open ] can you understand being alone so long

[doctorofdeath]

Her arrival into the city of Chicago had been quiet, easily missed, just another wanderer pulled from their world and brought here. There had been the typical feelings of disorientation, confusion, uncertainty, fear. The fear hadn't abated yet, and had in fact gained some strength in the last few days, as her mind begins to accept that this is

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[and_dontgetcute]

There's coffee, and then there's coffee.

It's nothing against the Kashtta cafeteria. It is good -- most of the time -- but there was a great coffee place not too far from there that had the best beans Flack had ever had. Add to the fact that the woman blended in a bit of cinnamon, and something else his rift ability hadn't quite figured out yet, and Flack was a happy camper.

If you thought he'd been a foodie before? His rift power has now made him twice as bad.

He's coming back to his office near the Kashtta, cup of coffee in hand, when he notices the woman standing on the stairs. She reminds him a bit of Stella, in the way she dresses at least, and that's enough for him to make the approach.

"Nice morning."

Even after a year in Chicago, he still sounds distinctly New York.

[doctorofdeath]

Maura does tend to be a bit more fastidious when it comes to her coffee, even if she'll consume that mediocre coffee in the cafeteria of police headquarters when the need for caffeine overrides her usual standards. The taste and smell awaken so many memories for her, though, and that might be at least half the reason she's got the cup of coffee in her hands today.

Despite everything, it is a nice morning. And the man addressing her has a friendly face, so she smiles at him before responding.

"It has been nice so far," she agrees. His accent is noticeable, and she can't help remarking on it. "Your accent is distinctive; inner city...New York?"

[and_dontgetcute]

"You're good," he says with a smirk. "But I guess an accent like that tends to stand out in a place like this."

He shifts his coffee cup to his free hand before moving closer, extending a hand to her. "Don Flack. I don't think I've seen you around before." Especially not coming out of the Kashtta. He tends to keep track of stuff like that, or at least tries to.

[doctorofdeath]

She's aware that her accent will be more difficult to pinpoint: upper-crust Bostonian, not as easily traceable as the accent he has. But not as cute as his accent, either.

"I am good, though I only dabble in phonology," she says this very politely, no trace of arrogance in her tone. She knows that she's good at a great many things, and wouldn't deny that, but she's also quick to compliment others. It's not egotism or conceit on her part, it's not an attempt to elevate herself above everyone else. It's more a naive self-awareness, an acknowledgment of her skills, and what she's capable of, and an inability to be humble if it means lying about the fact that she is good at something. She is, of course, fully capable of admitting to something she is not good at.

The awkwardness she carries herself with should be a good indication that she's not a braggart, as well. She's also very eager when she shakes his hand. "Dr. Maura Isles. You wouldn't have seen me, no, I only just arrived a few days ago."

[and_dontgetcute]

Flack spent most of his adult career around eggheads and scientists, so he's learned to distinguish between statements of fact, and actual bragging. He doesn't even blink at the statement, just shakes her hand and nods.

Sometimes the lack of social skills can make them better scientists. The focus on the facts as oppose to the focus on the implications helps keep him focused -- even though he didn't realize that until he lost it.

"Still settling in?" he says with a nod. "Coming through the Rift -- it can be a rough go."

[doctorofdeath]

That's something she's grateful for, since she's not good at trying to explain that, but never likes it when she ends up alienating someone simply because of that. Her intentions are always good, and innocent, if unintentionally honest in ways that people don't appreciate.

There's a reason she's always been more comfortable with dead people, after all.

"It's been an adjustment," she nods, "both coming through, and acclimating to my new surroundings. How was the experience for you?"

[and_dontgetcute]

He exhales slowly as he tries to think back when he first fell through the Rift, before chuckling slightly. "I thought everybody was screwing with me. I had already been in Chicago, working a joint case with the Chicago PD, and then all of the sudden, people were telling me I fell through a Rift. Not exactly the kind of thing a guy wants to hear."

He had lived in perfectly happy denial for about a week. It wasn't until he tried to get home by his own means that it really sank in how trapped he was.

[doctorofdeath]

"It wasn't a pleasant experience," she agrees; both coming through the Rift, and the slow acceptance of everything afterward. There's been less denial for her, even if it's been a slow and uneasy process in reconciling fact and myth.

"You consulted with the Chicago Police Department? So you're a police officer yourself. My best friend is a homicide detective with the Boston Police Department." Maura pauses. "I'm from Boston."

[and_dontgetcute]

"I worked for the NYPD," he says with a nod, and a small smile. "And this Chicago PD isn't as friendly as the one from my universe. Wanderers don't get a lot of help around here."

[doctorofdeath]

"So it's important to stick together, it would seem," she infers. The idea of being part of some sort of team, or associating with a group of people similar to herself, is ideal. She wants to know as much as she can about all the other people here, too, but is naturally wary of those who might be hostile towards her simply because she's a Wanderer.

[and_dontgetcute]

He nods. "Martha Jones ... she's done a great job of trying to keep the Wanderers together. She's been in Chicago a long time. She knows the ins and outs."

[doctorofdeath]

"I've spoken with her, actually. She's been very kind and helpful." Maura pauses, thinking there's something else she should add to that. A full thirty seconds pass before it finally occurs to her: "As have you." The social interaction is still a work-in-progress for her.

[and_dontgetcute]

He nods with a small smile. "I do my best." He pauses to take a sip of his coffee. "And if you have any other questions you can always grab one of us on the journals."

[doctorofdeath]

She chuckles a little, and shakes her head. "It's...it's quite remarkable, the way people are able to communicate through these journals provided to us." She pauses. "That they're provided at all is equally remarkable."

[and_dontgetcute]

He shrugs. "I'm not sure how we got them or why, but it keeps the community together. Just be careful what you put in it. Public stuff is public, even to those with anti-Wanderer sentiment."

[doctorofdeath]

She'll certainly treat the journals with the caution they deserve. In some ways, she can be quite open, and in certain other matters of her life, she can be quite guarded. So, of course, she's not eager to let things get out that she would prefer remain hidden.

"These people, those who have an apparently low tolerance for Wanderers, are they often...violent? Or is their repugnance limited to methods of protest which don't involve physical harm?"