[video]

[hairdu]

Hello? Is there anyone there?

[A young teenager comes into frame, fairly average looking except for the funny ears and abundance of frizzy blond hair.]

This is Radu, of the Starship Christa. Starcademy Cadet A3201. At least, I, uh, think that's it. It's kinda been awhile. And if they haven't, you know, kicked us out since we've been missing.

[WAIT. Professionalism. Okay, he can do this.]

Requesting, uh, location coordinates. And the name of the planet I'm on, actually. I don't exactly know where I am. Uh... repeat, I require coordinates.

Thank you.

Comments

[hairdu]

Sounds kinda like where I just was, actually.

[And not like 'home' means much to him, anyway. But he would rather not be stuck here on his own.]

[just_displaced]

Oh, good, then you'll get used to it in no time. And maybe some of your friends will show up. That happens sometimes, I guess. If you get lucky.

[hairdu]

I can be pretty adaptable, I guess.

I, uh, don't think I got your name.

[just_displaced]

Right. I'm Ginsberg. I'd say welcome, but... well, welcome anyway, why the hell not?

[hairdu]

Thanks. It kinda makes a difference to feel welcome, anyway. Better than the alternative, huh?

[just_displaced]

Well, yeah, I mean, I guess I could be chasing you off, or something, and that'd make it even worse. Anyway, get settled in, go check out the Welcome Center, get some free food from them -- I think kids get free stuff anyway, probably, so that shouldn't exactly be hard.

[hairdu]

[Hey, he's not a kid. He can fly a spaceship and everything!]

If just... y'know... by chance, someone I do know ended up here, too. How am I supposed to find them?

[just_displaced]

Ask people at the Welcome Center, they usually keep track of that kind of thing. Or ask on the network? Or stand in the middle of the City and yell their name repeatedly?

[hairdu]

I'll check it out, thanks.

[It's disorienting, being thrown into a completely (for lack of a better word) alien environment. He can't locate the usual constellations around him and it takes longer than usual to place himself in surroundings. But he does eventually, and figures out the direction of this welcome centre well enough. In some ways, it's a lot easier now. As far as he can tell, the universe just shrank into the size of one city. It's a strange feeling, to say the least.]