Near the ruins of JuLai, after the trip to White Shield

[el_llorono]

[Late in the night, across the radio waves that could be reached from the transmitter in Rem's old station and when everyone else in the household would most likely be asleep, the device kicked on seemingly all by itself and began transmitting what sounded at first just like static. After a few moments, though, if one were to listen close enough, a voice that was familiar to some could be heard, faint, as if coming from down a hallway. Operating this thing was strange for him, and manipulating the energies to get it to work the way he wanted wasn't quite the same as what he was used to when he was just speaking out loud, but he was doing his best.]

Hey, Needle-Noggin.

Really startin' t'miss you over here. We were on the road to Home the last time I saw you. The Earthquakes started and knocked us down. I think you saw me, just before I disappeared. You hadn't done that before. Not since December. It's been a long time. I'm sorry.

Anyway, I looked for you for a while, but...I found others, first. A couple different versions of you, another me, a sweet lady who I think you'd be happy to see. Things have been happening over here, though, people have been gettin' hurt, and...I can't really help 'em much, but I don't want to leave, yet. I'm worried something'll happen to 'em if I do, but...I'm startin' to worry that somethin' might happen before I find you again, too. I'm really hopin' you can hear this out there. None of the You I've seen have been right. They don't have the little bits of grey hair near your ears. They're all too young.

I know even if you do, you might not believe it's me. Might think it's one of the other ones that're runnin' around. I'm here, though. An' if you wanna come find us, I can explain. I think at this point, I owe you that much, for the little scare I must've given you out in the desert.

Look for a little radio station with a house attached to it, on the outskirts of the ruins of July. I know, terrible location, but I don't think they knew where it was when they originally built it. If you see the little cross made out of a couple of nails hangin' from the porch railing, then...just...I dunno. Sit with me. I'll be nearby. No drinks this time, though, it doesn't do anything for me anymore.

Otherwise, just give a shout. Someone should be able to hear you. There's people wandering in an' out a lot. Kids you might recognize, old faces you haven't seen in a long time. I don't really do much sleepin' anymore, so there should be someone awake to meet you, whenever you get in.

Uhhh...I guess...Punisher? Signing off.

[The crackle of static continued for a few more seconds before the device shut back down. It had been intentionally vague, yes; the last thing he wanted was to alert every bounty hunter on the planet that his old man was headed to JuLai, especially not since it would put an entire family of innocent people in danger. He hoped his voice was enough, that the old nickname and that stupid code name he'd been given, would all be enough to tell the people who needed to know just who was talking, and who the message was for.

Either way, for a good portion of the days that followed, a tiny cross made from a couple of construction nails tied together with twine - a simple enough thing for him to manage on his own - could be seen dangling from the railing of the porch. Anyone who sat down near it wouldn't realize it until he spoke up, but Wolfwood was sitting against the wall behind it, near the door, watching for anyone who might have followed the directions and come by for a visit.]

a new arrival

[tinico]

i. december

Nicholas was out for errands, a shopping bag slung over his shoulder with things that he'd been sent to buy, and he was almost back to the orphanage, smile already on his face to be returning to the shade. Then there was an odd shake of the ground, making him stumble, and when he looked up, everything was very different. Where buildings had been standing, now there was much damage, his familiarity the only reason he could recognize them anymore. Where people had been wandering around, laughing or yelling or just going about their business, there was... nobody. Only silence. And there was a strange smell in the air, like something wet had been spilled a while ago.

Nicholas's smile faded, eyes going very wide, and he ran towards his home, only to find the worst of the damage to be around it. He was calling out names - Miss Malanie's, everyone's - but there was only silence. Soon, he could see that there were signs that someone had been holed up in the basement, and then upstairs also but those were more recent.

And nobody was answering. Nobody.

ii.desert walking

Everyone had left. So he had to go somewhere else. He had no idea where, but. He'd managed to find a wide brimmed hat, and had added to his shopping bag whatever supplies he had. And he was walking to the next town he had seen on the maps. Which he'd also taken. There would be someone somewhere, right?

iii. octovern

Luckily for him, before walking in the desert could become too much for him, there had been another earthquake - and then he was among people again. After many, many hours mostly alone, other than some random encounters, he kind of needed a moment to lean in the shade and close his eyes in relief. He had not been to this city, but at least it was alive. He would take that.

Then he squared his shoulders, and went exploring. Even if he knew nobody, he should be able to find people who needed help that he could earn a living with, right?

iv. wildcard

ooc: have another idea? he'll pop up there! brackets and prose all good, will match.