reality_crossroads | (no subject)

(no subject)

There is a little old man in the Nexus today, dark of skin and bright of clothing. He seems entirely unsurprised by being here. He also seems, when the light hits him just right, to have too many limbs to his shadow.

Mr. Nancy is in the house.

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And yourself? Or did you miss out on it?

[Marty nods] Yeah, that one I didn't stumble across. There was the vending machine, though -- got some awesome soda that lets you walk on walls! And later met the lady who helped keep it stocked and scored some extra cans.

[Doc, laughing softly] I worry about your enthusiasm for that soda sometimes.

[Marty, pointing] Walking on walls is cool and I won't hear any different.

It can be a fun trick, I agree.

[Doc, with a sideways glance] I suspect there's some natural bias in your answer.

[Marty, going back to his fishing] Nah, he just knows what's up. And what's down, sideways. . .

Oh, there may be a bit of bias in old Mr. Nancy.

[Doc chuckles] At least you're willing to admit it. [then, suddenly, his pole jerks in his hand] Oh! Great Scott, I think I've got something!

Well don't just stand there, then. *Not the most helpful, but then he rarely is.*

[Doc, holding on tightly to the rod] What should I be doing? I'm not used to this!

[Marty, watching] I think -- aren't you supposed to pull in the opposite direction of the fish? Tire it out or something as you pull in the line?

*Mr. Nancy just watches. It's funnier that way.*

[Doc, struggling with the fish] I'm pulling in every direction possible, and it doesn't seem to be making much difference!

[Marty, a bit frustrated] Well, what do you want from me? I'm new to this too!

*Eventually Mr. Nancy takes pity on them and takes the pole himself. Although it's even odds if he'll pretend it was his catch from the start, because he's like that.*

[Doc, who is having a hell of a time with this incredibly tenacious fish, is only too happy to hand both pole and credit for the catch to Nancy. He grimaces at his abused palms] I didn't expect the creature to put up such a fight. . .

[Marty, eyeing his own pole] Me either. What kind of fish are in this lake?

Big ones, at a guess. *Eventually he manages to haul it up, though.*

[It's a pretty damn good sized lake trout that was giving Doc such trouble -- that thing's a good 70 pounds if it's an ounce. Marty whistles, eyes wide] Holy shit. . .

[Doc, similarly amazed] And here I was thinking no ordinary fish could attain such a size. . .

There are some big fish in the world.

[Marty peers into the water] And between the worlds. Cripes, wonder what else is in there?

[Doc, watching the trout flop] I'm a bit worried about finding out.

Might want to back away a bit, hmm? You never know, there could be alligators.

[that gets Marty hastily backing up] Yeah, you don't know, do you? Cripes, I hope there isn't. . .

[what looks like a shark fin briefly breaks the water farther out, before disappearing. Doc raises an eyebrow] Looks like the Nexus may have gone for a different kind of dangerous aquatic creature.

Oh lovely. Never did like Shark, I'd have much preferred Alligator.

[Marty backs away further down the dock] I'm not fond of either, honestly.

[Doc, watching the water] He seems fairly far out for now, but then again, I have no idea how fast your average shark swims.

Faster than you can, I'm sure.

[Doc, nodding] Oh, undoubtedly. I'm no championship swimmer. [glances at the gears poking through his knuckles] I don't think I'd make a particularly tasty meal for him, though, in my current state.

[Marty, frowning] He ain't gonna know that until he actually takes a bite out of you, Doc.

Sharks rarely know such things.

[Doc grimaces] And I don't think we should give him the chance to find out. Even if I probably can't lose an arm or leg to shark bite, it would still hurt.

Perhaps one fish is enough for you, then.