1.0 : video

[because_its_cool]

[A face comes into view, an older gentleman, wearing a white lab coat over a flannel shirt. He's studying the screen with one part curiosity, one part confusion, and one part terror.]

[He clears his throat.]

Ah, hello. My name is Doctor Walter Bishop. I just arrived here, and I'm not quite sure where I am. I know I'm in Saeng Seong, but I ... I seem to have gotten turned around. I was heading toward the apartments, but now I'm in a market of some sort.

[It's hard to place his accent, though there are hints of Bostonian and possibly London.]

I would very much like to find my way home now, if I could find someone who will stop trying to sell me things long enough to point me in the right direction.

[His tone is full of annoyance, but it drops away to leave him vulnerable again. His eyes dart from the screen nervously, then back.]

Yes, I would very much like to go somewhere quiet now.

Comments

[Action with a dose of wibbly wobbly etc.]

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[Hold up... right there, next to that stall selling whale uvulas... Is that...?

Nah, can't be.

But it is. It's that same Observer. He watches Walter amble by and continues watching him. If the older man doesn't turn round, he'll just follow him.

What. Old habits and all that. Besides, he's just as surprised to see Walter there as Walter is to see himself there.]

[actiony goodness with a bit of whipped cream]

[because_its_cool]

[Walter passes right by him and stops to stare at what he's certain is the bone from a blue whale's penis. It would be marvelous if he weren't so worked up. Instead, it's merely interesting.]

[He reaches out to touch it, to anchor himself. Yep, whale bone.]

[Even with his anchor, he feels like he's being pressed in on all sides by people and noise. With effort, he does not panic.]

[Until he sees September. Even then, it's not quite panic, but the Observer only appears to him when things need to be seen, remembered, and experienced.]

Oh. Hello.

[He's not able to say anything else. Too much stimulation.]

[Mmm, best kind.]

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[Well, this entire town is something to see. The Observer in question draws closer, looking down at the whale bones, then back up at Walter.]

I suspect that you have many questions. There are not answers to all of them, but I can answer some of them. [Such as...] The apartments are in that direction. [A pause.] Do you wish me to lead you there?

[because_its_cool]

[Walter stares at him for a beat, then nods. He looks resigned to whatever fate September is willing to lead him to.]

Did you bring me here?

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[September turns and walks down the sidewalk in the direction of the apartment plaza. He doesn't pay any attention to the stall owners, only Walter's question.]

I did not. I was brought here, as well. [A beat.] Did you arrive at the Welcome Centre?

[because_its_cool]

[Walter has someone to focus on, someone he trusts. He's still flinching a bit from the sounds and the people mulling about, but he's much calmer now.]

I did. I was heading over to the hotel facilities and ... I'm not sure how I ended up in a marketplace.

[He sticks his hands in his pockets and shrinks into his jacket.]

Do you know why we're here, save for the explanation I received earlier?

[someonetowatchoveryou]

I do not. The scientific community is... reticent concerning their energy crisis and our part in solving it. [He sounds almost a shade irritated.] Furthermore, I have been informed that in most cases we are not allowed to aid in the resolution of this crisis. I suspect that they regard their technology and procedures to be... 'top secret.'

[At least the apartment buildings aren't far away.]

[because_its_cool]

I would think if we have the resources and the equipment to --

[Walter stops, his momentary focus on September stealing his fear. In fact, he sounds angry.]

Why are we here then? Why did they take us from our homes

[More anger.]

if they didn't want help?

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[September stops, regarding Walter, headtilting. He very rarely sees him angry, and when he does, the outcome is... exceedingly difficult to predict.]

It will be difficult to secure their trust to the point that they will be forthcoming with the information that we need, but it will not be impossible. It will take time. Until then, all we can do is to follow their instructions. I have found that it is... inconvenient to avoid doing so.

[because_its_cool]

[Anger flips back to nervous. This isn't going well.]

But I can't be here...

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[...]

[What do? What do? For the past few months, all September's known is that contact quite often helps people to be less distraught. Will it work for Walter? There's only one way to find out. He steps forward and wordlessly throws his arms around Walter, hugging him tightly, if a little awkwardly.]

[because_its_cool]

[Walter lets out a tiny squeak. He's unable to move, and barely affords himself a breath. This is the topper of a very, very stressful and strange day. He's too surprised to be much of anything else.]

[in a small voice]

September... are you all right?

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[September is... not entirely all right, but that's a discussion for another day. He releases Walter and steps back, regarding the other. He headtilts again.]

Apologies. I have... grown accustomed to physical contact being beneficial for individuals here who are distraught. It was not my intention to frighten you.

[A beat. Then he turns and continues walking, but continues filling the air with words in a vaguely un-Observerlike manner.]

We should continue to the residences. I have observed on at least six different occasions that crowds cause you to become uncomfortable, and the most expedient way to relieve said state is to return you to a quiet environment. I do not wish to see you uncomfortable.

[Then something occurs to him]

I am told that... time moves differently, here, much as it does between your original universe and the one you crossed over into, only... more so.

[because_its_cool]

No... no apologies needed. It was simply unexpected and...

Yes, I would rather go somewhere quiet. Please.

[Walter hugs himself as they continue, keeping himself to himself and giving everyone a wide berth. He seems content to be near the Observer.]

How so? Faster or slower? Or sideways?

[Walter yelps and nearly runs into September as he jumps away from a child running past, followed by what could only be it's father. Walter stops, turns, and yells.]

Can't you be mindful of others who merely want to go home?

[This is not going well.]

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[It's not going well at all, and with no Peter or Astrid or even Olivia there to redirect Walter, it will only get worse if September doesn't do... something. Y'know. Besides another sudden hug.]

[He searches his memory for all the times he's watched them do just that, collates the results, and chooses the action that averages the best outcome, even though he's fully aware that Walter regularly stymies predictive calculation. This takes less time than it takes Walter to shout at the rapidly disappearing townies.]

[This time, he reaches out and takes the other man's hand, a gesture that is statistically favoured in attempts to refocus the attention of a distraught individual. If this doesn't work, he might just have to go refigure his entire interpersonal communication matrix from scratch.]

[quietly] Walter, the sooner we are inside, the sooner things will be quiet. We are nearly there.

[Indeed, a cluster of buildings that look like apartment complexes the universe over loom just a couple blocks away.]

[because_its_cool]

[Walter's anger turns over again and he's hugging himself, walking closely with September again. In a few moments, they come upon the buildings.]

This... this is home?

[Home now?]

[They walk briskly inside, Walter trailing after the Observer. Once inside and in the relative quiet of the building, Walter seems to loosen up a little, but he's still staying close.]

[someonetowatchoveryou]

Yes.

[Once inside, September makes his way to the stairs, looking back at Walter.]

This way. You live on the second floor.

[because_its_cool]

I do? Oh, I do. I remember, they told me earlier.

[Walter shoves his hands in his pockets and follows September.]

I don't like it already. Not enough light. Dusty.

[And other mutterings of general dislike for the building. Grumpy is better than panic.]

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[Grumpy Walter is something he can handle, yes. He stops at Walter's door, number 14, then looks across the hall at number 15.]

[Neighbour Walter is something he also hopes he can handle.]

This one is yours. I live in number 15, just across the hall.

[because_its_cool]

Oh. I see.

[There is a moment's hesitation where Walter looks at his door, then back to September. He wrings his hands.]

That's where you'll be.

[Looks at his door.]

And I'm in here.

[He takes a deep breath, then turns to September again, a very brave, and forced, smile on his face.]

I will be okay. Here.

[His smile falters.]

Alone. In this... room.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[September headtilts at that.]

I have observed that you do not do well with solitude in unfamiliar places. No-one else whom you even remotely know is here, you have no laboratory space, yet, and no cow.

[He know the cow is Important, damnit.]

I will accompany you, and offer what support I can.

[because_its_cool]

[The truth hurts, but it's also relieving not to have to explain himself. Or not explain, as it happens when he's upset.]

Yes, Gene is... she's h-- still at Harvard.

[Walter screws up his courage.]

I've been doing fine. I will be fine. I just... I just need to rest.

[He looks nervously at his door again. he has no idea what to do.]

[someonetowatchoveryou]

September Knows You, Walter, he does. Well, as well as an Observer can, which is simultaneously very and not at all.

He looks at the doorknob, then at Walter.

"You must go inside to do that," he finally says, and the gravitas of his statement is patently absurd.

[because_its_cool]

Walter clears his throat and nods again, a solid and final gesture that helps him gather his courage.

"Well then. Ah. See you later."

With great, terrible effort, he slides his key into the lock and opens the door. It's dark, and he's reminded of the first hotel room he and Peter shared after he was released from St. Claire's. He's not sure how to feel about that.

One foot in front of the other, two steps, and he reaches a light switch. It's an apartment, just a wee thing. He's used to more space--he and Peter's house had--has--two floors and a basement and a kitchen, oh there's a kitchen.

Well, he always wanted to be independent.

"I think... I think I'll. Just."

Lean against the wall and sigh, trying not to weep. It doesn't work.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

He left the door open, though. September sees all of this, his head tilted. He... doesn't quite know what to do.

September stands in the doorway, snared in an indecision. He does not do well at all with displays of emotion. And yet... Walter is his friend. He... should do something. But what?

After a little more thought, September steps a little hesitantly into the room and approaches Walter, then reaches out to pat the other man's shoulder.