reality_crossroads | (no subject)

And Anansi even likes the stories where he loses. They're his stories, and what is a god without stories? Just a name, that's all. Just a name. *He grins.* Or perhaps some old statue somewhere, without even a name to one's name!

[Doc tries to return the smile, but it's -- faded] A fate I think pretty much all of us, mortal and otherwise, would like to avoid. What's the point of a statue if you don't know who it's of, or who created it? Remembering people -- names and deeds -- is important.

Exactly! *And he's then off again, telling a hilarious and vaguely obscene story about why Tiger hates Monkey.*

[Doc snorts and snickers as Nancy goes through the tale, finishing off his drink along the way. The god certainly knows how to spin a yarn!]

Another Double Entendre, please. *Apparently whoever named that drink couldn't be bothered to actually think of one.* I notice that you have a karaoke machine in the corner, too. If you all don't mind?

[Doc's happy with just sticking with the one drink -- it was good, but he likes that he's still clear-headed enough to enjoy himself. He looks over at the machine] So they do! I certainly don't mind. [makes him wonder if he shouldn't invite Marty over -- though his honorary nephew tends to prefer performing with his guitar. . .]

*He smiles and begins to sing a song called "Yellow Bird." It was his wife's favorite song--his latest wife's, that is. Gods live awfully long lives, they tend to have more than one family if they don't marry their own.*

[Doc listens with interest -- it's a good song, with a nice Caribbean-style beat to it. Though, again, he's curious as to what Marty might think. Ah well, he's sure they can find a version later on the internet to listen to together]

*He takes his seat again, smiling a little sadly.* My last wife liked that one. Someday I'll probably forget that, but not yet.

[oh -- Doc's -- not sure how to respond to that, honestly.] I see. . .I hope you don't forget. Not for a while, anyway.

It happens when you're as old as I am, unless you marry someone just as long-lived. Bird-Woman hates me and for all that, to quote her, no one is leana' meana' or obscena' than Hyena? Well, I've seen the woman eating. Most of the others don't want to get involved in my life.

[Doc sighs and nods] That's fair enough. And from what I've heard in other mythologies, gods marrying other gods often doesn't go well. [thinking mainly of the Greeks here, and their Olympus soap opera]

It does rather tend to be a mess.

Too much time to get on each other's nerves, perhaps. Among other things. [shrugs] Then again, I'm a lifelong bachelor, so asking me about matters of the heart is the blind leading the blind.

Ah yes, blind leading blind leading blind. I know a few stories about that sort of thing . . .

[Doc chuckles] Of course you do. Which one is your favorite?

Oh, it depends. There are so many of them, after all.

Have you got any stories to tell?

[that gets another laugh] Changes each time you have to pick one?

[he nods with a sigh] Oh, plenty. Just a lot of them are rather depressing.

Something like that.

I suppose you don't have to tell them, then.

[Doc nods] I don't think anybody here wants to hear about Arcadia. It's a -- horrible place. [he glances at the gears in his hands] I was lucky to get out with my mind intact.

There are many horrible places out there, I'm sure. Luckily, we are not in one today.

[Doc nods again, much more emphatically] Oh, trust me, I know. Try an alternate Chicago with aggressive angels and demons warring around you sometimes. The Nexus and its various environs is much friendlier, even with the LOLs.

Cheers to that. *He holds out a glass currently holding something orange and sticky.*

[Doc clinks his own emptied glass against it] Cheers. I mean, if it wasn't for the Nexus, I wouldn't have my family.

I bet that story would take a long time to tell. At least if you wanted it told properly.

Sure you don't want another drink?