001 | VIDEO

[amygdalae]

[Soooooo.

Bruce isn't exactly sure where he is, but its pretty clear he isn't in Kansas New York anymore. Or even America, for that matter. Possibly Earth too, considering his attempts to get information.]

Um.

[Should he be using this thing? Its kind of... yeah. Suspicious. Its not everyday you fall asleep to wake up somewhere else with a strange device on you. (Well okay, the first part is something that’s happened while the second... actually, nevermind that.)

At least the place is... interesting. For a lack of a better word.]

If there’s anybody out there watching this - I would appreciate it if I could have an explanation about--all of this. [Gesturing to his surroundings in question for emphasis, which is a nice shot of one of the districts for a few moments before its broken by the aborable sounds of a Meow Wow as it starts to jump up and down, taking the screen each time.]

[...yeah so after a bit Bruce angles the device back at him, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.] I did try asking, but I don’t think a couple of ‘kupos’ and a cat-thing following after me is exactly the answer I’m looking for.

[Attempts to put on a smile here. Just... help him out here, please? He would appreciate it, really.]

Comments

[amygdalae]

I'm sure I'll see you around, then, Mister...?

[Bruce just realized he hasn't quite gotten your name yet.]

[amygdalae]

Just Bruce is fine. [Smiles.] I'm sure we'll be seeing each other a lot, especially when we're all stuck around here.

[video]

[the_mechanic]

[Oh, Bruce. This is why he keeps you around, but he'll never say so. Ever.]

Hah! I'll add it to the list. [Of necessary cultural activities he will someday subject you to. Sorry.]

[Tony's eyes narrow again, still assessing. He easily picked up on the fact that just about everyone seems to have come from a different time, even the few that knew each other in the waking world. Judging by the confusion on Bruce's face, and the underlying awkwardness of the conversation thus far... Bruce is clearly behind him a few paces. Huh. This could be good, or this could be a disaster.]

No, I'm guessing we aren't. What's the last thing you remember?

[video]

[amygdalae]

[Just don't force him into a club or something, Tony. If there are clubs here. Bruce is so not sure what this town holds besides the stuff told to him.

He stares back at Tony, trying to figure out himself what is going on. Clearly there is something going on with him, but Bruce can't really tell. He can see however that there's a difference between this Tony and the one he just met less than 72 hours back; he just doesn't know what it is. Unsurprising, of course, but also worrying at the same time.]

You were, um, driving? We all split up after Thor took Loki and the Tessract back to Asgard. I was in the passenger seat.

[And promptly dozed off... yep.]

[seasaltkeys]

[Roxas will do his best.]

It's like, everyone has the same dream except not. They're all different, but they have the same theme. And it's bad...sometimes.

[shadearchivist]

Ienzo. It's good to meet you, Mr. Banner.

[video]

[the_mechanic]

[Tony's not actually suicidal, regardless of how reckless he seems, so, no, dragging Bruce somewhere loud and confined and flashy is not even on the list. At the moment.

Tony stares back, not challenging in any way, just waiting. He realizes he's going to have to get to know his friend all over again. And that's hard at the best of times, frankly. And he is definitely not at his best.

Really, Bruce? Really? Is is the soothing sound of his voice, or what, because this seems to be an ongoing thing, with you.

Tony blinks a few times, then laughs.]

Well, that explains it.

[He stands there another moment in silence, just for effect.]

I'm from the future.

...God, I've always wanted to say that.

But no, really, I'm a few months ahead of you.

[amygdalae]

[Simliar dreams... right. He will take note of this.]

Bad as in how? If you don't mind explaining.

[amygdalae]

Likewise, Mister Ienzo. As I said, I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again soon.

[video]

[amygdalae]

[Hey he was tired okay, it had been a while since he had to change into the other guy. Or even for as long as he had in New York. The other guy takes a lot out of him and he doesn't even like it.

Bruce blinks at the laugh, caught off guard by it, and remains confused up until Tony says the magical words.]

You're... what?

[Okay Tony, now you have definitely lost him.]

[colorbymemory]

[Namine returns the smile. It's true, most of the others are hard to miss.]

Yes, I'll see you later. I work at the tea shop, so we might meet there.

[video]

[the_mechanic]

[Not to mention twice in one day, yeah, okay, you have a good excuse, this time. He let it go, anyway.

He's grinning because he just can't help it.]

I'm from the future. Your future, anyway. But I've only got you beat by a few months, sounds like.

[He really does just expect that to make sense, but he watches Bruce's face for a bit, and regardless, decides to explain.]

The other people here right now? A lot of them know each other, but some are from different points in time, so I knew it was possible. Wherever we are, however we're trapped here, it seems to be able to pull people from different points in time.

[video]

[amygdalae]

[No, Tony, no, you are really not making sense. Bruce just kind of stares a bit, hoping Tony will actually explain himself properly - which he does, fortunately, so that's good.]

Spacial as well as temporal displacement. [Says with a blink as he slowly - very slowly - takes it in. As if Loki and the Chituari weren't bad enough.] People are also saying this is some sort of - dream world?

[Yeah, he's still trying to take this all in properly. It's been a crazy last few days. Not that Tony wants to remember those (and not that Bruce knows that either).]

[amygdalae]

[Tea. Tea sounds very good, and Bruce nods.]

I'm sure we will.

[letteropener]

[Hero openly preens at the compliment.]

They typically will not harass you in the most open and friendly areas; they prefer allies and darker places. They are easy enough to find if you search for them, but I cannot recommend lowering your guard entirely.

[video]

[whoseesbynight]

Of course there could.

[video]

[the_mechanic]

[Tony grins. He knew you'd catch on, you're kind of brilliant yourself, doc.]

Exactly. The abounding theory is that we are all asleep, no way to Wake Up via the usual tricks. Some people have, though, and have come back from varying timestamps again. One woman was gone for a few days here... but apparently lived out at least a year back home. Some other kid just came back after being gone a few months here, but was home, awake, for maybe a day.

It'd be really freaking cool if I wasn't trapped here, myself. The possible applications of it all...

[It's all so Matrix-y it's a little maddening, but at the same time, fascinating. He just wishes he knew more, but there haven't been many opportunities to find out.

And no, he is actively attempting to forget your last few days, Banner. Which is why he can't seem to escape them at all.]

[seasaltkeys]

You just wind up remembering things...you don't really want to remember.

[amygdalae]

[Nodding at the advice.]

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you.

[amygdalae]

[Ah. Hm.

Looking kind of apologetic now.]

Sorry that you had to remember that.

[video]

[amygdalae]

Maybe the displacement affects the way time works. If this is indeed a dream world, it is logical to say that time works - well, differently in that regard. A day might just be a minute, maybe. The quantum mechanics are something worth looking to, if we can get the data.

[Look at him, already science-ing it all up. He does pause after that though, considering and thinking as something comes to him.]

Although that is all theoretical, I suppose. Worlds on another plane are very different from portals.

[video]

[amygdalae]

You seem to be rather settled down yourself.

[seasaltkeys]

It's alright. I've been dealing with it.

Sorry. It's not exactly good news.

[letteropener]

You're quite welcome. [She spreads her wings slightly and inclines her head in acknowledgment.] If you wish any aid in your first fights, to practice working with your Spirit, I will be happy to help, as will several others here.

[amygdalae]

It's not as bad as suddenly finding yourself in a new world, so don't worry.