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.

[and_dontgetcute]

Flack's face sobers a bit at that, just thinking on the things he's seen in his time in Chicago alone. "Major groups like the CLF -- they won't hesitate to kill a Wanderer. They've even kidnapped and tortured them, before leaving the bodies like part of a display to prove their point."

[doctorofdeath]

Her expression falls as well, a deep frown in her features, her dark eyes looking as worried as ever. If that's the case, then perhaps Jane's absence from this place is a blessing in disguise. "Are there many of them, these zealots?" Pause. "By zealots, I mean 'fanatics,' not the uprising of Jewish people in Judea who advocated a violent overthrow of Roman rule." She laughs very lightly; of course, there's doubtful any chance his mind would've considered the latter, but it's more of a lame joke than anything else.

[and_dontgetcute]

He laughs softly himself, letting the joke go for what it was. As he mentioned before, he's used to working with people smarter than him, who make smart people jokes. Plus, he was raised Catholic. He's heard the word zealot before.

"It's hard to tell. There's one rather vocal member of the CLF, who seems to be their mouthpiece, but beyond that -- we don't know who their members are. But the CLF is definitely the largest of the anti-Wanderer groups."

[doctorofdeath]

She looks around again, just at the people passing by, the buildings, trying to get a sense of the atmosphere, of what awaits her. She trusts her ability to take care of herself, much as she might not be as experienced at it as others, but there are entirely different elements at work here, things she's not fully prepared for.

"I'm familiar with many effective self-defense techniques," she says, more for her peace of mind than anything.

[and_dontgetcute]

"Good," he nods. "That's good. Though it probably wouldn't hurt to make friends with someone with a little more power, just in case. Staying in groups helps."

People shouldn't be alone on the Rift. He's learned that the hard way a few times.

[doctorofdeath]

"I have spoken with a few people here," she states. Though, speaking with a few people doesn't guarantee friendship, and it doesn't guarantee she'll be safe if something bad were to happen. But it's...all she's managed at the moment. "And you seem to possess a moderate amount of power."

[and_dontgetcute]

"Yeah, but I'm still mostly human," he sighs softly. "I was thinking someone who literally has a bit more power to their punch. Archangels -- any angel really -- or some of the Wanderers have enhanced abilities. Someone who can really protect you if things came to a head."

[doctorofdeath]

With a muted fervor that's rare, and completely unexpected from her by most people, she asserts, "I can take care of myself, Detective. I'm sure you have the best of intentions, but I really am quite capable."

[and_dontgetcute]

His hands come up. "Okay. I didn't doubt that. Things around here just aren't exactly normal."

[doctorofdeath]

She looks a little sheepish now. "I'm sorry, detective, people just often seem to presume I'm incapable of taking care of myself. My outward appearance is merely that: how I appear to be, not what I'm capable of."

[and_dontgetcute]

"Capable is one thing. Outrunning a seven foot monster that happens to fall through the Rift is another thing. I don't doubt that most human problems you can handle, but the supernatural tends to be a factor here."

He hadn't been clear, and that is his own fault. He's just trying to make sure she isn't one of those Wanderers that wind up dead as soon as they arrive.

[doctorofdeath]

And she's grateful for the reality check, and the warning. "Oh." Her face falls a little bit again. "I hadn't realized -- I see. Would you recommend that I carry a weapon, then?"

[and_dontgetcute]

"Weapons are good. Is there anything you're comfortable with?"

He doesn't want to assume that she's comfortable with them, and if not, there are people who she can talk to that he can recommend. There's always someone in the Kashtta with a stash that she can try and see if she can find something she likes.

[doctorofdeath]

She hesitates: "I've...been shown how to use a gun." Once, by Jane. And she hadn't even fired it. But she's confident she can, if necessary. "Though I certainly would prefer that it never be necessary to use it."

[and_dontgetcute]

"Trust me, we all would," he nods. "It's just a fact of the world we live in."

He honestly doesn't know what else to tell her. In Chicago, if you don't protect yourself, you die. That's the way the world works.