(no subject)

[a_nancy]

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.

Comments

[a_nancy]

And Jack is?

[clockwork_doc]

[Marty, looking up with a very blue mouth] Mmm? Oh, another guy we know through here. His reality kind of, um, collapsed.

[Doc, waving a hand] It's being rebuilt, apparently, but given there's not much to it yet -- one central island so far -- he and his come to the Nexus periodically to get supplies and just have somewhere else to go.

[a_nancy]

That sounds like a long story.

[clockwork_doc]

[Marty and Doc both nod, Doc frowning as he tries to think of a good way to explain] We obviously don't know all the details, but -- well. How familiar are you with superheroes? Or comic books?

[a_nancy]

Oh, I've read a few in my time.

[clockwork_doc]

Doc relaxes a bit -- less to explain, good] Well, Jack's world was a comic book world -- the DC universe, to be specific. Apparently, when the company rebooted the whole thing a little while back, it led to the world based on it collapsing. However, some other entities took an interest in the destroyed timelines, and now they're working with the residents -- primarily Jack's wife Jeannie -- to construct a new world from what was left over after the collapse.

[Marty scratches the back of his head] It's pretty complicated, but it seems to be working out for everybody involved. A lot of the residents who were -- not doing well mentally -- are finally getting the help they need, for starters.

[a_nancy]

I always did think that Batman could be doing something more proactive than fighting in dark alleys.

[clockwork_doc]

[Marty snorts] Yeah, Jack and Jeannie happen to be from Gotham, so they know all about that. I think everybody's agreed that Bruce could use a few good rounds of therapy himself.

[Doc, licking up a drip from his cone] I think that's true of everyone from that reality, given how many personal tragedies and minor retcons and the like they've all lived through.

[a_nancy]

History hasn't done them well, I imagine.

[clockwork_doc]

[Doc shakes his head] Certainly not a history that involves so many loved ones dying.

[Marty] Or dying, then coming back to life evil, or having their death mysterious reversed, or being outed as some sort of alien clone, or. . .well, if you've read comics, you know the drill.

[a_nancy]

They don't make much sense as a whole, do they?

[museicalmarty]

[Marty, glancing at Doc] I dunno if we're the right people to answer that question. I mean, remember what we told you about OUR lives.

[a_nancy]

Fair enough.

[museicalmarty]

[Doc] To be fair to us, though, a lot of people who end up here have rather -- complicated life situations.

[Marty nods] True -- you got the androids who go around to other realities helping out after fighting a war in their own world, you had the giant transforming robots for a bit, you had a vampire and a superhero hooking up. . .the Nexus is a trip.

[a_nancy]

I happen to be fond of trips. There are so many lovely places to go.

[museicalmarty]

[Marty grins] Well, you've got your choice here in the Nexus, if you're willing to look through the doors. Or just wander around for a while.

[Doc nods] It's certainly served us well in the time we've been coming here.

[a_nancy]

Good to know.

I probably should get back, though. See how people are getting on without me. *He grins, a flash of white teeth in that dark face.* It's been a pleasure.

[museicalmarty]

[Doc smiles back] Likewise -- always good to meet a new, friendly face. Get a few new experiences under my belt.

[Marty nods] Same here. Hopefully we'll see you around again sometime!