001; Audio

[nmnc]

[The audio cuts on, and there’s a bit of muttering in the background; not loud enough to be picked out, but it’s a few seconds before Duke begins talking, sounding stressed and clearly Unhappy.]

I am ninety nine percent sure that I did not drink nearly enough last night to deserve waking up in a dark room--being jabbed, with who knows what!--and

Comments

[notbuiltforthis]

Video

Have you gotten directions yet?

[nmnc]

I appear to have gone above and beyond mere directions, and acquired a tour guide.

[notbuiltforthis]

That's probably for the best, considering the state of the city. You may not be glad to be here, but at least you didn't arrive last week.

[nmnc]

Is there ever a good time to be abducted, really? I think it's pretty much awful, giant snake monsters or not.

[notbuiltforthis]

Better to have some time to gain your bearings than to be immediately fighting for your life.

[nmnc]

Yeah, I guess you're right. ...Does that sort of thing happen often around here, though? Might as well get used to the idea, if it does.

[notbuiltforthis]

We'd been here for several months without any widespread violence.

[Pepper definitely hopes that violence doesn't become the norm.]

Welcome to the city. My name is Pepper Potts.

[nmnc]

A little optimism wouldn't be ridiculous, then! Good to know.

[That's no small relief; if Duke still wanted to deal with violence, she wouldn't have left the Army.]

Thanks, unwilling as I am to be here. I'm Duke.

[notbuiltforthis]

It seems best to keep your hopes up here. [Even if it sucks.]

Hello, Duke.

[nmnc]

Pleasure to meet you, Pepper.

So you've been here for a little while? Also against your will, I'm guessing...?

[notbuiltforthis]

It will be four months next week.

[Yes, she's been keeping track.]

We were all brought against our will. [She isn't sure how you would...volunteer for this.]

[nmnc]

You can tell me if I'm asking too many dumb questions, but...what's it like, since you've been here for a little while?

[notbuiltforthis]

There are few dumb questions in the world. [And she's starting to feel like she's heard them all years ago.]

It's generally quiet, sometimes boring. Things aren't normal here by any stretch of the imagination though.

[nmnc]

The giant snake thing left that general impression, yeah. Still not sure I'll believe any of this madness until I see it, but I'll do what I can to suspend my disbelief.

[notbuiltforthis]

That will probably be for the best.