ONE ⌛ AUDIO

[granularity]

[ The voice sounds a little creaky and crusty, like he's not entirely awake and there's even the light swishing sound of someone rubbing at cheeks with a bit of stubble on them. Clearly, he's doing other things while he makes this message, including... pouring something or other. ]

So apparently you can completely remove me from my home, my team, and my coffee maker and some things never change.

I came in beginning of the month and, uh, still kind of finding my way around this place. This place being the city I'm in, my new job, the new housing, new coffee maker-

[ A faintly awkward pause. ]

Sorry, it's kind of a necessity. Anyway, I've been kind of browsing around and I've seen what MIGHT be some, uh, familiar names? If so, I'd, uh, well, I wouldn't mind chatting with you. If not, uh... alternate universes and time travel and people not knowing who I am is not something I'm unfamiliar with.

So hi. I'll... try and be a little more awake next time. Have an ice breaker or something ready.

Comments

video

[thepalinpaladin]

You need a book of annoying questions to ask everyone. Like their hopes and dreams. Or favorite kind of dog.

My favorite kind of dog is a great dane, thanks for asking.

audio

[granularity]

So just ask annoyinq questions on here?

This is dangerous.

Why a great dane?

[thepalinpaladin]

I really liked Scooby Doo as a child.

And they're big so when you're little it's like a dog you think you can ride.

[granularity]

Scooby Doo is quality. The old stuff, not the new stuff.

And have you ever seen a Bernese Mountain Dog? You could probably still ride one of those now.

[thepalinpaladin]

I have not and will google it right now.

Oh, those are cute. And big. I'd let one of my cousins climb on one of those.

[granularity]

If you look at the puppies, they're literally the cutest thing.

Except corgis. Corgis always win.

[thepalinpaladin]

So those are your favorites? You gotta dog?

[audio]

[sentielemental]

There's a lot of people around here who have dealt with time travel and alternate universes before. It should be more surprising than it is.

[audio]

[granularity]

Honestly, I'm just glad that this one isn't full of Nazis. At least that I've seen.

If there are Nazis, feel free to break my ignorance here.

[audio]

[sentielemental]

[Toro lets out a little laugh.] I'll keep mine, too, if ya don't mind. We already got the Russians, last thing we need is Nazis. I've dealt with more than enough Nazis to last me five lifetimes.

[audio]

[granularity]

Any Nazis is too many Nazis, as far as I'm concerned. But amen to that, brother.

And I've noticed the thing with the Russians but I'll admit that I kinda... keep my focus a little closer to home.

[audio]

[sentielemental]

Yeah, I can understand that. I ignored them a lot the first time around. [Because he hadn't had the memories to have a reason to hate the Soviet Union the way he does now. They may be different in the future, but this is still the Cold War here in this world and Cold War Russia is not a place he wants anywhere near him or his.]

Little bit harder now, but things are quiet enough.

[audio]

[granularity]

[ His own experience with this time period is... practically non-existent as well. Thanks several decades in a glass tube! But mostly, it's a desire to understand where and what's going on with some depth. And so far, he's not satisfied with what he knows before he goes and tries to meddle with anything.

Yet. ]

First time around?

video

[glitterateur]

Do you need ideas for ice breakers?

Re: video

[granularity]

[younger than he'd thought but]

Sure. I'm open to suggestions. Hit me with your best material.

[glitterateur]

Okay well technically it's not my material I've just accumulated it from years of magazine reading! But aside from asking people the stuff that's kind of awkward now-- like what kind of superpower you'd want-- they're still good. You can't go wrong with stuff like favorite restaurant and movie you watch whenever you're home alone and don't have anything to do!

[granularity]

Those are both pretty good. And hey, there's not much new under the sun. You researched it, you earned it.

Haven't picked a favorite restaurant around here yet, though.

[glitterateur]

It's pretty tough, right?! 'Cause there are a ton of cities with porters you can hit up any time! Have you been to all of them yet?

[granularity]

Not really. I have a really bad tendency to hole up and be antisocial. I'm gonna try and get out a little more now.

Got any suggestions?

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[boobwindow]

[ With a bewildered look: ]

... please tell me this isn't an alternate universe situation.

[ Are you the Sandy she knows?? ]

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[granularity]

[that is most certainly the Sandy she knows and he is giving a bright, if tired, smile]

Think that's my line. But you are definitely a sight for sore eyes.

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[boobwindow]

[ She cracks a smile, perking up some. ]

Where are you?

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[granularity]

[ She's not the only one looking a little more lively. Karen's not just a teammate; she's a good friend, and he feels like he's on infinitely firmer ground seeing her face. ]

Maurtia Falls. They've got me in a house and I'm making hourglasses.

Didn't anyone tell them my life is already a giant wordplay joke?

What about you?

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[boobwindow]

Just keep talking; I'll find you.

[ It's difficult to resist getting up and out of the window of her apartment. She hasn't had many friends from the JSA show up, so Sandy's presence gets her excited, happy. ]

I was one of the luckier ones and eventually moved onto my own business, but I've seen the ridiculous jobs they saddle people with.

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[granularity]

If you want, I can wave from the window, make it even easier.

[ He hadn't expected to find anyone from home here. The few mentions he'd seen had mostly made him wary. ]

So you running a branch of Starrware here or you decide to try something else?

[ Honestly, his own job is of little consequence. It's a thing to do, pays the bills, and it's not as if he minds handling the glass and the sand. He ends up with a bit of a headache if he doesn't take the occasional break but such is life. Mostly, he's curious about her and how she's doing. ]