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]

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]