caughtinanetwork | 001 [Video]

[Coulson is having an odd day. A very, very odd day. Never mind the whole being... under the sea... thing. For a while there, he was quite sure that he was dead. But then. Not so dead. Instead, under the sea. Sure, yeah. This makes perfect sense.

His chest aches, and the blood on his clothes is quite the sign that he wasn't just dreaming. Coulson has been listening for a while, fiddling with the little starfish communicator, reading the pamphlet.

He's still confused.]

I think I'm using this right. Not really trained in use of starfish-shaped... gadgetry. But, if anyone is out there and can hear this, I have a question or twelve.

The pamphlet was very helpful. Map especially. But still, I was hoping someone could direct me to a hospital. Or a clinic. Or someone with a band-aid or two. I'm not picky.

[Beggars cannot be choosers. Coulson is intimately familiar with this concept.] Additionally, I'm agent Phil Coulson of SHIELD. I have an overabundance of questions and a lack of answers. If anyone feels like elaborating on just... how... I'm suddenly in a bubble under the sea and why this isn't some elaborate hallucination, I'd love to hear it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Magic brought you here.

And there's a clinic there in the middle district. Or you could just touch the coral.

Magic. Any reason why? I'm a nice enough guy, but I'm not nearly exciting enough for this sort of thing.

Touch the coral. People keep saying that. It sounds... like a bad horror movie setup.

As far as I know it's random. I haven't heard otherwise. But, trust me, 'nice enough guys' is a good reason to me.

I can't blame you for that thought...it does seem a little crazy.

But, I promise, you will feel better.

That a fact? Well. Now I feel significantly less special.

[He says this in a perfect deadpan, but he's quite clearly kidding.]

I will? No weird side effects. Like brain washing. Or being possessed?

[That gets a laugh at of her and she shakes her head.]

No, I don't believe so. It hasn't happened yet, anyway.

[Of course, knowing this place...]

It's actually somewhat peaceful here, for the most part. With exception to the curses.

I'll take that as reassuring thing.

[He hesitates then and almost seems unsure of whether he should ask, whether wants to know.] Curses. The pamphlet touched on that.

Anything I need to look out for in particular?

I hope you do.

[She moved the SFC down and hitched her shirt up a bit to show the mark on her stomach she'd received when she'd arrived in Vatheon.]

You have one of these somewhere on you like a tattoo.

[Aaand back to her face you go.]

It'll glow when there's a curse, but that's all the warning there is. As far as I know, they're all somewhat harmless, they just change your shape sometimes or mess with your head; nothing lasting.

[Yep, definitely nothing to be concerned with.]

[Coulson's eyes widen just a bit.] ...huh. I'll have to see about finding that.

[He is not a fan of this idea. Nope.]

Somewhat harmless? That's... well. Sounds fun. [He says this in a way that makes it clear he does not think it sounds fun in the slightest.]

But they're all temporary?

Yes, they only seem to last a full seven days and, as far as I know, always start on a Monday at twelve A.M.

[She gives him a sympathetic smile, she could still remember when she'd first arrived here as a little girl and how confused she'd been.]

It might seem like a lot to take in now, but I promise it's easy to slip into a new life here. Besides, there's a good chance your friends may show up here as well.

Well. Light at the end of the tunnel then. Hmm. And a really precise schedule.

[He nods.]

I'm seeing familiar faces already. But I do have quite a few important things at home that I should get back to.

[A nod.]

Don't worry, time runs a little differently here...besides, people go home all the time; my friend Garry left only a little while after we got here.

I'm sure you'll get home one day too.

Time runs differently. Then... is this outside of time? Some other dimension?

I'm afraid I don't know much about it, but it's something like that, yes.

I see. That's an interesting bit of news. Thank you. I appreciate the information.

[A faint, amused little smile.] It's giving me a headache, but I'm glad to know it.

You're welcome, I'm sorry I can't offer anything more...normal as an explanation.

My name is Ib, by the way, if you ever have any other questions.