Looking For A Lost Friend

[museicalmarty]

Have a confused Marty wandering around the general question area, looking like he's searching for something -- or, rather, someone. "Where the hell -- okay, you know what? Place is for questions -- anybody seen Victor? He said he was going to 'clear his head' about an hour ago, and we thought he'd be back by now."

[For those curious, Victor does happen to be in the Nexus -- passed out on a rather large couch that Marty just hasn't come across yet, thanks to the weird way space and directions work in this place. Maybe it thought he needed the sleep]

Comments

[deadgirlslikeme]

[both Victor and Marty wince at that one, Victor nodding] I -- yes, that's f-for the best. . .though I appreciate offering to hold the couch, to so speak. [he rubs his eye, then looks at Palmer] How are you?

[palmerthing]

I'm alright. *He smiles and takes a seat on the arm of the couch, so as to leave enough space.* There's a lot to see here. Books, movies, video games--have you seen the video games around here?

[deadgirlslikeme]

[Victor looks at Marty, puzzled] I -- don't think I have. I've seen the library, so yes to the books, but -- not any video games.

[Marty shakes his head] I don't think I have either. Then again, I haven't been looking that hard. Where'd you find them?

[palmerthing]

There's a game store around here somewhere. Probably just one of those things that you find if you go looking for relief from boredom. I was looking for 'an arcade or something' because even a pinball machine would be something to do and found a shop with a whole bunch of games. I didn't think video games would ever get that good! *He's probably not even thinking of VR or anything, just shit like Halo or Portal. Being from 1982 does that to a person.* Damn, now I got that song stuck in my head again. *Yup, definitely Portal.*

You were gonna go grab Alice, right?

[museicalmarty]

[Marty and Victor both nod] Oooh, okay, gotcha. Yeah, places like that really do just seem to pop up if you want 'em. . .kinda like that glowing ice cream place. [Marty grins] And yeah, they did get pretty awesome, didn't they? The future is weird sometimes, but it's got its perks.

[Victor nods as he gets up] At the very least, I have to get back and apologize. . .

[Marty pulls out his PINPoint] I'll text her, let her know what's up.

[palmerthing]

Glowing ice cream? That sounds neat. Shame I don't really eat ice cream.

Good luck.

[museicalmarty]

[Marty nods again] Yeah, it's pretty awesome. We've gone there a few times -- ice cream tastes as good as it looks.

[Victor sighs, running his fingers through his hair] Thanks. [he pulls his shoulders back and heads off, biting his lip]

[Marty watches him go, shaking his head] You know, she's probably not gonna even yell at him. Make a few snarky comments, sure, but. . .he worries too much about shit sometimes.

[palmerthing]

Shame there's probably no way to make ice cream I could digest. *He sighs.* Oh well. I don't enjoy sugar as much as I used to anyway. Or as much as he did, rather.

Anxiety's a Hell of a thing. Bit like paranoia, and I know far too much about paranoia.

[museicalmarty]

That kinda sucks. . .but I guess if you're not so much into sweet anymore, it's not that bad? [Marty makes a face] I dunno. As long as you've got something you can eat.

Yeah, I bet you do. And yeah, Victor's -- I think he thinks that he's gonna do something to get kicked out of the family someday. Which I totally blame his parents for, because they're assholes.

[palmerthing]

It's the predator bit, I think. Meat isn't very sweet-tasting, so I don't like sweet as much. I know I'm supposed to like it, though, so I tend to say I like it on automatic. Gotta fit in and all that.

His parents sound awful. Seems like he's replaced them with better people.

[museicalmarty]

Ahhh, okay, that makes sense. So I guess if you want a treat on a hot day, someone's gotta make you a meatsicle. Frozen hot dog on a stick?

Yeah, they're -- I'm not surprised Victor wanted to ditch 'em, after some of the shit I've heard. I think he's a hell of a lot happier as "Victor Brown" than he ever was as "Victor Van Dort."

[palmerthing]

*Palmer chuckles.* Possibly a live penguin . . . I'll figure something out.

I'm curious now. Probably best if I don't ask, though. My curiosity about people isn't one that should be indulged.

[save_us_alice]

If I may quote my Disney self, because it often leads to trouble?

[And yes, here is an Alice, looking rather tired herself. She stops a little distance away and folds her arms] I was informed of a surprisingly comfortable couch around here by my incredibly contrite husband.

[palmerthing]

*Palmer gestures to the rest of the couch, since he's still sitting on one arm.* This enough space for you, or should I find my own chair? I can see why you might want more room . . .

[save_us_alice]

[Alice goes to perch on the other arm] So long as you can't infect me through the fabric, I think we'll be all right. I would like a good sit -- Chester's been very hard to put down lately. Hence Victor passing out the moment he had some peace and quiet, I'm sure.

[palmerthing]

Not gonna touch you, I promise.

Little kids can be an awful hassle that way, yeah. Feel free to have a nap if you want one.

[save_us_alice]

Thanks -- and trust me, it is a large temptation. [she yawns loudly] I'd feel myself rude if I didn't say a few words to you first, though.

[Marty chuckles] Just a few?

[Alice smirks at him] I am very tired.

[palmerthing]

Go ahead and sleep, then. I don't wanna be the one to keep you awake when you're exhausted.

[save_us_alice]

Well, if you insist. . . [Alice slips off the arm of the couch to the actual couch cushion, leaning up against the arm and closing her eyes]

[Marty jerks his head toward the side] Should probably give her some quiet. . .

[palmerthing]

*Palmer nods and stands up, smiling slightly.* Yeah, probably. So, what do you wanna do while she sleeps?

[museicalmarty]

Dunno -- you wanna at least see what the glowing ice cream place looks like? It's pretty cool. And hell, I dunno, maybe they DO do meatsicles or something similar.

[palmerthing]

Yeah, sure. Sounds fun. *He chuckles.* Not sure how appetizing a meat popsicle would be, but what the hell.

[museicalmarty]

Cool -- it's usually this way. [starts walking] And hey, I mean, you get all sorts of appetites over here in the Nexus. I've seen a stall in the mall's food court that sells metal and grease and oil. I'm assuming for robots. . .

[palmerthing]

That's certainly interesting. *Maybe he'll get to meet a robot at some point. Someone he can't infect would be nice.*

[museicalmarty]

Yeah -- it's pretty wild, how stuff like that just sort of -- pops up. Really makes you wonder if the Nexus itself just kinda -- knows what people need.