New(ish) Father Blues

[deadgirlslikeme]

Victor Brown (formerly Van Dort) looks a bit harried when he enters the Nexus -- or, perhaps more accurately, like he really needs a vacation. And about a full day's worth of sleep. He heads to a nearby plush sofa (apparently the place noted the darker-than-usual circles under his eyes and felt sorry for him) and collapses on it with a sigh. "Oh dear. . .does anyone have any tips on how to handle tantrums?" he asks, looking around with a grimace. "Because Chester. . .well, he's started getting grabby, and if you take whatever he's grabbed away from him, he just -- how do babies cry so loud?"

Comments

[deadgirlslikeme]

Ah. . .I was going to use the bathroom in the little apartment I was staying in during my first trip to another world, and it opened up onto the Nexus. Rather -- peculiar, to say the least.

[palmerthing]

Sounds like it.

*He spots the orchard and smiles. Fruit is harder for him to digest than meat, but it does taste good. Plus there are occasionally squirrels and things. He enjoys those a lot more than he'd like to admit.*

[deadgirlslikeme]

Mmm -- I was just lucky Dad and I were in the same alternate world, and that he'd come across it first and could explain to me a bit more of what happened. I would have been lost without him.

[Seeing the orchard also gets a smile from Victor -- mostly because apples are some of his favorite fruit, and there's plenty here] Nice how you can just start walking and find what you're looking for, isn't it?

[palmerthing]

It really is, I'd never get anywhere otherwise.

*As soon as he's close enough he reaches up and picks an apple, taking a bite.* Tasty. You'll probably want to pick your own, though.

[deadgirlslikeme]

The Nexus can be strange, but it can also be very nice, sometimes.

Heh, yes. . . [he moves over to a tree a decent distance away, taking an apple and chomping down] Mmmm. . .these are my favorite.

[palmerthing]

They are pretty good, aren't they? *Somehow Palmer has managed to bite the apple in half. Probably better not to question it.*

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Victor won't be, figuring that can be explained by Alien Stuff] They really are! Though apples have always been one of my favorite foods in general. That, a good steak, and chocolate.

[palmerthing]

*Alien stuff is useful that way.* A shame I'd have to eat it raw, somehow I doubt it would taste the same that way.

[deadgirlslikeme]

Probably not, I'm afraid. . .nothing cooked, then?

[palmerthing]

It wouldn't kill me, but I could barely digest it. Bit of a waste, you know?

[deadgirlslikeme]

I see. Yes, it would be, wouldn't it? I'm sorry -- I know it's a little thing to miss out on, but. . .still.

[palmerthing]

I'll have to see if there's something I can do. Preferably without torturing some poor cow.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Victor winces as he eats more of his apple] Yes, really. . . I mean, the food court in the mall probably has at least one place that serves raw meat. The problem there would be making sure to be careful with the staff, and any other customers. . .

[palmerthing]

Really might be better if someone else got it for me, to be honest. Being in a restaurant is probably not the best idea.

[deadgirlslikeme]

Yes, that probably would be a better idea. Perhaps I could go and see for you?

[palmerthing]

Yeah. Yeah, that would be appreciated. I'm sorry to be a bother, man. I can just go looking for squirrels or whatever if that's easier.

[deadgirlslikeme]

No, no, it's fine! I offered, didn't I? And, uh -- you might get, um, tired of squirrel?

[palmerthing]

Yeah. It's better than if I start eying the people, right? *He smiles weakly.* A lot better.

[deadgirlslikeme]

Much better, yes. I'm sure there must be something around here that can help fulfill your -- ah -- dietary needs with the least amount of danger to others.

[palmerthing]

For now this works. You gonna go see what's for sale?

[deadgirlslikeme]

I can, yes. At least give you an idea of what's available.

[palmerthing]

Thanks, man, I appreciate it.

[deadgirlslikeme]

No trouble at all. [and off he goes toward the Mall, hopeful and yet apprehensive of what he'll find]

[palmerthing]

*Because this is the Nexus, and you can find all sorts of strange things if you try, one food court stall tucked away in a corner is selling what appears to be a mix of raw meat and small live animals.*

[deadgirlslikeme]

[. . .Victor tries to psyche himself up for it, but in the end, he can't make himself purchase any of the live animals. He's a bit too soft inside for that. He definitely grabs a rather squishy bag of meat, though, and hurries it back to Palmer] Hey!