genessia | [Video: Arrival, OTA] & [Private Message]

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[Video: Arrival, OTA] & [Private Message]

[John almost expected restraints when he woke up; Strange place, strange bed, but there was nothing keeping him there save for the care package on his chest. Had he still been with the CIA he would assume the whole thing was some kind of test. He wasn't though, and this... this was not anything like Harold's style.

For one thing, John couldn't help thinking idly, he would have had a hard time getting him into that....coccoon. For another, nothing about how tired he felt, how out of sorts felt right to him. It screamed 'drugging', but he couldn't figure what or when.

At the thought of Harold, his hands had gone to his phone - no connection, no service. Not an especially good sign.

He skimmed through the paperwork quickly, and was able to at least determine he wasn't in some kind of prison. Not a traditional one, in any case. All the same, he had his gun drawn all the way through to the welcome center and more traditional light of day.

By the time he started the video he had heard what the hologram - and weren't they fancy here with that - had to say while browsing through the brochures, and spent a little time on a bench nearby. People-watching, yes, but also looking through the recent posts on the network. Judging from what he saw introductions were commonplace, mostly video, with some small exceptions.

A simple question, text, caught his eye and the sight of the name listed brought him conflicting emotions. At the very least the fact that Harold was there meant that there as a lot less chance of him managing to get himself into trouble on his own. It also meant, if he could believe everything he had seen, that they were both trapped.

It's in the process of this research that he finds the name listed for him - John Reese. Someone, obviously, was good at their job. It wouldn't do though, 'Reese' wasn't the name on the ID card in his wallet. He changes the display to ' John Rooney' instead, with only a little trouble.]

[The video opens on an unassuming man in a suit. A little older, if the start of gray in his hair is any indication, his gaze a little concerned. Perhaps worried - but that shouldn't be unusual, should it?

Between the fingertip over a portion of the camera, the sun behind him causing glare, and the slightly askew angle it's hard to get a full idea of his face. The camera shakes, just a hair.]

Hi. [There's a smile, small, that almost definitely appears to be from nerves.]

My name is John. Rooney, that is. John Rooney. I have to admit, I just woke up here and I'm a little out of my depths.

I did - [John seems to rush to add.] read through everything. It just...sounds like some kind of a joke.

[He shakes his head, like part of him knows it isn't but he isn't in any rush to accept that.]

Sorry if I'm bothering anyone. I saw a lot of other people doing things like this and, well... I think I could use someone to talk to.

[John turned the camera off while he waited for a reply, expression turning more controlled as he set up a private message. His hands weren't shaking any more.]

[Private Message to: Harold Wren]
You okay?

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Sadly, it's not a joke and you aren't a bother unless you're going to constantly ask if you are a bother because that's generally an annoying trait.

[Enis probably isn't the best person to talk to but she's bored and decides to reply.]

You're not related to Micky Rooney are you?

[With the camera back on, and his camerawork still terrible, he gives an nervous little laugh. His voice is low, smooth for all his apparent awkwardness.]

Don't worry, that shouldn't be a problem. Not quite used to the idea of sending a video call to a whole city of people I don't know. I thought this seemed kind of elaborate for a joke. Was sort of hoping for it to all be some kind of...alternate reality game. Or really overzealous advertising.

[The phone seems to slip for a moment before he rights it.] I don't think so.

Sadly no. Though I'm sure there are alternate reality games here. [Somewhere] This world calls people from all over the place.

[Enis isn't particularly happy about it but logically, she realizes that she's stuck and she needs to make the best of it.]

Do you know who Mickey Rooney is? [She's just checking.]

I don't play. Just...seemed preferable to the alternative. Where are you from? [the question is innocent, John giving off the impression he's just looking for something to maybe help distract from the situation.] You look young.

Of course I do. He's an actor. [He sounds just a hair defensive.] I'm not that scrambled up.

If you're asking for my bio I'm going to request yours in return. To start I'm 28. [She's going to look young for the rest of her life; however long that's going to be.]

Where I'm from is a hard question. I'm from Earth which is actually a valid answer in this place because some people aren't. I was born in Illinois. [Though she wouldn't say that she's from Illinois.]

Good. Just making sure. Time can be a little strange here. [She at least knows that this guy has knowledge of the 1930's.]

I'm from Earth too. The big apple. [Where he came from prior to this, if not where he was actually from. There wasn't a need to elaborate that right now.]

I think I saw something about that... That, and other worlds... [He lets out a sigh.] It sounds like kind of a mess. I knew I should have memorized some lottery numbers.

[A small smile touches Enis's lips.]

There are easier ways to make money. [Taxes on lottery winnings were killer.] I've been to New York. It's a nice city though a little crowded. [Enis has traveled to a lot of different places.]

So, tell me more about you?

[While they both learned where the other is from, John knows Enis's age so in her mind he has one more piece of information that she doesn't. So it's his turn.]

[He hadn't lost hope; Given John's propensity for finding him, while the idea had crossed his mind, he had never thought that John wouldn't inevitably arrive here as well. Still, he wasn't exactly expecting the wave of relief when he received the notification on his communicator, and it takes him a moment to respond.

[When he does, he goes to video - something he has yet to do here - evidently from some kind of library, if the shelves behind him are any indication. He takes a deep breath, but when he speaks he is smiling, still slightly shocked.]

Mister Reese. [There is an infinite amount of fondness in those two words.] I'm- I'm fine. I didn't arrive very long ago, but there.. doesn't seem to be much danger here, at least not yet. How are you?

[He allows a slight pause, perhaps debating what to say.]

While the circumstances are- are far from ideal, I must say I'm very happy to see you, John.

I just always thought it would be fun. [While his hands are maybe a little more still, the picture itself is still partially obscured.] I don't mind crowds, sometimes.

[There's a shift of the camera, and a glimpse of a smile though he seems at something of a loss.]

I don't know what to say. I like coffee. Been working in Assets, I guess. I like bird-watching...?

[John hadn't quite expected video back, but he smiles back, when he sees it, flooded with relief of his own. Confirmation was good, especially confirmation that all was well with him. It's easy enough to adjust the phone, bring his own face into a clearer view and block out the glare.]

Finch. [The greeting is anything but simple.] I'm glad I didn't miss you by much. I really don't like this place, but I'm fine.

[His shrug is easy, his shoulders a little more squared. There's another tug though, at the corner of his mouth as he takes in the other man's surroundings instead of just him.]

I see you already found another library.

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan, either.

[Harold smiles faintly at the commentary, glancing away as if to confirm his own location. He's still adjusting to all of this, but the fact that John is here... helps. It helps a great deal.]

Just the public library, I'm afraid. Nothing as.. unique as we're used to. If you'd like to come, I- I do have accommodations arranged that are less public than the room you've been given.

[John supposed he should probably be more surprised at that, but really it just makes him fond. Of course Harold had other accommodations already, despite mentioning that it hadn't been long.

That sounds nice. Should I drop this key they gave me off on my way over? [There was a hint of amusement in his voice, for all that he was being serious.]

[Harold considers for a moment.]

That may be a good idea. I don't believe we'll be needing it. If you can meet me here, at the library, I can show you the apartment I've found. [There's a slight, sardonic smile here, and,] You should like it. It's on the first floor. [Incidentally, he had selected it for its easy access for him, but the fact that there would be no chance of John ever having to make a "stay trapped or break his legs" decision was a plus.]

New York doesn't strike me as a sometimes sort of city. [Her eyebrows rose while vibrant blue eyes watch the screen with growing interest.]

Coffee, bird-watching and assets. [She repeats the list back at him, trying her best not to smile. That is a rather interesting collection of interests and skills.]

I like coffee too but I've never watched birds. Before I was here I did freelance work. I found people.

[John's eyes stray from the camera as he gets the map he had been provided out with a free hand, making sure of the way to go. It's with a surprised little smile that he looks back to his phone.]

Finch, you shouldn't have. [He sounds almost touched - though a little of it is likely teasing.] I'll give it a look when we're there. Found you though, as long as there's just the one library. Shouldn't take me long to finish my errand and get there. Think you can entertain yourself til then?

[Harold shrugs off the teasing, though not exactly literally, but he smiles.]

Yes, I believe I can keep myself busy until you get here. I'll be here when you arrive, Mr. Reese.

[Someone who didn't know him very well could accuse his tone of being perfunctory, professional, but there's an underlying feeling that would be identifiable to those who know him - like John. Fondness, perhaps a touch of humor, and that lingering relief.]

I don't know many people who like something all the time. [There's a quirk of the corner of his mouth.] My apartment tends to be less crowded.

Just the first things I could think of, on the spot like that.

Really? [His eyes widen a little in interest, but there's a flash of amusement in them.] Like a private eye? Or more like a bounty hunter?

See you soon.

[The video turns off, though not before John gives another smile at the camera. All things considered he felt a lot more grounded after that conversation. It takes him a while to get to the library, between stopping to turn in his room key and another pit stop on the way.

He has a hint of a nervous affect on when he enters the library at last, as well as a cup of tea in each hand that he manages to slip in without too much complaint. His posture grows surer once he reaches Harold though, and his expression is just a little smug as he hands forward the paper cup.

[Harold is only half-working during the time it takes for John to arrive; He finds himself distracted by thoughts of arrangements he ought to make, what he might have to do in order to make things.. at least somewhat comfortable here for both of them, given the indefinite nature of their confinement here, among other things. The books are being actively neglected when John arrives.

[Harold looks up when he feels that someone is nearby, and smiles when he sees who it is, taking the paper cup of tea with a small nod.]

Mr. Reese. Thank you very much.

[If he's surprised, he's trying to conceal that - not very well, to be honest. Somehow, the idea of John showing up with tea like it's a normal morning of their work together was not something he could have seen coming.]

Thought you could use a drink.

[He shrugs lightly, leaning back against the table as opposed to pulling up a seat of his own while he takes a drink. The more normal they treated this, the more normal it would be.]

We're going to have to do something about the earpieces. Think you can make it play nice with our shiny new phones? [He was more than used to Harold's voice in his ear nigh on constantly now, he wanted to add it to whatever list he was sure the other man already had of things to do.] Better yet, think there's any way to do things...off the network?

[Enis's tries not to smile but it doesn't work.] I'm sure it is.

[Music is always a good default interest and something that most people would agree with. She's just thankful that he hadn't returned the question because Enis isn't sure what her own hobbies are.]

A little of both. Missing persons sometimes or those who evade arrest. [That's her legal job anyway and her licencees get her where she needs to go.]

[John does his best to keep a straight face - and he's not terrible at it. Considering his job consisted of finding people, and then either saving or stopping them... He would keep this conversation in mind and make sure to check with anyone else he talked to what they used to do. Patterns could be interesting sometimes.]

Sounds dangerous. Going after people who don't want to be found. You ever end up in trouble?

[Enis rolls her shoulders in a shrug. She's not a particularly daunting person but she often has the element of surprise on her side.]

Sometimes. I'm still in one piece.

[One day she doesn't plan to come out of a situation intact and Enis is surprisingly comfortable with that knowledge. As long as she can finish the work she's set out to do.]

That's good. You seem nice. [That's true enough, really, for all the words are little empty.]

Can you carry a gun? I mean... if you chase down people that are wanted by the police. They'd probably have weapons, right? [It's information gathering, plain and simple, wearing a mask that screamed curiosity and a little macabre fascination with the idea.]

Looks can be deceiving John. [It's hard to tell if she's talking about herself or him. Enis very rarely volunteers information to people and when she does she's sometimes lying.]

Do you know how hard it is to get a concealed permit for a gun? [She's asking because she's curious. Despite carrying a gun, Enis has always done so illegally. She doesn't have much of a legal foot print and most of what she has is a collection of fake names.]

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[Video: Arrival, OTA] & [Private Message]

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