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.

Comments

[doubleblind]

I got that. I mean like, physically, but if you're in De Chima you can't be too far.

[She seems to feed of his enthusiasm, looking just as excited as he does.] And luckily, I'm not too far either. I work over at the De Chima Medical Research Institute. If you can find your way there, I'll meet you outside and let you in. And I'll see what food I can scrounge up for the little guy.

[curiosityvoyage]

I know that one, I can get there in a jiffy. And thank you so much, Miss—I didn't catch your name, sorry.

[He sets the comm aside, so the camera's pointed at some hot dog vendor now, and there's some inquisitive squeaking from Dart.] Guess what, buddy? We're gonna go on a trip! But you gotta be quiet, okay? For maybe two minutes, max. Got it? Okay, good.

[There's the sound, a moment later, of a little trap door shutting. And then Dustin picks up the comm once more, and has to refocus it so it's not showing off his mop of curls.]

Okay, we're coming. Front or back door?

[doubleblind]

[She makes a face at being called "Miss", though it's much better than "Ma'am".] What is up with all you Hawkins kids? You can just call me Cosima. No "Miss" needed.

I'll meet you out front. Unless back door sounds more fun? This is sort of a secret project... [That she's discussing very loudly and enthusiastically on a public network, but details!]

[curiosityvoyage]

We're just being polite, Mi—Cosima. [All you Hawkins kids—he wonders who else is here. Will, definitely, and Mike and El have already answered. Nancy too, though she hasn't shown up on the network yet. Hopefully the Porter hasn't pulled in, god, Troy at any point. That would suck hugely.] I'm Dustin.

Out front's fine. Dart already blew his own cover, anyway. [There's a muffled trill of contentment coming from the ghost trap.] Yeah, Dart, you kinda did.

[doubleblind]

It's nice to meet you, Dustin. I'll see you outside soon. [And she grins again, eyes darting to the trilling sound.] And you too, Dart.

[As promised, Cosima will be waiting outside the Research Institute, on time for one of the few times in her life. She has a reusable grocery bag from a nearby market slung over one shoulder and is pacing out front, too excited to stay still.]

[curiosityvoyage]

[Dustin stands out in a crowd, is the thing—he'd been brought all the way to another world just as Halloween was winding down, so he's still wearing a Ghostbusters costume, the proton pack on his back and a ghost trap in his hand. There are occasional warbles from the trap that sound like Dart, who sounds curious about where they're going. What a chill baby monster.

Once he spots Cosima, he waves a free hand.] Cosima! Hey! [And then he pretty much sprints up to her. Short he might be at the moment, but he's pretty fast even with a proton pack.] What's in the bag?

[doubleblind]

Hey.

[He's definitely easy to spot, and Cosima waves him over. She crouches down when he's approached, peering into the trap at the very chill baby monster.]

Snacks for your little friend.