reality_crossroads | (no subject)

a_nancy posting in

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

clockwork_doc

[Aha --a god, then. That explains a fair bit, including the extra limbs in his shadow and the lack of reaction to the steam. Surely a god -- especially an old one -- has seen things much stranger. Anansi. . .Doc's not that familiar with the name, but he has heard it in the past. Couldn't name any of the stories off the top of his head, though.

Right now, though, he wishes he could, so he could gauge Nancy's offer. On the one hand, he'll admit to lingering curiosity as to what alcohol is like when you don't pass out after one glass of the hard stuff. On the other. . .he glances at the gears embedded in his knuckles. "God" is not the same as "Fae" -- but how big is the difference?] I see. . .would it change anything else about me? Just -- I've been altered by more powerful beings in the past, and -- the last time, it wasn't pleasant. [To put it mildly. . .]

From:

a_nancy

Don't worry, Doc, I won't change your life. My only miracle is the miracle of the loafs and fishes; I loafs and I fishes and it's a miracle that I still do fine money-wise. *It's a favorite old joke of his, but he says it with almost as much good cheer as 'what's up, doc'.* Just one drink, I promise. Maybe a story or two, no more than that. I have lots of stories.

*And lo and behold, he's walked right up to a bar. But then finding bars is a talent of his.* Maybe if we're still sober enough afterwards we can go fishing, what do you say?

From:

clockwork_doc

[Doc can't help but crack a smile at the joke himself -- all these corny old lines actually do a lot to help put him at ease. Maybe because his Keeper was such a humorless sort. . .] All right then. I admit to being curious as to what happens when you don't immediately pass out. And I certainly don't mind stories.

[And -- oh, look at that. Doc's not sure if Nancy just knew where to go, or if the Nexus kindly moved the bar over for them. Maybe a little of both] Why not? I don't have any plans to get drop-dead drunk -- and I know there's a beach around here that has fish. [in case Nancy actually cares about catching anything]

From:

a_nancy

*Finding bars is a knack of his, so probably both.* A bar should make you feel good to be alive--which it is. I've been dead, there's no future in it. Plus the neighbors tend to complain. *And with that entertainingly oddball remark he orders himself a drink. The sort of drink that probably has a double entendre for a name and certainly has an umbrella in it.*

What would you like?

From:

clockwork_doc

[Doc chuckles at that comment] Plus there's the smell. . .though I don't know how that works for one such as you. [obviously not the same as a human, given Nancy's fine and dandy right now, but. . .]

[Doc examines Nancy's drink, then shrugs] I'm -- not sure. No prior experience beyond a friend sneaking me some whiskey when I was growing up and me hitting the dirt after one shot. Any recommendations?

From:

a_nancy

*Nancy's drink is inexplicably purple.* Port is usually good for beginners. Or Bailey's Irish Cream.

From:

clockwork_doc

[Well, it's an umbrella drink. They're supposed to be weird colors. Or so Doc reasons -- and he doesn't know any better] Based solely on names, the latter sounds a little tastier. I'll try a glass of that.

From:

a_nancy

*He nods and orders one for the other man.* I hope you like it.

From:

clockwork_doc

Thank you -- I hope I do too. [he'll start off slow, with a careful sip -- just enough to get the flavor] Huh -- it actually tastes a bit chocolatey.

From:

a_nancy

It does, doesn't it?

*He drinks his strange drink and begins regaling everyone within earshot a version of the Tar Baby story.*

From:

clockwork_doc

Really wasn't expecting that. . .though not complaining either.

[he listens to the story with interest, continuing to sip his Bailey's as he gets used to the taste]

From:

a_nancy

Some people think it was a rabbit, you know, but it was a spider really. They're surprisingly easy to get confused, rabbits and spiders. Now then, where was I? Ah, yes . . . Anansi may own all the stories, but he doesn't always win.

From:

clockwork_doc

[Doc chuckles at Nancy's comment -- he's pretty sure he can tell a rabbit from a spider] Well, it would get pretty boring to win every time, wouldn't it? Life without risk and all that.

From:

a_nancy

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!

From:

clockwork_doc

[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.

From:

a_nancy

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

From:

clockwork_doc

[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!]

From:

a_nancy

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?

From:

clockwork_doc

[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. . .]

From:

a_nancy

*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.*

From:

clockwork_doc

[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]

From:

a_nancy

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

From:

clockwork_doc

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

From:

a_nancy

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.

From:

clockwork_doc

[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]