Second Chances: the Network

I can't say I've wrapped my head around all of this, but they say my kid back home isn't on his own - some "divergent reality" thing that honestly, went way over my head - and that there's a version of me still there, so... cool. We can work with that. So long as he's okay and my sister-in-law isn't going to be flipping out because I went and disappeared.

Anyway. Hello. I'm Ray Molina, and apparently my daughter has been here for a while, so some of you probably know her. Julie?

[ Yelena Belova ]
Am I doing this filter thing right? They said you've been looking after Julie since she got here, so... any favourite meals? You're owed dinner pretty much for life. And come over any time you want. I'll make sure you've got a key.

Getting plane shifted back to the 80s is a pretty good excuse for missing school today, right?

[Hawkins]
Saw the post on Steve. I guess I got back first I hope. Back in '87 I was just with him, or maybe some parallel version of him.

Dustin, you were right about the military jeeps. It got worse from there.

I’ll tell you guys the whole story in person. Or just what you want to know here, in case getting all the details could have weird time travel consequences.

Uh... so I'm really glad that the weather's back to normal. Really glad. But... has anyone seen Steve today? I tried to drag him outside and he's not in the apartment. He's not answering his phone either. His stuff is still here, car included.

What is going on? How much should I be concerned about this? Because Steve wouldn't leave without saying something... usually.

[Hawkins Residents]
Are the rest of us all still here? Does this happen normally?

Okay, what the hell? It was 1986 ten minutes ago and now a guy in a suit is telling me it's 2028? And this isn't even the same universe?

I mean... Okay that makes sense. No way you can get from Indiana to California that quickly- Unless you use portals or teleportation or wormholes but two would take an enormous amount of constant energy consumption and the other would probably spit you out in a different universe. Oh wait! I'm sorry. That's exactly what happened!

This is supposed to be theoretical but now it's science fact? Though given what we deal with... maybe I should have expected other weird science to be real, but I didn't think about it because we had enough to worry about.

Suit Guy says I forgot to introduce myself... Right. I'm Dustin. Uh, Dustin Henderson. And I'm from a small town in Indiana. I like science. DnD and- Isn't California supposed to be warmer than this?

[Private to Steve Harrington]
STEVE! You're here? What are you doing here?

They said something about me needing a guardian and then said your name. Dude, what is going on???

I'm really glad I listened to that little voice in my head that told me to buy some warm gloves, a hat, and a heavy coat a month ago. I've never experienced cold like this before, and I hope to never do so again.

I'm also really glad I don't have to venture out into it, much. Online school would've been a boon back in the 80's, and I'm thankful for it now.

This is the kriffing worse. I can manage in the fog, but the ice? Yeah, no. I ate ground a little more than I wanted.

Is this normal weather here? I hate ice planets. I don't like being cold.

Hello? They told me I can use this phone thing to talk to folks. They told me it's not magic, but glory, it's as good as, isn't it?

My name's Daine. I don't really know what else to say, I guess, except that me and Kitten really need to get back home as soon as we can. If we can. They said there's no way to do that.

Oh. I guess I ought to warn you all, especially the ones I'm living with, but Kitten can pick locks. I've told her time and time again it's rude, but she's just a baby and she can only mind her manners so much. So I'm sorry if she ends up where she ought not to be, but if she does just call for me and I'll come get her.

The zoo really should be more up front about what they're selling. If I'm paying money to "adopt a lion", I should at least get to pet it or something. Calling it adoption when it's really just a donation is false advertising. Lion cubs are pretty cute though.

Need a stocking stuffer for the beer drinker in your life? Might I interest you in some of my homebrew? Please, take some of this off my hands, I went a little overboard.

[Jennifer Walters, Bruce Wayne, and Natasha Romanoff (Hawkins Kids Guardians)]
Hey. I was thinking, should we get Mike, Will, Eleven, and Max together for a little Christmas party just for them? So they can celebrate together before they get dragged to whatever family things we'll all be at. Bruce, I know we're probably crossing over at Dick and Jason's place, but I'm sure the rest of you have plans already for the big day.

[Dick Grayson]
Hola, mi vida. What's the big plan for Christmas day?

Everyone wish Eddie a happy birthday!

[Eddie]

I have your present.

[Private to Clint Barton, Phil Coulson, Yelena Belova, Matt Murdock, and anyone else in on the Wolf Farm conversations]
I think I found a space for us. It does have a neighbor, but the house abuts a wooded area where we could run.

It's 90 minutes South, on about 20 acres, and it's set up to be a vineyard. We could use that as a cover.
[end]

[Private to Max, Julie, and Yelena]
For Thursday, I'll make cinnamon rolls and a fruit salad for breakfast, then I think we have invitations to join other dinners, so we'll pick and choose where we go for actual Thanksgiving.

Henry is joining us at Phil and Matt's, and I'll officially introduce him as my boyfriend. Partner? My person. At any rate, we had the intentions talk, and that's where we landed. I wanted the three of you to be the first to know.
[end]

If any Mission High School students need something to do this week, I have some sets that need painting, and I can get you extra credit with your English teachers.

So... does school do a lot of holidays? Not that I'm complaining.

[TEAM REBELLION]

I got a kyber crystal. I mean I got it a few days ago, but I finally decided to share I got something from home. Still not sure how picking up that feather did it...

So glad I have a job, gas prices have gone up since the 80s.

[Hawkins]

My BMW just showed up. We have wheels.

I'm glad that the craziness of last month seems to be over. Hopefully it stays that way.

I realize this is probably only of interest to a small subset of people, but the debate on the Nanotyrannus has finally been settled - it's not just a juvenile T. rex, but a separate genus. About half the length and one tenth the body mass. (Okay, so word on the paleontology circuit is that this is still going to be debated, but it's still fascinating news.)

[Natasha]

What's it gonna cost to ransom my dinosaurs back from you?

( Text Message to Henry Loomis )

( Text Message to Yelena, Julie, and Max )

( Text Message to NYMPH + Clint + Steve R. )

[ Filter to: Natasha, Bruce W. + Eleven ]

Don’t be mad.

Eleven and I are stuck outside the city.

[ Filter to: Hawkins ]

Soooo Eleven and I might have skipped school today and now we can’t get back into SF.

What’s up with you guys?

We were meant to get back into the city tonight but there's a roadblock? Does anyone know anything about this?

There was meant to be a detour but it's blocked too.

[Hawkins Crew]

Humor me for a minute and promise none of you will go anywhere alone after dark.

I swear I saw some shady looking people scoping the building on my way home from work. Plus, the werewolves were attacked during the full. Also I have a weird feeling, like that feeling I have every time things turn to shit back home. Have any of you noticed anything?

I need a new bat.

...I never thought I'd miss my stint at the Academy. At least that was more interesting than this school thing. I am not made to sit still for so many hours a day.

Also, I feel like I need to study pop culture to even get references people are making.

Overall though? This place isn't too bad.

[Cassian & Jyn]

Everything is so karking different here? But like not. I don't-

I can't sense the Empire, which is a good thing, right? It leaves me unsettled though...

[Private to Stephen Strange and Simon Tam and Zoe Hart]
I saw mention of a clinic either in the apartment building or near it.

I got space near it. I have the licenses and other official paperwork you need, both through my means and our handlers'.

I just need y'all to go through the catalogs and then walk through and let the contractors know what you need so they can build it out. Don't worry 'bout the money of it all.
[end]

[Filter to 21+ minus Stephen Strange, Simon Tam, and Zoe Hart]
We're opening a clinic near the apartments if you'd like to help fund it. Money isn't an issue, but I wanted to open this up to other residents.

Don't feel like you have to contribute. It's only if you can, and even if you can't, you'll still be able to use it.
[end]

[Private to Clint Barton]
Can I build an arcade in one of your community centers that's closer to home so the kids have something that's easier to get to. And where they won't have to pay to play, but that part's hush hush.
[end]

I might need a new hyper-fixation. I put 100 hours on a new video game in the last week. 👀😵‍💫