homeless (and maybe looking in the distant future); canon is the Nancy Drew computer games

[treadsheavily]

Another world?

Iiiiiii don't know if I buy that. It sounds... um, interesting, but I'd rather stick with reality for now. Why don't I focus on Scotland instead? The ticket's already paid for and I wouldn't want it to go to waste.

Comments

[trickonometry]

Yeah, it does, doesn't it? [drops the smile] But I'm serious. You're a smart girl, Nancy. Look at my face and tell me I'm lying.

[treadsheavily]

I've met some pretty good liars.

[trickonometry]

[okay he is a good liar but details. he sighs dramatically]

I guess I can't exactly prove the existence of the multiverse--

Oh wait. Yes I can.

Look around you, dude. We're not exactly in Kansas anymore. This is proof of at least one other universe other than your own.

[treadsheavily]

It looks like a normal airport concourse to me.

[Yeah, she totally thinks she's waiting for a plane to Scotland.]

[trickonometry]

[. . . facepalms]

Oh my god. It works like freakin' Erebus--

[he throws his arms out in a tossed shrug] Fine, wev, don't believe me. But if you do go to a game, I reserve the right to say, "I told you so."

[treadsheavily]

Erebus... that's something from Greek mythology, isn't it?

[trickonometry]

That's right! It's the borders of the Underworld, Hades' domain, and the darkness that surrounds it. Erebus is kinda like the waiting room for dead people. Souls there are in a quantum superposition like Schrödinger's cat, living and dead, until forced in one direction or the other.

It'd be kinda cool, if it wasn't totally depressing.

[treadsheavily]

So you're saying this place reminds you of a waiting room for the dead?

[She sounds a little incredulous.]

Why?

[trickonometry]

Because the dead saw the place however they wanted to. Heaven, Hell, Nirvana-- People see only what they want to see. In life and death.

This place is the same. Because I definitely don't see an airport terminal. Superimposed over something else, faintly, sure. Like a gloss or a projected image on fog. But underneath . . . [he sweeps a hand at the room around them]

Is Pluto's casino. Or in this case . . .

[treadsheavily]

Are you trying to tell me I'm dead?

[trickonometry]

No no no, definitely not. Well, probably not. I'd have to check your vitals, but you look pretty alive to me, chica. No worries.

No, we're not in the Underworld. I just mean whatever gizmo's working this place works similarly. 'Cause y'know what I see? Under all the haze?

A big, white, creepy room.

[treadsheavily]

[Okay, she'll humor him: she'll really try to look. But because she doesn't really believe him, the illusion still holds up.]

Iiiii don't see it. Sorry.

[trickonometry]

[he sighs, then shrugs]

Well, thanks for trying. You probably don't see it 'cause you don't want to. Or you think I'm totally bonkers. Me, though, I'm used to this kinda stuff.

[treadsheavily]

I'm just not the kind of person to see things that aren't real.

[trickonometry]

Yeah, alright, Nancy. Sure.

[he reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a classic Gameboy Micro. AKA a first gen Nintendo Gameboy, very slightly modified]

Then keep your eyes peeled for the real deal.

[he hits a few buttons, and a blue glow builds around Amadeus' form. it rolls over him like the scrolling lines of an old television. Amadeus tips her a two-fingered salute. then--BWOOP, he's gone]

[treadsheavily]

[Paaaaause.

Then she claps.]

... You are a magician! That's really impressive!

[trickonometry]

[there's a displacement of air behind her, and a sigh]

Thank youuu, thank youuu, I'll be here ad infinitum. [a swooping, mock bow]