[003]

[docinawall]

Now that hit the spot!

[Doc is in the Plane's kitchen. he isn't attached to a wall this time, but he looks like he's been in more trouble anyway--his armor is absolutely caked with sand]

[he doesn't seem bothered by that, though. in fact, he's cheerfully taking advantage of the kitchen's facilities. there is a large bowl mostly full of water and ice on the counter next to him, and he's adjusting his helmet, which he has just put back on after enjoying a long drink of that cold water. when that's done, he reaches out, takes the bowl in both hands, and starts pouring it down his helmet and, consequently, all over him, washing rivulets of wet sand onto the floor around his feet]

Wow, this place is the best. Maybe if I'm soaked, I'll even stop sinking! That would be nice. Hey, I wonder if there's any oil. Where would that be...? [he starts rummaging in cupboards]

[ooc: Continuing slowly through canon, now up to Season 8, Episode 8!]

Comments

[onehundredbeers]

[Nathan has no idea who this guy is but he has noticed something.

SAND.

He approaches and stops. Then, you know, he glares and crosses his arms.]

What the fuck do you think you're doing.

[docinawall]

[Doc turns from the cabinet to the glaring man, but he doesn't sound the least bit startled or intimidated] Oh, I'm looking for some oil. Have you seen any?

[onehundredbeers]

[Nathan doesn't move.]

Are you. Going to clean this up.

[He doesn't budge on the most important thing here: that someone, right here, right now, is making a gigantic mess. In the kitchen. And sand is involved.]

[docinawall]

Huh? [Doc turns to survey the sandy mess] Oh, yeah, I'll get that before I go back. After all, a clean home is a happy one! Do you like cleaning?

[betrayedtwin]

[it's probably a good thing he doesn't catch a single thing that Doc says. instead, he walks in while the medic is going through the cupboards]

Well hey, look who it is!

[docinawall]

[Doc turns at the voice, smiling brightly under his helmet] Hey, North! Wow, it's been a while. How are you? [then he pauses and adds:] Uh, you're not gonna question me again, are you?

[betrayedtwin]

[he laughs, waving a hand] Nah. Not unless you want me to. And I've been pretty good! I have a little downtime right now, so I figure I might as well check on things here.

And what about you? Finally out of that wall, huh?

[docinawall]

[quickly] Yeah, no, that's okay!

What? No. [he pouts] They don't know how to get me out, and now we're in the desert and I'm sinking, too! [he sighs--but then brightens] But I know how to come here without it now, so that's not so bad!

[betrayedtwin]

[he tilts his head curiously] They don't know how? I knew you were wedged in there pretty good, but not that good. [mock rubs his head] What have they tried? I mean, they got you to the desert, so they must be using something.

[docinawall]

[thoughtfully] Well, they tried pulling, but that didn't work. So then they tried the Warthog's tow rope--and they even connected it to the cod piece. You know, closest to my center of gravity? But that just broke off part of the wall. So now the Meta's just dragging me around. [he shrugs] At least it's better than walking!

Well...as long as I don't sink in all the way and die. That wouldn't be much fun.

[betrayedtwin]

[if Doc didn't just suggest using that center of gravity, North would have] No, I think that'd be a lot of things--and none of them fall under the "fun" category. You're probably gonna be in there until they find some way to safely detonate the rock, I'm betting. Or until they've found a sledgehammer or something heavier. Either way? I'm betting it's gonna hurt.

[docinawall]

W-well, I could just stay in there! Forever. And not get detonated.

[betrayedtwin]

You do realize how ridiculous that sounds, right? [but despite his question, he sounds amused. this guy is something else!] They'll get tired of dragging your around sometime, and if this is the same Wash we're talking about, he'll get tired of it sooner than that. The guy's all about efficiency.

[docinawall]

Yeah, but maybe they'll think of something that doesn't mean blowing me up! Like, they'll find another one of those AI things that...pulls people out of walls. Somehow.

[betrayedtwin]

[slowly] Yeah, AIs don't really work like that.

Look, if you really wanted, I could pull you out and then we could kinda wedge you lightly back in so you can fall out of there on your own. And I wouldn't use anything explosive, I promise.

[docinawall]

Are you sure? They can do crazy things.

[surprised] ...really? You're sure that'll work? I don't want to get pulled apart, either...

[betrayedtwin]

[raises an eyebrow] Just how much experience with AIs have you had?

It could! I'm only so strong and I don't know how good you're stuck in there--[you are the one who has never allowed anyone to try, Doc]--but I figure it'd be worth trying. And you won't be pulled apart. I promise.

[docinawall]

Mostly with the one that was in my head. He was really crazy! Oh, and this one who keeps dying. And I didn't see any AI with the Meta? But he does have a lot of equipment he stole off of dead Freelancers, so that probably sort of counts?

[Doc considers for a moment] If you're sure. Let me get it!

[and he drops from the Plane for a few seconds--and then returns with both the wall and an avalanche of sand] Uh-oh! [watch out, North!]

[betrayedtwin]

[he's about to ask about the dead Freelancers thing when the wall and all that sand appears] Whoa! [he scrambles backwards, waiting for the deluge of sand to stop] You know, I wasn't expecting you to bring a chunk of the desert here. We'll find a broom later.

[but just in case, he opens the kitchen door to encourage the sand out that way.]

[docinawall]

Yeah, I didn't know that was going to happen. But maybe now there's less sand for me to get buried in!

[optimism is always the answer]

[betrayedtwin]

So long as you don't bring it back with you the way you brought it in. Just be sure to remind me about that broom.

[He scratches his head as he regards the wall again.] I don't know, Doc. Seeing it in this light, it almost seems like the best thing to do is to blast it away. Your armor should protect you, especially if you're on the other side of the blast.

[docinawall]

It's moved, so it should be harder to bring back!

[he does look dismayed at that, though] I thought you said you could pull me out without explosives! You know, it's not very nice to get peoples' hopes up. [he pouts]

[betrayedtwin]

I really thought so before I saw just how badly wedged in there you are. You wouldn't let me try anything the last time you came here in the wall, remember? [He experimentally begins to tug on the man's arms and legs] But now that I'm seeing this up close... Sorry, this is going to get a little personal. [He tries tugging from both the bottom of Doc's chest piece, and then moves down to the cod piece but to no avail.] Geez. You don't do anything in halves, huh?

[docinawall]

[Doc shakes his head--the few centimeters that he can, at least--at North's apology about his personal space] Just get me out! I bet you can if you try. [and he waits expectantly, cheering North through his attempt] Yeah, try like that! Pull harder! Oooh--oooh, yeah, try the cod piece! Come on, you can do it!

[when North gives up, though, he pouts] It's not my fault! It's the Meta's. Can't you try something else? [he pauses and then adds:] Especially something not explosive.

[betrayedtwin]

Yeah, I know. Listen Doc, I don't know what else I can do if you won't let me use explosives. It'd be the quickest way to get rid of all this. If I had a jackhammer or a pickaxe of some kind, that'd work too, but we don't really make a habit of keeping those back at base.

[docinawall]

Yeah, um...I think I'll just stay here forever instead. Now that the sand's gone, I won't even drown!

[betrayedtwin]

[He shrugs his shoulders] Suit yourself, Doc. Speaking of that sand, let's see about getting this sand dune out of the kitchen. [North starts looking for a broom or something else useful to use.]