[Nexus/Self-Cest] There's Been A Malfunction. . . .

[clockwork_doc]

*beep* "Damn."

*beep* "Damn!"

*beep* "DAMN DAMN!"

Doc glares at his PINpoint, staring at the error message on the screen. "Why are you giving me an error about returning to Chicago?" he demands of it. "I've gone there after LOLs plenty of times! I even gave this one some time to wear off! What's going on here?!"

The PINpoint, naturally, doesn't answer. Doc stares at it angrily for a moment. Then, slowly, his expression turns to -- almost fright. "Great Scott, am I stuck here?"

He'd thought being trapped in an alternate Chicago was bad. Being stuck in the multiversal Nexus, however. . .that's a whole different kettle of fish.

(OOC: In essence, this is just a write-up of why Doc and Victor are now just Nexusites, as I've left their original game. I've been meaning to do this for a while, so. . . .)

Comments

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

Doc sighs and sets his things down. "I don't know if you'll fully understand it, but I'll do my best to explain it clearly. The Rifts I described to you before -- the type I fell through, the holes between dimensions -- aren't the only type of Rift in Chicago. There's also what is commonly known as the Invisible Rift. Essentially, this Rift exists as a separate subuniverse in Chicago proper. It swallows individuals and traps them in a pocket of reality separated from the rest of Chicago. Some people are eventually released, but others never get out. My friend Revan was a causality of the latter." He sighs again. "And it appears Victor and I are too. We're the only inhabitants of this particular pocket of reality -- the rest of the city is empty. I suppose I'm fortunate the rest of the city exists, otherwise all my work would have been lost. . . ." He shudders at the mere thought. "That's why the PINpoint was giving me an error -- the invisible Rift probably altered my personal 'energy signature' or whatever it is these devices read again. The Place-Me-Quick machine gave as my home universe coordinates this little world. I have no idea how to go about fixing it, and considering I never got anywhere on trying to get back to our original universe. . . ."

[museicalmarty.livejournal.com]

Marty and Alice both stare as Doc explains what's going on. "Holy shit," Marty whispers. "So -- you guys are stuck in an empty version of Chicago? One that's not even caught up with the present?" He shakes his head. "Doc, sometimes I think the universe is out to get you."

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

"Essentially," Doc says, Victor nodding along. "I suppose it's not all bad -- my notes are still up to date, thank God, and I certainly won't miss the near-constant disasters that strike the city -- these little pockets seem immune to those. But I will miss those friends I had left." He sighs. "At least now you can come visit. And you too, Alice, if you want. I'm coming to live here so Victor and I can keep each other company. Neither of us want to live in totally empty buildings all alone."

[save-us-alice.livejournal.com]

"That's horrible," Alice says softly. "I'm so sorry for what's happened to you both. I wouldn't want to live all alone like that either." She looks a little surprised despite herself. "But -- you'd really want me to visit?"

[museicalmarty.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, that really sucks," Marty agrees sympathetically. "I hope you guys can figure out a way to go back sometime." Then he gives Alice a small smile. "Hey, I'd want you to visit. I think it would be awesome to be friends with Alice from Alice In Wonderland. You're cool."

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

"Maybe," Doc says, trying to sound more hopeful than he feels. "I'll keep working on it, see what I can do." He gives Alice his own smile. "And of course you're welcome here. I know we had a bit of a rough patch at the housewarming, but -- well, Marty said it best, I think."

[save-us-alice.livejournal.com]

Alice smiles back at them, feeling a surge of happiness. She hadn't expected this visit to go this well at all. "I'd love for us all to be friends," she says. "You can tell me all about the future. I know a little about it already, but it's all so fascinating!"

[museicalmarty.livejournal.com]

"We'll share whatever we can," Marty tells her with a laugh. "Hey, Doc, these two were talking about how they were going to talk to each other outside of meeting randomly in the Nexus -- you want to help them set up that e-mail thing? That way we can all get in touch with each other whenever."

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

"Of course! Here, let me show you how it works. . . ."

Doc gives Victor and Alice a brief run-down of the basics of e-mail as it was explained to him, and sets up accounts for them. Victor chooses the name "butterflyboy" for his ("A call back to a friend," he explains with a sad smile), while Alice uses "sheofwonderland." "All right, you're all set. Here, let me write everyone's down," he says, finding a piece of paper. He copies the names and appropriate addresses onto it four times, then tears up the sheet and hands out a copy to everyone. "Now we're all set for communication."

[deadgirlsliekme.livejournal.com]

"Thank you very much," Victor says, a sentiment echoed by the others. "I'm very grateful."

He looks around as everyone tucks their paper away. "Now -- er -- can I offer anyone any refreshment?" he says, feeling a bit awkward. "Or will you all be on your way now?"

[museicalmarty.livejournal.com]

The others look at each other. "I've got nowhere I gotta be," Marty shrugs. "Why don't we hang out for a bit? Anything good on the TV?"

[deadgirlsliekme.livejournal.com]

Victor checks his pocket watch and lights up. "Oh, I believe they're showing the Looney Tunes now! Alice, you have to learn about cartoons. . . ." He leads her over to the couch, flipping the TV back to the Cartoon Network.

[save-us-alice.livejournal.com]

"Do I now?" Alice says. She eyes the TV curiously. "Oh, now this is quite different. . . ." She sits down, watching the screen with interest. They've certainly come a long way since 1874.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

Laughing a little, Doc and Marty join them, and soon they're all caught up in the antics of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and the rest. All their various problems can wait -- right now, it's time for friends.