x002

[allwehad]

[A] Action: Dairy]

[Margot has definitely been tipped off that something is up during the early hours of the morning when the tv had gone on the fritz, waking her up from a booze induced coma on the couch.

It’s only amplified when, later, she tries to go out the backdoor to have a pre-breakfast cigarette and manages to pass through the door. She plays with this for a moment (in-out-in-out) before it becomes solid again, ramming her face rather painfully into the wood and feeling like a fool.

It gives her an idea, though.

For most of the morning, she listens in to the phone network, confirming that other strange things are happening (and, really, all she has to do is look outside at the drones to know). Before noon, after she’s taken a trip to the floor through one of the kitchen chairs, she works up the nerve to head out and towards the dairy, willing to try something.

It’s Dist’s words that urge her on -- things are falling apart. Time to act. She feels good about this, pumped. She can do it.

The dairy door is in sight, she keeps striding purposefully forward, almost there and...

BAM!

She bounces unceremoniously off the door and lands flat on her ass, rubbing her forehead.

Okay. It only worked part of the time with the door at home and then randomly with the chair, maybe it just needs a bit? She gives it a few more minutes and then tries again, but this time more cautiously.

Same thing. Solid as a rock.

She can be found at this for the next several hours with absolutely no success whatsoever. Gold stars for trying?]

[B] Phone]

Has anyone else tried going through the walls of the dairy or city hall or the post office? It seems like things are -- are flickering. Like something is wrong with the illusion?

I tried myself, but had no luck. Maybe someone else will get it.

[And yes, someone does sound bitter about this.]

Comments

[a_gentle_boy]

Yup.

[Lucas responds simply with a smile before heading towards the fridge himself to find some eggs.]

Kumatora, Duster, and me were a team. ...There was my dog, Boney, too. They've all been through here, one time or another.

[allwehad]

They were? Well... shit. That sucks, I'm sorry.

[Margot is going to try to assist in the cooking, getting a pan out because sitting still what is sitting still.]

[a_gentle_boy]

...My mom and brother, too.

[Lucas keeps his voice light as he backs out of the fridge with a few eggs in his hands.]

It's OK, though. I know it's not really them anymore, so I don't mind so much. It was just the same as seeing Mr. Netherlands's drone or yours.

[allwehad]

[Margot wishes she could say the same thing -- seeing Nadia's drone is like a punch in the gut each and every time.]

At least they're home, something I keep telling myself whenever I see someone that used to be here. Lucky bastards.

[a_gentle_boy]

[It's not really too much different for him, but lying is a technique he's learned to use when he thinks he can spare someone some pain.]

Yeah. Lucky.

[He heads for the stove and turns on the heat.]

Do you think it's better to remember this place once you're out of it, Miss Margot?

[allwehad]

[She frowns.]

Depends on the person, I guess. I would't want to forget; that'd mean not remembering you or Netherlands or anyone else I've met here.

Nobody at home would believe of a word of it, though.

[a_gentle_boy]

...Yeah. Maybe some people would be happier not remembering all the stuff we went through over here.

[He shakes his head a little.]

If we're going to go back to the same age we were, it probably doesn't make sense to remember it, either. ...But I still don't want to forget.

[allwehad]

Probably not, but still. [shrugs]

What I wonder is, if we all survive and make it through this in one piece, would we be able to use the technology here to visit each other again? I wouldn't mind some off-world touristing, if I could.

[a_gentle_boy]

Yeah. I've thought about it, too. It would be exciting and a lot of fun, but maybe... it might not be such a good idea...

[Lucas shakes his head slightly.]

It wouldn't be safe leaving all of our worlds connected.

[allwehad]

Yeah... Probably not.

[Stop crushing her dreams, man.]

The amount of weird creatures that would come through alone would be awful enough, I suppose.

[a_gentle_boy]

I really don't think any other world needs to see chimeras.

[Hot pan and beaten eggs are a-go. Lucas pours in the mixture and grabs a spatula.]

...Not that I'd complain too much if that's how it turned out. The chance to see everyone still...

[allwehad]

Or manticores or dragons or any number of things.

[Plates and utensils. Those would be good. Margot grabs some things to set the table with.]

Yeah... We'll figure something out, I suppose. I feel like I should be content with just getting out of this place alive, but...

[a_gentle_boy]

I mean, it's not like no one's ever been able to move from world to world, either. It happened back home, so... I might be able to find out how it was done.

[Flip.]

[allwehad]

I could always give the summoners back home a try as well. There are theories that what they pull isn't always from our plane of existence.

[Foooood.]

...That smells really, really good.

[a_gentle_boy]

[Dump in the vegetables and... fold. We will pretend that sausages and cheese were covered at some point in the cooking, too.]

Right? My mom was great at making these. She always knew just the right amount of... well, everything. Mine always come out a little dry...

[Lucas frowns and turns the heat down a bit.]

Well! We still have to get out of here in the first place, so maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves. However it turns out... I'm sure it will be OK.

[allwehad]

Moms seem to be really good at that stuff. Nadia got a lot better at cooking and stuff after she had Charlotte, I don't know what it was. Mom powers, I guess.

Although, she as pretty good at all of that domestic stuff to begin with, so...

[It still pains her to mention her sister, but she smiles and laughs anyway.]

Here's hoping that we get out of this hole soon.

[a_gentle_boy]

[And after a few more moments of poking... done! Lucas will flip the whole thing onto a plate and hand it to Margot.]

I guess it's impossible for me to ever be as good, then. Dad just never cooked at all, so I think I'm already better than him.

...Ah -- You have nieces and nephews, Miss Margot?

[He tries to keep his voice light, aware that he was treading on some thin ice.]

[allwehad]

You haven't seen me cook. I'm thrilled when it comes out not tasting like burnt... anything, really.

[She brought it up, so she'll keep it together.]

Two nieces, one nephew -- Charlotte, Sebastian, and Winnifred.

[a_gentle_boy]

Just like you have three kids here. You can practice being a good aunt.

[Lucas laughs a little as he dumps everything into the sink. He would wash up later.]

It's kind of weird, isn't it? Having a fake family... In the end, it almost feels the same way as a real one.

[allwehad]

Hey! I'm already a good aunt. I bring them presents and stuff, and tell them stories. I even try to be a good example and don't set things on fire in front of them.

[At least, not with any other parent watching.]

Yeah... Even having several like I did. You get this routine down, you know? It's sort of nice.

[a_gentle_boy]

...People come and go, but it's just like making your family bigger.

I mean, unless you get someone horrible.