genessia | (action

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( ACTION | OUTSIDE THE BAY | MAY 22)

(Jagger's mind always existed in a state of flux, and it took a lot of will to push away the past, the present elsewheres, and the futures and just focus on one thing at a time, one thing in front of him. He was still disoriented when he awkwardly clutched the box atop his chest close and stepped out of the pod into...

...lapping cold water. Everything else in his mind shut down and it began to internally scream. All he could think of was getting out, getting away, and so...he ran, blindly, sheer terror taking him to the nearest tunnel to the surface, and it wasn't until the cool open air blew gently past his face that he fell to his hands and knees, box clattering to the ground, contents spilling about.

That's where any passerby would find him, gasping for air as the terror slowly started to inch away. His hair, dark and slightly curling, cut just above his shoulders, has the greasy look of someone who regularly rakes their hands through their hair. He's taller, but thin and lanky. He's wearing torn jeans, a Rolling Stones t-shirt, and a leather jacket.)

( VIDEO | EARLY AFTERNOON | MAY 23)

(Those who say Jagger yesterday in a state of panic are greeting but a much more comfortable face. He's still uneasy and his hair still needs to be washed, but it's hardly noticeable as it's stuffed under a black beanie. The young man smiles slightly, and a little self-consciously. When he speaks, it's clear he's a Londoner, for anyone familiar.

He raises a fingerless-gloved hand in a wave before he says anything.)

Hello, there...Genessia, yeah? Listen, I just wanted to thank everyone who stopped by and gave a bloke a hand yesterday. It's normal for some of you, getting yanked from your world and dropped in a cave, maybe, but not for all of us. Sorry if I spooked you.

(He pauses for a moment before he says anything else, his blue eyes distant.)

I get we stay in these flats for a tick, but we don't get to keep them, and I get they gave us some dosh to get us started, but I get the feeling I'm going to need more before anyone figures out how to send us home.

(If I really want to go home. That's...actually up in the air.)

I don't know how to do much. I can cook so far as feeding myself, and I've waited tables before, too, but I'm willing to learn whatever you need me to.

(He smiles again, a little awkwardly, and raises his hand again in a slight wave.)

Thanks in advance, yeah? Laters.

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OOC: Continued from here

(He chuckles nervously at her comment and shoves his free hand in his pocket.)

Rather not be special if it's all the same to you. (And he clears his throat at her question.)

It...may've happened once or twice, yeah...

Then don't. [Enis knows that it isn't that simple and yet his wording draws her attention. 'Doesn't want to be special.' What happened for him to have this sort of reaction? Whatever it is, it isn't any of her business.]

Well, [She exhales, shoving her hands into her pockets as she walked down the street.] Now you have at least a person to call to collect you. [She doesn't sound like she enjoys the idea.

Enis pauses when she reaches what looks like the right building. For knowing nothing about this place, she had a pretty good idea where everything was. She glanced back at Jag and gestured.]

We're here.

I know. (The moment he'd come upon the place it seemed familiar, like he'd seen it somewhere before. He hated when that happened.)

I...(He chuckles.) Well, I've had worse bodyguards.

[Enis isn't sure how she feels being called a bodyguard but she ignores it. Something compelled her to say she'd help him though she had no idea what that something was.

With a half shrug she pushes open the door and steps inside. She's never been here before but she reads the 'please seat yourself' signage and picks a good booth for them to sit at. She slides in so that her back is placed firmly against the wall of the booth before glancing up at the chalkboard written menu behind the bar. She'll go with simple, food isn't something that Enis has had the luxury of and it isn't something she spends a lot of time thinking about.

When the waitress steps over Enis orders her cheese burger and drink, then waits for Jag.]

(When the scent of the charred meat hits his nostrils, Jag's stomach loudly announces it's probably been more than a day since he's fed it anything and he self-conciously places fingerless gloved hand over it before sliding into the booth across from her.

He smiles gently up at the waitress, waiting as Enis orders, then ordering the same. Something about the waitress as she bustles off makes him watch after her, though. Unlike Enis, who's voice sounded mechanical and somehow artificial, the waitress sounded as one would imagine a pencil illustration would sound: two-dimensional, stale, colorless.

That was weird. He shook his head and looked back to Enis.)

You, uh, don't talk much, do ya?

[Enis looks at his stomach and then trails up to meet his gaze, her eyebrow arching in an incredulous look. He really is a full time job all on his own, isn't he?]

Is there something you want me to say? [She relaxes as much as she can as she looks over at him. The whirling persistent echo in her head had begun again and she waits for it to quite.]

I'm not used to talking unless I have something to say but if there is something you'd like me to say, a question you have, I can give it a try. [Enis will have to see how long this attempt of hers lasts.]

(Jag isn't exactly great at conversations himself. Even Inspector Douglass had pointed that out recently.

Still, it was worth a try. She was being kind enough to give him a hand, even though she was just as new here as he was, it seemed.

And there was the peculiar sound of her voice when she spoke, though he had no idea what it meant, thus no idea how to bring it up.)

Well...you sound American. Where ya from?

(Sooth, Jag. Real smooth.)

Illinois.

[She replies as the waitress brings them their drinks. Enis takes hers and gulps the fizzing liquid, flinching as the bubbles fill her nose.]

But I travel. You? [Enis has a guess but she's still cautions when it game to giving away what she knew and what she is.]

(He smiles, except that still doesn't explain the weird sound of her voice.

It may not even mean anything, though. It normally did.)

London, East End, born and raised. I live in Whitechapel, surrounded by history and "ripperology" tourists. It...helps pay the rent, though, servin' 'em coffee.

[For the first time a small smile touches the corner of Enis's lips.] I know a bit about the area.

[Nothing that she's after has escaped over sees yet but she's looked into other places. The moment that she'd been freed she allowed herself to taste that freedom, only to realize that there was something she had to do.

A sharp pain jolts through her head and Enis flinches. She keeps having to remind herself that there isn't an internet here.]

You live there your whole life?

(The brief smile that touched his lips at her recognition faltered when he felt a phantom pain shoot through his head and he reached up to touch his temple, watching her wince as well.)

You alright?

Yeah.

[Enis watches him curiously. Wondering why it is that he's pressing his fingers to his temple. There is something off... but what is it. Her eyes steady on him before she decides to take a chance.]

Think of it as a feed back error.

[As if planned, the waitress comes over with their burgers, stalling Jag's reply.]

[ Jag took a breath to respond, but used it instead to thank the waitress quietly for their food before looking back to her.

The computerized undercurrent of her voice had returned, and louder this time. ]

Like a computer?

You could call it that.

[She replies as she looks down to address her plate. Enis isn't sure when the last time she had eaten was and she's hungrier than she'd let on. She picked up her burger and ate as quickly as she could while still making sure to chew and swallow properly. Eating hadn't been an enjoyable task for her in the past.]

[He was hungry, sure, but she was about to learn why he sometimes just didn't eat. He gets fixated on something he's seen and has to understanding.

For the moment, the burger and fries are going to go untouched while he watches her. She...sort of hinted at something he didn't really understand but had a few vague clues.

Maybe...she'd believe him, too.]

Why you speak, I hear your voice, and I hear a computer at the same time. I...just know things sometimes, but I don't always know what they mean. Most of the time I don't know what they mean.

[Enis stops eating and looks up at him. She grabs her napkin and quickly wipes her fingers clean as she stares at him. Her expression isn't surprised but thoughtful. There is a flash of color in her eyes before she nods her head.]

You're a Minder. You hear a computer because there is a chip that was installed in my head. [She sits back in her seat, wondering why she's telling him this and if he'll believe her. There isn't a point to hide it if he is a Minder. She had no defense against it, only that the data on the chip wouldn't be readable.]

You should be able to focus on specific things and find out what they mean.

[She'd just said a lot of things in quick succession he didn't understand. He'd never heard the word 'Minder'. And yet, thinking of the word made him unable to guarantee he'd never heard it. It sounded familiar, felt familiar, but alien at the same time.

Why did she have a computer chip-No. He was not going to think about it here. She was right, when he focused, sometimes he saw things, but he could never control how much he saw, and he didn't want to pass out in a strange restaurant on an alien planet.

If, of course, they were on an alien planet and he wasn't having a psychotic break.]

I don't want to. Not...not here. I don't know what you're talking about, though. I'm...I'm just Jagger.

[Enis considers him for a moment and realizes something. He really doesn't know. She hates her father, everything he did and everything about him but maybe the stuff in her head might be put to good use.]

I can help you. Tell you what you are. Who you are won't change. You'll always be just Jagger.

[She quietly watches him, letting him decide what he wants. She could be wrong but Enis doesn't think she is.]

Not here but somewhere you feel safe. [Safe-ish.]

Safe? [He shakes his head with a slight smile.] I can't remember the last time I ever really felt safe, you know.

[That was a sad statement...]

I just...maybe...I don't know. I don't even know where we are.

I do.

[Enis considers safe to be a relative term. It simply means somewhere out of eye sight where hopefully no one else can hear. While she's picked up some information about this world, she has no idea how obtrusive their keepers are.]

I don't know where we are either but that won't change who you are and that won't change the fact that you don't know.

[She huffs out a sigh.]

Look, I don't offer to help people often. It's up to you but I actually think I can help. [She glances down at his burger.] Eat first. Think about it.

What, and I should be grateful? [While the words could seem a little scathing, he didn't speak them meanly. He looked down at his burger and nodded.] Yeah. I'm famished.

[And he's not going to be saying anything else until he finishes his burger.]

Only if you want to be. [She doesn't care if he's grateful or not. What he's feeling isn't her concern and she certainly won't fault him for any of his feelings.

Enis feels a little sorry for him, that's the reason why but she can't bring herself to admit it. More than anything in the world Enis can't believe that any part of her is good because when she's completed her mission she plans to end it all.

She waits for him to eat and finishes her own burger as well. She embraces the silence, like it's the norm for her.]

...don't really know what I want.

[After all, he normally spent most of his life just...going with whatever came up and following his instincts. He'd always known, somehow, that he was different, that what was wrong with his head that allowed him to see so many things, wasn't a chance mutation or something like that, but something...more? He'd never actually had any visions about himself, though, so it was tough to say whether it was just a wish or an actual feeling.]

It's...scary, I guess.

[Enis nods her head.]

It is.

[It's easy for her to agree with him. Enis doesn't see fear as a weakness but a motivation. It's something that drives her as much as hate and desire does.]

It's okay to be scared or not know what to do. Like I said, I won't force you.

[He finishes off his burger before responding with a nod.]

I'll think about it, yeah? Maybe sleep on it, too, ya know? Make sure this isn't all some psychotic break, first?

Sure. You can always call.

[She lifts up her phone and wiggles it in the air before placing down enough red bills to cover their burgers.]

Hah, well I'm "Ted", but hopefully you won't mind answering for Genessia itself, too. Welcome! What's your name?

Ah, the troubles of employment. With those sorts of skills, how about the Bright Sky Diner? They're always hiring.

(Luckily, you meet all kinds of weird sorts in London. Jag's not confused at all.)

Jagger. I always guessed my dad was a Stones fan. Nice ta meetcha, Ted.

(That's why he's wearing a Rolling Stones shirt. Jagger is a special snowflake.)

Diner? That sounds promising.

[That's a good trait to have, given the circumstances, especially with Ted: a weirdo's weirdo.]

Likewise! Ah, that means "peddler", correct? Perhaps your occupational talents lie elsewhere, if the diner won't serve. But then they serve unfailingly; their wait staff is very reliable. I've never sworn any oaths with them, but I'd imagine they keep that promise just as faithfully. Are you from Earth or is it just coincidence you have one of our names?

Never really looked into it, mate. (He shrugs. Because he doesn't really care, either.)

You take your table waiting pretty seriously, don'tcha?

(He rolls his shoulders in a shrug.)

...No, I'm definitely from Earth, mate.

[He can never decide if people being uninterested in their names is praiseworthy humility or blameworthy incuriousness. It'd eat at him.]

Ahah, about as seriously as anything else.

[i.e. very little]

Ah, good to meet another earthling! Goodness, but it sounds so alien to say it so. I am too, of course, though your argot speaks of another country. There's a significance to that planet the rest can't quite match, if you'll forgive some mild chauvinism. Well now that your career prospects are a little more settled, is there anything else you require?

Look around, mate. We are aliens.

(But he smiles at that.)

I think I like it, actually. (He shrugs.) Home makes it look more important. Everybody else 'round here'd probably say the same for theirs, yeah?

Aheh, fair enough, but...mm...

[His expression turns thoughtful and a little grim]

If we're the aliens, who on earth are the natives? Certainly not these automata milling around. It seems as though we're on a dead world, or at least one that's no longer living. And if that's the case, what in the world did them in?

[Dark stuff, Ted! But he waves it off and goes back to his usual perky self. Answers won't be forthcoming any time soon, he thinks, so he doesn't find much value in idle brooding.]

Ah, not that I've seen. The patriotism of those not from Earth has been lacking. As though they're happy giving up the particular for the universal. Worrying trend, but then absence of evidence is not absence of evidence. It's worth noting that Earth holidays are celebrated here, but the rest aren't. We're copying from Genessia, Genessia is copying from us, or else we're both derived from a third. Which theory do you favor?

Yeah? That's sort of weird. 'Course, 'patriotism' ain't the same between different countries, either, even on Earth.

[Even on Earth. He never thought he'd ever say that.]

I...I dunno. That's...real weird...

I think so too! I might have an excuse from boasting on account of Earthlings are so many that the planet practically speak for itself. But the rest? What's their reason? I would think one would want to share to some degree; talk a bit about their odd little niche in the cosmos. But you rarely see it; like they're...shy, or something. Too humble to praise. Goodness, how terrible if so!

Ahah, I prefer "flattering." It wouldn't surprise me if Earth turned out to be the most significant and interesting world in all the world...s. Goodness knows events of earthquake importance have happened there.

Maybe people just talk about Earth a lot because there's a lot of other people here to talk about it with.

Maybe...people from other places don't think we'd get it. I dunno. I'm sure other worlds've had similar occurrences.

Suppose we're just idly speculating, eh? Just as well; it's this world we've to contend with anyway.

Other than occupational concerns, are you holding up all right?

Holding up?

[He blinks. That's such a complicated question.]

I...yeah. Yeah, I suppose. This...it's just loud here, is all. I know that doesn't make any sense.

[Small laugh] No, those are all very sensible words. Genessia City is the nexus of the world, and you're right in the middle. The center's center. Although, then again, didn't Buddhists say the most peaceful part of the wheel was the hub?

The Park, at least, is quiet enough, even with the baying beasts. At any rate, I'm glad to hear you're not too disturbed, aural overload notwithstanding. Let me know should you need any further assistance.

That depends on how good you can hear, doesn't it?

[Not that Jag's really explained anything.]

No where's really quiet, Mate, but...thanks for the suggestion.

There are plenty of cafe and diners around most of the cities I've notice. It depends on where you want to live.

[She figured most would live in Genessia.]

Yeah, been seein' that. [He smiles his thanks.] Have you been here long?

No. Just a couple months or so. Some people have been here longer than I have.

[He smiles amicably enough.] That doesn't mean you don't know anything about the place though, does it?

Only what I've read in books or on the television.

Hey, that's somethin', ain't it? [He pauses.] They got telly here? Genessia channel?

They do have television and movies and such. They have a lot. They even have a library I go to often.

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