Brassworks, April 5th 2022

[Phaedra]

"Of course, sir." Phaedra replied "I didn't know that you'd changed it. I'm sorry."

[Bobby Bowen]

"I didn't change it, because I never used it."

Bobby stood up, walking to the window.

"Where do you think you are right now?" he asked, opening it.

[Phaedra]

"Your flat in London."

[Bobby Bowen]

"Well, I wouldn't call it a flat.." He said, pointing to the Brassworks sign outside of the window.

"Just a couple of rooms over a garage."

[Phaedra]

"....oh...." Phaedra said "This is....rather odd."

[Bobby Bowen]

"Where were you exactly, before you found yourself here?"

[Phaedra]

"In my room." Phaedra replied "Ms. Valentine's townhouse."

[Bobby Bowen]

"Nah, Victoria doesn't have a townhouse. At least, not yet.."

Bobby exited the bedroom, heading down to the garage.

[Phaedra]

"She doesn't?" Phaedra asked, confused.

[Bobby Bowen]

"No.."

Bobby returned after a few minutes, bringing along a complicated looking, handheld scanner.

"I borrowed this from my dad's lab, after he disappeared.."

Turning it on, he tried to make sense of the output before waving it near his bed.

[Phaedra]

"What does it do?" Phaedra asked.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Lot's of stuff I have no idea how to make work. But I should be able to tell if a portal of some kind was opened recently.."

[Phaedra]

"I might not be in my own universe?" Phaedra asked.

[Bobby Bowen]

Bobby paused a moment before answering.

"I wanted to be sure.. but yes, that's what I think happened. We've been getting a lot of that occurring lately."

[Phaedra]

"I might be somewhere else...?" Phaedra said softly "Thank God, thank God."

[Bobby Bowen]

Bobby nodded, as a beep sounded, as he moved closer to his bed.

"Not quite the reaction I was expecting.."

[Phaedra]

"You would, if you had any idea what its like there." Phaedra replied.

[Bobby Bowen]

Bobby nodded, understanding.

"I don't sound like a very nice guy, where you are from."

[Phaedra]

"It was that or end up like me." Phaedra replied "You-he was lucky to have options."

[Bobby Bowen]

"Well.. Welcome to my world, I suppose," he said, smiling.

[Phaedra]

"Thanks." she said with a smile "So, what is it like here?"

[Bobby Bowen]

Bobby thought a moment, wondering how to phrase things.

"It's not bad- we are pretty free. Mutants still get discriminated against, but that sort of thing has died down for the most part. There is no slavery, at least.."

[Phaedra]

"Who would-you mean there are still free humans?"

[Bobby Bowen]

Bobby nods.

"Humans and mutants are free to intermingle here," he said, feeling a little silly doing so. It was difficult explaining how things were, to someone for whom they weren't.

[Phaedra]

"That must be nice." Phaedra replied "Much better than hunting them for sport."

[Bobby Bowen]

Bobby gave a look of confusion, with just a hint of revulsion at that.

[Phaedra]

"Things are different here." Phaedra said, noticing his expression.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Yeah.. we generally don't hunt people for sport here, mutant or human."

Bobby moved back over to his closet, ruffling through it.

[Phaedra]

"Yet another advantage." Phaedra replied.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Look, general protocol is to get travelers like you to the University for examination.. I should probably do that. Or you can take a little while, to get things straight. Do you need anything? Food? some water?" he asked, putting on a shirt.

[Phaedra]

"Some food would be wonderful." Phaedra replied, sounding happier than such a simple offer should have made her.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Let's see what we've got, then!"

Leading her to the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator, pulling out a variety of leftovers for her to decide on.

[Phaedra]

"Some chicken would be fine." Phaedra said, eagerly reaching for a piece.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Take what you want."

Pouring her a glass of water, he placed it beside her.

[Phaedra]

"Thank you." Phaedra said, looking slightly surprised.

[Bobby Bowen]

"Look, We're not going to force you back- It would be really horrendous to even think that. But it's going to be a real adjustment for you.. I want you to know If you need someone to talk to, I'll be around."

[Phaedra]

"Thats very kind." Phaedra replied "Thank you."