[ He looks at Ian askance, expression blank and eyes hard.
Owen is a practical man. Analytical. Scientific. He's not sure what to make of Ian, still, but he's not so cruel as to ignore someone in need, nor too proud as to turn down help. But other realities, where sentient life took after dinosaurs -- seemed to worship them, even? Where one person could fall from one reality into another? Owen didn't subscribe to multiverse theory, but at the same time, it would easily explain Ian's existence.
And if he really came from a place like that, then maybe it would be a good idea to send Blue there. Rexy too, even, though wrangling here would be a different problem altogether.
... This was a train of thought more comfortably had while they weren't being hunted.
In the dark, it was difficult to get his bearings, but he knew his way around the island; still knows, even, despite his time away. When the voices of the men fade to a whisper, he gestures for Ian to follow, then heads off deeper into the jungle. ]
[ Ian can practically hear the gears in Owen's head turning. It's clear Ian's appearance has turned his reality upside-down. Ian knows how he feels to a degree- it was very much the same for him when he found himself mixed up in a conflict between gods. ]
[ The place he has in mind isn't too far from the coast, but it's likely to be far from InGen's search area. The building is overgrown, reclaimed by the jungle after over twenty years of disuse. The double doors part to reveal a large room. Vines cling to the walls and hang from the ceiling. The floor has been taken over by different types of plants, but is otherwise covered in dirt and dust.
It's only now that Owen finally brings out his flashlight, flicking it on to provide some light. Mostly for himself, of course; he assumes, given Ian's ancestry, he must have better night vision than him. ]
Mm, afraid not. Mostly they're rather busy breathing fire in my general direction the moment I step foot into the vicinity.
[ He casts a look at Gajeel over his shoulder. ]
That's a general "I," by the way. My preference would be to give the things a wide berth. Marvelous creatures, of course, but their penchant for setting carts and caravans aflame can leave something to be desired.
The main building of what used to be Jurassic Park. Was on its way to being a huge hit, before the dinosaurs got out and ate a few people.
[ He pauses, casting his light around. There's what looks like a banner on the floor, torn to pieces. ]
This island used to be an amusement park. Extinct animals brought back to life to entertain folks at a premium. Was supposed to imbue people with a sense of humility and wonder. Mostly people wanted to see giant monsters roaming the Earth.
You can probably figure out why the place got shut down the second time around.
[ That's a little on the nose. Or on the snout, as it were. ]
I expect your friend the dragon didn't leave so much as a missive, then.
He was sapient, then? In my experience, dragons seem little more than beasts. Fascinating and lethal and beautiful, to be sure, but their mental faculties seem no more impressive than a common bear's.
Question still stands, though. What makes you think your Gatekeeper friend can return you home, if they were the one to bring you here in the first place?
If he sent me here, it only follows he can bring me back. He is a god, after all.
I'm already in his employ, as it were, so I assume this is his way of avoiding contracting someone else for this little errand. Whatever its true purpose may be.
[ He glances toward the ceiling, and his tone gets stern, if slightly exasperated ] A little direction now and again would be nice. That's all I'm saying.
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