011 :: Video

[hulkbusted]

[The video feed opens to the network after Bruce has already situated the camera to his satisfaction. His lab is as brightly lit and gleaming as one might expect. What one might not expect is the Christmas display in the center of the camera's optical field.

It's a tree built of various glassware and equipment from his lab, colored water (yes, just water) providing the festive component in the clear glassware.]

We did this when I was an undergrad. Don't ask how long ago that was. As long as you're just using nontoxic colors and water, it's pretty eco friendly.

I guess I wanted to put my own spin on things. I know the City's been treating us to every-other-day 12 Days of Christmas-themed treats, but it's been a while since I was settled enough to do something myself.

So happy holidays. I hope that those of us who want to go home, find our way home soon, and for those of you who are happy here, I hope the curses are more kind than cruel.

Comments

[horseish]

I've never seen a tree like this one before.

[hulkbusted]

I was hoping people would say that. Scientists enjoy the holidays too.

[horseish]

Are you a scientist?

[hulkbusted]

Yeah, most of the time these days. I don't think I've seen you around before. My name is Bruce.

[horseish]

So what are you the times when you're not a scientist?

No. I only came here yesterday. I'm Bobby.

[hulkbusted]

A janitor or a doctor or whatever I need to be.

Hey, Bobby. Has anyone helped get you a place to stay, explained what's going on, that kind of stuff?

[horseish]

That makes sense. I'm not the same all the time either.

A girl gave me a coat. It wasn't snowing in California where I was.

[hulkbusted]

Most of us aren't the same all the time, it's just not always obvious.

That's it? You don't have anywhere to stay?

[horseish]

I didn't want to go inside. I don't like the buildings here.

[hulkbusted]

You're going to need somewhere to stay; it's too cold to just hang out. What is it about the buildings that you don't like?

[horseish]

They don't look right. And everything is very tall. Even Los Angeles didn't have buildings this tall. I want to be in the camp ground again.

[hulkbusted]

I'm sorry, but you'll be here for a while at least. After that, you can go back to where you came from.

Do you think you can try to towers for a little while? You must want to get warm.

Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Well, that's certainly something different.

[horseish]

But I left Rosie behind. I'm supposed to take her with me everywhere now.

I was warm last night. I pretended I was groundhog.

Video

[hulkbusted]

I wanted something a little out of the ordinary. You like it?

[hulkbusted]

You left Rosie behind in California?

That's not going to work every night. You need somewhere safe to stay.

Re: Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

It's charming. I assume you're a scientist?

[horseish]

I didn't mean to leave her. I promised her I wouldn't.

Which places are safe places to stay?

Video

[hulkbusted]

I am. Physics is my true love, but I see chemistry on the side when physics isn't looking.

Re: Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He smiles.]

I see. I've always been interested in physics, but I've never had the opportunity to fully explore the field.

[hulkbusted]

It isn't your fault. None of us signed on to be here, and she'll be there when you get back, like no time has passed at all.

The apartment buildings are. There are some other places to stay and the City doesn't charge minors for rent. I was just helping another kid get settled and get his City allowance set up. I mostly know how this works now.

[horseish]

Is it a kind of magic? Like making time stand still?

Is it like a hotel? We used to stay at a lot of hotels but I didn't like them.

video;

[asofwar]

That seems...creative.

[hexuality]

Are those potions?

[She knows they aren't. But still.]

[hulkbusted]

[It's quantum.]

Kind of. There's probably math behind it, but I don't know the math.

You know, I've never looked into whether the City has hotels. There's not much point since people don't come and go the way they do in regular places.