Vroom Vroom

[dee_lorean81]

[There is a DeLorean, heavily modified, doing laps in an empty, paved part of the Nexus. One might wonder what the driver is doing -- practicing for a race? Working on their turning? Just burning rubber because they're bored?

And then one might get a little closer -- and see that there IS no driver.

. . .perhaps it might be fairer to say that the car is bored.]

Comments

[palmerthing]

*Palmer laughs.* But do shouty idiots count?

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus cashier] They are customers in pontentia, so. . .

[Dee] Also, being known for murdering people would probably stop ANYONE from walking in the door.

[palmerthing]

Yeah, I know. Just a bit of a mindset clash, never mind me. *Which probably means nothing to the cashier, who has no idea about what Palmer is, but hey.* So, Dee, anything else you wanna do? Or should you be getting home?

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus Cashier, who has at least figured out that Palmer is someone or something infectious, even if they're not sure exactly how] It's fine -- we're very used that here in the Nexus.

[Dee, nodding] Yeah, lots of different mindsets for lots of different universes. . . And I wanna at least see you put the thing to good use! Like, is there anything you wanted to do that you were too nervous to do before because of your thing? [pun not actually intended]

[palmerthing]

Sometimes you can even clash with yourself. *A smile at the request.* Oh, a few things. You want a hug?

[dee_lorean81]

[Dee nods] Yeah, really. Not that I've had the chance yet, but. . .

[she does have to take a moment to consider it, simply because 'do not touch' has been the rule to follow for him for so long, but -- the field is working the way it's supposed to, so. . .] Sure. [and she'll scoot over, arms open]

[palmerthing]

*He hugs her. The field between them tingles slightly, but otherwise it feels like a normal hug.* That's actually really nice, man.

[dee_lorean81]

[it's a little like a static shock hug on Dee's end, but she's gonna consider that a good sign, all things considered] Yeah, I bet it's been -- a while.

[palmerthing]

Yeah. Technically since I was born, I think. *A grin.* Wanna go say hi to your family, now that I can shake hands and all that?

[dee_lorean81]

[Dee nods] Yeah, why not? They should know the good news. [waves to the Octopus Cashier] Thanks for all your help!

[Octopus Cashier waves back with a tentacle] Have a good day!

[palmerthing]

You too! *Palmer waves back. With a tentacle of his own, because no one cares here and it's nice to be able to be himself.

*Once they get back to the general area where Dee's family might be found, Palmer sits down to await their arrival.*

[dee_lorean81]

[Octopus Cashier might not really care, per say, but he does look a bit surprised by that. Not enough to actually say anything, though]

[Dee, by contrast, decides to be more proactive and actually fetch them, going DeLorean to make the task easier] Hang tight -- I'll be back in just a minute!

[palmerthing]

*That'll probably speed things up a fair bit, yeah.*

[dee_lorean81]

[It's not long before she's back with a couple of passengers -- notably, Doc and Alice, who get out while she zooms back. Doc holds up a hand in greeting] Hi! Dee's going back to get Marty and Victor. . .we've been informed you found a solution to your infectivity?

[palmerthing]

Found a place selling these little force field things. They tingle a bit when I touch stuff, but I'll take that over not getting to do it at all.

[dee_lorean81]

[Alice, looking him up and down] That's incredible. Though I guess I shouldn't be THAT surprised the Nexus would sell something like that? The mall is huge.

[Dee returns with Marty, Victor, and Chester, beeping her horn happily] Yeah, it's pretty awesome!

[palmerthing]

So now I get to actually shake hands with people and all that, isn't it great? *Palmer has missed being able to touch people without worrying, even if this one technically never could.* I could hold the baby! Although I probably shouldn't, it's not my baby, but I could if I wanted to.

[dee_lorean81]

[Marty, getting out of Dee and coming up to him while Victor and Chester get out the other side] How about we try a handshake first? I'm sure as hell curious to see how this works. [holds out a hand, holding back any residual worry]

[palmerthing]

*He grins and takes it. There's a light tingle and their hands don't quite meet, yet otherwise it feels like a normal handshake. The field acts as a second skin.* Feels a bit weird, doesn't it?

[dee_lorean81]

[Marty nods, looking at their hands curiously] Yeah, like a sort of -- ongoing static shock? It's not BAD, it's just. . .like you said, weird.

[Dee turns back into kid form] Yeah, exactly, but hey -- it's the best solution we've got so far!

[palmerthing]

It's definitely better than the alternative, yeah.

[dee_lorean81]

[Marty nods again] Oh hell yeah. And it's over your whole body?

[Dee] Yeah, that should be how it works.

[palmerthing]

Yeah, it's everywhere. Aside from the inside of my mouth, I mean, but that's because I do still need to eat. It's everywhere practical. *A moment of thought.* I should check if it shapeshifts with me at some point.

[dee_lorean81]

[Marty, laughing a bit] Yeah, be kind of overkill if you couldn't eat with the damn thing on. [he nods] Yeah, you probably should.

[Dee, intrigued] Oh, totally. It's supposed to fit around you no matter what shape you're in!

[palmerthing]

The question is whether it can cope with all the shapes in between.