Video | ID: Harrison Wells

[hsalf]

[When the feed goes live it shows the top half of a man, wearing a simple black blazer and a white dress shirt. He is well poised and has his hands flat down on the table he's sitting at, a relaxed smile on his face as he checks to make sure the device is recording before he begins.]

Hello everyone. I understand it's been a hectic past week of sorts, especially for people just arriving here such as myself, so I hope everything is back in sorts and everyone is feeling more themselves.

[He breathes out a small amused sound, though it comes out more awkward and an attempt to lighten what may still be a sour mood. He taps his fingers on the table and continues.]

My name is Harrison Wells, and I work as a physicist back in my 'world' — so to speak — specializing in particle physics and quantum mechanics. [He pauses with his mouth half-open, as if pondering on what to say next, before going on.] I was also the founder and director of a research facility called S.T.A.R. Labs, or Scientific and Technological Advanced Research Labs for long, if anyone happens to recognize the name. If not, then don't worry about it. From what I gather every world has its own ticks here and there that make it unique and distinguishable from the next.

[He's really only tossing it out as a bait, to see if there are people here from his world or tangent worlds that would recognize a landmark scientific facility. If he finds people who recognize it, good. If he doesn't, then it's not the end of all things.]

Here I've been employed as a Kinematics Professor in the local university in Heropa, so if you happen to attend or work there then I'm sure you'll be seeing me around often. If you are interested in attending a class, please let me know. I plan to teach both a 101 and an advanced course in the summer and fall and I encourage even those who are not inclined to the sciences to give it a try. [The tips of his smile crease up, his grin turning slightly toothy.] I promise, I am a patient teacher, and won't give up on anyone who doesn't give up on themselves.

Introductions to the side, I want to pose a more personal question and ask for opinions on this situation so to speak. Your experiences, good or bad, although you don't need to go into detail if you don't want to.

In fact I'll go first, since it's only fair: a little more than a year ago, in my world, a portion of the population in my home city became affected with genetic mutations which caused people to develop powers— ones not much different from the kind people are given here by the nanites. [He pauses with a gentle inhale of breath through his mouth, taking off his glasses while he does and holding them by a temple arm between his index finger and thumb, before exhaling it out quietly.] Since that time I've been working with a team to identify and research these cases, along with trying to provide help when we could. Some people used their powers for the good of the public and others for their...own purposes. My team experienced issues with the military because of this as well, not unlike the kind that this world has with the imPorts.

[He shakes his head lightly, remembering the distaste of his dealings with a certain General, and puts his glasses back on with a strong blink to readjust his eyes.]

I must admit to being somewhat on edge because of this. It makes me uneasy to think that not only powers are being handed out, but also that there is a government force behind it all. Powers mean...different things, to different people. So if anyone wants to share their thoughts with me, any kind really, I'd be interested in a discussion.

If not, then I have nothing more to say for now. [He shrugs loosely.] This "blogging" style of messaging never really suited my tastes.

Comments

video | id reads "karen starr"

[boobwindow]

[ She hasn't been in a very social mood since recent happenings, though this post catches her eye. ]

Have these [ slight pause ] genetic mutations existed anywhere else before they arose in your city?

[hsalf]

No and I doubt I would have missed something as major as people suddenly gaining superhuman abilities. Central City's incident is certainly the first of its kind.

[Of course he's positive of this because he caused it aha...]

[boobwindow]

... really.

[ She's taken aback momentarily, slouching against the couch in her apartment's small living room as that fact seeps in. ]

No aliens, magicians, zombies, or even the occasional evil gorilla?

[ A S.T.A.R. Labs in a world without those? The multiverse gets a little weirder each time. ]

[hsalf]

[He furrows his brow and thinly frowns.]

No - to all four.

[No aliens, no magicians, no zombies...Grodd is not evil in his opinion, so he doesn't count among the list.]

Of course, those things may very well exist, but there have simply been no reportings, no sightings even, of them yet. The impossible is always out there I believe.

[boobwindow]

I admit it's always a little surprising to hear these things, even after all this time.

[ She runs her fingers through her hair, tucking the strands behind an ear. ]

Sorry ― Karen Starr. Familiar with S.T.A.R. Labs, though unfortunately I can't say I've heard the name Harrison Wells before.

[hsalf]

Ms. Starr, a pleasure. [He makes an interested hum at what she says, curious how that could be.] Haven't heard in relation to S.T.A.R. Labs, or not at all?

[boobwindow]

Wow! Awkward... way to go self.

[ This is why she shouldn't be socializing right about now. ]

Not at all. Of course, it could be my attention span is not what it should be back home.

[hsalf]

[A small chuckle passes out his mouth and he does a half-wave of his hand in dismissal.]

Don't worry, I take no offense. I was not much of a high-profile name to the general public until I established S.T.A.R. Labs. Even then most did not know who I was until the turn of 2010, when the plans for our big project went public for the very first time.

[boobwindow]

Congratulations, then. I know how exhausting it can be trying to get something off the ground.

S.T.A.R. Labs has been operational for quite a while where I'm from. Probably a good indication you guys are going to be just fine in your world.

[hsalf]

It was a long trial for certain. [Although he won't make mention that it not only failed but that S.T.A.R. Labs shutdown afterward. He doesn't like to elaborate on these things without purpose behind it.] I thank you for the assurance, but I have no worries for the future Ms. Starr. If the last decade of my position has shown me anything, it's that the future is bright and ever approaching. I have full confidence that I will see that future faster than I think.

[But not fast enough, not for him.]

[boobwindow]

[ Hey, it's cool. Blowing up your lab and ruining people's lives is probably best left for another day. Or never. ]

Gotta be positive when you have a vision.

[ It sounds a bit sheepish coming from her, but it's mainly because she's tired. ]

Nice to meet you anyhow. I'm guessing Starrware isn't a familiar name on your end?

[hsalf]

No, it's not I'm afraid. [He says with a drum of his fingers on the table, his eyes darting to the side in thought.] Are you associated with it?

[boobwindow]

CEO of Starrware Labs back home, co-CEO in this world. We're an R&D company focused on environmental problems and solutions.

[hsalf]

Environmental sciences, an important field for sure. Eco-friendly is the way of the future, though not all companies have yet to grasp that. It sounds like a great endeavor for a good cause.

[boobwindow]

We certainly try.

[ She's proud to say it. It's been a bumpy ride between both worlds, but hey, progress. ]

You going to think about working in a lab again or content teaching?

[ It's a demotion from what he used to do, but he sounds genuinely interested in doing it from his post. ]

[hsalf]

For now, I'll stick with teaching. At least until I get a better feeling for this world. "Settle in" isn't a term I'm fond of using, but I rather be restrained in my approach.

[In more ways than one, really. He has to get a sense for the culture and climate of this world, immerse himself, before he makes any long-term plans.]

Not that teaching won't have its own rewards. I'm well versed in Kinematics and it isn't a boring subject.

[boobwindow]

I feel you. Honestly, if I could go home I'd be back there in an instant, but if I'm going to be here a while I may as well make the most of it.

Nobody wants to go stir crazy.

[ A light chuckle. ]

I know one kid who's probably going to jump on that class. [ A beat. ] Actually, I see he's already expressed interest.

[hsalf]

I think many people would agree with that sentiment, Ms. Starr. [Him especially.] If you mean Mr. West, then yes, he seems enthusiastic. Really, I invite any imPort to come if they feel so inclined to learn. I'm not going to be very strict about this, or at least not to people who aren't from this world.

[boobwindow]

[ These nerdy speedsters. Although it's gratifying to see someone out there is still interested in educating themselves. Too many people give school a bad rep here. ]

Karen is fine, by the way.

People here can have a... well, not so great attitude about education. I'd say a lot of that has to do with the fact our presence here is unstable.

[hsalf]

Yes, I can understand that for certain. If I was a teenager I wouldn't exactly be thinking about going to school after being kidnapped to another world. [He breathes in through his nose and furrows his brow a little.] However I think everyone should be given the chance to better themselves and I think being an imPort myself - hopefully other imPorts will feel more comfortable being taught by me.

[boobwindow]

You'll be in Heropa? [ A thoughtful pause. Why is she friends with so many teenagers. Karen you need some adult friends. ] I know quite a few kids, so if any of them take an interest in that field I'll be sure to point 'em your way.

[hsalf]

Heropa yes, and I thank you for spreading the word - hopefully I'll have a full workload to busy myself with. Of course it is a university course, so even adults are free to come by. If you yourself might be interested.

[boobwindow]

I'm not sure I've got time for class, but maybe I'll pop in a lecture one of these days.

[ Or maybe not. ]