[ Robbie's eyes flicker dubiously from the face mask, cloak, the weird tube connecting the two.
It's not the disjointed English that makes him hang back. You live in New York a few years, and you get used to hearing a hodgepodge of accents. This guy's English isn't hard to follow.
'Earth, yes?' That's what's bothering him. That's not a question he hears often; even space travellers like Novas can generally manage to remember what Earth is like. One eyebrow hikes itself up in response and stays put through the offer of help. ]
Ye-es, this is Earth.
[ He's closed about half the distance between them, but it's plain from the way he's gauging the distance, keeping his injured arm close, and reluctant expression that Robbie won't be coming any nearer until things start making sense.
He doesn't want to take his eyes off the newcomer (or oldcomer. Robbie's not sure who was 'here' first), but he risks a quick glance again at the buildings. ]
... I think we were somewhere over Germany. This... doesn't look very German. There's a distinct lack of sauerkraut in the air. Is this Earth?
[ Despite the weak attempt at a joke, the question is real and fraught with fear. If it's not Earth, is he dead? No, if this is an afterlife, he wouldn't be offered medical attention. He'd be suffering for eternity or else not get hurt. But if a machine that could kill millions of people exploded... he could be anywhere, theoretically. ]
no subject
It's not the disjointed English that makes him hang back. You live in New York a few years, and you get used to hearing a hodgepodge of accents. This guy's English isn't hard to follow.
'Earth, yes?' That's what's bothering him. That's not a question he hears often; even space travellers like Novas can generally manage to remember what Earth is like. One eyebrow hikes itself up in response and stays put through the offer of help. ]
Ye-es, this is Earth.
[ He's closed about half the distance between them, but it's plain from the way he's gauging the distance, keeping his injured arm close, and reluctant expression that Robbie won't be coming any nearer until things start making sense.
He doesn't want to take his eyes off the newcomer (or oldcomer. Robbie's not sure who was 'here' first), but he risks a quick glance again at the buildings. ]
... I think we were somewhere over Germany. This... doesn't look very German. There's a distinct lack of sauerkraut in the air. Is this Earth?
[ Despite the weak attempt at a joke, the question is real and fraught with fear. If it's not Earth, is he dead? No, if this is an afterlife, he wouldn't be offered medical attention. He'd be suffering for eternity or else not get hurt. But if a machine that could kill millions of people exploded... he could be anywhere, theoretically. ]