milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

alyx vance,
chell

(no subject)

A portal opens in the ceiling, briefly. For a few moments, anyone looking up through it would see yellow fields of corn and a dark-haired woman carrying some kind of gun(?) and a burnt cube staring back down at them.

She shrugs silently and jumps through. The portal closes as she slowly takes stock of her surroundings. (if) It's another test, then it's the first one she's seen that incorporates other actual human beings (unless they're all highly-developed androids).

Regardless, Chell carefully begins making her way through the bar, a little jumpy and overly cautious about not touching anything unfamiliar (which is everything). Anything, at this point, could be a trap.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"--Chell??"

That would be the woman who just walked back out from the ladies' room and did a double-take.

"What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

Woman who knows her name.

Woman Chell does not recognize who knows her name. Chell narrows her eyes at Alyx and shifts her positioning so her Companion Cube is comfortably held in the ASHPD's grip and not in the way of hasty retreat, should it be needed.

Now. Chell gives Alyx a look that says, very clearly, your turn. Time for explanations.

The woman steps forward, holding out both hands, a concerned frown on her face. "Chell, you can talk to me anytime. You know that. Just calm down and tell me what happened."

Edited 2012-10-16 03:49 (UTC)

Uh-huh. Chell sets her mouth in a thin line, clearly not happy with Alyx's lack of usefulness. Rather than waste her time with demanding she give explanations, she starts scanning the bar again for exits and possible dangers instead.

"Come on, it's gonna be okay..." the woman reaches out to lay a hand gently on Chell's shoulder.

She springs into action with the type of reflexes you only get when .2 seconds is all you have between life and being shot to death by turrets with no hard feelings. Perhaps luckily for Alyx, Chell chooses to open up a portal under herself, which reactivates the orange one she initially came through.

She's not ready to vacate the area entirely (partially because she doesn't know what would be waiting for her outside), but space is good.

The woman jumps back in alarm.

"What has gotten into you?!"

Chell crosses her arms.

She could ask the same question. Except, maybe, Chell has gotten into what.

"Chell." She steps forward, looking very serious. "You're safe here. We're all safe here. Put down the portal gun and talk to me."

Sure, Chell's expression seems to say. She's safe here. Safe as a rat in a cage. Try another story.

Her expression softens a little.

"...don't you know me? It's me, Alyx."

Chell offers her a quick shake of the head.

No. No, she really doesn't.

"What about Milliways? Do you remember Milliways?"

Oh God, did the greyfaced bastard get to her again??

Noo, her face clearly says. She doesn't know what Milliways is.

"What's the last thing you do remember?"

Chell helpfully points a finger at the portal.

Does that answer her question?

"Before coming in here."

Chell makes a noise that could be described as 'annoyed'.

Walking. Corn field. What else was there to do?

"Chell, talk to me. Or--do I need to get you a pen? Because I can get you a pen and paper."

After a moment's thought, Chell gives a jerky nod.

Pen and paper will do okay.

Alyx takes a few steps back and lays her hand on the bar's countertop. "Bar? I need a pencil and a legal pad, please." The requested items materialize, and she offers them to Chell.

With writing implements, Chell carefully traces out in shaky, childish handwriting. was walking in field. who are you?

"I told you, I'm Alyx. Gordon's wife? You remember Gordon, at least?"

Very carefully, Chell scratches out who?

"He was the one you met the first time you came here..." Alyx's expression is caught between concern and confusion. "You really don't remember??"

The inelegant noise Chell makes could only be described as frustrated.

If she doesn't remember every having come to this place, then why would she remember a man she met here?

Alyx runs her hands over her face. "Okay. This isn't getting anywhere. Let me take you home and we'll get this straightened out..."

Chell takes a quick step back and raises her portal gun at home. No. No. That's not happening. She scans the walls for a good candidate for a quick departure.

"No one is going to hurt you," Alyx almost shouts. "I promise."

She's heard that before.

Chell finds her quick getaway in the form of just-opened hallway door. She sees flat wall and takes it, sending a quick portal there and opening another one under her feet. A second later, it's gone, too, and she's off.

"Chell--!"

Alyx sags and runs her hands over her face again. Okay, fine. She'll go home, let the younger woman cool off for a little while, then come back and find her. She can't go far, anyway.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only