Entrez vous.

[filsdeliberte]

[He thought it'd be 'one of those days' when it'd started with the hazy realization that he'd had a horrible nightmare. Worse than the nightmares about Newfoundland. Even worse than the nightmares about England. Perhaps he should have just stayed home, but there's no use regretting.

He stands in the midst of the starfield - the Astral Plane - and after carefully looking around him reaches into his pocket for his phone. As expected there is no signal, but it still seems to be working otherwise. He dearly would like to know if America has found his way here as well, but he resists the urge to call despite no bars, or to call out. With a wan smile he huffs softly to himself.]

It's not like I need him to sort this for me.

[Pocketing the phone again he looks up to see an information kiosk has appeared not too far away. He approaches it, eager to know more about this place. When prompted by the sign he speaks up,]

Help, please. [Although it is all automated, it doesn't hurt to be polite.]

[He reads Broderick Naismith's brochure twice, then folds it up and places it in his jacket pocket. He tilts his head thoughtfully as he speaks softly to himself- a habit he will tell you helps him organize his thoughts.]

I like experiments well enough, but not so much being in them. Still, it would be rather interesting to meet people from other worlds... Science fiction has become reality. [He pauses for a long moment as his mind wanders through the possibilities.] There would be so much I could learn. And seeing as time has stopped back home – or I will be returned to the same time – there are no worries about something happening there... It wouldn't be good for me to be away from home for long though, no matter the time shenanigans going on.

Yes. Then, let's see who I can find.

Comments

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies spots the newcomer as he's muttering to himself about the brochure. she's about to say something, but she stops herself, listening to him first to see what she can learn. after a moment, however, she does approach, smirking faintly] So, are you always this calm when you're thrust into a sci-fi plot, or is today just a good day for you?

[filsdeliberte]

[He faces her with a faint smile of his own, nodding his head slightly. Her accent was a bit of a mental jolt though- perhaps he just hadn't expected to hear such a mundane accent in such an extraordinary place.]

Good question. Mmm, I suppose you could say that I am just this calm. I been around long enough to see many strange things.

Although, I grant, not quite as strange as this.

[grip_on_reality]

[she'd probably be amused to hear Manchester called mundane. for her part, she finds the French accent an interesting deviation from the Plane's usual clientele]

[she chuckles] I'd be surprised if you had! But fair enough. I see you know the basics of the place at least. [she gestures at the brochure] Any questions so far? [she feels that she should ask since he's new, and she still finds his rather distress-less reaction hard to believe]

[filsdeliberte]

[A grin, as he thinks of the last line of advice on the brochure.] And I didn't even have to shout. Thank you.

[He absently touches his pocket, thinking about the brochure.]

Mmm, actually, I am still a bit fuzzy on how 'mergers' work. But I won't have to worry too much about that until I form some level of emotional relationship with people here, right?

[grip_on_reality]

[she snorts] Wouldn't want you disturbing the neighbours.

[but she raises an eyebrow at that question, if only because most people don't take the brochure at face value upon arrival, and it really sounds like he is] That's about the long and short of it, yeah. [she looks a little bemused at the fact that the first thing she's explaining to him is mergers and not the basics, but she's ready to run with it] They usually start small--I've seen an item appear from another world, or you might catch something like a song over the radio. But know a person for longer, and you can get more of a merger. Whole locations can merge--even whole worlds, from what I've 'eard. Never seen it go that far myself, but you never know. So, that about cover it?

[filsdeliberte]

[He is unperturbed by her raised eyebrow and bemused look. (Until he has reason not to, why wouldn't he take the brochure at face value...)
At the end of her explanation he nods.]

I think so, thank you.

So then, if I may ask another question, what advice might you have for a newcomer? After all, no matter how up-to-date the brochure is, nothing beats personal experience.

[grip_on_reality]

[she makes a face] Ah, about that. It's not entirely up-to-date. Most of it's still accurate, but there 'ave been some...management changes.

But as far as advice... [she pauses, thinking about that. but for someone as apparently trusting as this man, it's not hard to come up with something to say] This place might look amazing, and it's got its perks. But stay on your guard--both here and for unexplained happenings back 'ome. More often than not, the Plane is up to something. And while sometimes it's harmless, usually it's not. Also, most of the people who come 'ere are trustworthy, but not all. So keep that in mind.

[realising there's something basic that she doesn't yet know, she adds:] What's your name, anyway?

[filsdeliberte]

[His expression becomes a touch more grave upon hearing that the brochure is not as up-to-date as much as he could have hoped.
And just as he was hoping that there would be few other inaccuracies, the lady gives the news that 'unexplained things' could happen back home.
Simply put, anything happening to his home - especially while he was not there! - was potentially catastrophic.

He was nodding to the rest of her advice, waiting for a moment to question her further when she brought up the very good point that they had not introduced themselves yet. He blinks in surprise.
Ah, Papa, you did teach your son better than this. Especially towards a woman!
Putting his question to the side for a moment he smiles apologetically and gives a bit of a bow.]

You're right, I'm sorry for the late introduction. I'm Canada. It's nice to meet you, mademoiselle.

[grip_on_reality]

Canada? [she snorts] Just tell me you 'aven't got the title "Agent" attached to that. [thankfully he's not in armour, but she wouldn't put it past the Freelancers to start using other countries for names when they ran out of states. that would have seemed more likely if he had been named for a province, though]

[she looks a little amused at being called mademoiselle but says nothing about it] Menzies. DI Patrica Menzies. Nice to meet you...Canada.

[filsdeliberte]

[He does not appreciate her incredulous attitude, but then he remembers that a) it's been a while since he's had to explain this to a human, b) he's in the Astral Plane and surely there are stranger(?) things, and c) she is very likely England's. (Seriously? Agent?)]

Detective inspector? You are more experienced in life than your youthful face suggests, Madame Menzies. And allow me to put your concerns to rest: I most certainly do not have any other such title attached. 'Canada' is truly my name.

[But he feels that perhaps he should exercise a bit of discretion about his nature until he understands more about this situation.]

[grip_on_reality]

You'd be surprised. [not that she's older than she looks particularly, but over 10 years in the force does a lot for a person--especially when the last several involve secret work with aliens]

Glad to 'ear it. There's, ah, a lot of those about. But they're all named after American states, far as I can tell.

So. [she considers his clothing, curious] "Where are you from?" seems like a redundant question. But mind sharing the year?

[filsdeliberte]

[He can't help a small smirk touching his expression- agents named after America's states? There'd be quite the story behind that, but it does sound like something his brother would enjoy.

He blinks at the question, not expecting that.]

Certainly. It's 2013. [A beat-] Ah, people here are from other times as well as other worlds, then?

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods at the year] Same for me. And yeah--worlds, times, universes. Name it, the Plane's got it!

[filsdeliberte]

How interesting!

Now, if I may return to something you said before, you said that unexplained things can happen at home? I was under the impression that time is stopped there.

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods, almost relieved to see some actual concern from this odd young man, though it isn't a topic that she particularly relishes talking about] While you're 'ere, it is. But when you're back there, this place can still make things happen. [she pauses, considering whether to share the obvious example, but decides it's probably best that he have an idea of what he might be dealing with]

Once, a while ago, a monster from this place started committing murders in our worlds. We...took care of it. But things like that can happen.

[filsdeliberte]

[Canada's expression falls in disbelief, then hardens.]

Just because I stepped into this place, now my home is at risk. [He swears softly under his breath in French.]

I'd no idea I was opening the door to such things. [He turns his head, as if looking for the exit.] I have to warn the others.

[grip_on_reality]

[inwardly, Menzies is cringing. this is exactly why she wasn't sure if she should share. when he turns, she calls sharply] Oi, don't rush off!

[and assuming he listens, she adds:] You don't want to go back there with only half the information available. And you'd better consider what you're going to say--or do you think they'll just believe that you're disappearing to a space nexus that they can't reach where you talk to people from other places and times?

[filsdeliberte]

[He does indeed pause at her exclamation, and faces her again.]

My brother will believe me, but I take your point. [He frowns slightly.] And you say that this is only half the information available?

Detective Inspector, please share with me what you know.

[grip_on_reality]

[she wasn't expecting to be taken literally, so she amends:] Part of it, anyway.

[but she pauses before she continues, not sure what to say. she doesn't want to overload a newcomer, but at the same time, she doesn't want Canada to make rash decisions based on half-truths either. she finally settles for a question] You read about mergers, right?

[filsdeliberte]

Yes, and you clarified about it for me as well...

[He pulls out the welcome brochure all the same and looks at it again.]

...There is this part about "individuals from the Astral Plane randomly appearing", but the way it was explained, I thought it would be other travelers like us who appeared, not monsters.

[grip_on_reality]

Yeah. [she nods] Usually, that's exactly what it is. I've never seen another situation like those murders, and I've been coming 'ere for about two years now. What you've mainly gotta watch for is the mergers--and you won't have any of those yet. [flatly] So calm down.

[filsdeliberte]

[He smiles, but his eyes are still dark with tension. There is no way for her to know the magnitude of what is at risk. Dieu, he doesn't even know himself, for this has never happened before! What would happen to him if something happened to his home while he was here...?

Yet despite these thoughts it does not take too much of an effort to consciously relax his posture.]

Madame, I assure you, I am quite calm. Please believe me when I say that when I am irrationally upset, you will clearly see it.

Now, I would like to depart and warn the others, but is there anything else you can add about how this place influences home?

[grip_on_reality]

[she can't help looking surprised that he still considers warning people to be his first course of action. after all, it's something that she herself can't even imagine doing--aliens are bad enough, but a nexus point between universes that only specific people can access? losing her job would be only the first consequence of a claim like that]

[she thinks about his request, though, pursing her lips. she really isn't used to piling all the worst aspects of the Plane on a newcomer immediately, but since he's asking, she doesn't hold back] I'd say the other thing to watch out for is how this place might influence you. What I mean is, experiments can follow you 'ome--even start there, sometimes. But if you know you're part of an experiment--and you're in the right mindset to do something about it--you can at least avoid those problems by staying 'ere for the duration.

[filsdeliberte]

[Canada passes his hand through his hair and breathes out slowly. What would happen to his home if he were compromised like that? It is rather disconcerting.

He smiles shallowly.]

I see. You're right, the right mindset and being prepared can go a long way.

Thank you for your honesty. Now, I suppose I will find out how travelling back and forth works a lot sooner than I thought I would...

À bientôt, Madame Menzies.

[With nod to her he starts walking, all the better to get home, according to the brochure.]

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies watches him go, still curious about his strange reactions but mainly wondering how telling people at home about this place will go for him. after that last comment, though, she's also hoping that he doesn't have to find out the hard way that whether you're "in the right mindset" during an experiment isn't always up to you. but that's a worry for another day. for now, she goes back to walking across the Plane]