001 ][ video

[interns]

[ despite how hard she's trying to appear calm and collected, Gwen's eyes are wide, voice a little rough. she's not about to burst into tears, nothing to dramatic. but enough bad news might make her switch from video to text. she can't be away from her family right now, she just can't. there's too much going on, not to mention finals and- right. ahem. the camera is rolling, so to speak. ]

Hi. [ ahem ] Hello. I'm not sure who's receiving this video message, which seems a little dangerous, but I thought this would be better than not attempting to use this device at all. My name is Gwen, Gwen Stacy. About two hours ago, I was on my way to work - at the Oscorp Tower in New York, for reference - and now I'm... here. Just like that. [ and it's clear she doesn't like that fact at all. ] I'm not hurt, and I don't remember being taken or anything, it just- it's like I blinked, or- or tripped off of a curb, and ended up falling into that room. Which makes no sense. [ yeah, despite having a very polite woman walk her through that introduction here, help her with her weapon ( WEAPON, who gives out guns? honestly. ) and her new belongings, she's still completely unconvinced that this is all real. how can it be? ]

So, I just have a couple of questions, if anyone wouldn't mind taking the time to answer them for me:

One: Where are we really? In relation to New York City, specifically.

Two: Is there any way this can all be cleared up and sorted out so that I can be home by 8pm? My mother's cooking dinner for the family tonight, and I really shouldn't be late or she'll start to worry. And trust me, you do not want to see what my mother gets like when she's worried. It's bad. [ even heh!ing and doing an 'oh boy' sort of handwave as her eyes get a little bigger. hell hath no fury like a worried Helen Stacy, folks ]

I'd say those two questions are all I have so far, so.

--Thank you!

Comments

(video)

[reconnaissance]

( There's something of an amused smile at this end. Maybe. Just slightly. )

We should get a bloody tally going of how many of you yanks are gonna turn up and how many of you are from New York.

( Her accent gives her away as an Australia, and while she might be cheery for those first few moments, she sobers up pretty quick. )

I dunno if you're gonna like the answers to either of your questions though, hey.

(video)

[interns]

[ are gonna turn up. what, is it a normal thing for people to be kidnapped and brought here? sure, the tour guide sort of implied that there were a large number of people being brought here to help, but- that's- great. okay. that's not alarming at all, no. ]

I think I would rather have answers I didn't like than not have any answers at all.

[ SHE THINKS. ]

If you wouldn't mind.

let's say permavideo because i am a lazy person

[reconnaissance]

All right. ( She can respect that. Better to tear off the bandaid. Although, when people said that, she wondered just how severe the injury was, or why they didn't just soak the bandaid off. The world of Ellie Linton, ladies and gentlemen: derailing, even inside her own head. )

It's some-- future version of England. And you're gonna want to get used to the idea of "versions" and different realities and worlds, that a big thing here. So, we're in London, or what's left of it, and I dunno what kind of state New York is in, these days. ( She'd looked at maps, but there was so much that was terrible to see. The new girl didn't need to know about that, yet. )

I've been here a couple of months, I got mates that have been here heaps longer, or not all that much more. Or less. People turn up, and a bunch of people try to work out plans to escape or get home, but that lot that got us here, they drag us in and don't have any kind of option for getting us back. Some of us'll just disappear, like that-- and the rest of us will still be here.

( She delivers it straight, logical, because you just need to get the facts out and lay it all bare. ) Sorry it's not better news. ( And, after a pause. ) It's a lot to take in. You doing all right?

[video]

[ladyofrivendell]

[Hell hath no fury? Obviously you haven't met Galadriel. Her mom could be absolutely terrifying.]

Hail and well met, Gwen. I am Celebrían. I'm sorry, I can't tell you how near 'New York City' would be. I'm not entirely certain how far that this place is from my own home.

[It's not a good news kind of day, sorry Gwen.] And I'm afraid that you cannot return home at your own whim or all those of us who have a dislike of war would have returned home already.

[video]

[interns]

[ whaaaaaa-t? there's just a brief lift of her brows at first, because she's only been to Medieval Times once, but suddenly she's thoroughly reminded of it. that. wasn't what she was expecting to hear. the woman also looks, like, unnaturally pretty. no, that's not right, unnatural, because it's definitely a natural kind of beauty, only it's- intimidating. wow. it takes her a moment to reply; ]

Nice to meet you, Celebrian. Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking. I suppose I kind of assumed we might have all been from- Not all from New York, but. Well. I assumed too much, obviously. [ hhhk. huff. ]

[video]

[ladyofrivendell]

[Aww, Gwen, don't be intimidated! Celebrian is really just a softy. Her parents are more intimidating, she promises.]

I don't mind your asking. I came here from Imladris, Rivendell it's called in the common tongue.

[Well, she's 'from' a lot of places but that will do for now.]

I imagine it's quite a change from what you are accustomed to, making assumptions is natural.

[video]

[demonbloodblade]

You've gotten some answers from people already, but I think you'll be either pleased or very distressed to know that, as far as anyone can tell, when you go home, you go right back to where you came from. So no matter how long you stay here, you'll be home in time for dinner.

From the maps, this island apparently was once called 'England', and we're in a place once called 'London'. I can't tell you how far away that is, but if the locations have meaning to you, that might help.

[video]

[interns]

That actually is a little bit reassuring. The fact that you know that means it is possible to go home, even if we apparently don't much say in the matter.

[ but then she's back to being all wide-eyed again ]

It's- far. Then again, if we're really in the future, I guess I should be more concerned with when than where.

Re: [video]

[demonbloodblade]

It's something like the year thirty one hundred and bits. if you know England and London, and if the numbering didn't change, then you should know how far out you are.

I'm Meliantha. And yes, this is how I always look. I'm not completely human, no. Those are the questions I tend to get asked first, you see.

[She gives a small, wry smile.] I'm very much not from here.

1/2 video ???

[arachnoid]

[ hang on one moment he just dropped his tablet

spider reflexes what are those ]

yes video

[arachnoid]

[ the tablet flips around from a nice view of the floor to a view of his face, and he's grinning like an idiot. ]

Sorry - that was probably - I just, I wasn't really expecting to- [ why is he trying to qualify his surprise, here. ]

It is really, really good to see you.

[ then the grin vanishes abruptly, and it's replaced by a look of almost frantic concern. ]

Are you okay? I mean, you just said you were okay. But this is - this is weird, right? I know it's weird, I just got here a few months ago, but. I am so glad to see you.

[ repetitive, but he's kind of stream of consciousness at the moment. ]

1/?

[interns]

[ Gwen's just sort of blinking at her screen for a second because she can't figure out if she's relieved or completely horrified by the fact that Peter's here too. ]

Hi.

okok 2/3

[interns]

[ because Peter being here means it's probably real or her completely screwed up Nutella-nighttime-snack fuelled dream just felt like introducing Mr. Parker to the mix. not that she was asleep before she got here. maybe she just dreamed the whole day before then. what is happening to her brain

she opens her mouth to say something like I'm glad to see you too or are you okay? or what do you mean, months? but instead all that comes out is a huff of air like she's maybe possibly offended ]

done!

[interns]

Where are you? Peter. Where, um. Where can I find you? Like right now. In this place where you've been for a few months now.

[ is she mad? she can't tell. but her face probably looks mad. this is possibly how she hides her panic ]

video;

[dusk_and_dawn]

Oscorp? You work for Norman Osborn?

[His tone of voice is polite but a bit stiff. She doesn't sound like trouble, but ... Osborn.]

We are in an alternate universe, specifically Britain. We can none of us leave by choice.

video;

[interns]

Not directly, but, yes. He owns the company. I'm a part of the intern program, third-year.

[ Gwen shh honey, nobody cares. although maybe he does, since he's heard the name Oscorp before.. hm. if she wasn't so freaked out by the situation, she'd be a little nosier about that. maybe another time. ]

But people do go home, right? We're not suck here forever.

Re: video;

[dusk_and_dawn]

[All right, so long as she's not a supervillain ... ]

They do, but 'tis random. I am told we are returned to the instant we left, at least, so your mother should not be worried.

[Audio]

[biwinning]

Why does everyone think, "oh man, I've been kidnapped and brought to an alternate reality and they're telling me I need to fight with weapons and stuff against a dictatorship-like evil government- but gosh won't they regret it once my parental unit finds out I've missed dinner!!"

Are you braindead??

[Audio]

[interns]

I'm upset.

[ HUFF. ]

video;

[bittertears]

I'm afraid your family meal will simply have to wait.

video;

[interns]

[ frooowns ]

I'm beginning to realize that.

I guess I was just.. kinda really hoping that wasn't the case.

text;

[painfeels]

Really? Just those two?

text;

[interns]

For now, yes. The relevance of anything else I have to ask depends on the answers to those two questions.

video.

[onlyasong]

What were you having for dinner?

[Clearly this is the most important thing to the whole post.]

video.

[interns]

-- Branzino.

[ it's her favorite :c ]