well this sure ain't no e-ticket

[cricketycricket]

[now that he's helped James figure out what to do with the dinosaur, and things are - as far as he knows - relatively calm, Five's enjoying the ride back to the border. he sits his horse with ease, handling the reins with one hand as he reaches back into a saddlebag to take out his journal and lay it open, using the pommel of the saddle to brace it in place]

Well, I can certainly say this has been an eventful trip, and therefore, I'm willing to call it a successful one. It would be useful to get a proper account of everything we've found, though, and since I can't be in two places at once ... anymore ... I don't suppose those of you along for the trip wouldn't mind sharing what you found and learned, for posterity?

[and oh, as an afterthought]

[John Hammond]

Good afternoon! Just a fellow scientist, seeing if you're about. Saw some of your work, recently, and I feel the need to ask... Was branding the poor creatures really all that necessary?

Comments

[cyan_maid]

I have some sketches of the coins from that cavern of riches at Lastlook, if you'd like to see them.

[courageous_wit]

I know Cloud took one of the coins we found. He may be willing to let us examine it closer.

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

Well I'm sure most of what I saw along the way was seen by everyone else. Though I did get a good look at a symbol carved into the walls of the cave. [he pauses] I also had a lovely conversation with the young woman who showed up out there.

[cricketycricket]

That would be lovely, Jane, and most appreciated. Thank you.

[cricketycricket]

They weren't Caisos, were they, then? I have to admit, I didn't get much of a look at the other chambers, myself.

[cricketycricket]

Was it, then? I didn't get far into the caves proper, my colleagues and I were too busy deciphering the riddle of that mysterious virus, and not getting very far at all. I did see that symbol in passing, though. Quite intriguing, almost a diagram of sorts...

... Ah. Our young friend Hope, yes. Poor girl, seemed nearly dead on her feet.

[courageous_wit]

No, they were something else.

Oh, I also got a sample of water from the canal. I think a few people gathered other samples while we were in the water, too.

so late eff you weekend

[whichwayyoulean]

I got this gold statue thingie. [The Once-ler turns the stupid thing this way and that, scrutinising it]

It kind of looks like a dolphin that's been beaten up with a baseball bat.

[cyan_maid]

You're welcome, Doctor!

[There's the telltale rustle of notebook pages.]

Oh! I also have some of the statues, too. Would you like me to give you the sketches in person?

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

Yes. I could draw it for you if you'd like. Though Dairine jotted it down, herself, so I know she has it.

[He makes a thoughtful noise] Yes. And she seemed very confused, poor thing. She didn't really remember anything from before she turned up out there.

[cricketycricket]

If you like! I don't want to be too much of a bother - it can wait until we reach the TARDIS at the border.

[cricketycricket]

Oh, excellent. It may be interesting and worthwhile to compare to the water in, say, the duck pond, or the town fountain ... see if they've the same source.

[cricketycricket]

Dairine has it? Ah! No need, then, I'm sure I'll get it off her soon enough. We're old friends, she and I.

... I wonder if Hope may have arrived out in the midst of it all, in the same manner we all arrived at the castle. It's a distinct possibility, though I don't dare question her too rigorously until she's had a chance to rest.

... I'm the Doctor, by the way. It's a pleasure.

no such thing as too late

[cricketycricket]

How very ... unique. I should like to see it - mind if I ride up and have a look?

[cyan_maid]

Alright, then! It's no problem at all.

[whichwayyoulean]

[But Five he wanted to emo by himself about things]

If I said yes would you just ride up anyway?

[courageous_wit]

I have some empty vials. I can get those samples very easily.

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

Ah well that works in that case. She's a good kid, extremely smart. [he chuckles]

I was able to get a little from her but I didn't want to push her too much. She said all she could remember before she showed up in the woods maybe a week before we got there was battle and explosions. I'm just glad we found her when we did.

Kevin Flynn. It's a pleasure to meet you. [He's curious about THE Doctor but, well, he's been friends with people named Quorra, CLU and Tron so the Doctor isn't really THAT big of a stretch.]

[cricketycricket]

Where are you? I can ride up to you, if you like.

[cricketycricket]

I should know by now that you're always prepared for whatever idea we come up with.

[cricketycricket]

It's quite likely, yes. Why, is something particularly the matter?

[cricketycricket]

Yes, which ... well, it could suggest one of two things: either she had a run-in with the more hostile members of the first generation, or she was brought here much the same as the rest of us. There's no way of knowing for sure until we can talk to her at length.

Same to you, Mr. -- wait, Kevin Flynn? Of the Grid? Forgive me, but I knew one of your programs, called Gibson. It's an honor.

[courageous_wit]

Oh! Do you know if anyone's using Dr. Brennan's old lab? That would be a perfect place for us to test these.

[cyan_maid]

I'm in a wagon with Flynn, actually. Where are you?

[whichwayyoulean]

Something's always the matter, I thought you'd have figured that one out by now, Doc.

[There's a subtle pause] Ted went home.