008 // video

[bifroster]

[Jane comes onto the network, looking absolutely distraught, maybe about five seconds from crying. Her hair is tied back in a mess, there are deep shadows under her eyes, and it looks like she needs a good meal too.]

Please tell me I’m back.

[It's been … it's been a horrid ride. She turns the camera away, showing that she is back in her house, which needs a bit of dusting. In the background, you can hear her take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she moves the camera back, only looking slightly more composed.]

And does anyone remember me?

Comments

audio;

[redcosmedic]

[ Like most of Knock Out's comms, routed directly through his processor, this is voice only. There's concern in his tone, carefully measured. ]

You're back, Jane.

audio;

[bifroster]

[Jane switches to audio as well.]

Oh, thank god you're back too.

--> private;

[redcosmedic]

Yes. All limbs and auto accessories present and accounted for.

[ Flippancy is good, jokes are an acceptable segue. But she looks far worse now than his memories of the City tell him that she should, and he doesn't know what caused the change.

He debates asking because it might put her on the spot, but she was kind to him. So he conscientiously changes the setting to private first. ]

What happened?

private;

[bifroster]

[Yes, yes they are. Jane cracks a bit of a smile at that.]

Even a little pine-scented tree?

[She appreciates him going to a private conversation. At that, her mood seems to drop even more.]

You didn't know it back there, but I was a mole for the resistance. After the communications building was destroyed, the government cracked down harder. I was discovered.

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[tricksterofasgard]

Well, yes.

[ A comparably mellow response from the Asgardian. But hey, he just had his alternate reality memories cramped together with his actual memories. Which understandably results in a bit of a headache.

And an urge to paint his nails black.

Maybe he should just adopt Odin's habit and fall into a regenerative sleep for a undisclosed amount of time. ]

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[bifroster]

[Doesn't that sound like a dream? No one can bother you if you're dead asleep.

Jane sighs and rubs her forehead.]

So, it's over then.

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[tricksterofasgard]

Presumably.

I take it you remember that place, then.

[ No fond memories there. ]

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[bifroster]

Yes. I do.

[So. Where do they go from here? They've had some ... alright conversations now.]

Privatevid

[callmesuperboy]

JANE!

[ The shout comes from a wiped out, shirtless, and very tired-looking Conner looking at the screen, but the look he is giving her is sheer hope... and something a lot more. He doesn't turn, carefully, still healing from a recent situation he got himself in, but he smiles at her, eyes alight as they have not been in some time. ]

Thank the gods you're back. I thought you... well, I thought this damn place had taken you too.

[ A shudder runs through him as he tries not to think about how that hit him. ]

Privatevid

[bifroster]

[Jane laughs, but it's a little hysterical. Just a slight bit.]

No, they're going to have to try harder than that.

God, I haven't seen you in months.

[callmesuperboy]

Its been just a month or so for me. I... can I come see you?

[ He suddenly very much wants to see her in person, and touch her, just to be sure she is real. ]

[bifroster]

Yeah, of course! Just put on a jacket. I don't want you freezing again.

[She remembers how he forgot his shoes last time.]

Video | (I like pain.)

[privatepurchases]

[Stupid inhuman tolerance. Here is Gabriel in his blue and gray flannel.]

...I do.

[Or did she mean here? Because no. He did not.]

Video | muwhahaha

[bifroster]

[She meant from here, but ... Yeah. She remembers him from both times. They had spoken once before, but she didn't find him antagonistic then.]

Oh. Hi.

[She rubs the back of her neck, awkwardly.]

Re: Video | muwhahaha

[privatepurchases]

[Human lives are so small. What does he say. What apologies does he make?

He reaches for his drink again, downing some of it before.]

...You were a good employee.


[He looks exhausted and sad]

but that wasn't employee was it. That was torture.

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[bifroster]

Torture is exactly ... what it was.

[He didn't know that she was discovered. Found. That she had literally been tortured for information. Seemed that the higher ups decided to keep him out of the loop for this for some reason.]

I don't blame you for any of it. Or anyone else. Your memories and entire histories were changed.

( text | private )

[sathan]

I believe we all are.
I assume you recall those events?

( text | private )

[bifroster]

I do.

Were you caught up in all that as well?

[sathan]

Unfortunately. In things that I'd prefer not to relive.

video;

[cantgetanyworse]

Oh, Jane!

[Never anything strange about calling out her own name when speaking to someone else.]

You're back; I think we all are.

video;

[bifroster]

[Isn't it? But Jane is glad to hear her voice.]

Oh, thank god. If anyone had been trapped over there—

[She would have torn that world apart.]

[cantgetanyworse]

I don't know that there's a good deal we could do, if there are...

[As far as she knows, there are only a few entities in this place capable of bridging gaps between worlds... and none of the imPorts are in that number.]

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[mildmanneredwriter]

When a ton of us ported out of here without warning, I didn't think it was a good thing, but the way people are acting...what happened? Are you okay?

video;

[bifroster]

[Jane shakes her head.]

It being 'not good' is certainly an understatement.

I think ... I think I will be. It's just a shock to be back. Time differences and such.

video;

[mildmanneredwriter]

Ah. [He doesn't get it, still, but he's starting to get an inkling.] How long was it for you?