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[survivethis]

[The video feed flicks on to show the face of an attractive brunette with blue eyes, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She's likely in her early-thirties and has an air of confidence, despite the unusual situation she's now in having just arrived on the islands.]

Hi, everyone. I just woke up here, and I wanted to thank everyone who's tried to make this... really weird situation a little more tolerable for those of us who just came through the door.

My name is Jill Valentine. Back home, I'm a member of an anti-bioweapons task force run by the United Nations.

Strangely enough, I'm told I've been here before. I don't remember that, but something about some of you feels really familiar.

[Her eyes scrunch a bit as if trying to search the recesses of her mind, but she can't remember this place no matter how hard she tries. It's almost like trying to recall a dream.]

So I just wanted to say, if you did know me before, you don't have to tip-toe around that. I'd actually like any and all information you can give me so I can prepare myself for this place. If I've already got friends here... well, I'd count that as a very good thing.

[She ends that with a little smile.]

Thanks.

Comments

audio

[completelycrazy]

Hey, you're welcome. Hah.

[It's a joke probably?]

I'm Newt. Don't think I've seen you around before, but the same thing happened to me when I got here. Like, apparently I was here before. Don't remember it, but people keep recognizing me. It's weird, right?

[Though he doesn't sound like he minds too terribly. It's not like he's a stranger to the concept of the multiverse.]

[survivethis]

[Jill smiles a little. Amused.]

Can't say I've seen you around, either.

[Since his response is only audio. She wonders why.

Hearing the same thing happened to him gets a wide-eyed look.]

Really? Guess I'm not the only one. It is kind of weird, but people have been so nice, I haven't minded so much. It kind of cuts down on the ice-breakers.

[At least on one side of the conversation.]

[completelycrazy]

[He snorts.]

Yeah, I guess that's one way to look at it. It's definitely freaky, but eh, there are worse things, you know? Even the people who knew the other me seem to agree that it, like, wasn't me. Not the same me, anyway. Different universes, probably.

[Which he says like he's commenting on the weather. This is fine.]

You said some people felt familiar to you, though? I haven't had that.

[survivethis]

Different universes?

[Jill wonders if that might be the case. Was the woman who was here before not really her but some other version of her? Could that woman have been drastically different than she is? It's even more than she had considered before.]

Yeah. It's hard to explain. Maybe they just remind me of someone. I tend to meet a lot of people in my field.

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[hotspurred]

Jill.

[Henry is caught between surprised, pleased and disappointed; it shows in his expression for a brief moment before he resolves himself, settling into one more even.]

My name is Henry Percy. [He pauses.] I would name us friends. 'Tis a shame to see you dragged back to this wretched city.

[He cannot help but smile, despite those words.]

Yet I am glad to see you well.

[survivethis]

[That's a whole mixture of expressions that crosses the man's face. Clearly, he recognizes her.

At first she's not sure what he might say, but his words do make her smile.]

Thank you. It's all a little confusing, but I'm glad to meet some friends. Again.

[He seemed nice and polite. Jill can already tell why they might've been friends before.]

[hotspurred]

I will not misuse my advantage.

[Since he knows more about her than she does him.]

Is there aught in particular that you wish to know? I am one of the Guard's commanders and I have been present here for two and a half years.

[He cocks his head, a touch of vigour entering his expression.]

Or perhaps I might offer my knowledge in person.

[survivethis]

[Jill can't help but smile when Henry appears excited at the idea of meeting in person. He seems so friendly and willing to help, she can hardly turn him down.]

That'd be great. I'd like to hear more about the Guard. I was told that I used to be a member.

Where can we meet?

video;

[storyseeker]

Yeah, that happens sometimes. It's kinda weird as hell.

[And unnerving, she imagines. Elena knows it would be for her. If this woman's handling it so calmly, though, it bodes well for how she'll deal with the rest of Hadriel.]

Can't say I knew you before, though. I'd actually like to know more about the anti-bioweapons thing, if you don't mind me asking. [Or even if she does, because journalist.]

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[survivethis]

So it's not the first time?

[Guess this might be more common than Jill thought. It seemed weird it would happen to even one person, let alone multiple people.]

Well, where I come from, Bio-weapons are a real problem. Ever since a pharmaceutical company leaked a virus they developed, it's opened the door for all kinds of human and animal experimentation. Mostly in remote regions, but whole big cities have been impacted in the past.

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[storyseeker]

Which could be good or bad, depending how you look at it—I can imagine it's frustrating to lose memories like that, but at least you're not a one-off anomaly.

[No need to worry that it's some kind of brain damage. A small silver lining.]

Jesus. Is this sanctioned by the governments there, or a big open secret?

[survivethis]

It's not frustrating just... strange. I can't really feel frustrated over losing something I didn't know I had or know nothing about.

But it's like being at a big party where everyone knows your name and you don't know them.

[Awkward.]

It's not sanctioned, but it comes up. Mostly among fringe or terrorist groups these days looking for an edge. There have been some disasters too big to cover up. Whole cities full of people... killed. It's part of what people live with now. You just hope it never happens to you.

[poisonprincess]

[She can't help but smile a bit.]

From what I hear that happens a lot around here. Also, anti-bioweapons task force? That's a thing where you're from?

[survivethis]

I'm beginning to hear that, as well.

[She's definitely not the only one from the way people talk.]

And yeah, it's a thing. A pretty big thing.

[poisonprincess]

Are they military or civilian based?

[Jill has definitely intrigued Evie. There's a few back home that she's sure would appreciate something like that as well.]

[survivethis]

It's a task force, but our members typically have prior military or law enforcement experience. Same goes for me.

[They need to be well trained to deal with the things they face.]

video

[so_dark_a_road]

We already talked in the Colosseum, but I just want to say again that I'm glad to see you. Not that Hadriel is necessarily a place I want friends to come back to! But nevertheless, welcome. Feel free to call on me if you need anything.

video

[survivethis]

[Seeing Curufin again makes Jill smile. She believes he really is doing his best to help people out in a strange situation.]

Thank you. I appreciate that. And if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know. I'm still getting accustomed to this, but it's not in me to sit by.

video

[so_dark_a_road]

[ He tries! He is glad to see Jill again, and he smiles back. ]

I remember that about you, that you don't sit by, you pitch in.

If I can think of anything, I'll certainly ask! No varren trying to chew my leg at the moment, though! [ Chuckle. ]

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[feelslikeimspilling]

[ Will's face lit up as he saw Jill's face and voice come over the network. Sure, she looked a little different but then so did Will the second time he came back here.

He was about to respond, a big smile on his face, so happy to see her back and safe- when he caught the part about her not recalling being here before. Well... His heart just sank. Will hadn't felt pain like this since he thought Abigal was dead back in his own world.

What should he do? Just not respond? Let her start a new life here in the City? It would just be strange, wouldn't it? If he were to talk to her like he already knew her like they had spent a lot of time together, been close, closer then just friends?

He took a deep breath, slipped his glasses on his face and tried not to let the pain show through too obviously. ]

Er, hey Jill. It's good to have you back. I'm er, I'm sorry that you've been brought back here instead of continuing your life back home. I know your job is really important so...

[survivethis]

[Jill smiles gently at the greeting. What a nervous guy. Was something wrong? There was a look in his eyes she couldn't quite place, but he appeared to be struggling. Maybe he just wasn't good at talking with people, or maybe it had something to do with her. Jill can only imagine what her other-self may have done before. Hopefully it wasn't anything bad.]

Thanks. This is a little crazy but... people have been really welcoming so far.

[Her brow knits as she studies him further.]

Are you alright? Is something bothering you?

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ She wasn't wrong, Will was very nervous. Seeing someone you once and still did care for, looking younger, unaware that they even knew you? That and he was beyond socially awkward, this just felt so strange for him. Talking to her now, having memories of her then and knowing she didn't even have a clue. He didn't want to impose on her but he couldn't help but be drawn in a talk to her. ]

Oh eh, sorry yea, I'm Will, Will Graham... I er, I used to walk around the City with you when you were with the Guard here last time. You liked my dog, Winston?

[ Will knew there was no way she would be able to remember him, she came from an entirely different time now, it was impossible. But still, he had a little spark of hope in him. ]

video; un: Clyde

[darknstormy]

[ He wasn't sure why he was bothering with this particular video but Seth hit the reply and stared with a casual gaze.

His hair was faded along his ears and back of the head but tuft on top a little more than military standard especially with the spike style he kept it. There was also the black ink along the side of his neck that was easily seen with him in something resembling a tanktop. His face a usual five o'clock shadow.

The broadcast was from his device in hand so there wasn't anything very telling other than he seemed to be indoors. ]

Name's Seth. Seth Gecko. Relatively new here myself. Heard that my brother was here though--Richard. Not that you'd know if you don't remember bein' here either, but people seemed to know him durin' a time I'm sure I was with him. So there's that.

[ Seth wasn't exactly sure what he was offering her. Maybe more support that she wasn't crazy which she seemed to know already. At least he was making an attempt to play nice with others? Or maybe it was more so that he was still affected over his brother having been here before though the mat didn't add up. ]

[survivethis]

[Jill doesn't know if the attempt is usual for Seth, but it is appreciated. She'll take every friendly word she can get.]

Nice to meet you, Seth.

So your brother isn't here anymore?

[Perhaps he went home, just as Jill did. If he returned, Richard might not remember this place, either.]

[darknstormy]

[ He gave a single nod of acknowledgement at her greeting. ]

Apparently he hasn't been around for awhile. I got here a couple months ago with my other half and a stray, Richie was already long gone.

[ Maybe later he'd explain that he meant a being and not a dog or cat. ]

Anti-bioweapons, huh? Like nukes?