[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

[snowblindmods]

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Comments

[nursetemple]

Sounds like every day, back home.

[The only times when she could relax were late nights, when no Matt and no Russians were around, a blanket around her legs, a glass of scotch in her hand and shitty terrible tv was on. Quiet, soothing.]

I'd give much for a knitted blanket and a glass of Lagavulin, right now.

[devoutish]

You don't want alcohol in this cold. The blanket, though, you might find that.

I'd wager this place is nothing like your home. It's likely much worse, but it's at least very different.

[nursetemple]

One glass is not going to hurt me. Also, just wishful thinking. I'm a pretty responsible person. [She smiles, and it seems to echo in her voice, warmer at the end of her words. She knows herself, she knows what cold does to people. She's not planning on actually killing herself through dehydration and hypothermia.]

So far, it's definitely worse. I get the crime back home, but it's still a community, my community. Where are you from, in England? Must be pretty different for you, too.

[devoutish]

London. Nineteen-twenty. Very different, yes.

You may find your Lagavulin yet. We've found gin; wine.

[nursetemple]

[Wow. Well. That's different, indeed. She has to wonder what he thinks of a woman in a job like hers. A mixed raced woman, at that.

She doesn't ask.]

You're doing perfectly fine with the technology provided, that's impressive. I guess you've been here for long enough?

I doubt I'll find fine Scotch anywhere here, but I'll keep an eye out. It can always be used as disinfectant anyway.

[devoutish]

Mm.

[That's an approving mm. He likes resourcefulness.]

I've been here for-- oh, fifty-odd days. Our longest residents are pushing six months.

[nursetemple]

Yes, I've been talking with some of the people that have been here longer. I feel for them.

[Especially since both Al and Steph are children. At least, he sounds like one; she's probably in her late teens, but still too young to be here.]

[devoutish]

Many more have died, and not come back.

[nursetemple]

[If she was anyone else, she'd spit and curse.]

So many are so young.

[devoutish]

Ten, eleven, twelve. Yeah.

[He's not happy about it, either.]

Plenty looking after 'em, though.

[nursetemple]

Alright, that's good to know.

[The idea of kids wandering alone is just unpleasant.]

[devoutish]

Yeah. Even I'm not gonna touch the kids, don't you worry.

[nursetemple]

[She didn't expect that.]

But the adults are fair game?

[devoutish]

That depends on the adult, doesn't it.

[nursetemple]

I imagine it does.

[She doesn't like it, but it's not like it's anything new to Claire.]

You got many enemies around here, Mr Solomons?

[devoutish]

Enemy. Enemy is a strong word, innit. I've got enemies at home.

All teasing aside, Ms. Temple, my business isn't here. I'm not starting a criminal empire under everyone's noses.

[nursetemple]

Fair enough. It's a good thing too, if we're to find a way home, right?

[She's not a fool, though. People coming from all sorts of places, all sorts of times. Personalities will clash.]

There must be people with less of a cool head than yours around. Like those on the guide.

[private]

[devoutish]

People like the Joker.

[Alfie has compulsively privated conversations less and less as time has gone on, but this one gets locked down now.]

[private]

[nursetemple]

I saw his name, yes. Also, Mr Beckett, although I'm talking to him and he seems to be of sound mind at this moment.

I can't imagine a situation like the one we're in without interpersonal drama - it's bound to happen. But the Joker...

[She hesitates.]

I looked around the network. I saw your post, and some others. He's insane, isn't he? Clinically so.

[Hesitates some more.]

I'm sorry about your friend.

[private]

[devoutish]

[Alfie isn't totally sure what "clinically insane" entails in the twenty-first century, but whatever it is, the Joker probably qualifies.]

The man does not have a cool head.

[private]

[nursetemple]

Yeah, what I've seen hasn't given me this impression. Not the kind that can be reasoned with, and takes pleasure in inflicting pain. Unpleasant.

[She makes a face.]

I'll do my best to stay away from him.

[private]

[devoutish]

And if you do see him, you'll pass along this information, yeah?

[private]

[nursetemple]

I can.

[She has no horse in this race. And if he's being followed/monitored by someone, or several people, there is less risk of murders.]

If you are injured, will you let me know? Just so I can help.

[private]

[devoutish]

If I were you, I'd focus on gathering supplies for your practice first.

[private]

[nursetemple]

You're not me. I can multitask.