001 [ video ]

[curiosityvoyage]

—and, got it!

[When the feed cuts in, the first thing anyone might see is—a mop of brown curls. Wow. So exciting. After a moment, a young boy's face comes into view, blue eyes alive with an excited curiosity. Some more adjustments, and the background finally makes itself clear: the kid's in a park somewhere in De Chima, and he happens to be dressed like a Ghostbuster like it's Halloween or something.]

Hey, so, I've got a few questions. A lot of questions, actually. [So many curiosity doors, so little time.] To start with: anyone else here from Hawkins? [He hopes so. He—really doesn't want to be alone.] Man, Mr. Clarke'd have a field day.

[Eat your heart out, Hugh Everett.]

Secondly, has anyone started up an imPort A/V club yet? I'm a little curious about how it would work, especially since people from all kinds of different worlds with varying levels of technology keep getting pulled in. I think it'd be a great opportunity for us to learn about technology from other worlds, and from this one too. I know I'd love a crash course in how to use this—they called it a phone, but it doesn't really look like one. [Phones looked very different where he's from, and they definitely can't do half the stuff this device can.

Something warbles shrilly nearby. Dustin's head turns, and he bends down a little out of frame to talk to something just off-screen:] Shh, Dart. I'll feed you nougat later, just gotta finish this up first. [Turning back to the comm:] Also: Is there a species on your world that, appearance-wise, might be comparable to a pollywog but isn't? Like, pollywogs are cold-blooded and need heat and light, for example, but that particular species actively avoids heat? What kind of food would you feed it? [Beat.] I'm asking for a friend.

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[curiosityvoyage]

'S'okay, I don't blame you. [He still remembers the government agents, after all.] Hey, wait, who found you anyway?

[umopepisdn]

Hopper found me.

[curiosityvoyage]

Hopper? [w h a t.] How?

[umopepisdn]

[ She just shrugs. She doesn't particularly want to talk about how she struggled on her own for a month, possibly killed a guy who did nothing to her, and definitely killed multiple squirrels. ]

In the woods.

[curiosityvoyage]

[The poor squirrels.

There's real alarm in Dustin's eyes now, because—she was in the woods? Alone? For—oh, shit, how long? How had they not realized?]

—at least you didn't get mauled by a bear or anything. [The attempt falls a little short of his usual cheer, because, seriously, she was alone in the woods.] Where are you and Mike living right now, anyway?

[umopepisdn]

[ Do bears even live in Indiana, Dustin?? Whatever, it's the thought that counts. ]

De Chima zero zero six.

[curiosityvoyage]

[Dustin grins once more, with real joy.]

They stuck me there too! I'm living with you guys—oh, man, have you tried Nutella yet?

[umopepisdn]

Yes. [ Obviously, Dustin. ] It's good.

[curiosityvoyage]

[Yessss.]

It's great, you mean. Oh, wait, you gotta try 3 Musketeers too—it's one of the tastiest chocolates that's ever been made. [God help him, he's going to make sure someone in the party appreciates nougats the way he does.]

[umopepisdn]

3 Musketeers. I'll try to find some.

[curiosityvoyage]

Don't worry about finding some. I bought lots.

[To demonstrate, he digs out a 3 Musketeers bar from the paper bag of groceries beside him. Ta-da!]

There's enough here for everyone. [He's generous like that.]

[umopepisdn]

Okay. [ She gives him a shy smile. ] Then I'll try it.