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.

[desertdaggers]

Else you might forget what was going on before?

[filsdeliberte]

[Canada turns to fully face the purple (purple?)-haired young man.
He tilts his head questioningly.]

My concern with being away from home doesn't have to do with my forgetting anything, if that is what you are referring to?

[desertdaggers]

[it's a very good dye job, if that's what it is.]

Mm, that was it. So what is your concern, then?

[filsdeliberte]

That is is potentially catastrophic for me to be away from my home. Being somewhere else in the world is one thing, but this is completely another.

[desertdaggers]

Ah? If you don't mind my asking… why would it be?

[filsdeliberte]

Because I am Canada.

[He half-expects that he will have to explain this statement further - the young man has purple hair, after all - but he will take it as it comes for now. Also, Canada feels that he should exercise a bit of discression corncerning his nature, at least until he finds out a bit more about the potential dangers.]

[desertdaggers]

Canada?

[There's no look of recognition, though Hawk frowns, sure that that's meant to mean something.]

That… doesn't mean anything to me, I fear. But still… you're someone important. Right?

[filsdeliberte]

[Canada's stance relaxes slightly, a small smile upon his face. Ah, someone truly not from Earth then.]

Yes, you could say that.

[He extends his hand for a handshake.]

A pleasure to meet you... [He tilts his head slightly, inviting the young man's name.]

Super late comment go!

[betrayedtwin]

[During North's periodical observations of the Plane, it's not unusual for him to spot newcomers or other people appearing/disappearing from the Plane. It's during one of these times where he sees someone wander over to that information booth. Generally if anyone goes there, it's a sure sign they're new. It takes North a few minutes to make his way over to the new person, but when he does, he gives a friendly wave of his hand. Never mind the fact that he's in full armor, helmet secured upon his head, and a very long and big sniper rifle attached to his back.]

Hey, how's it going?

Yay!

[filsdeliberte]

[Canada's back stiffens at the appearance of a very tall person in very hefty-looking body armor. (However the rifle does get an appreciative glance.) At the friendly wave and genial question he relaxes a bit, giving a touch of a smile.]

As well as can be expected so far, I think. [He makes a slight gesture to the information booth behind him.] It's pretty clear that I'm new, eh?

[betrayedtwin]

[Getting reactions like that in initial meetings isn't any surprise to him anymore. Most people here aren't too used to seeing people walk around in armor all the time, though some are getting used to seeing him and the others around on occasion.]

[North chuckles and nods.] Yeah. Everyone gets that wide-eyed, somewhat bewildered look when they get here, even after reading the stuff that booth gives us. I'm North, by the way. [He holds out his gloved hand.]

[filsdeliberte]

[Had he been wide-eyed? Ah, how embarrassing.
Canada's smile deepens a touch at the name. He can't help but feel an affinity for it, although he's getting the feeling that North may be American. He takes the offered hand in a firm grip, giving him a diplomatically perfect hand shake.]

A pleasure to meet you, North. I'm Canada.

[betrayedtwin]

[North pauses briefly in his hand shake to look at the man again upon hearing the name. He's reminded of his first conversation with Patricia about codenames and how it's very American of them to use only state names.]

Same here. So, "Canada", huh? Not "Alberta" or "Ontario" or anything?

[filsdeliberte]

[Canada picks up on those verbal quotation marks and shakes his head with a faint grin.]

No, afraid not. My name really is Canada.

[betrayedtwin]

[North shakes his head in amusement.] Your parents must've really liked the country. Been a while since I've been up that way myself.

[filsdeliberte]

["I am the country..." is what he would like to say. But until he understands more about the dangers of this place, he thinks it best to be discreet about that fact.
Instead, he will pick up on that last comment.]

Is that so? I hope you might get the chance to visit again sometime. If I may, what part of America are you from?

[Despite his intuition, it still feels like a bit of a stab in the dark, given that he doesn't recognize the armor at all. (Surely America would have bragged about something like that to him.)]