Awareness is slow in coming. Maybe it's the seagulls that first rouse you. Maybe it's the sound of the waves. Maybe it's the gentle lap of warm salt water at your feet and ankles
( Read more... )
[Jack is staring rather blankly at the very queer instrument in his hand. Autumn had patiently explained the thing to him, but as much as he thought he understood, he's still very confused.]
Blast it.
[He looks around, squinting through the fog, trying to see any form of human - English - life. There is no one. Swearing, he fumbles with the - what was it called? - Cycle.
Like a letter, she said. Just press the thing and talk like you would in a letter.
[He presses Voice and hopes for the best. The Cycle crackles, and he clears his throat.]
Ahem. Eh...To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jack Aubrey, and I am the captain of the HMS Surprise. As I am a fellow stranded traveler, I eagerly await your response so that we might begin planning our survival and coexistence. Your response is eagerly awaited. Eagerly. Sincerely, Captain Aubrey.
[Aubrey jumps nearly a foot in the air when the Cycle crackles again and speaks to him in a female voice. He has to collect his breath for a moment, but then he grabs the object from the sandy grass and presses the Voice button again, mind reeling.]
Hello? Hello? I demand to know what in blazes a - a Voice Mail is. Ma'am.
[He breathes deeply.]
My apologies, Miss Sparrow. Eh, indeed, I am one of the travelers. Am I to expect the same of yourself?
[ There's a small snort at the misquotation of the Bible before she speaks again. ]
I've no idea how to figure out my coordinates, though I am walking along the shoreline. And I suppose 'suitably outfitted' depends on your definition of the term.
Heeled boots, you say? [He pauses, remembering a certain painful incident.] That will do nicely.
I am currently setting course for a large stand of trees. I believe I have made contact with another - what in blazes do we call ourselves? - Traveler. Can you see it?
Blast it.
[He looks around, squinting through the fog, trying to see any form of human - English - life. There is no one. Swearing, he fumbles with the - what was it called? - Cycle.
Like a letter, she said. Just press the thing and talk like you would in a letter.
[He presses Voice and hopes for the best. The Cycle crackles, and he clears his throat.]
Ahem. Eh...To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jack Aubrey, and I am the captain of the HMS Surprise. As I am a fellow stranded traveler, I eagerly await your response so that we might begin planning our survival and coexistence. Your response is eagerly awaited. Eagerly. Sincerely, Captain Aubrey.
Reply
[ There's a small sigh and the Londoner begins again. ]
I'm Sally Sparrow, Mr. Aubrey. I'm guessing you're one of the others the woman talked about? Travelers, I think she called us.
Reply
Hello? Hello? I demand to know what in blazes a - a Voice Mail is. Ma'am.
[He breathes deeply.]
My apologies, Miss Sparrow. Eh, indeed, I am one of the travelers. Am I to expect the same of yourself?
Reply
[ There's a bit of muttering that's unclear, but Sally doesn't sound happy. ]
Yes, I think it's safe to assume I'm a Traveler as well. This certainly isn't London.
Reply
Bah. England is present wherever two of her people are gathered in her name. ...Or something like that.
[A sigh.]
What are your coordinates? Are you suitably outfitted?
Reply
I've no idea how to figure out my coordinates, though I am walking along the shoreline. And I suppose 'suitably outfitted' depends on your definition of the term.
Reply
[He squints at the sky.]
Do you know if you are headed east or west?
Reply
Ah... west, I believe. There's a large rock a ways from the shore I'm going to sit on, if that helps any.
Reply
I am currently setting course for a large stand of trees. I believe I have made contact with another - what in blazes do we call ourselves? - Traveler. Can you see it?
Reply
Yeah, I think I see them.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment