reality_crossroads | (no subject)

[Doc, now a bit thoughtful] To be fair, we've packed a lot of odd events into -- er, I suppose it's a normal human lifetime. It's hard to be sure when time acts so differently in Arcadia. . .

Most people take a longer time to have so many oddities happen, yes.

[Marty, nodding] Yeah, but as is probably obvious, we ain't most people. I think the most "normal" one among us is Victor, and even he woke up the dead once.

That's not so hard to do. *A moment of thought.* Probably harder for mortals, admittedly.

[Marty snorts] Yeah, for most of us, dead is dead. And Victor brought Emily back by accident, so. . .

[Doc, figuring he can provide some context] He was arranged to be married and was out in the woods to practice his vows -- and upon putting the ring on a hand-shaped branch, discovered it was actually a skeletal hand. Belonging to a murdered bride who rose to accept what she thought was a proposal.

That's one way to do it, I suppose.

[Doc waves a hand] The real problem there was, while he was fleeing her, the Rift -- a tear between worlds -- picked him up. He went straight from running from a corpse bride in a Victorian England village to finding himself lost in a warehouse in modern-day Chicago. As you might imagine, it was quite the shock.

Well that sounds just lovely. Not the best of luck there.

[Doc nods] Yes -- he's lucky that, like me, he stumbled across some of the kinder residents of that Chicago when he arrived. I ran into it while Marty and I were trying to escape Arcadia and our Keepers.

[Marty grumbles] Yeah. . .kind of a kick in the teeth for both of us to get out, but only me to make it back home. I thought for ages Doc had died or gotten lost -- and couldn't figure out which was worse.

[Doc, immediately] Getting lost. Trust me.

There aren't many places where it's worse to get lost than to die. Assuming you don't starve, anyway.

[Doc, very seriously] Trust me, the Hedge -- the area between Arcadia and Earth -- is one of them. I got lost in it on my first attempt at escape from my Keeper, and. . .well. When I was first introduced to Marty, I was going by "Professor" as I didn't know my own NAME after stumbling around in there. Fortunately Marty helped me regain some of my memories, and the sudden trip to Chicago restored the rest.

It's good you got them back.

You seem like you could stand to join me in the miracle of the loafs and fishes. I can get some spare fishing rods somewhere, I'm sure.

[Doc nods] Yes, I -- well. I believe I already mentioned how nervous it's made me about having my mind altered.

[but this has turned out well, so he relaxes again with a smile] That sounds nice, honestly.

[Marty, with a little smile of his own] This is the Nexus -- you want fishing rods, they'll probably just turn up. Along with a lake.

*He nods and stands, ready for a lazy sort of miracle.*

[Doc, now curious, heads for the door and checks outside -- and yes, there does now seem to be a lake within walking distance, with a convenient fishing dock] Well, I can report that we at least have our location ready. . .

Lovely! *And he heads in that direction.*

[after a moment to make sure everything's sorted with the bartender, Doc and Marty follow. It's a nice lake, all things considered -- big and blue, with the water gently lapping at the shore and the pillars holding up the dock. And, judging by the occasional splashing on the surface, there's definitely fish in it]

*Nancy sits on the dock with a smile.* My favorite sort of miracle.

[and look, there's some fishing rods, all ready to go!]

[Doc sits down beside him] It's a nice little spot, to be sure.

[Marty, plopping down] Yeah -- Hill Valley had a lake kind of like this. Not a lot of people fished in it, though.

Their loss, then. Getting to relax is never a bad thing.

[Marty goes a little pink] Weeell, it was popular for -- other reasons. Back when I was in high school. Lot of stories about -- uh -- how it was the perfect place to "get lucky."

One of those sort of places? *He smirks a bit.* You have any luck?

[And now Marty goes a LOT pink] Uh -- no. Never -- I got yanked into Arcadia before I ever even got a steady girlfriend. [and don't think he isn't still a bit sour about it]

*A chuckle.* What a shame. Maybe you'll have better luck with this one.

[Marty's going to pick up a fishing rod and stop talking now, thoroughly red with embarrassment]

[Doc, picking up a rod as well] The fish certainly seem to be biting. [glancing over at Marty] And you're not the only one here with -- limited romantic experience.

[Marty, giving him a bit of a look] Not helping, Doc.