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

[gevurah]

At least you don't have to pay for the AC.

[vaccination]

AC and showers. Fucking amazing.

[gevurah]

[ A pause. ]

It's that bad where you're from?

[vaccination]

Is it that bad to not have AC and running water? [She knows the answer to that.]

[gevurah]

None of the cities have these? Even the major cities?

[ Talk about post-apocalyptic. ]

[vaccination]

Not that I know of. [There are always rumors about places that are better.] I mean, some places have electricity and other stuff, but it's all pretty shitty. We don't even have cell phones anymore.

[gevurah]

It's not just cell phones here either. The tattoos allow us to connect to the network via our thoughts.

[vaccination]

I don't think they had that in my world before.

[If people failed to tell her about that they really suck!]

[gevurah]

What year is it for you?

[ She's familiar enough with modern tech, so she's got to be from a similar year. ]

[vaccination]

2034.

[It would be summer soon again.]

[gevurah]

Not the kind of future I ever imagined.

[vaccination]

What year is it for you?

[gevurah]

Late 2011.

[ Never forget Batman, Inc. ]

[vaccination]

Jeez. That was forever ago. [You've got a few years before it all goes to hell, Kate.]

We're all from... different, like. Timelines? Right...?

[gevurah]

Different worlds altogether... unless there's a Gotham where you're from.

[vaccination]

No clue. I suck at geography.

[gevurah]

Never seen a map?

[vaccination]

Uh, yeah. A globe, too. Doesn't mean I memorized it.

[gevurah]

It's not a big deal, anyway. Too many Gothams actually.

[vaccination]

What do you mean?

[gevurah]

Alternate universes sometimes mean the same places ― or people ― exist.

[vaccination]

Like... in comic books, you mean.

[gevurah]

[ She pauses. ]

I... guess.

[vaccination]

Let me guess--not a fan?

[gevurah]

Not the comics part.

Alternate universes are... [ really annoying ] complex.