001 Video; Backdated to before the swearing in

[thebatbutler]

[The elderly gentleman that the camera is focused on looks polished, wearing a crisp white shirt along with a suit jacket and a bow tie. When he speaks, his voice has a distinct British accent.]

If there is anyone that might be able to tell me anything about this world or our current location that would be most appreciated. I did receive a file upon my arrival here, but I do have some concerns that certain details might be… lacking.

[He glances down for just a moment, at something off screen, before returning his focus to the communicator.] Also, I understand there is something of a possibility that one or more of my colleagues could have found themselves here, as well.  If there is some way that I could go about finding their locations it would be most appreciated.  Thank you.

[There's a momentary pause and then the feed disconnects.]

Comments

video

[performance]

[ Wait. Really? REALLY? Dick almost fumbles his communicator in his excitement, turning the video on and beaming. ]

No way. Alfred? For real?

video

[thebatbutler]

[He would know that face anywhere, although the fact that it's significantly younger than the last time he'd seen it is somewhat confusing. Nevertheless, Alfred was happy to see him and he smiles warmly.]

Unless this is some sort of shared mass hallucination. [Possible, not probable, all things considered.] I'm left to conclude that this is, in fact, "for real', Master Richard.

video

[performance]

Well if it is, it's one of the best hallucinations I've ever had. I can't believe it's really you! When did you get here? Where are you?

voice

[runningstart]

[trying to be all slick and discreet about it but still grinning gleefully at the sight of that name on the comm]

I bet I could help you out with that, dude. Who're your colleagues?

voice; private

[thebatbutler]

[And another familiar name, although not one of his Bats.]

Perhaps you could assist me in finding them if you would be so kind as to meet me at residence 27?

Video

[motherflocker]

[ S quints isn't that Wayne's butler... ]

Details about Heropa? It's hardly an exciting place to be, particularly in comparison to a city like, say, Gotham.

Video

[thebatbutler]

[Isn't this a pleasant surprise?]

Yes, well. It was on my list of considerations for a summer home.

video;

[chiroptophobic]

[ Bruce goes back and forth over responding for longer than he ought to. Naturally his instinct is to avoid showing his face so soon, particularly given the response so far, the mention of Gotham, and...colleagues? What does Alfred mean by that? He wants more time to get his bearings, more time to work out who this world needs him to be, who he can afford to be without putting other people's lives in danger.

But with the invitation to the swearing in in his hand, he knows at last who that person is. It's safer to be Bruce Wayne for now, to use his skill in maneuvering the world of Gotham's glitz and glamor to plot his way through this one.

It's about when he realizes that Bruce Wayne would never not respond to Alfred's post that a touch of guilt manages to reach him. In thinking twice about it, even for a moment, he'd allowed abandoning his loyal companion and lifetime friend to materialize as a possibility. He plans his response, then calls up the video. ]

How about an employer?

video;

[thebatbutler]

[Alfred nearly drops the communicator when Bruce's face shows on the screen, but he schools his face into a more neutral expression. Certainly this isn't the proper means of communication for any manner of reunion. There's no way of knowing who else might be watching and while it wouldn't be unusual for Bruce to speak with Alfred back home, they're playing by somebody else's rules now. That and there's something different about this man. This version of Bruce looks younger than the one that Alfred had last seen. Although given his earlier encounter with Richard it's not entirely surprising, he supposes.

For the moment, he'll simply follow Bruce's lead.]

While our hosts were kind enough to provide employment, I'm certainly open to the possibility of a more suitable position. Shall I provide you with references?

video.

[projectkr]

[He doesn't know this man but now the Porter is bringing in old guys sorry Alfred?]

It's called Heropa and it's located in Florida. And it seems to be unique to this world. At least that I know of.

video.

[thebatbutler]

[Elderly, yes. But Alfred's pretty spry for an older guy. And he recognizes the name on his communicator Not to mention the face of the teenager he's speaking to]

Have you been here long, young sir?

audio; DC combo breaker???

[dragony]

With a question so broad as "anything," it's hard to say. What do you want to know?

audio; It was such a beautiful combo. XD

[thebatbutler]

[He pauses for a moment, considering.]

Perhaps anything that wouldn't have been covered by those in power here. Things that they wouldn't have advertised. Events, that maybe they would have attempted to sweep under the proverbial rug?

video.

[selfequipped]

With the exception of certain events suspiciously wiped clean from history, our library and internet are both pretty sufficient for that, but I imagine you wouldn't mind a base to begin with. I can help you out where you might need it.

video.

[thebatbutler]

[He smiles. Hers isn't the first offer he's received, but there's certainly nothing wrong with fact checking the information.]

Thank you for your offer, Miss Kate. Is there a time we could meet to discuss these 'events'?

audio

[gevurah]

[ Now this is interesting. Alfred Pennyworth and Bruce Wayne in the same day? While she's never spoken directly to the Waynes' butler, being in similar circles has provided her some information on Pennyworth and it's that he's been by Bruce's side since he lost his parents. That kind of loyalty can't be bought.

She wasn't interested in making an appearance herself given recent events, but it's a fellow Gothamite and he's got questions. ]

Alfred Pennyworth? This is a surprise.

audio

[thebatbutler]

[He double checks the name his communicator has provided him with before responding. While Alfred had expected to find perhaps on or two Gothamites here, the response he'd received was a bit surprising. It seemed that those in charge had little care for exactly who they chose to bring here.]

It would seem, Miss Katherine, that the Porter is rather indiscriminating about whom it chooses to bring here. Have you been here long?

[acclimatized]

[ john is pinged by the english accent of course. ]

What do you want to know?

[thebatbutler]

[The name gets an arched eyebrow, but he doesn't say anything about it.]

Any sort of information, although I'm particularly interested in details of events that the government has tried to sweep under the rug, so to speak.

[ecphrasis]

[ah, a fellow brit! this alone makes her happy.]

Well, we're in the United States, for starters. In Florida.

It isn't generally hard to find people if you ask around. Which you've done already I guess, so it shouldn't be long before you find someone.

[thebatbutler]

That does seem to be the general consensus.

And I've managed to find a few people, I suppose. Have you been here long?

video; hey there roomie

[handwringing]

[He's looking for people. That attracts Elsa's attention.]

Who are you trying to find? Maybe I can help.

[By "help" she means call people she knows to see if they know who Alfred's looking for. But it's something.]

video; private Oh heeey.

[thebatbutler]

[He's hesitant to ask for any of them by name using a method of communication such as this where he's uncertain of its security. However, he's already shown his face and anybody from Gotham would have already recognized him. So perhaps there are a few names he might ask for.]

I'm hoping that perhaps Richard Grayson might have found himself here. [Normally Bruce would have been the first person he'd ask for, but his son old friend is dead.]

text

[slingshots]

[ alfred! who is dead in her world! how nice!! but fortunately she's learned by now not to expect people from her world to actually know her, so... ]

turns out this version of the world's also round

text

[thebatbutler]

[An interesting text from an unknown.]

A rather significant similarity, to be sure.