video;

[threeisapattern]

[Zoom in on one teenage boy, sitting on a park bench. He looks kind of shitty—pale, a piece of gauze taped to his left cheek, and a barely-healed split lip. He’s hunched over, watching something out-of-frame.]

So there’s like—a community of kidnapped people with their own social network, huh. That’s pretty fucked up. [He leans down, wincing slightly, and picks up a dirty tennis ball from the ground before throwing it.] And everyone gets super powers, which would be the coolest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life if I wasn’t also half-convinced this is all some weird coma dream.

[There he goes after the tennis ball again. Before he can pick it up, there’s the sound of excited yipping and then a stray that looks like it might have an ancestor somewhere in the Bijon Frise family jumps into his lap, presses its little paws against his chest, and does its damnedest to lick his face.]

Okay, I appreciate the thought, buddy, but dog slobber is not a proven cure for what ails you. Let’s go back to the ball, okay? We were doing good with the ball.

[The dog whines and gives him a final lick before jumping back out of the frame, and Stiles throws the ball again.]

Also, like, my superpower is talking to dogs. And getting them to understand me, not just—my superpower is not just being a crazy guy who talks to dogs. If you have a dog and you need someone to explain to them that shoes are not acceptable chew toys, I will give it a shot in exchange for Ibuprofen. Or money to buy Ibuprofen with, that's probably smarter.

Comments

[girlybruiser]

Have you already applied something?

[ It's in her nature to worry about others, even strangers. ]

[threeisapattern]

Ice and stuff. Had it looked at when I showed up, I just didn't feel like taking medication from people I didn't trust was a good idea.

[girlybruiser]

Ah, that's good. Keep putting ice on it!

[ Haru offers a friendly smile. ]

I understand. They do seem to mean well, but it's a very suspicious arrival. It's hard to tell if everything they say is the truth.

[threeisapattern]

Yeah. And I've spent way too many late nights reading conspiracy theories to not feel paranoid about suspicious situations and governments.

[girlybruiser]

Oh? You must have read some pretty interesting theories then.

[ She wonders if any of it applies to this world... ]

[threeisapattern]

Yeah. Most of it wackadoo, but some holes it's hard not to fall down, you know?

[He takes a second to throw the tennis ball again.]

Maybe I should revisit that, though, cause abduction to other universes? Clearly there's something more to that than meets the eye.

[girlybruiser]

If it will assist you, there's a file I can send you regarding information about this world. It's sort of a FAQ, if you will.

[threeisapattern]

Hell yes, please. I am all about the files of information.

[Uh.]

That sounded weird. I like research. I like knowing things.

[girlybruiser]

[ She laughs quietly. ]

There is no shame in that. Knowledge is power as they say, yes?

[ A file is attached. ]

[threeisapattern]

Thanks.

[That is absolutely getting squirreled away for reading later.]

[girlybruiser]

You are welcome.

[ A big smile. ]

My name is Haru, by the way.

[threeisapattern]

I'm Stiles. Stilinski.

[Which is technically available information on his network ID probably, but whatever.]

[girlybruiser]

Styl...es?

[ She thinks she remembers him giving his name back at the Swear-In, but that was months ago now. Almost a lifetime ago. ]

You're the one who knows about superheroes, yes? Like that Wonder Woman you mentioned in the past? [ A beat. ] Ah, I suppose you would not remember...

[threeisapattern]

[Cool cool cool this isn't suspicious at all and he's not eyeing her with confusion and a touch of paranoia at all.] Remember what?

[girlybruiser]

Oh! Well, that's...

[ A beat. ]

You were here once before. I'm sure of it.

[threeisapattern]

Uh. Pretty sure I wasn't.

[girlybruiser]

It isn't uncommon to forget about your previous stay. It happens to many imPorts.

[threeisapattern]

Jesus. Well, that's not at all terrifying.

[cool cool cool, he's just gonna scoop up that little stray and pet it. Not because he's worried or anything and needs the calm, just because he feels like it, suddenly.]

[girlybruiser]

[ Oh, dear. Haru looks on apologetically. ]

Um, well... it can be frightening, I admit! But it's quite common so... you are not alone in the matter!