video.

[micycle]

[For a second after the feed fizzles into life, Mike just sits there, blinking at his device in urgent confusion. Normally it would be astonishment, but the kid's been through hell and (part of the way) back, and it shows on his face; this is going to be the coolest once he gets a good night's sleep under his belt, but right now - ]

Um. [He pushes a pair of dust-coated goggles up into his hair, and coughs. The scarf below his chin seems coated with a similar substance.] Is there an Indiana here?

[A brief pause. He knows how dumb that question sounds.]

I really need to call someone.

Comments

video

[momchester]

[Oh no sad child alert did someone sound the mom batsignal!!]

Are you okay, hon? What city are you in?

[micycle]

[The "hon" would normally strike an angsty preteen nerve, but it's been a really, really long three days.]

The one in Florida. [Even without familiarity, the palm trees are a dead giveaway. He's never seen one in real life.] And I'm fine.

[A little white lie, and one he's been telling a lot over the past year.]

( video )

[garotted]

[ she doesn't usually do the video thing, but.. gods above, this kid is.. what, twelve? ]

There's an Indiana, but I doubt you'll be able to call anyone you know. The porter doesn't usually bring in more than one or two people from a world at a time, and they don't always know one another.

[ a beat. ] What's your name? I'm Alex.

[micycle]

[He barely hears her question, and besides, this doesn't feel like a time for introductions. It's a time for action.]

How do I get back through, then? I can't stay here.

video

[fehus]

[have a calm, blond teen]

It'll be a different Indiana. But, um, who do you want to call? They might be here.

-- I'm Magnus. I got Ported in a couple months ago, too.

[micycle]

[The words "different Indiana" make all too much sense to him, and his brow furrows. How many worlds are there? Is it really like Hugh Everett said?]

Just my friends. [And maybe his mom.] How do I find out if they're here? Is there a list?

[video]

[carbonfrozen]

There's an Indiana here, last I checked, but it won't be the same one you left. [As blunt as Han's words are, his tone is actually soft, even a little bit sorry.] Chances are, whoever you wanna call, they ain't gonna pick up.

You all right, kid?

[micycle]

Yeah, I'm f-

[Mike is momentarily distracted by removing his scarf, but as soon as he looks back at the holo-screen... ]

HAN SOLO?!

video OBVIOUSLy

[umopepisdn]

[ The video popping up on the network, with a familiar face and voice attached, sends her scrambling to respond. Part of her, the cynical part, doesn't believe it's really him. It's some kind of trick, some kind of lie. But an even bigger part of her can't imagine ignoring one more message from Mike. Her heart's beating out of her chest, and for a few seconds she has to bow her head, close her eyes, and just breathe. Then she hits the 'video' button. ]

Mike?

heart eyes motherfucker

[micycle]

El.

[The second he sees her, all panic and urgency seems to lift from his shoulders, and he almost droops a bit out of pure relief. She's here. She's here, and she's safe, and every worry he's had since stepping out of the Porter dims.]

Are you okay? Did you close the gate?

[His eyes flick over her image, as if checking for injuries. The change in her appearance - the curly hair, the lack of makeup around her eyes - registers slightly, but doesn't seem important]

video;

[heisenbitch]

[ Jesus, why does this place drag kids here. ]

Looking a bit rough there. You okay?

[micycle]

Yeah, I just got kidnapped into some weird alternate dimension. [Again.] I'm having a great time.

[bitch plz]

Voice

[notayoungman]

[ Way to tug on an old man's heart, kid. A scared child AND looking for the same place he grew up? Unfair. Good thing he's good at being gruff and hiding any and all emotion. ]

Looks like everyone's already told you, kid. It's not like home here. Heard that once you do go back it's like you never left, not yet confirmed.

[ Followed by a faint mutter... ]

They're actually bringing in kids...

[micycle]

I'm not a kid. I'm thirteen.

[So, basically an infant. But arguing hides the fact that he's absolutely terrified right now.]

VIDEO.

[accelerate]

If it's the Ghostbusters they're not picking up. [ he shakes his head in disappointment. ] I've called them like seven times and Annie Potts doesn't even pick up for me.

[ he's most likely wanting to call his mom, barry. ]

[micycle]

Ha ha.

[He shrinks a bit, feeling teased. Halloween is still fresh in his memory.]

And I'm just trying to call my friends.

[And maybe his mom, too. Maybe.]

[video]

[couldbebeautiful]

[Oh, hey, it's someone who looks vaguely like a teenaged Joyce Byers!]

Hey, um—everyone else has probably already told you this, but you can't call anyone at home from here.

[A pause. Then, dryly, as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear:] We're pretty sure Indiana still exists, though. It's just not the same Indiana you left behind.

[micycle]

[His brow furrows, and he leans in closer to the screen. Most of Veronica's words go right in one ear and out the other side.]

Mrs. Byers?

video.

[littlemissfutility]

Who do you need to call? [She says it gently, her expression sympathetic.] They could be here already.

[micycle]

My friends. [And maybe his mom, but he isn't about to say that to a girl.] One's here, but I need to tell the others I'm alright.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

You won't be able to call anyone you know from home, I'm sorry.

This isn't your world.

[micycle]

That's what everyone's telling me.

[And he doesn't sound happy about it.]

I just want to know for sure. Really bad stuff was happening before I came here.

video;

[lightinside]

Were you underground or something?

[She noticed the dust.]

Oh, and I think there's an Indiana here but I don't know for sure. Sorry.

[micycle]

[Self-conscious, he reaches up to brush some of the dust out of his hair.]

Yeah. A tunnel. [Some of it gets in his face, and he sneezes.] Sorry.

video;

[9544]

[ gasp!!!

It's one of the kids from Holes! ]

Heeey, buddy.

[ Oh, wait. Jake's terrible with kids. This was a bad idea, what was he thinking?

Where's Terry when you need him? ]

I'm pretty sure the Indiana you're trying to reach probably doesn't exist here. [ And before the kid can start crying or something -- ] But don't worry! There are some cool people who can probably help you in the meantime.

[micycle]

Help me how? I need to get a message back to the one that does exist.

[Sorry, Jake, this kid is kind of super intense. You definitely need Terry.]

video

[am_i_a_monster]

This is a different world than the one you're from. Unless the someone is another import, they won't be here.

[micycle]

One of them is. [He found that out, thankfully, after making this broadcast.] I just need to get a message back through. If our worlds have one connection, maybe there's a way to find more.

video; private - feel free to not be private if he doesn't know how yet c:

[articulations]

Are you alright? Who do you need to call?

[ Quite possibly his parents, that's what she assumes. ]

I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with anyone by the name of Indiana.

haha yeah he probably doesn't even realize she's trying to be private

[micycle]

[He starts to answer, until his eyes land on the screen.

Wait for it...]

Princess Leia?!

video

[airshow]

Indiana like the state or Indiana like the archaeologist?

[micycle]

The state.

[He makes an exagerrated "No, duh!" face.]

I live there.

video

[khajidont]

Hey, um - looks like you already got the answers you need, but just for some extra context? Whatever's going on for you back home stopped once you got here. No time passes at home while you're here. So your friends - they're okay, you didn't leave them behind or anything.

[micycle]

I have to get home so it can move again, then! What if I can't get back there, and they're just stuck?

video;

[doubleblind]

Are you getting sick of hearing that we have an Indiana, but not your Indiana yet?

[micycle]

[He finds the strength to smile a little at her comment.]

Yeah. "Indiana" is starting to not sound like a word anymore.

video;

[romancekiller]

Is that the name of someone you're looking for? [it doesn't entirely occur to her that he might be referring to the city but there is immediate concern in her expression]

I'm not sure who you want to call but they could already be here.