maskormenace | video.

You know, this isn't the first time the government's kept files on me, but I think it might be the first time they've let me read them.

[ Bruce isn't looking at the camera when he speaks. The view's askew, too, device propped up on the desk at which he's sitting and a little obscured by a small stack of papers in the foreground.

He removes his glasses before casting a glance towards the screen, offering a very small smile that's a match for his patient, gently amused tone. He seriously doubts the files he's read are the full ones; that's the joke, though he doesn't elaborate. ]

If you're a kid or an amateur scientist, or both, let me know what you're interested in learning about. Otherwise, you're in for my best attempt at a kid-friendly explanation of the fourth dimension. That should be relevant to everyone's interests, at least.

Job-related question, by the way. Not just asking because I love to talk about science. But on that note— if you work for a company with an R&D department, consider this an official job inquiry.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Bruce is the last one to complain about rambley, or enthusiasm when it comes to solving a problem. There's a slight smile on his face while Thomas continues, and the truth is he feels a little guilty for derailing his train of thought.

And, of course, the smile fades at the 'test subject' comment, brow furrowing slightly in bemusement. ]

Whatever you were, you're smart. [ Said as a simple observation. Bruce is impressed, but he knows there's a fine line between that and being patronizing. ] Where I'm from, we've encountered other dimensions before — or something close to it. Wormhole travel might be a better description. A guy named Loki punched a few holes in reality, made it easy to transport bad news right to our doorstep.

[ a momentary pause has thomas silent, blinking at the screen. generally there's an addendum to that. 'but you're so young' or 'you're getting into too much', etc etc. anyone who hasn't known where thomas came from before heropa had something extra to add on. 'you're smart, but'. it's nice to not have it as a lead in to questioning. ]

Thanks. [ there's a small, quirk of a half smile, that widens slightly into a smirk, as he adds on. ] You too, Greenie.

[ ngl he is taking a lot of glee out of getting to call other people Greenie here. but anyway, at the mention of Loki, thomas is getting back onto the track of the whole porter issue. ]

Our Loki says he used to do stuff like that - dimensional travel. It's not working for him here, though, and none of us have figured out why. It's all either got to do with the Porter, or Lachesis. Both, probably.

[ picking the phone up from where it's propped against some books, he types at it for a moment, and shortly, bruce will be having this file transferred to his device. ] I've been keeping some notes. Might help you out.

[ Greenie. Without any context to go on, that earns a slightly bemused smile, brows furrowed. It's possible that his reputation precedes him, but the easier assumption is that it's just coincidentally pointed — greenhorn, green, new. It's common enough slang. Either way, it's amusing. ]

Thanks.

[ Very gently sarcastic. As for the rest of Thomas's answer, that almost earns a new volley of questions before they're preempted by the file transfer. Bruce sits back from the screen a bit while he checks the download. ]

You compiled all this? [ Impressed, and also totally rhetorical. After a very brief look over the notes: ] I guess the one thing we can be sure of is that our rules no longer apply. Doesn't mean there aren't any.

[ Which is to say: data collection, awesome start. ] If I can contribute anything from the scientific angle, I'll let you know.

[ small, barely there, twitch of a smile pulls the corner of his mouth. Really, he does get more out of people recognizing his work than he lets on. Gives a certain amount of pride, especially from someone like bruce who seems very well versed in this sort of stuff.

Either way, he just gives a brief nod at the question, assuming it rhetorical as well. ]

There’d have to be rules, somehow. It’d be total chaos otherwise. [ it just wouldn’t make sense, and it’s hard for thomas to process that. ] Thanks. I’d appreciate the help.

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sorry for being so slow!!

fff no worries at all! i ended up taking an unexpected hiatus anyway ;;