video;

[nofluffybunny]

[ Because she's reminded of the technology back home, this should be easy. It's not her first time she's had to make a call using Skype, or something similar. Video is the option Chloe opts for. ]

My name's Chloe― Chloe Decker. [ She doesn't notice it, the self-conscious gesture of tucking her hair behind her ear, but she sets her jaw as she pushes on, voice unwavering. Completely the opposite to how she feels on the inside. ] I guess you could say I arrived here just the same as a lot of you have, as crazy as it seems. If no one minds answering a few questions, I'd really appreciate it.

Are there any parents on this ship, mothers and/or fathers? Did you... Are there any children on-board?

[ 'What happens to them when you agree to the contract? Where do they go?' ― extra questions she bites her tongue on. Instead Chloe gives a smile that's barely a twitch of her lips. ]

Again― thanks.

[ Obviously she's not ready to end the face-time just yet as she pauses. ]

...I had a gun and a pair of handcuffs with me. Someone please tell me this place comes with a 'lost and found'?

Comments

video;

[nofluffybunny]

[ He definitely looks younger than her. ]

And now they're gone.

[ Which is...sad. That's why Chloe pauses, it could be a sensitive topic, she doesn't know the guy. ]

...home? I hope?

video;

[ex_forcechoke292]

I wish I knew.

[It is a sensitive topic, but the difference is that he's walked into this conversation understanding the general scope of it, not having it thrust upon him and giving it time to feel uncomfortable. He considers why she's asking though, even if he's signed up for this willingly, and only comes up with one answer. The only answer he can imagine in the reverse.]

You're looking for yours, aren't you?

[It's a horrifying thought, and one he'd never had to consider but wonders about it sometimes, if the Ingress had only waited a matter of days until all he was comprised of was worry. His gaze dips and lifts again in wordless apology.]

I know it sounds ridiculous right now, but I know we all come from different times. Places. Universes, even. [No one may even notice we're gone.] There's still a chance they can show.

video;

[nofluffybunny]

I am. The only answer anyone can give me is that she's back home.

[ And goddamn is that the more unassuring thought ever. ]

I...really hope she does. And I really hope she's okay when she does.

[ 'Universes'. Chloe tries not to squint at her MID the same way she'd squinted at it when she'd seen Natalie Port― Padme. It was Padme. ]

video;

[ex_forcechoke292]

It's one of few comforting solutions any of us are left with.

[Which is not a thing he'd prone to admit, but...well, his children are complicated,, and back home means he still has a chance to fix this without the present, always-open wound of a future he refuses to walk into.

Still, she seems genuinely concerned, and it strikes a familiar cord.]

If any of us knew--really knew--how the Ingress worked...look, I can fix anything, and that... [doesn't make any sense]. It does a lot it shouldn't. I wouldn't give up on finding her yet.

video;

[nofluffybunny]

I know.

[ An automatic response; Chloe knows he can fix anything, that he's good at it. Wait, no, maybe that wasn't something she should've said out loud. Shit. ]

I mean... No one should expect you to fix this. You didn't cause this.

video;

[ex_forcechoke292]

[He laughs, though it sounds sour and clipped. Bitter.] That never seems to matter.

But if I can help, I will.

video;

[nofluffybunny]

You sound like you've been around this ship enough to know what goes down.

[ Though not just this ship. ]

[ex_forcechoke292]

What goes down? [The mood shifts, almost immediately, and he laughs, for real this time.] I'm not sure anyone here knows that. Captains included.

But we've only crashed once so far, and it wasn't my fault, so sure. I'm familiar enough.