001 ☣ audio

[vaccination]

[There's a soft, muffled tapping as Ellie tries to figure out if she's using the communicator correctly. After an audible inhale, she starts talking. Public speaking isn't a skill she's ever had to practice.]

Shit, I don't even know how to work this stupid--there. [Her voice comes in clearer, a proper distance away.] I think I've got this right.

You know, those assholes could have explained this better. Hey, here's super powers, a thing you're totally not used to, and hey, here's how to work this thing you've never seen before. It's not like I'm in fucking shock or anything. Sorta hard to remember what anyone's said to you when you can barely remember to breathe, but whatever.

... anyway. [A pause.] It's... like I fell into a comic book or something, so don't mind me, uh. Staring and stuff. Not that you can see. Like I said, powers aren't really a thing, where I'm from. Neither are ice cream parlors and high school, so I'm sort of fucked when it comes to all of that.

[It's easy to ramble when no one can see her. But the point of even bothering with this thing is--]

So, uh. I'm looking for a guy. Name's Joel. Old, hair turning gray, wrinkles, beard, most likely unfriendly and in a bad mood. Joel, if you can hear this? ... say something, I guess.

[It takes all her strength to not sound as worried as she really is. This is all actually kind of amazing and thrilling, but Joel is her main concern.]

Comments

voice;

[waiting]

Sorry. Haven't seen him. [ Beat. ] You always talk like that?

[ She's got quite the potty mouth for a -- how old is she, even? She sounds pretty young to him. Might get along with another teenager he knows... ]

voice;

[vaccination]

[Disappointing. But maybe that's to be expected--the comment about the way she talks? Not so much.]

Talk like what? Do I have an accent or something?

[ video ]

[hostage]

Hold up - you never had ice cream before?

[vaccination]

Pretty sure that's what I said.

voice;

[humanistic]

I'm going to make a bet with you right now, that everyone who answers this is pretty much going t' focus on the fact that you've never been to an ice cream parlor.

voice;

[vaccination]

Yeah, they're being real helpful. [Oh, the sarcasm.] Is it really that big of a deal?

VOICE.

[soldiarity]

You won't be the only one in high school for the first time -- I don't know why they wanna shuffle us all in there, but it's not that bad. Fucking boring, mostly. If you want I can show you around.

VOICE.

[vaccination]

[Interacting with people her age shouldn't make her feel anxious, but it does.]

What's there to show me?

[Video]

[bullysandwicher]

You didn't have ice cream parlors? Your world sucks. [ priorities ]

[Video]

[vaccination]

I didn't know ice cream parlors were the measure of whether a world sucks or not. You learn a new thing every day.

video :

[alofts]

[ This here is a smarmy little shit after his own heart. ]

I wouldn't start a tragic circumstance pissing contest with these people. [ World coming to an end and everyone wants to compare notes. ] Haven't seen your friend, but most of us who arrived so lost they couldn't find their own ass with both hands and a map are handy enough if you needed help getting a leg up.

[vaccination]

It's not a pissing contest. I'm just saying, setting up someone from a place where none of this shit is around could probably use a few more instruction manuals. [Though she's doing alright... after the initial thrashing about and having a goddamn panic attack.]

And great. That's pretty much all I need to know, anyway.

[voice]

[chiefdefense]

[This poor kid sounds a bit young out on her own, Mia's big sister sense is tingling.]

I'm sorry, I don't know any Joels but I'll keep a look if it helps.

You need to take a deep breath and stay calm, okay? I know it's a bit weird winding up here without any warning, but there are people around who can help you out. Do you need any help?

[vaccination]

[Finally, someone helpful. Ellie's a little wary accepting anything from strangers, but this place is so busy--she might not be able to find him on her own.]

Yeah. Tell him Ellie's looking for him.

I'm--I'm fine. It's just fucking annoying. I'll figure it out.

[video]

[glassinine]

My condolences, ma'am, but I do not believe there is anyone answering to that name here.

[vaccination]

Fuck. [Here's hoping this guy is wrong. The alternative is too much to think about.] How often do people... end up here?

Voice

[biotically]

[ Even they have ice cream parlors in the future, but... ]

Forget to breathe? You alright, or was it just the shock?

[vaccination]

I'm fine. It was just, uh, overwhelming. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

audio

[gevurah]

[ These "recruits" get younger and younger. ]

Sorry, it's not ringing a bell.

[ A pause. Why does she always find herself getting involved with kids? ]

Are you alright?

[vaccination]

[She sighs. Fucking Joel.] Thanks anyway.

And yeah. Just peachy.

video

[huntergames]

[ There's a girl only about a year or two older than Ellie appearing on the screen now, looking quite concerned. ]

Be careful with the ice cream!

[vaccination]

[... This is a new one.]

Why?

audio.

[isaytheeneigh]

So what kind of shitty world do you come from?

[That's what he's getting from what she's saying. Her response to things seems very similar to their own, but her perception of it is notably different.]

[vaccination]

[That gets a snort. It's pretty obvious, isn't it?]

The kind where an infection killed almost everyone and turned them into monsters that love trying to kill off the rest. [She doesn't feel like talking about hunters or cannibals with just anyone.] And, like I said... no ice cream.

[video]

[runningstart]

I'm guessing he's not your dad. ['cause who calls their dad by first name, except for like...hippie kids from california]

[vaccination]

No, he's not my dad. [Practically is, at this point. No matter what may have been said seasons ago.] He's my friend.

voice;

[symbionic]

I think the superpowers are probably the easiest part of all those things you just listed.

[High school, man. High school.]

Haven't heard of him, but it's not the smallest city. I'm sure he'll turn up eventually.

[vaccination]

Apparently. High school is bullshit and ice cream can apparently make you shit yourself. Real fun.

[Soooo much enthusiasm.]

Yeah. He usually does. [This is her trying to not sound worried.]

voice;

[choreographics]

Never heard of him, but good luck finding him. Seems like it's always the people you want to find are the ones that aren't around.

What's so important about him?

[vaccination]

He's my friend. [All she has, actually. But like hell if she's saying that aloud.] I just want to be sure he's alright.

[imitari]

Okay, sorry if I'm being an idiot, but - no high school. Are you serious?

[vaccination]

Dead serious. We have military school, though.