Chapter 2: Information
"How do you read this anyways?" Jaune asked, looking at the last of the physics homework he was doing.
"Practice, and more patience than a monk could ever have," Daryll answered.
"This language is strange to read," Jaune added, not able to make heads or tails of it.
"You have a different writing system? Eh, makes sense, considering the world difference," Daryll answered.
"Also, I've been wanting to ask why you live with your mother. Sure she's nice, but most people in my world usually do more than stay home and do homework, especially at your age," Jaune informed.
"Well, saves me a few hundred dollars instead of paying for room and board, which could have run me around eleven hundred dollars Renting an apartment would coast me more. And yes, with the jobs I do, that would have been a lot. I should let you know I freelance. I do practically everything, and learn a lot on the jobs I do, which is partially why I am taking physics. I already know welding, and am a few weeks from a scuba license, which will open up another door for me to earn money. And that money will be used to get me a place of my own when I can afford it, which won't be for a while," Daryll explained. "The more knowledge you have the more doors open for you here."
"Don't you want to help with your parent's work?" Jaune asked.
"My mother works at a bank, and my dad is dead to me," Daryll answered. "Besides, desk jobs aren't something I would want to do unless I can create video games. Anyways, now that I'm done, I should probably take a look at anything that could be used to get back. It could take a while," Daryll spoke, closing his notebook and text book, going to his computer. He instantly unlocked it, and went to Firefox. He sat there for a bit, not sure what he should start with. "I'm drawing a blank."
"I can see. Why not possible portals? Who knows what you'll get," Jaune suggested.
"Good idea. Searching possible portals to other worlds," Daryll spoke, typing him what he said, hitting enter. He barely scrolled down before Jaune stopped him.
"I know that monument! Sure it looks a little worn by time, but I know that!" Jaune excitedly informed, pointing at an image of a large formation of stone blocks in a circle.
"Stonehenge. Figures that would be a magical portal. Problem is getting there," Daryll informed.
"Why? Is it far?" Jaune asked.
"There are seven major areas of this world called continents. There's North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. We are in North America, and Stonehenge is in Europe, which is separated by an ocean if we go the direct route. If we wanted to travel entirely by land, we could have to traverse Eurasia, which would be more trouble than it is worth. So, in order to get there, you need a passport. I'm not sure how travel in your world is like, but without a passport, there is no way to get from one country to another without one," Daryll explained.
"Why? Doesn't that make things more complicated and worse for peace?" Jaune asked.
"You haven't been here long enough. The "peace" you've seen is fear. Fear of an atomic winter. There is a reason I know so much. I am prepared for a nuclear fallout, since North Korea, China, Russia, United States, Britain, and France to name a few all have nuclear warheads pointed at each other at all times. Not many people are aware of it consciously, but their subconscious know it, and they ignore it and live in ignorance. I'm ready for it though. Always ready," Daryll added.
"What is this "atomic winter" and "nuclear warhead" you mentioned?" Jaune asked.
"Best if you don't know. It isn't a good thing," Daryll spoke, ending that conversation. "Anyways, back to the main point. We need to get you a passport. And considering that they will want to see ID as well, we also need a driver's license or state ID for you. Both we will need to have a social security number for, which will be the hard part. Give me a few months to get that done. I know some people who can help. Before I call them, how bad do you want to get home?"
"More than anything," Jaune informed.
"Even if it cost you your life?" Daryll confirmed.
"Yes. I would give up everything to get back home," Jaune answered.
"Okay. What is about to happen is highly illegal, and should we get caught, which the chances are high that we do, we won't ever see the light of day again," Daryll explained.
"How high?" Jaune asked.
"Too high," Daryl spoke, grabbing his phone, heading into the hallway, dialing his "friend" who could help.
"Hey. Are you calling about what we talked about earlier?" his friend asked.
"No. And you should probably get rid of that project. I need to get a fake ID," Daryll answered.
***Three Hour Later***
"Why are we here?" Jaune asked, having followed Daryll to his "friend's" house, ringing the doorbell.
"To get you an ID. He said to come over in three hours, and I told him I would explain when we got here," Daryll informed, seeing his friend.
"I see," he smirked, Daryll glaring daggers into him. "Okay, sheesh. I assume the ID is for her?"
"You assume correctly. Let's talk inside," Daryll spoke, the three heading inside. They followed the man, Jaune leaning in to Daryll.
"Who is he?" Jaune whispered.
"Leroy Jackson. He is a shady person, so I try only to deal with him when I absolutely have to," Daryll answered in a whisper, entering a room that he had never seen.. There was a camera and a shitty blue background that one would find at the DMV.
"Stand in front of the background and look at the camera," Leroy spoke, going behind a wall that separated everything from the front where both assumed that everything was. Jaune did what she was told to do, and smiled. A second after she smiled a flash quickly blinded her, Jaune blinking a few times, be fore regaining full use of her eyes. After a few second they could hear Leroy shout. "Daryll! Explain!"
Daryll wondered what Leroy found, but with that kind of voice, it couldn't be good. Daryll entered, and saw so much equipment that he couldn't even name, but he could tell that it was all for his operations. Leroy was looking at his screen, wondering what was so bizarre. Daryll saw the picture and sighed. "Why did you do that?"
"That's the thing: I didn't," Leroy answered. "Explain please."
"The reason I needed a fake ID and a social that wouldn't get flagged is to get her a passport. Apparently she is from a different world, but that is proof. We need to somehow figure out a way to remove those ears without altering the picture. Otherwise, it would be noticed, right?" Daryll explained.
"And why do you need a passport?" Leroy asked.
"Stonehenge. Apparently there is an identical place in her world, so we are going there to check it out. It is the only lead we have right now," Daryll informed.
"Why not go down to the SSN office?" Leroy wondered.
"She wants to return ASAP. This isn't her world, and she knows it. I plan on going through as little government as possible, since it could take months. I want this done in a few days, at most a month. I know that you can make that happen," Daryll answered.
"Figure out a way to get rid of those ears then, or hide them," Leroy requested. "Then I can help. Passports, ID, everything and anything you need."
"Let me have a minute with her," Daryll smirked. Walking back over to Jaune, he looked at her. "We found something in the picture. I can't see them, but I know right where they are. Is it possible to hide your ears? They came up on the image. Tiger I assume? We can't do it without you concealing them for the pictures we need for the ID and passport."
"Okay. Care to give it another go?" Jaune asked, Daryll assuming she did her best hiding them.
"Okay! Run it again!" Daryll called, Jaune being blinded momentarily.
"Great! I can't see them at all now! Just one more and you'll be all set to go! It will take a few days to get everything ready," Leroy called out, Jaune nodding, another flash coming. "Okay! I almost have everything I need. Just a name and DOB."
"DOB?" Jaune asked.
"Date of birth. Let's see, how old are you? I ask so that We can get a somewhat close day," Daryll informed, looking around. "Do you got a pen and paper back there?"
From the other side, a pen came along with a notebook, Daryll barely able to catch them, as he wasn't expecting the sudden appearance. He wrote down her name, and a few other things before looking at her.
"What did you write down?" Jaune asked, Daryll showing her quickly before returning it to where he could write on it.
"Just the basic stuff. Height, weight, which I went for an estimate based on when I carried you, eye color, hair color: went with brown. All I need is a date of birth. When were you born?" Daryll spoke, waiting for an answer.
"Let's see. Next month is my birthday, so that would make it the fourteenth," Jaune informed, Daryll dropping the pen.
"Your kidding, right?" Daryll asked, Jaune looking it him.
"No. That is my birthday," Jaune informed.
"Looks like this will be one tall order. June fourteenth is my birthday as well," Daryll chuckled.
"Really? What are the odds?" Jaune asked.
"Do you want to do the math?" Daryll questioned, picking up the pan before writing the date on the paper, giving the notebook back to Leroy. "Information's all there."
The duo left, walking back home, which was about a twenty minute walk. They talked the entire way,since they wanted to know more about the other's world. Daryll learned that there were athletic events that had combat in them that they called "war games," which caught his attention.
"So, what are some of the weapons used? Typical swords, shields, and spears?" Daryll questioned, opening the door to his house, no one home yet.
"Some use clubs and axes. But my weapon of choice is a giant axe," Jaune informed.
"Damn. Has anyone used knives or staves?" Daryll inquired.
"Two people. Éclair of Biscotti and the Hero Shinku respectively," Jaune answered.
"What about a meteor hammer?" Daryll asked.
"A what?" Jaune asked, not familiar with the weapon.
"Meteor hammer. However, your question answered mine. I could show you what one is. I have one, though it won't look like much," Daryll answered, heading up to his room, Jaune following. She saw him open a desk draw that had his computer setup, and take out a coiled rope with a small weight on it with a black cloth on it.
"It doesn't look that impressive to be honest," Jaune answered.
"You haven't seen it in action yet. It can be quite painful. It is solely based on the momentum and motion that the user can produce. You'll see when we can get to an open area with few people. It is a hard weapon to learn, and some moves look dangerous to the user. Anyways," Daryll started, putting the meteor hammer back in his desk. He then sat down on his bed and patted the spot next to him. Jaune sat next to him, and he started petting her head, right where her ears were. Instead of pushing him away like part of her wanted to do, she started to purr, Daryll smiling. "You seem to like getting pet there. That's cute."
"Shut up," Jaune purred, Daryll chuckling.
"So, anything you looking for while here?" Daryll asked after he was sure she was completely engaged in being pleasures by his hand.