Hadriel Inbox

[theweakhavepurpose]

INBOX This is... this is Deputy Pratt of the Hope County sheriff's department... art credit code credit

Comments

[unphase]

No, his boss. Jo's a superhero, too, but he's not in the Legion. He works for this shady piece of nass named McCauley. He's a weapons dealer who's into all kinds of illegal stuff, but Jo was desperate to get out of Rimbor and signed a contract to work for McCauley in exchange for his ticket to Earth. Rimbor's not in the UP, so it was really expensive and Jo has to work off the balance.

[and she sees no reason why not to talk about it, they're both adults here]

Nothing wrong with that, as long as everyone knows that's what's going on.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Ohhh. Oh okay. So he's sort of an indentured servant now? Well that's a shitty situation.

[Are they????]

I'm not leading anyone on, don't worry.

[unphase]

It really is. And his contract is for five years, so he's going to be stuck working off that debt for a long time. I wish there was something that could be done. If Rimbor joined the United Planets, we could try to find a way to break the contract so Jo could join the Legion.

[yes they are]

I didn't think you would. You're not that kind of guy.

[theweakhavepurpose]

That's... a long time. Is where he's from so bad that this is worth it? Because it.. really doesn't sound like it.

[Look at him grin. ]

Nah, I'm not. I don't even think I could pull that off without feeling like scum.

[Look at that. He didn't say something like 'you don't know me' or anything. Progress!]

[unphase]

It is. Rimbor started as a penal colony. The dregs of the galaxy were sent there. People don't have families there, they have gangs. And the turf wars are deadly. Most Rimborians live fast and die young. Too young. Like, twenty-five young. And Jo's seventeen, he's already lived through a lot of gang wars, but he had no way out until he got superpowers and caught McCauley's eye.

[she smiles back warmly]

I knew it.

[she noticed that! hooray for progress!]

[theweakhavepurpose]

Wait, is it space Australia?

[Okay that is hysterical. ]

I'm sorry, no that sounds terrible. I guess it is worth five years of hard labor to get out of that. But it still sucks that anyone was even in that situation to begin with.

[He makes a face.]

Don't tell anyone, I have an image to protect here.

[He is strong and cocksure and totally not an emotional wreck. He swears.]

[unphase]

[she wrinkles her nose slightly] Australia?

From what Jo's said, it was terrible. And not all planets are--are good. Not even where I come from. I was lucky to be born where I was, who I was. Even with a Terran father watering down my [slight eye roll] royal blood.

[she grins at him]

No way would I tell. You can trust me. Pinky swear.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Don't worry about it. Bad joke.

[But almost a joke, so .. for him that's something at least.]

So is everyone fighting over Earth because it's the best?

[He grins.]

I'm holding you to that.

[unphase]

Oh! Sorry. I don't know much Terran history.

[it's progress! progress is good!]

Mm-hmm. It has the most jobs, it's the social and cultural hub of the UP, everyone who's anyone wants to be on Earth. I can't tell you how---"proud" isn't the right word for it. Satisfied? My mother was to be assigned there as Bgztl's ambassador. But our family's been in diplomacy for years, ever since the monarchy was dissolved.

[she grins back]

Good. So, let's make it official. [she holds up a pinky]

[theweakhavepurpose]

Well at least we've got something going for us. I sort of figured we'd blow ourselves up long before we encountered alien life. Good to see we made something of the Earth.

[He laughs, feeling like he's eight years old again. Yeah yeah, he holds up his pinky too.]

Keep it secret, keep it safe.

[he feels dumb, but at least he doesn't feel miserable.]

private text;

[nonscriptum]

hey, you looking for shit to do? i was going to go for a walk out in the tundra while we still have daylight

[theweakhavepurpose]

im down. going a little stir crazy recounting my hoard of soup and tending to the range. not a whole lot to do right now.

any particular goal in mind? should i be lugging my machine gun out with us?

[unphase]

Well, from what I do remember about Terran history, there are a few close calls, but you manage to pull through. And from there, it's on to the Mars colonies and then, to Titan, one of Saturn's moons, which is already populated by human-descended telepaths.

[she grins at him happily and links her pinky with his]

Exactly right!

[not feeling miserable is a good start]

[theweakhavepurpose]

Nice. Better than I expected.

[Alright he's smiling, that's excellent for him.]

I'm holding you to it now.

[text] - January 15thish

[tongueamok]

Mister Pratt, are you available? I have something for you.

Text

[theweakhavepurpose]

yeah. im at home.

you have something for me?

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle squints at his device. He just said that, didn't? Yes, yes he did.]

Yes.

You will have to remind me where it is you are residing these days.

[theweakhavepurpose]

loves housing. its the a-frame wooden one.

but i could meet you at the range if you want?

[unphase]

Sometimes people surprise you. In a good way.

[he is! and she's thrilled! but she's not going to make a big fuss over it, she figures that might be counterproductive]

No one will ever hear it from me.

[tongueamok]

The housing by the lake? We just moved here. We might be nearly neighbors.

[theweakhavepurpose]

yeah near the edge away from the hot springs. it was an ocean view when i moved here. but now it faces the lake.

seems like a downgrade but a lot more like home.

i can go stand on my porch.

[text] → [action]

[tongueamok]

Splendid. I will see you momentarily.

[Someone is in a chipper mood. All that not-dying must have really been a pick-me-up for him. He even offers a genuine -- albeit tentative -- smile as he approaches, a small package tucked under one arm. Though still more vibrant than when they first met, some of the cinnamon color has definitely faded from his hair, though his eyes are as aglow as ever.]

Ah, Mister Pratt. Er, Deputy. Deputy Pratt. My apologies. We live but a few doors down from you now. How coincidental.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Rarely. But yeah, I guess it happens.

[Ah, there's that pessimism.]

It's a pretty nice feeling knowing there's a future though. That the Collapse doesn't happen and end it all.

[Sure they could be like.. parallel futures or something, but he doesn't know how that works so he's gonna keep on assuming this is the same Earth he's from.]

[unphase]

It happens. And then it's a pleasant surprise.

[and she looks on the bright side, anyway.

and then her expression turns tentative]

But. . . is it okay to ask what the Collapse is?

[they could be. she's heard of a lot of different Earths in her time here and he hasn't mentioned anything about Superman or Batman or any of the other heroes of the 20th century being active, but. it could still be the same world]

[theweakhavepurpose]

[Pratt's sitting on his battered porch chair, trying to admire the view. It's not a bad one, there's a lake and the distant tundra has it's own sort of beauty. Maybe it would be nicer if the lake wasn't frozen solid and he wasn't having to wear all his wardrobe all the time in order to stay warm.

He nods politely, getting to his feet.]

Afternoon. I.. haven't actually met my neighbors. I see some of them sometimes but that's about it.

[He should be a little more social honestly. At least he's trying at the range.]