[Video - Language: NV-translated Vulcan]

[doesfeel]

[The blank face of a small boy with black hair, slanted eyebrows, and pointed ears appears moments before the child's voice addresses the network, entirely monotonous. Because he is not speaking English, the movements of his mouth do not match the audible words translated by the NV, like watching a poorly dubbed kung fu film. There is a greenish

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[video]

[endowedcaptain]

[Christ, it figures that even the little pint-sized Vulcans wear their hair in that completely perfect, not-a-hair-out-of-place bob. Except.. There is something out of place with the child; he looks injured. There’s a momentary frown on Kirk’s face before he forces himself to brighten up for the boy’s sake. He might be Vulcan, but the young captain knows enough to realize the kid is at least a little scared despite the façade he’s put up.]

Hey. Good news, the ambassador didn’t ship you off here. Bad news is that it’s kinda hard to explain what did bring us here. But hey, I can explain that part later. You’re cold, right? I’ve got some sweatshirts I could lend ya.

[video]

[doesfeel]

Fascinating. [A quiet murmur is given at the human's appearance on the device's screen shortly after he had sent it. Clearly, his message was sent over an open network. He was suspecting the device incapable of interplanetary communication from a brief examination of it; his attempt to call to Sarek could be classified as an illogical act of desperation. He did not know who else to call.

Spock inspects the human closely. Apart from his mother, he has not spoken to one, but he switches easily to speaking crisp American English. The offered words are addressed by order of their importance.]

You mentioned the ambassador. Have you held conversation with him on this matter?

[video]

[endowedcaptain]

[Okay, sure, just ignore his question about the sweatshirts. That's cool, miniature Vulcan. Distantly, the fact that the kid's lips now move correctly with his spoken words is noted.]

Nah, my experience with him is a little limited. [Somehow, he doesn't think it'd really be a good idea to say "He stopped his son from choking me to death".] But I can tell you that I ended up here while on the warp pad on my ship. I doubt the ambassador's responsible for that, or for you arriving here either. [And because he doesn't like being ignored:] You said the temperature was disagreeable, right? Colder than you're used to?

[video]

[doesfeel]

[Spock wants to know, precisely, how limited the familiarity is; it seems like the human is avoiding giving details on purpose. Spock blinks at him, noting the mention of "warp pad" and "ship." Along with the Starfleet emblem on the neck of his shirt, it was elementary to conclude why that would be.]

The temperature of Earth is significantly lower than that of Vulcan. I am merely unadjusted, [he confirms with a haste to cover the subject and move on.] Was your prior location aboard a starship?

[Voice]

[boundbytreason]

[Seeing the Core bring such a young boy to the city was more than enough to inspire sympathy. So, when she speaks, her voice is gentle with a slumbering warmth meant to disarm him:] You'll have to forgive me for answering your message when it's clearly intended for an ambassador, but...well, I suppose you've already heard that your arrival here isn't quite this person's doing. And since someone else is already willing to elaborate further on the matter, you do not need me to tell you twice.

But...you are hurt, are you not? There is a doctor in the city. I can take you to him.

[Voice]

[doesfeel]

[The boy's gaze is averted when he first responds, uncomfortable with the reminder of the marks on his face and how he came to have them. This discomfort is not shown aside from that split-second aversion before dark eyes lock onto the screen.]

My wounds are superficial. Your ...[He stops, searching for the right word. His mother has expressed it before.] emotional concern is not necessary.

[In contrast to the woman's warm tone, Spock's is soft but monotonous.] The fault is my own for addressing a public channel. It was an attempt I did not fully consider in advance. I apologize if I have disturbed you.

[Voice]

[boundbytreason]

[She finds his proper manners pleasing but, at the same time, regrettable. For such a small boy to speak without any sign of his youth spoke in volumes to her. As a result, she cannot help the bittersweet smile from curving her lips, and while there is no video feed on her end, it is faintly evident in her voice when she speaks again.]

You haven't troubled me at all, so there is no need for an apology. You are new to this city, are you not? It is understandable.

[She will not force her will upon him, but she tries, once more, with the same delicacy and kindness as one would treat a wounded bird.] But are you certain? Even if it is superficial, it won't heal properly if it isn't cleaned and treated correctly. If you don't want to see a doctor, then won't you at least allow me to tend to it?

[Voice]

[doesfeel]

My arrival was both unexpected and recent, [he confirms, and then addresses her offer.]

I am certain. They do not affect my health in any negative manner. A doctor would be a logical choice if I were in need of medical care. Since I am not, I will agree to see you. [He thinks of his mother. This is mothering. Human females seemed to possess a tendency to worry. It is illogical and the emotion of it makes him uncomfortable but it is something he is acutely familiar with.] What is your present location?

[frosty_mind]

This is Earth, yes, but it is a separate universe from the one you left. Ambassador Sarek will be here only if he's brought by the same force which brought you, and if so, he hasn't been on the public communications channels in the last two months.

The good news is that the force which brought you here often returns people, and when it does it returns them to the precise time and place they left.

You should go to the Newcomer's Clinic even if you don't want help with that lip. Given the color of your bruising and blood, you're going to need different treatments for illnesses and injuries which do require them than a baseline human, and it's best to figure out as much as can be done ahead of time rather than wait for an emergency.

[doesfeel]

[Spock knows this is Earth, but he listens to everything that he is told nonetheless, absorbing the information with mute curiosity.]

You say it is a universe separate from mine. Is it not your own universe?

[Good news to Spock at this moment would be finding himself back on Vulcan. He would even prefer being chastised by his teachers and his father over the strangeness he now finds himself a part of. The boy inclines his head to one side slightly.]

I am Vulcan. I had thought the humans of Earth were more aware of lifeforms outside of their world, given how closely we have worked together. [He pauses.] Perhaps that is not the case in an alternate Earth. My wounds are superficial, and Vulcans are not prone to illness nor are they as easily injured as humans, [he adds, paying attention to her concern with patience.] However, I find logic in your statement and shall inquire into local medical knowledge if I am to be located for a length of time.

[frosty_mind]

This is not my home universe, no. The force who brought you here brought me here two months ago. There are four other people from my universe who have been similarly taken, and one person from a universe which - has some striking similarities but also striking differences. We were taken from different places and times.

In the common dating scheme of Earth in this universe and mine, it is the year two thousand and eleven, and this Earth has not had contact with aliens which I am aware of. [A frown.] If that is not analogous, there should be information on stellar events on the network, or we could discuss recent Earth history. If neither of those is analogous, then I do not believe attempting to compare the timelines of this universe and yours would be meaningful.

[doesfeel]

The island's core is the responsible force for this unnatural mixture of dimensions. This is known. [For at least two months.] Why is a remedy not found?

Earth history is coalesced within studies on Vulcan. In the year 2011, space exploration on Earth has not led to the discovery of life outside of the planet. They would not know of Vulcan at that point. I possess knowledge of this time period of Earth, but nonetheless find it to be unfamiliar when personally introduced to it. [He had not been prepared for the abrupt shift from desert heat to chill, moist air; though really, he had not been prepared to suddenly appear on twenty-first century Earth either.]

[Video]

[gamuzadeclares]

[The woman on the screen who replies to him likely doesn't match any of the descriptions of what humans are supposed to look like.]

Did the Greeters not explain what happened?

[Video]

[doesfeel]

[Spock's chin is tilted down as he replies, only a little, but for a Vulcan child it is practically a neon sign that he is ashamed of something. Dark eyes are nonetheless alertly watching the NV screen. He does not look away, and immediately notes this person as inhuman.]

I did not display proper cerebration before placing a call upon a public Earth network. I thought only of attempting to reach the ambassador. [He appears more sure as he continues.] Several humans indeed offered information and asserted necessity to be indoors before the setting of the sun. These were, I assume, the "greeters" you speak of.

[Video]

[gamuzadeclares]

[Nelliel offers a slight smile to this very serious child.]

Trying to reach an adult from your world who you thought could help you get home is perfectly reasonable. And yes, those were the Greeters. Did they mention the starter apartments?

[Video] Sorry for the delay!

[doesfeel]

[Rather than reasonable, it seems to Spock to be human error. The thought brings with it no sense comfort.]

I was given notice of a temporary residence within the Tower Apartments structure, [he confirms.]

video;

[cowboy_newsie]

I think you ain't where you think you are, kid.

[His eyes don't meet Spock's; if he stares long enough, he'll realize Jack can't see him.]

video;

[doesfeel]

[This is undoubtedly the worst Terran sentence Spock's ears have ever been subjected to and it nearly causes him to hesitate in response. Nearly. Thankfully, his brain sides with his Vulcan genes rather than his human genes and processes things exceptionally fast.]

This is not Earth?

video;

[cowboy_newsie]

Well-- it is. But not the Earth you remember. It's Canada, in the year 2011.

video;

[doesfeel]

[Spock finds it slightly curious how this human is keeping his gaze distant but does not question it. There is more important information being said that he cannot ignore. Year two-thousand eleven catches sharply in his mind.]

My location corresponds with my knowledge of twenty-first century Earth... [he admits that slowly, both to this man and to himself, to acknowledge facts suggesting truth. Spock keeps his face free of confusion and growing worry. His voice is completely calm when he speaks, and soft.]

I was unaware of my arrival being more than a spatial flux. There is time to consider as well. [He will keep this in mind. It complicates things and further negates his illogical attempt to reach Sarek.]