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

[clockwork_doc]

[Marty, frowning] There's probably an alternate reality somewhere where that happened. . .and yeah, bet you anything the shit hit the fan.

[Doc nods] Mmmm. . .very hard too.

[Doc's eyes widen as Palmer makes a gesture like he could open himself up like one of those mannequins for kids that show all the internal organs] I -- well, that is useful, but. . .suppose I can always make notes of my observations, at least. [he nods again, more empathetically] I'd prefer not to risk myself either. And I don't think I'd take any samples WITH me. Best place to do this would be the Nexus itself, for any extra protection it could give.

[Marty, shrugging] There IS a clinic around here, but I dunno if you want to go there.

[palmerthing]

One reason not to go looking around random universes. Anyone who stumbled across an Earth like that probably wouldn't make it two steps before getting eaten by the fucking grass.

*Palmer notices the other man's expression and winces.* Sorry. It already seems normal to me. I can control every part of my body, so opening up ain't hard. A bit gross still, I'm not that used to it yet, but it's not painful or difficult.

It would be nice to know how much human contact is a risk, but not enough to actually fucking test it! You seem like decent people, you've been kind, you're not . . . not like the people back home. Take all the precautions you can.

A clinic . . . *He looks back at Doc.* I'd rather have you. I know you're not that kind of doctor, but I actually trust you so far. I think once I know you a little better I'll be able to do this without snapping at you.

[clockwork_doc]

[Alice, with a slight frown at her husband] Really puts into perspective how lucky you and Doc were, when you were yanked into that other Chicago.

[Victor nods] Oh yes -- we had more than enough going on there without having to worry about Things as well.

[Doc holds up a hand] It's fine -- you're a different life form, and I'm -- just not used to offers like that. It probably would be useful to see the -- internals, but. . . [he shakes his head] We'll figure it out when we get there. And trust me, any and every precaution I can take, I will. I don't want anything to go wrong as much as you do!

[Doc gives him a little, anxious smile] Well, I'm flattered. I don't know how much I'll be able to tell you once everything's done, but -- worth it to take a look, right? Once we're properly prepared and comfortable around each other and so forth.

[Marty, coming in] And even if you don't want to go to the clinic, maybe they'll let you borrow some equipment. Bet they have a hazmat suit.

[palmerthing]

Seriously lucky, man. Just like it's lucky that I got dropped here, where there's a second level of protection even if I have, uh, a bad day. Still better if I don't give the instincts an inch, though. I like being me.

I won't change without warning you first, if that helps? Certainly not any major changes. Even the minor ones are pretty fucked up, admittedly.

*A smile.* You can talk with the people at the clinic about what you find? I just don't wanna give more people access to my body, it seems like a bad idea. The more people who examine me the more potential for accidents. Accidents with this shit . . . I don't wanna kill anyone, man.

[clockwork_doc]

[There's a round of nodding at that, with Alice adding] We like you being you as well. Instead of something, you know, even more extremely dangerous.

[Doc nods again] That would, honestly. Just so I know what's going on and don't react badly to any surprises. I mean, I've seen the movie, sure, but that's -- not really the same as seeing it in real life.

[Doc, relieved] I could at that -- they'd probably make more sense out of my notes than I could! But yes, that's a perfectly understandable state of mind. We don't want any accidents either -- or to overstress you.

[palmerthing]

Yeah. I'm already a bit weird that way, I both don't want to hurt the people back home and want to go back with a gun. Probably the old Palmer and the monster being at odds, old me doesn't want to hurt anyone and my instincts want to remove all potential threats.

No, it wouldn't be . . . reality is such a different level. If the movie is bad then the real thing will be truly fucking horrible.

Yeah. If I get too stressed I might do something stupid. This many people is already a little stressful, and you're not trying to examine me.

[clockwork_doc]

[Alice, deadpan] We did notice the contradiction. . .but to be fair to the monster in this one instance, they were shooting and using fire very liberally in an attempt to be rid of it. In that case, self-defense can be argued.

[Doc can't help another nod] Yes, I'm afraid I have to agree. Best to take things slow and work up to -- things like you opening up like a medical mannequin.

[Marty, concerned] You need some of us to back off more? Dee to do the car thing again?

[palmerthing]

Yeah. True. I just . . . I know that at heart I'm the monster playing pretend, but I don't like being reminded of that. It makes everything feel false, even if I do genuinely like you. Which I do, we do, whatever you want to call it. God, I feel so alien sometimes.

Yeah. It wouldn't really show much except being a lot more empty than it should be, anyway. Unless I'm eating, but you really don't want to see that.

No, I'm okay. The car thing maybe?

[clockwork_doc]

[Victor gives him a sympathetic look] I'm sorry. I wish there was more we could do for you.

[Alice, biting her lip] Learning to accept yourself and your circumstances is hard work. You're doing pretty well so far, if that makes you feel at all better.

[Doc makes a face] No, I would think I don't. But that's something to figure out later, when we're actually comfortable enough to do any sort of examination.

[Dee promptly goes back into DeLorean mode, popping her gull wings, voice crackling through the radio] That help?

[palmerthing]

It's okay. I'll find some kind of balance, I think. It's easy enough to tell myself I'm Palmer. Sometimes the hunger or the paranoia take over, but I've started to get that I need allies even when I'm not being Palmer. You know and haven't tried to kill me, so you're . . . *He thinks a moment, trying to find words for it.* You're not-food as the hunger and maybe-safe as the paranoia. That's the best I can manage when I'm like that.

Later, yeah. Once I stop feeling disgusted by it, for one thing, although thinking less like a human would help a lot with that.

That does help, yeah. As a little girl you look vulnerable, it presses buttons I really wish I didn't have. More than the baby does, him I can dismiss as being held and as being too small.

[clockwork_doc]

[There's a round of exchanged looks, then Alice manages an only-slightly-nervous smile] Well, ah, that's good to hear.

[Victor, with his own anxious smile] Yes, well -- whatever we can do to help when your -- less-social side takes over.

[Doc nods, with a small frown] Yes, and that does seem a little at odds with -- everything else regarding your peaceful existence here.

[Dee, surprised] Really?

[Alice is equally surprised, looking down at Chester] And here I was worried you would be the most tempting. . .

[Doc, suddenly curious] I wonder how I read then -- there's a good portion of me that isn't organic anymore.

[palmerthing]

Yeah. Fuck, I know this stuff isn't fun to hear. *He sighs.* It's good to be aware of, though, so there you go. I think you could probably get me back to being Palmer if you ask for me, for what it's worth. Could take a while, but I know that this me is the social one. I might not come back all the way, but you'd at least get a more reasonable hybrid.

You're holding him, so he's protected. Mothers are fucking fierce, it's not worth the risk. If he was alone then he'd be more tempting than her alone, I think, but as it is now . . . for what it's worth, all of you together are scary instead. It's instinct to catch lone prey, not let you see that I'm wrong.

*He looks at Doc thoughtfully for a few seconds. It's intent and rather unnerving.* There's something off about you, but it's just a vague sense of metal. I can say that you don't register as worth the effort, though, if it makes you feel any better?

[save_us_alice]

[Alice has to nod to that one] It is important information, yes. Even if it's not exactly pleasant. And well, that is good to hear, honestly. Knowing that we could get you back if the other half took over. . .comforting, in a way.

[That little comment gets a sharp smile] Ah, your instincts are very clever indeed. I'm glad they know where I stand. And us being in a group is the least tempting, then? Good to know, I suppose. . .

[Victor, frowning] Yes, but I don't think stressing out that side of him is necessarily a good idea either.

[Doc nods] Nor me. . . [he endures the intent gaze for a few minutes, trying not to think of the way Andrew occasionally looked at him] I see -- yes, that would be pretty much all of my skeleton. And I guess? I was hoping I wouldn't be particularly tasty. . .

[palmerthing]

I'm not going to test it or anything, if only because I'd rather avoid collateral damage, but I know you well enough now.

Yeah, a group makes me want to act human. *He nods to Victor.* Point about the stress, though. I don't really associate groups of people with good things yet.

Flesh itself is always tempting, you just have a lot less of it.

[save_us_alice]

[Alice holds up her free hand] No, of course no one wants you to test it. . .hopefully we never will. But still, good to hear.

[Marty, nodding] Right, to fit in. . .and yeah, I'm not surprised, given how everybody was acting in the movie. Hopefully us being less, uh, murder-y will help? In the long run?

[Doc grimaces] Trust me, I'm aware. [another hiss of steam from under his coat]

[palmerthing]

Fitting in is important. It's safe. It means I don't get burned and I don't have to kill anyone.

Yeah, it'll help. Might take a while, but it'll help.

The steam is kind of interesting. Are you actually steam-powered? *For a moment his expression is worryingly curious, but then he blinks it away.* You don't have to answer that, but the old me was a mechanic and it's interesting.

[save_us_alice]

[Alice winces] Yes, not being burned is good. Very good. As is not having to kill anyone.

[Victor floats over to her to offer what comfort he can in his ghostly state] Well, we're happy to help however we can.

[Doc waggles a hand] Technically, yes. Though I'm held together more with magic than science. . .it's a long story which involves faeries being real and utter bastards.

[palmerthing]

*Palmer makes a jerking sort of motion, caused by wanting to give her a pat of the back before remembering why he can't.* Good things.

Oh yes, Marty mentioned them. Grimm's faerie tales, not Disney ones. *There's a part of his mind, the part that wants to assimilate everything new, which would love to take a look. He reminds it that he wouldn't be able to understand magic anyway and runs a hand through his hair.*

I should probably get going at some point here. Can't spend the rest of my life chatting, even if I'd like to.

[save_us_alice]

[Victor guesses what the jerk was for and shoots him another sympathetic look -- poor guy]

[Marty, scowling] Yeah, extremely Grimm. You wouldn't want to run into one, dude. I don't anything good would come of it. [either the faerie enslaves Palmer, which is bad, or Palmer eats the faerie. . .which is also bad, because they do NOT need a Thing with Fae powers!]

[Alice nods] That's true -- and we ought to get home before Chester decides he's going to throw another fit.

[Doc] Yes, that's true. . .I'll probably drop by the clinic first myself. See what they have for protective gear. Might as well think ahead, right?

[palmerthing]

I can't imagine anything good coming of it, no. *Fae powers sound interesting, but if he remembers right they're all about rules and politeness. Palmer has authority issues and a fondness for swearing. It probably wouldn't work out.*

Thinking ahead is definitely a good plan. See you guys around.

*He waves and takes his leave.*

[save_us_alice]

[Less about politeness in Marty and Doc's experience, but there are rules. . .frankly, Marty's just concerned if the Thing could end up even a minor reality warper. That could be -- well, actually, it could probably solve the whole infection issue, but with great power comes great responsibility, and who knows if Palmer or his other half could resist temptation. . .]

[The group waves, with Alice saying] See you. Stay safe. [And then they'll be on their way too]