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

[palmerthing]

The monster part of my mind wants to just clear out that place. I know I couldn't use it as a home for long, not to mention that I don't really wanna be violent, and yet I want to . . . *He sighs.* I guess I'll get used to it.

Is any place always friendly, man?

It would be cool if he did, but for now I'll just look and not touch.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty frowns] The Thing part of you seriously does not care about anything but consuming everything around it, huh? Not even people knowing but not wanting to attack you helps?

[Alice laughs at that] Good point.

[Victor nods] For the best. I guess we'll find out if we ever find him limp in his crib with a green ghost of himself hovering above it?

[Alice, looking down at Chester, who is now tugging on her dress] I'd hate to see the mischief ghostly-him could get up to.

[palmerthing]

It helps me not want to do it to you, but I don't expect anything like that out of them. They'll almost certainly try to kill me, and the monster very much wants to rip apart everything that could possibly be a danger to it.

What can your kind of ghost actually do to make mischief in the first place?

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty nods with a sigh] Yeah, that's fair enough. I can't see you going back and getting welcomed with open arms. Unless they were trying to slip a knife in your back.

[Victor turns thoughtful] Well -- I can pick up solid objects if I really concentrate. . .but other than that, I'm not sure.

[Alice, shaking her head] He'd find some way to make us panic. Call it mother's instincts. Or perhaps mother's paranoia.

[palmerthing]

Yeah, exactly. I'd be a lot more interested in returning if I had a pistol or two.

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean you're wrong.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty, with a half-smile] I'd say "To even the odds?" but. . .

[Alice chuckles] Very true, unfortunately. Though I hope I am in this case.

[Victor nods] Me too. If he can just float around, like I can, that would be all right.

[palmerthing]

Fuck evening the odds, I want them in my favor.

That would be strangely cute, come to think of it.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty, nodding] Yeah, I'd probably want the same.

[Alice, clearly trying to picture it] It might be -- so long as he's near his body when it happens. Coming in on a crib that's just got his body in it. . .

[Victor winces] I don't -- that part I don't like picturing.

[palmerthing]

I know that means nothing good for everyone else, but . . . fuck, I'd have done my best not to make it painful.

God no, that sounds horrifying.

[save_us_alice]

[Marty, pulling a fresh face] . . .Best you could hope for under the circumstances? Cripes, I really hope none of them make it here. [He's not keen to see Palmer freak out -- or any of his former buddies either]

[Victor shudders] It really, really is.

[Fortunately, Chester chooses this moment to reach out to him, going "Da!" Alice grins] Yes, that's right! [to Victor] See? Letting you know he's just fine.

[palmerthing]

Even that would be hard. The instinct to feed . . . I can't eat dead things. Could break their backs, maybe. *He looks disgusted with himself.* If they ever came here you'd have to keep us apart, I guess.

*Palmer manages to smile at the kid, hands behind his back.* We're all fine. We're all just fine. Right?

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty, abruptly relieved because he was wondering why Victor's body wasn't apparently a temptation] Didn't know that about the dead stuff. . .but right, yeah, we'll -- we'll see what we can do. Hopefully, if anyone else does show up, it's when you're not around. If you guys can just totally avoid each other. . .

[Victor smiles too, waving back at Chester] Yes, Dad! And we're all fine. [with a glance at Palmer] Doing our best.

[palmerthing]

I'm an infection, more or less, yeah? Like a virus almost. A virus needs functioning cells to hijack, if I remember my biology lessons right. *He sighs.* I have to keep to very fresh meat and just-picked fruit. It's a bit aggravating.

I would be very happy if we never saw each other again, God knows.

I hope my best is enough. *He gives the kid another smile.* Such a sweet boy.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty frowns] Been a while since I took bio. . .but yeah, that sounds right. I'm just glad that sort of stuff works.

[Victor, nodding in the general direction of the mall] Be gladder there's a place in the mall that sells that sort of thing. There's live animals too, but. . . [he grimaces at Palmer] Sorry, I couldn't quite bring myself to do it.

[Marty nods rapidly] Yeah, I think they'd be happier too.

[Alice chuckles] You haven't seen him when he doesn't get what he wants.

[palmerthing]

I am too. Just wish the people here didn't count as very fresh meat, you know?

It's okay, what you brought was still fresh enough. Pretty sure they make it themselves.

Little kids can be like that, yeah. Stubborn and shit. Part of why I'm being especially careful to keep out of grabbing range.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty bites his lip] Yeah. . .it's not great to know, but I know.

[Victor fiddles with his fingers] Yes, I -- I think you're right. Which is good, of course, keeps you fed, but. . .

[Alice nods understandingly] It can be a bit much to think about. And yes, he really can be. He'll scream his head off if we take away anything he's decided he wants to chew.

[Victor, smiling] That was the whole reason I came here in the first place. I was looking for advice. [softer] And maybe a break.

[palmerthing]

Sorry. I . . . God, someday it's gonna happen and then what the fuck will I do?

Ah, kids. Wish I had better advice for you.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty, fidgeting] I -- damn it. I seriously don't know what to tell you.

[Doc, running his fingers through his hair] Maybe try not to think about it. Focus on one day at a time.

[Victor gives him a little nod] It's fine. I appreciate you just coming over to talk. I needed the distraction. [even if it went in a bit of a weird direction]

[palmerthing]

*He nods.* Yeah. One day at a time. Even if it happens . . . even then I can just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I've found out with the squirrels that I can block out their minds, only take the information that interests me or just shred the, the brains before I reach them. If worst comes to worst at least I won't be stealing their minds. God, the fact that I could is horrifying.

I needed it too. Having people I can connect with is really important for me.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Doc nods back] It's really the best way to handle changes like this. [takes a moment to contemplate the gears stuck into his knuckles] Believe me, I know.

[Victor, knowingly] I think we all do.

[. . .and then Palmer drops the bits about the squirrels and everyone (except Chester, who is too young to understand and amusing himself with Alice's apron tie) is sporting an expression that suggests they really didn't need to know that. Marty finally says, a bit hesitantly] Uh -- good? Yeah, sorry, that's -- yeah. You know.

[Victor nods rapidly] Yes, I can imagine. Loneliness must be a real problem with your -- condition.

[palmerthing]

It was something I needed to know. Otherwise it would have all built up and I'd be contending with the minds of dozens of animals. Eventually I could have been crowded out, and then what?

*He nods weakly.* Can't touch anyone, can I? Never again.

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty, thinking about that] Okay, yeah, I'll give you that. I'd much rather be dealing with you than a couple dozen squirrels kinda -- wearing your skin. . .okay, didn't mean to sound so freaking serial killer there.

[Alice, raising an eyebrow] Given he's the one eating the squirrels. . . [more sympathetically, to Palmer] That's terrible. I'm honestly not much of one for being touched by strangers, but -- it would be hard to go without entirely.

[Victor gives him another ghostly pat] Maybe we can figure out something. Eventually.

[palmerthing]

Haunted? Possessed? Possessed by squirrels, ha. What a stupid problem to have to deal with.

Yeah. At least my new self doesn't seem that interested in relationships. That's a blessing. *He shudders.* I don't wanna think about what would come of that. Even a kiss . . .

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Marty, unable to help a small smile] Yeah, well, better that stupid problem than any of the others.

[Doc, chuckling] Indeed. Sudden cravings for nuts is probably the best side effect you could suffer in your current state.

[That causes a group-wide wince, with Victor contriving to sigh in his ghostly state] It really is too bad. Though I guess a species that -- reproduces? -- like yours wouldn't have a need for romance. . .

[palmerthing]

Yeah. Most of the other problems are scary, not stupid. And craving nuts sounds a lot better than most of what I am craving right now.

Yeah, romantic ain't exactly the word I'd use for this shit. More like horrifying. *He rubs his forehead, where he split his skull into hidden teeth just in case.*