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[want_a_vacation]

*There's a fifteen year old boy wandering the streets of Mayfield this afternoon, looking rather thoroughly lost. He's doing one of two things

Comments

B

[ergaleomancer]

[Theta gives him a very apologetic smile.]

This is Mayfield, you've been taken away from your home and none of us can leave. I don't know about the Ridgeley estate, but I do know a man here named Allen Ridgeley, do you want me to take you to him?

[Theta doesn't even recognise him.]

Re: B

[want_a_vacation]

I'm Allen Ridgeley. How do you-look, whatever you heard from my father, he's exaggerating. I'm not clueless.

Re: B

[ergaleomancer]

..........Oh.

I know you're not clueless, Allen, in fact I know you're very smart. I just...didn't recognise you. Will you listen to me while I tell you something you'll no doubt think is crazy?

Re: B

[want_a_vacation]

Tell that to my family. Crazier than ending up in a weird town when I should be at the edge of a city?

[ergaleomancer]

[She chuckles softly.]

And back in time, and to a point in time where an older you has been taken, as well. So I know you...as a gentleman a bit older than I am. And this is the past relative to where you came from. And there are people from alternate dimensions here. And...other things, I don't want to overwhelm you. Would you like to come have a cup of tea?

[want_a_vacation]

*He edges away a little bit.* You're right, that is crazy. Even Vector doesn't have the technology to do that kind of thing...or if they have, it hasn't been announced to the public.

[ergaleomancer]

Yes, well, welcome to Mayfield, and the people here -do- have the technology to do that. I can tell you more about how this place works...I'm fairly certain you'll be returned to your regular time in about a day, as if you'd never been missing.

That's what happened to me; it seems to be going around.

[want_a_vacation]

How do I know you're not just making this up?

[ergaleomancer]

[Theta pats around herself, eventually putting her hand on the back of her head. A clockwork cockroach scurries onto her hand and along her arm. She holds it out towards him.]

There's no such thing as clockworks in your world, I believe...?

[want_a_vacation]

I've never heard of a machine that works entirely by clockwork... *He seems a bit doubtful, but is obviously interested in the clockwork.*

[ergaleomancer]

Roachi, go on, then. [It seems to get the hint that Allen is to look at it, and so flies over and lands on Allen's shoulder.]

Have a look at him, tell me if you see anything other than clockwork. [And hurt him and die, but she leaves that unsaid.]

[want_a_vacation]

*He reaches his hand over palm up, in front of Roachi, hoping that it will climb onto his hand so he can get a better look at it.* You're saying it doesn't have any wiring or computer components?

[ergaleomancer]

[Roachi climbs onto his hand, content, apparently, to chill out there.]

Well, I had to use wire for his antennae. See how small they are? But no, not what you're talking about. It's all clockwork.

[want_a_vacation]

*He looks it over carefully, but doesn't dare touch anything that looks delicate. He doesn't have the mechanical experience of his older self.* How does it move on its own, then?

[ergaleomancer]

By clockwork. [Roachi spreads his wings so Allen can get a look at his back.]

[want_a_vacation]

Where does the processing power come from?