Double first entrance

[he_believes]

When the door next opens it doesn't swing, it slides. The space on the other side is the confining box of an elevator, holding a pair of nonplussed FBI agents

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

There's a dark-haired girl in a corner booth, wearing a black tank top and track pants.

When she stands up, moving to approach them, the badge on her belt is visible.

She does not make much sound when she walks.

"You are not lost," she offers, once she's close enough for comfortable speech.

As far as beginnings go -- it might not be the worst one possible.

[she_questions]

Badge noted, Scully relaxes somewhat, still taking in the surroundings.

"Special Agent Dana Scully, Federal Bureau of Investigation. This is my partner, Special Agent Fox Mulder. Mulder. Mulder."

She tugs on his sleeve.

[he_believes]

"Hm?" Mulder snaps back from staring around the room. "Sorry--" He pulls his own badge from his jacket's inside pocket, then nods to the young woman. "What can you tell us about this place? How did we come to be here?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X registers the badges, but does not lean forward to study them.

She does not have to.

"I do not know if it is magic or teleportation."

She offers a one-shouldered shrug, quick and easy.

"I do not know if anyone else knows, either."

Beat.

"This is Milliways. I am X-23."

This pause is half as long.

"Hello."

[she_questions]

"Hello," Scully deadpans back, putting her badge away.

"Teleportation."

"Milliways."

"X-23," Scully says, lifting an eyebrow at Mulder.

[he_believes]

"Teleportation," he echoes back, making mental notes.

To X: "Can we speak to the person in charge, here?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"There is a barman. Two. Mike and Sallie."

She flicks a look toward the bar herself, then toward the door to the staff quarters.

Then she looks back at the FBI agents.

"But I do not see them. Now."

Beat.

"No one sees the Landlord. I do not know if he is real."

Or a he.

"It is relevant?"

[she_questions]

"Teleportation," she says again, and it's almost a dry laugh.

"Mulder, I think this officer will do for now. Can you tell us how this place came to be in the elevator shaft of the Hoover Building?"

She's baffling at the words even as they come out of her mouth.

[he_believes]

Mulder listens for the answer, even as he stares across the room. (Someone has just ordered a drink, which has spontaneously appeared. Scully has, of course, missed this.)

[cutting_edgex23]

X follows Mulder's gaze.

Then --

"That is Bar. She is sentient. And magic."

She turns back to Scully.

"I do not know why the door appears. Or why it stops."

Beat.

"But I can find it. When I look. At home. It is useful."

[she_questions]

"I would think it would be, yes," Scully says, keeping her tone carefully neutral.

"Did you say -- magic?"

She'll get to sentient in a moment.

[he_believes]

Meanwhile Mulder, who has spent far more time studying the details of such things (instead of doing things like making friends or seeing daylight), follows up with, "What kind of magic?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I do not know," X says.

She shrugs again.

"I am not good at magic."

This is only the truth.

"But other people are. Here."

[she_questions]

Scully is to the point where she has to focus on one thing at a time, and X seems to be the most likely subject.

She can't be older than twenty. And her vocal patterns are a bit disconcerting. Almost mechanical.

"And you're private security for Milliways? Or are you off duty from somewhere else?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am on Security here. And upstairs I am in charge. In the nightclub."

And brothel.

"At home I am an X-man."

Beat.

"Off-duty is not relevant."

[she_questions]

"An -- X-man."

She's not going to laugh. Really, she's not.