[video]

[pencilpremonition]

[Becca stares down at the device in her hands, a puzzled expression on her face.]

Is this Hell? But... I'm not dead yet. I've got another week yet... Or did I forget my last days on earth? I don't...get it. I don't get it at all. Where is everybody? And what do I do now?

[She hopes that people will take pity on her and help her because she's fifteen and pathetic-looking. That and her massive entitlement complex, but that's another matter in and of itself.]

Comments

[doctor_dragoon]

[Shaking his head.] We rely on fire for heat. There is food, most of it taken from the neighboring city.

[pencilpremonition]

It's not too much worse than home, then... At least there's fire here.

[It also gets a lot colder here in Russia, but dingbat here isn't taking that into account.]

[doctor_dragoon]

[That earns her a raised eyebrow, but he's too polite to pry just now.]

I'm sure we can find you a metal bucket to build your fires in. It's the easiest way to keep one going in your room with minimal risk of setting the building on fire.

[pencilpremonition]

Don't fires need a chimney? If there's not a fireplace...

Is there a special way to put things? I thought building a fire was a special skill...or do you just pile stuff in there and light it?

[doctor_dragoon]

That'd be ideal, but very little about our situation is ideal. Keeping the fire small and by a cracked window helps with ventilation issues.

There are different ways of building campfires, but wood will burn just fine either way.

[pencilpremonition]

I guess I'll manage somehow...

What's your room number? Can I...come visit you sometimes?

[doctor_dragoon]

I share 204 with my brother.

[He suddenly looks a bit awkward, but keeps smiling.]

I don't see why not... Actually, would you like to stop there now? We can get you some linens and rations to get you started.

[pencilpremonition]

Okay. If you don't mind sharing.

[She smiles for him. He's pretty cute, actually, not that she'd have the nerve to say anything to him about it.]

[doctor_dragoon]

Of course not. We all have to help each other here.

[All the awkward face, but Yukio's pretty good at keeping himself together. He motions toward the building and starts to lead the way inside.]

[pencilpremonition]

[She moves to follow him, not sure what to say now. You're not alone in the awkward.]

[doctor_dragoon]

[Well, then let's at least get you inside, madam, because frankly? You are tiny and Yukio worries for your extremities in this weather.

He'll hold the door for her and then lead the way up the stairs to let them both into 204. It's pretty obvious that two very different people are occupying the space. One side is very neat and orderly, the other a jumbled mess of clothing, cooking supplies and random chunks of wood.]

Let me see what we have to spare...

[pencilpremonition]

Wow, it looks just like mine would look if I had to share with my brother...

[She eyes the messy side, guessing that that belongs to the brother.]

I'm used to going without, so don't worry if you can't spare much.

[Isn't she just a ~tragic angel~? Don't you want to just pity her and protect her from everything~? Because that's what she's trying to manipulate you into thinking.]

[doctor_dragoon]

[Laying it on just a little thick, but he does want to help her and certainly would protect her if needed, good guy that he is. Though he'd protect most people here, but close enough.

He starts rummaging through neat stacks by his mattress, pulling out a blanket and some extra clothing.]

Is he younger? Your brother?

[pencilpremonition]

Younger. He's turning thirteen in January. I'm... [Suddenly awkward.]

[She's due to die before she turns sixteen. But she can't drown in the White River very well if she's not even in the same country as it, not even in the same world as it... Becca's a little lost, and not sure what to think about her upcoming birthday.]

[doctor_dragoon]

[Yukio looks up from his search, curious at her sudden silence.]

Becca-san?

[pencilpremonition]

...Turning sixteen this month.

[Her voice cracks a bit as she speaks, sounding quite strained. The fear is starting to overwhelm her. It's catching up to her that she didn't see coming here ahead of time. She doesn't know what's happening. Her heart starts to hammer, and she reaches up to put her hands over her heart, as if pressing it down will calm it.]

[doctor_dragoon]

[He gets to his feet and steps toward her, obviously concerned. She doesn't look so good.]

Are you alright?

[pencilpremonition]

It's just...catching up to me....

[She takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm back down before she has a fainting spell. It's not working so well.]

[doctor_dragoon]

[Alright, you legit worry him, tiny girl.]

... I'll be sixteen this month, too. [Trying to be reassuring, maybe take the conversation in a lighter direction while remaining close enough to be sure she's not going to keel over.]

[pencilpremonition]

Really? You seem a lot older...

[Fuck politeness. She finds something to sit on (preferably a chair, but whatever's available) and sits. That helps somewhat, and she gets her breathing back under control and lets her hands flop down into her lap.]

[doctor_dragoon]

[There is a wooden chair available, tucked in next to a small desk in the crowded space.]

I get that a lot...

[pencilpremonition]

I'd probably seem older if I weren't so skinny... I've always had to act like a grown up. Who can afford to be a kid in today's world, y'know?

[doctor_dragoon]

I suppose that depends on what world you come from.

... What year is it for you?

[pencilpremonition]

It's 2011? And I'm from Indianapolis...are people really from different worlds here? Why didn't I see this coming...

[doctor_dragoon]

[He nods solemnly.] It's 2010 where I'm from, and 2000 here. Many people here are from the nineteenth century, or from a world that doesn't even fit on a timeline we'd be familiar with.

So you're from America, then? [He's fairly sure he's heard the name of that place before. Or something like it.]