[At first he'll be wondering how to dictate to this strange little device, how to use and get the most out of it. Simply asking how was out of the question! And Arthur, being a stubborn clod, was absolutely determined to figure out how to use and manipulate this curious box.

Somehow he could receive messages on it-- via text of course, that was no shock, and neither was recorded sound played back (although the quality was truly a marvel to Arthur's ears)--but high quality moving pictures in perfect sync with great sound...! He just had to make his own broadcast for his own pride's sake, lest he feel dreadfully outstripped by the many others who seemed so accustomed to this technology.



In all his excitement as he paces outside the graciously and impossibly growing gardens, Arthur forgets to look through the other messages; so eager to learn this thing and send a message of his own.

So. His formatting, while it makes all sorts of sense to him...? It may not to others...

He formats it not unlike a telegram. Go with what you know, right?]

UNKNOWN LOCATION, FAR FROM EARTH ADRIFT IN HEAVENS

FEBRUARY ? ? 1898


FIRST PERSONAL MESSAGE WRITTEN FROM BEYOND EARTH ORBIT
EXCITING TIME TO BE ALIVE
LACK OF CONTACT WITH EARTH IS A SHAME
POLITE REQUEST FOR CONTACT WITH OTHERS FROM SAME CENTURY
THANK YOU


ARTHUR KIRKLAND

[He's so proud of this message when it's sent that he puffs up like a self-important bird and doesn't even think it may have been rude to be typing so intently in public. He will, however, greet anyone if they choose to speak to him. He's difficult to miss in his waistcoat and polished leather shoes.]

All this nonsense about the future.... Now if I could just get back home and bring this device with me...

[ There's a muffled fumbling sound, followed by some tapping on the communicator to check that it's working. Having never used anything remotely technologically advanced beyond a clunky walkman that plays cassette tapes, she's still trying to get a handle on how these things work. ]

Jeez. [ Muttering. ] How the fuck do I even-- [ Some more experimental tapping. ] --Oh. Wait. I think I got it.

[ She's got it to her ear now. There's a nervous pause as she listens for any sign of… something. Uh. Maybe she should just talk and hope someone talks back. ]

Um. [ Fuck. Think of something to say, Ellie. ] Sooooo. Stuck on a giant creepy spaceship. Great. That's a first. Oooor… apparently not, because apparently I've been here before? Which, y'know. That's totally not creepy at all or anything. Though, guess it would've been nice to have had a liiiiittle bit of a heads up about that when I was spat outta that blue gunk stuff? Whatever the hell that shit was? Someone to tell me something like, jeez, I dunno, "Hey, little girl, just so you know, you're on a giant fucking spaceship, which you've totally been on before, try not to freak out". Or, "Hey, sooo here's how you work this… phone… thing… which I can tell you've never used before, even though you apparently have and just can't remember it". Ooooor, "Hey, just a heads up that you've been kidnapped - …uhhh, again? …I guess? - aaaand you're gonna be stuck here for the next however long leaping through wormholes and other comic book shit you're probably not gonna understand, have a nice fucking day".

[ She's rambling. Nervous. Trying not to come across as nervous. Probably failing. ]

Soooo, I guess, on that note? Anyone wanna fill me in on what the hell I was doing the last time I was apparently here? Or… [ A pause. The thought of other people like that Marty guy telling her they know her sends a chill down her spine. Makes her feel reeaalll unsafe and out of control. She's doing fine enough as it is with feeling unsafe and out of control without a bunch of strangers talking to her like they know her making it even worse. ] Actually. You know what? Maybe it's best you don't. This place is creepy enough as it is without weirdos talking to me like we're friends or something. No offence or anything.

Oh. By the way. [ No one can see it, but Ellie is rubbing her nose - a nervous habit of hers when she feels scared or uneasy. She has to muster all her strength to not sound as worried and scared as she actually is, especially about what she's about to mention next. ] Guess I should, um, mention while I'm on this thing that I'm looking for someone. An old guy, with a beard, looks pretty pissed off most the time, like he's got a giant stick up his ass.

[ A feeble attempt at trying to sound lighthearted, like she's not worried about not being able to find Joel. There's a pause, though, followed by a quietly worried exhale of breath. ]

I'm gonna guess he's probably… not… [ Can't bring herself to finish the sentence: probably not here. ] Uh. Look, if you see a guy wandering around who fits that description, answers to the name Joel? Just... just tell him there's a little girl looking for him.

[ Another awkward pause. She swallows hard, trying to swallow back the slow burn of panic that keeps trying to rise up her throat like bile. ]

Oookay. I'm done here. Over and out. Or… whatever.

[ More fumbling noises. A quietly muttered, "what the fuck, how do I turn this thing--" and then the feed ends. ]

[ Natasha’s face on the screen is blank and unreadable, but for those that know her, she’s probably very unamused. She doesn't like it when questions aren't answered, and even less so when she’s actively told not to ask. It just makes her want to ask more.

But this line isn't secure, and Natasha knows better than to push her luck this early on. Thinking of this like a mission is the easiest way to deal with it. ] Hi. Natasha Romanoff. Some of you have apparently already met me, even though I don't remember it. I've heard a rumor that SHIELD agents are here, so if you could check in with me, I'd appreciate it.

[ As for work, she'll deal with that later. Right now, she has to get settled and get information from people who might actually give it to her. She considers a moment, and then tilts the corner of her mouth up into a tiny smile. ]

Also, I'm into collecting fossils, so if anyone's seen Captain Steve Rogers around, let me know.