singillatim | and the stars look very different today...

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and the stars look very different today...

Who: Dr. Casper Darling and OTA
What: Settling in and exploring around
When: Backdated to pre-event
Where: In and around Milton

Content Warnings: None yet! Will update as necessary

Making himself comfortable in the town of Milton has been... interesting. Mostly because there were actually ways to make himself comfortable here, as opposed to the stark black void he'd been transported to last time he entered an alternate plane of existence. As such, Darling has been eager to explore the town as much as possible, while also setting himself up in his new home.

If you have reason to visit 16 Thompson's Drive, he's staying there, thanks to the generous offer from his new friend Heartman. You can find him looking through Heartman's notes to catch himself up on the goings on around Milton, or scribbling down notes of his own on his observations of the town so far.

If you happen by the Community Hall, he might be warming himself by the fire after wandering around outside (he hates being cold), or trying to scrounge for something coffee and/or tea related. If you get close enough, he may drag you in to question you about how long you've been here and your experiences so far.

All in all, he's keeping close to Town Center while he gets his bearings, but it is possible to find him about town, exploring the various store fronts and jotting things down in the notebook he's keeping with him, for anything interesting he might find. Please find and bother him, he's quite friendly and eager to meet everyone.

[ooc: if anything specific is needed, feel free to PM this journal or HMU at

wherethefigslie

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Fraser's arrival is heralded by the scuffle of paws and claws on the floor, right before Diefenbaker trots into the living room and proceeds to shake himself free of snow and slush, paying no attention to what or who he might be dampening in the meantime.

The Mountie, ducking in through the door and removing his hat, sighs as he sets the Stetson down. "I'm terribly sorry. Being back up North seems to have made him forget his manners completely."

"Oh!" He's not sure whether it's the snow being flung in his direction or the sudden appearance of -- what seems to be an actual wolf that's more startling, but Darling steps back from his seat at the table.

"No, it's um -- it's fine. It's his home after all. Or at least I think so, if you're who I think you are.

Sorry, let me start over." He cautiously steps around the wolf (???) and offers the Mountie his hand. "Dr. Casper Darling. Heartman might have mentioned me, I'm not sure."

Fraser removes his gloves before he takes the offered hand and shakes, his own grip firm and warm. "Constable Benton Fraser," he tells the other man. "And this is Diefenbaker. He did mention something — "

Heartman, not Dief. "— but gave very few specifics. Welcome."

Diefenbaker, unimpressed, settles by the fire to dry his coat, and Fraser gives him a deeply exasperated glance before gesturing back to the table. "Please, don't get up. I'll join you after I've cleaned up the mess Dief's made."

"Pleasure to meet you, Constable." Darling shakes the man's hand firmly in return. He appreciates a good, firm handshake. "How uh -- admirable that you've managed to be friendly with the local wildlife."

Still, the wolf seems fairly tame. Or at the very least, not interested in gnawing on Darling at this point in time.

"And thank you so much, for allowing me to stay here, while I'm getting my bearings, I very much appreciate it. Very generous of you, to share your home with me. You and Dr. Heartman both."

Fraser glances over at Diefenbaker as he removes his boots and coat, before understanding flashes over his face. "Ah! I see the confusion. Diefenbaker isn't one of the local wolves, although he is native to this same area in our own world. He came with me."

Beneath the coat, he's wearing a flannel shirt over a long-sleeved henley; he rolls up the sleeves of both as he heads into the kitchen area, in search of a dry towel. "It's no trouble at all. In fact, I'm grateful for the company."

It's strange; he wouldn't have thought he'd miss Ray's constant presence at his side and in his ear as much as he does. Even with the other people here, it's been lonely without him. "You just arrived, I take it?"

[He isn't taking notes about the city, Erichthonios spent so long around the place most of the spots have been memorized by now, but he likes to look at people, study them now that it no longer feels completely wrong to stare at them. Humans are so similar to his kin, but he's still fascinated by how different they can be. It's a refreshing activity when most of his time is spent studying and trying to survive.

Dr Casper is a relatively new face, he has seen him around but never really approached the man, and the fact that both seem to be carrying around thigns to take notes while moving around... gives him a good excuse, at least? He smiles in his direction, approaching.]

Greetings! Are you looking for something specific?

The woman at the door has the 'Milton chic' look that Darling may be beginning to recognize among Interlopers from earlier time periods: heavy wool clothing from home, adorned with furs and beads, paired with modern winter boots, bright orange mittens, and a red and white 'CANADA' souvenir toque.

"Oh, hello." She's staring at his face with a sort of wide-eyed fascination, but she's only just learned about eyeglasses recently. "I have some samples for Heartman."

Randvi has been collecting small stones of different types and samples of animal blood during the course of her own duties to help him with his talisman project.

While Daisy isn't officially staying at the Community Hall, she does spend a significant amount of time there, keeping an eye on things during the night while most people sleep and partaking in whatever food or beverage is available at the time. Now that Jim has moved out, she's back to relying on her own meager cooking skills which are even worse without the aid of electricity. If only she had a working microwave here, she'd be just fine. (Probably. Maybe.)

It's getting late in the day, but she still immediately gravitates to the coffee when she enters the building. The carafe has kept it hot, and even though it's far from the best coffee she's ever had, the warmth alone is enough for her to drink it. She's not the only one with that idea, of course, and she patiently waits her turn for the much-needed caffeine.

"Were you very friendly with wolves before, then? How interesting. Actually, you're the second person I've met here with a wolf companion. A young woman -- Lyanna, I believe her name was? She has what she called a direwolf.

I never really had an animal companion, other than the odd goldfish when I was younger. I spent too much time in the office, it would have been fair.

Apologies, I'm uh, I'm rambling. Yes, to answer your question. I woke up in your living room here, in fact. Heartman found me, and both being men of a scientific mind, we made friends fairly quickly. Our areas of research aren't too dissimilar."

While he talks, he putters around, rearranging papers on the table. Shuffling stacks together to make things a little less chaotic.

"You were law enforcement back home, I take it? Unless constable means something different, where you come from."

Konstantin is not a shy man in any capacity, and though he's constantly maintaining a certain caution, given the nature of his own circumstances (being inhabited by a bloodthirsty alien parasite from outer space can really cramp one's ability to feel comfortable around too many people), he likes to keep busy, and much of that involves hanging out at the community center. It's an interesting hub for activity — he enjoys exercising there, or helping out with things where he can, checking the message boards for any news, trying to stay in the know.

It also means he can meet some new faces. And whenever he sees someone he's unfamiliar with, he'll approach. Some of it is admittedly for investigative purposes, but much of it is a genuine sociability; the cosmonaut is an extroverted man, friendly, affable.

Which is to say that Dr. Darling is his latest target and Konstantin's making a beeline for him soon enough, casting one of his infamous charming smiles the other man's way. He seems to be in pursuit of an item, and maybe Konstantin can help — words coated in a prominent Russian accent.

"Looking for something? If it's a steak dinner, you aren't alone."

Edited 2024-05-23 02:28 (UTC)

"Oh, no. Not as a general rule, no." Fraser lifts a hand, politely dispelling the assumption. "No, Diefenbaker is an exception. He saved my life once, when I fell into some freezing water... he's stayed with me ever since, I assume for reasons of his own."

The wolf in question, bored with the conversation, yawns widely and settles his head down on his paws, closing his eyes. "Also, you should know he's at least partially deaf. The cold water that day popped his eardrums... but then again, sometimes I think he uses it as an excuse to ignore me."

As Darling shuffles around, explaining his appearance, Fraser goes to mop up the half-melted snow, moving around the other man with ease, as if they were suddenly in the middle of a dance. "I see... of course. Heartman is always delighted to meet someone with a similarly scientific mind. And yes, I'm a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This, however, not being the Canada I'm familiar with—"

Probably, anyway. "— I lack jurisdiction to perform any law enforcement duties. So I simply... try to find other ways to assist where I can."

Oh! Hello there. [His smile is a little awkward, but still enthusiastic, and he waves in greeting. At least the young man seems nice. A friendly sort, hopefully.]

Not anything in particular? I'm just trying to familiarize myself with the town, since I've only recently arrived. It's in my nature to write down my observations, to reference them later.

Have you been here long?

"Oh! Yes, fantastic. Please, come in, come in." Darling stands aside to let the oddly dressed woman in. But he can't fault her for wanting to be warm, really. He hates the cold, too.

"Heartman was telling me he had a few people helping him in his research. Which is wonderful, all hands on deck, right? Every little bit helps. Well, I am Dr. Darling, and I'll be helping with this research venture as well. Very excited about it, honestly. This sort of falls into my area of interest, as it were."

Darling is definitely better at operating a microwave than using a stove, as well. Hopefully they can get by with their limited abilities in this snowscape.

But, Darling is a polite person, generally, and so moves aside once he successfully secures his coffee. "Apologies, I didn't realize there was a line forming. I'm just glad there's coffee here at all, honestly."

Most everyone here so far has been quite friendly, which is a relief. And this strapping young Russian (given the accent) man seems to be no different. Darling smiles in return and gives a cheerful wave in greeting.

"I did suspect those might be in short supply. No, a coffee would be fantastic right now, if it's available. Or that failing, some sort of tea? I'm trying not to be picky, given the circumstances."

“Doctor.” So many people with that title in such a small community! Randvi enters the house gratefully, slinging a blue child's backpack off her shoulder as she goes. “Thank you. The stones can wait but I'm sure he will want to store the blood quickly.”

What a strange man. “Your area of interest? Gods?”

"Oh interesting! So this Canada isn't your Canada, I see. I wonder if there is anyone here who belonged to this dimension originally? Another Interloper, I mean. Someone who maybe is from a different place or time, but still within this plane of existence..."

He jots something down on one of his sheets of paper, so he doesn't forget his train of thought entirely.

"Well that depends on what we're using the blood for. Did he tell you its purpose? If it's for DNA testing, it should be fine at room temperature for a bit. I don't have any liquid nitrogen handy, I'm afraid." He laughs at what is clearly meant to be a joke, but trails off with a slight frown, realizing that his current audience might not get it.

"Anyway. Uh, no, not gods, exactly. But alternate dimensions, alternate planes of existence, that sort of thing. We've all been brought here from different times, different places, different universes in most cases! That is what I study.

I wrote a book about it, but I haven't found a copy of it here, sadly."

Don't worry, she doesn't know what DNA is either. “It's for painting the talismans, so it will lose much of its utility if it dries.”

Mass-produced books are still quite novel for Randvi, and she looks to him, surprised. “You wrote a book? Have you seen the library here?”

Darling didn't interact as much with the Rituals Division, at his job back home, but he's at least familiar with that sort of thing. "Oh well that's -- of course, yes. We should -- hmm. Show me the containers? We'll figure something out.

I did, yes! My Interpretation of Many Worlds, it was all about the possibility of multiple universes."

Randi pulls a large sealed sandwich bag from the backpack. It's full of little plastic containers that look like they might have once held spices or parmesan cheese in the community hall kitchen, each labelled with the name of an animal in neat block letters.

“It sounds as if you may have been the most prepared of all of us for a situation like this.” It's hard to believe that this sort of travel might be common in some places, but if people can go to space then why not? “My people believe in different realms side by side but they're not accessible to us.”

"Well, I don't know about prepared. I have a lot of theories about how this sort of thing works, but hadn't had too much of a chance to put them into practice. But -- not dissimilar from what you've just said, actually! Side by side, but very tricky to pass between.

Oh look at that!" he declares delightedly, taking the sandwich bag. "All very neat and well organized, thank you for that. I think the best bet might be to keep it covered in snow for right now, with something to mark where it is? It would be easier to thaw it then rehydrate it."

“Do you study with a seer?” A man would never have done that at home, but gender roles are much less rigid in other places, she's learning.

“Oh yes, that's a good idea. I can leave the stones here for him and bury the blood.”

"Ah, not precisely, no. But I did study an awful lot. For -- oof, many years in order to be able to craft my theories and apply my knowledge to my field of interest.

What is a seer, exactly, where you're from? A teacher of some kind?"

“They communicate with the gods on our behalf and keep our rituals. If I had questions about the division of realms at home, I would have asked our seer, Valka.”

"Oh how curious! So -- for you, are the realms more uuh, hmm. Is it a life and after-life thing, or is it more complex than that?

I'm sorry, I'm being rude. We can sit and talk, if you're able to stay a moment," he offers, pulling out a chair at the table.

"There is that, but there are also realms where gods live, and other creatures like dwarves and giants. Dwarves live in a realm deep enough underground that if they cross into another realm they turn to stone in the sun."

Randvi nods at the chair.

"That's very kind. Allow me to bury the samples and then I'll stay a moment."

"Dwarves? How exciting! Ah yes, we should do that. Here -- " He unties his bowtie and hands it over, as well. "Maybe if there's a stick or something nearby, you can tie that to it? Stick it in the snow where you've buried the blood. Like a flag, so we know where to find it, later."

"Ah yes, thank you." It's a clever idea. "I'll be quick."

Randvi scurries out the door with the tie and the sample bag, and returns several minutes later, brushing snow from her mittens.

"It is buried nearby. Did Heartman tell you already about the talisman project?"

"Not to my knowledge, no," Fraser agrees. "Although I suppose it is possible, as we're currently some twenty years in my future."

So there's the potential for this being his own world, but... truth be told, he hopes it isn't. Whatever cataclysm happened here, he hopes his own home country will avoid it.

He cocks his head to the side, curious, and goes to the kitchen to hang up the damp towel. "That's an excellent question. But how would we know? Perhaps if they were aware of the same folklore, or knew of something that happened here..."

"Ah! Now those, I am happy to report, are not quite as rare." What he would give for a steak dinner, but alas...! At least there are forms of caffeine, and he's beaming brightly at the man.

"There's usually coffee going, around here. I'm afraid what people will do if it finally runs out." Konstantin gives a chuckle, shaking his head. Folks can go without a lot of things, but not having coffee.... that's a tough one.

"I'll show you where they keep everything." He'll gesture forwards and start walking that way, but keeps his attention fixed on the man. "How long have you been here?"

[Brings one hand to his chest, offering a small bow. He is relatively polite, yes.]

Ah, a fellow researcher, I see! Well.. I have been here for some time, yes. And I tend to take notes wherever I go. As for the town, I think there should be maps, somewhere, if that can help you?

I'm afraid that with so much interference from us, well, locals... there isn't too much left to study here.

The Doctor doesn't particularly need an excuse or an in to talk to anyone at all — he's always quick to introduce himself, or start talking to someone new as though they're already halfway to being acquaintances. But it does help when there's an obvious point of interest to kickstart a conversation, and today, that happens to be the notebook that this new-to-him man is carrying around.

Similarly, the Doctor's been keeping notes about his own findings here, so he's drawn closer for that very reason. Curiosity, naturally!

"Hello! The perfect day to swap notes, quite literally," he gives a nod to the man's notebook while reaching for and producing his own from his coat pocket, holding it up triumphantly. "I'm the Doctor," he offers his hand to shake. "Newer here, are you?"

Levi returns to the hall sometime while Casper is warming himself at the fire. After shaking the snow off himself, storing his rifle under his cot and oversized coat on top of it, he moves over to the fire to also try and warm up.

"Um, I hope its okay if I sit here?"

Darling nods enthusiastically, gesturing to the space near the fire. "Yes, yes of course, please do! Far be it for me to keep you from warming yourself. Especially given how chilly it is, out there. It's unbearable, really."

"Oh, hello! Look at you, wow. Glad to meet someone else as meticulous as me. And with fantastic fashion sense." He gestures at the other man's notebook and bowtie with a friendly sort of laugh, then takes his hand in greeting.

"Dr. Casper Darling, a pleasure. Sorry, did you say the Doctor? Doctor what, exactly? Always pleased to meet another scientist, or someone in the medical field."

"Thanks," he offers a shy smile and sits down near the fire.

"Yeah...it never really warms up here."

"I did fear as much. I've never been a fan of the cold, but I suppose there's nothing to be done.

Still!" He offers his hand with a friendly smile. "Dr. Casper Darling, pleasure to meet you. I only just arrived here, so I'm still meeting everyone."

He sighs and nods. It gets much worse, but hopefully not anytime soon. He won't mention it because it's depressing.

He shakes, his grip is pretty weak. "I'm Levi. It's nice to meet you. Except for, you know, all of this."

In response to Doctor what, he's quick to say, "If you like!" The most ambiguous response he could probably give, and yet it makes complete sense in his mind (of course it does). There's a bright and cheerful smile on his face, a demeanor that probably seems wholly out of step with the world they're trapped in at the moment. But with so much he can't control, so much that's been taken from him, this at least is the part of himself he can't lose, won't lose, refuses to forfeit.

As he drops the other man's hand, he points to his bowtie. "A lovely bowtie, Doctor Darling. A man absolutely worth listening to in all respects." Anyone with such taste, naturally, has to be just as clever. "Very good to meet you, of course. Where were you headed? Wherever it was, you won't mind the company."

Don't mind him inviting himself along where the other man happens to be going, not even framing it as a question. Of course, he still hasn't explained himself and what or who he is.

The prospect of starvation is a pretty powerful motivator for learning how to cook for oneself — or at least manage to heat up a can of something without burning the building down. Their store of canned goods is beginning to run dangerously low, though, so the time is quickly approaching when they'll need to broaden their skillsets if they want to survive.

"I know what you mean," Daisy returns, offering a polite smile as she fills one of the mugs with the steaming liquid. "And no need to apologize. It's not like any of us are in a big rush to get somewhere."

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and the stars look very different today...

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Town Center

Thompson Drive

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Community Hall!

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Hall

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