i dont think thats here ive never heard of it

[cupio]

seriously?
bummer.
do you guys have any roller coasters at all?
what do you do for fun?

[kinesia]

[ Do they have any what? Grey’s face clouds with genuine confusion. There’s a little shake of his head, but it’s not really a no. It’s more of an I don’t know what you’re talking about. ]

whats a rollercoaster ? i dont know
there are boats and movies [ Filed under: things Grey does for fun. ] and i plant in the garden . people do what they like

[ Which might seem strange to someone like Clary, who has presumably spent all her life in a world like this. For Grey, it’s still novel. And the things he mentioned are not things he knew before he came here. Mundane as they seem, they’re still shiny and new to him. ]

[cupio]

it's like a cart? on a metal track that goes up in the sky and in like, loops and stuff? you get strapped in.
it's fun. and terrifying. but mostly fun.

[ He's ... super cute. Clary doesn't know what it is. His quiet or how willing he is to answer questions even when he doesn't understand. ]

i'm not that great at boats.
but i like movies. i've never planted flowers before tho. we don't have a garden back home.

[kinesia]

like a train

[ A train with loops. Though he’s never seen one, Grey decides then and there that he’ll never get on a rollercoaster. He’d found trains, and things like trains, to be comforting when he first got here. Now it’s different. Too often, those things bring up bad memories for him, instead of the good. His brow creases to think of it.

He’s glad when she moves on. ]

i had never planted before either . will showed me . he has a garden
why dont you like boats ?

[cupio]

what kind of flowers do you grow?

[ And if Grey's funny about trains then Clary is definitely funny about boats. She can still taste the harbour and the way it tried to fill up her lungs. ]

it kind of ... blew up.

[kinesia]

all kinds
wildflowers
roses
vines

[ All the kinds that Will taught him about. he's planted many more that he doesn't know the names of, too. ]

it blew up while you were on it ?

[cupio]

that sounds really nice. your garden must be super pretty.

[ She knows like ... nothing about horticulture but he seems all cutely into it so she's not going to be a bummer. ]

yeah. it's not something i want to repeat again tbh.

[kinesia]

its wills garden

[ Just to be clear. Grey does not actually have one, and couldn't imagine having ownership over something like that.

Her story is strange, though. Grey frowns at the text. ]

what happened

were you attacked ?

[cupio]

[ Will's garden. Got it. ]

uh, kinda? it's a long story.

[kinesia]

[ A bad story, by the sounds of it. Grey nods to himself. ]

you dont have to tell if you dont want to
i like the boats here . ive never seen them break

[cupio]

maybe another time.
like when i make you come out on a boat with me. if i have you with me my bad luck can't win, right? :D

[kinesia]

we can do that
youll like the water . i do

[ Although, whether he’s capable of sailing a ship by himself remains to be seen. He’ll certainly try. ]

ask me again . when you arent busy