2nd Mishmash ~ [Video]

[comeonthensexy]

((OOC: Doctor is black, Rory is blue and Amy is red, and I am so sorry for this ridiculous tl;dr. But at the same time I'm not. Shhh.

One day there will be a non-tl;dr'y post.))

[ Once again, the Doctor appears to be fiddling with the bracelet when it starts to record. While at first very much focused on his face, the angle and distance to it soon enough changes and he leans in closer as if peering at the stone more than the screen, making a sound like “aha”. ]

So that’s how that works. Very useful, these things, all efficient and high-tech so why couldn’t they just let me keep my sonic screwdriver, at least? Would make my life so much easier.

[ With an irritated exhale, he pulls the bracelet off his wrist and puts it away on a table. On the sofa behind him sit Amy and Rory Pond, and perhaps they intend to sit next to each other but when the Doctor moves to sit himself, he ends up in-between them. Not on purpose, mind.

As soon as he’s seated, he grins as if he’s not bothered by a single thing and slings one leg over the other.

…and is that a piece of celery he’s hung around his neck like a necklace? ]

Hello, Travellers!

[ A pause, and he glances at Rory and Amy. ]

That is the word, yes? Never seems to really stick, for some reason. It’s not exactly an incorrect word, since we all travelled here. In a way. Involuntarily. It happens.

A lot.

Says the man who can’t even get us to Rio.

Oi! I got you to Venice! And it doesn’t happen that much.

[ He sniffs, and turns his nose up just slightly before he turns his attention back to the screen, clapping his hands and rubbing them together. ]

Right. Hello! Again. Let’s talk science!

Or we can talk about why you’re wearing celery right now. [ Rory reaches over to lift the string holding the piece of celery, furrowing his eyebrows. ] Either way, people may want to take notes.

Or just pay really close attention. [ A snippy comment from Amy's side of the trio. Can't complete the look without crossed arms and a glance across to Rory. Obviously a very attentive student in school. Obviously. ]

Really, really close attention. [ Whatever the Doctor has to say, it’s going to be long. May as well sit back and wait for him to ramble it out. ]

That celery is going to save our lives. Or at least mine. If the gods take my sonic screwdriver from me, I have to make do.

[ AHEM. Clearing throat. ]

First of all, that thing about the gods stopping time? That’s false. You can’t just stop time, then you might as well just say you break time. This is simple time travel and that means that you’ll easily enough be taken back to where you started off. No need to stop time for it and if the gods are the ones telling you so, I really don’t know why. Unless they actually think so themselves. Or maybe it’s just easier to say that rather than explain that you’ll just get right back.

You will, so no freaking out, no need to think time’s frozen. Don’t you think that’s more terrifying than it not being frozen? Time’s not a straight line like you people like to think it is. It’s there, every hour, every minute, every second, it’s always moving, and if you’re going to go back to when you were taken, you won’t have been gone. Simple.

[ Look, he’ll actually pause here. To let things sink in? Possibly. Or just to let you marvel in his superior knowledge. ]

That was the easy bit. Moving on – we’re talking about a “world tree” here, but I would much rather call it a universe tree, if it works that way. Can’t be sure, but— I’ll get to that. We’re not from different worlds, different planets, we’re from different universes, and that’s when it gets tricky.

I’m not new to new universes, or other universes. There’s E-space— But does that really count? [ A pause. ] And there are parallel universes, but this… There are people here that are from Earths that don’t really have the same rules as the Earth I know at all, it’s…

[ He moves his hands as if he’s trying to grab something, frowning all the while. If he seems almost troubled…

Well, he is something like it, possibly. ]

They’re not parallel. They’re alternate, they have to be, but I don’t think I’ve ever really heard of that. There’s been alternate timelines, but not universes. See, a parallel universe is formed when choices are made, when things happen differently, so people who are dead in one could be alive in another, a war could have been won by the other side compared to what we know. There are billions of parallel universes and I’d assume there would be billions of alternate universes too. They really do have to be alternate, but what I wonder is if there’s any connection and how we can all be pulled to one place like this.

Travelling between parallel universes is difficult and dangerous enough – I’d say impossible, but I’d be lying because I have travelled to one, but it’s almost impossible, used to not be, but now it is – and I wonder what sort of power you’d have to have to take people from alternate ones and put them in one place. And why alternate universes?

The thing is… Between parallel universes there’s a void, something that has no dimensions, [ he slowly moves his hands around in circles, ] and no… It’s just an emptiness that you can travel through if you crack the universe. But I’ve never heard of travelling between alternate universes, so what could there be there? There has to be something, even if it’s nothing. Or are they just hanging on the branches of a tree…

[ He silences for a while, pressing his fingers to his lips, forehead creasing again. ]

I guess it’s not completely far-fetched. A branch leads to a universe, and then you can say the twigs are like all the parallel universes on that branch. But I never would have thought— Parallel universes are connected, yes, and there is a… Well, there is a main universe. I first thought this Asgard could’ve been something in-between universes, something like a void, but it’s got a sky and during the night you can see stars so it is its own universe—

[ He jumps up from the couch and starts pacing, motioning with his hands and not really staying inside the range of the recording. ]

So is there like a main main universe, then? Not impossible. Because what holds a universe together? Maybe it doesn’t ever stop. Maybe there are more trees out there, and the whole creation is like a forest. A space time continuum like a forest! Maybe it’s all bigger than anyone could ever hope to understand!

[ Suddenly his tone is completely gleeful, as if he hasn’t been troubled at all or just put his mind at ease and he steps behind the sofa, ruffles Amy and Rory’s hair before he flops to lean on the sofa’s backrest. ]

Has to be that way, it’s the only way it makes sense. I wonder if this universe is the biggest. So is this the center of that universe? I wonder if you could get to alternate universes by going through this one. There has to be corridors, or shifts, something to connect it all, and the gods have figured out a way to use them. Maybe that’s what the outside of the universe is, Ponds! That’s brilliant. Sort of terrifying, but brilliant.

Now the question is, is there any way to gather proof?

[ Pushing himself back onto his feet, he wanders completely outside of the screen, seemingly having forgotten he was even recording anything. ]

... So, about that celery—

Comments

( video. )

[gameplaying]

Corridors. Branches. [ a pause and a moment of watchful consideration. ] Different words for the same thing.

( video. )

[comeonthensexy]

If you can travel through the branches, yes. If not, they're just branches.

[ Obviously. ]

( video. )

[gameplaying]

Along. [ a beat. ] They're not there simply for decoration.

Audio

[samantha_grey]

[the fact that she understood a tenth of that rambling annoyed her beyond recognition. She now had a headache, and decided to discuss the one thing that seemed important in all of that dross.]

Yes. About the celery...

Audio

[comeonthensexy]

[And he felt like he dumbed it down and everything. And, ah, this voice...]

Who cares about the celery?! It's going to turn purple in Praxis gases. I'm allergic to Praxis gases. Never know what dangerous stuff you'll encounter when travelling between worlds and universes.

Audio

[samantha_grey]

Praxis Gases...? Not something I've heard of, but you're not from my world. Ugh, so it's basically a canary in a cage then. That, at least, makes sense.

[A pause. she recognized that voice now.]

Sorry about the other day. That was another side of me. It comes out from time to time. We're starting to think it's lunar in nature, at least as far as cycles are concerned.

1/2

[retrospect]

[ Wow. In every space time continuum-themed video post to a network of captives in a seemingly-impossibly mythological world, there is always one thing that needs to be said, one person that needs to respond in a certain way.

Lucky for your, Doctor and company, it will be provided early. ]

I just...

video;

[retrospect]

— I did not understand any of that.

video;

[comeonthensexy]

Oh, honestly. I know it's a tricky thing to start off on this whole time and space thing with, but it's not that difficult.

[ ᴠᴏɪᴄᴇ. ]

[refute]

You must really like the sound of your own voice. [ Especially if he can ramble on and on and on about these things that no one else can come close to grasping. ] However, I do have to voice my concern over the celery as a choice of a fashion accessory.

[ ᴠᴏɪᴄᴇ. ]

[comeonthensexy]

Well, why not? My voice is great.

And it's not a fashion accessory. I'm allergic to Praxis gases, last I checked, and the celery will turn purple if there are Praxis gases around.

[veneficus]

I am afraid I am quite confused.

[ OR A LOT. ]

This realm does not change the course of events in our realms for if you are sent back, your memories are quite gone. Does that mean - this realm, does not affect the others? It is as if we may live here for many years but those years shall sum into nothing when we are sent back.

[comeonthensexy]

[ Well, at least she gives something more than "I don't get it" and tries. Plus points! And she's from the dark ages, bless. ]

It means...

[ Okay, different approach, different approach. Hmm. ]

Say you have... Let's say time is a ball! It's not really a ball, but I think that's the closest thing I've found. Uh...

[ He's silent for a while as he moves about, trying to find something suitable. Eventually, he settles for a paper and pen and takes off the bracelet. Makes it easier for him to adjust the screen so that it shows the paper and not him.

And so, he draws a circle, and then scribbles a lot of random lines inside of that circle. ]

This is time. Not a straight line, not one point to the other. All of this, [ he waves the pen over it, ] exists simultaneously and will repeat itself over and over until time is destroyed. Now, let's say your time back home is here.

[ He draws an x at a random spot on one of the lines.]

Time travel works in the way that you can move from this point to another. In your time at home, you have gone away, and you are now... [ he moves the pen to draw an x elsewhere, ] here. Sometime in the future. But since your personal timeline is that you're going to travel back to the exact same time, [ knocking the pen against the first x a few times, ] that you left, only you know that you are or were gone unless you choose to tell someone.

[ Turning the screen back to his face, he thoughtfully purses his lips. ]

Wiping out memories isn't impossible. I don't know if they do, but if they do, then, yes, as far as you're aware, none of this will have happened. Any way you've changed, any experiences that you want to take with you... gone.

[ He almost sounds pained, saying the last line. ]

video ; private ; you know what I'll throw both at you

[venturesome]

[ ok, so he didn't understand a thing. But one thing he did understand and it is the very thing that concerns him. ]

What of magic? In my own realm, there is a woman with a power, a great and dark one. I have heard words from - [ man? he would not call him Rumpelstiltskin even that ]

-- One who sees the future and he has said that this woman shall stop time. That she will entrap all the realm and that the prison shall be time.

[ he doesn't like speaking of it. Not to strangers. But if there is anything to do, anything to help him understand the curse in order to stop it... ]

And time will stop and it shall trap us for all eternity.

video ; private ; oh yes excellent 8)

[comeonthensexy]

[ The Doctor takes a deep breath. The man speaks what sounds like somewhat old language. Primitive knowledge-- ]

There's no magic, only science that you think is magic because you don't understand it.

[ Okay.

He rests his elbows on his knees and folds his hands, frowning. Could be all lies, of course, but... ]

It... I don't think it would be impossible to stop time. Entrap, he said? I suppose...

He could have been talking about a time-lock. That is, sealing a timeline away so no one can ever reach it again, cutting it off from the rest of time and any connection it may have to it. That way, you might be able to break time in some way without it affecting the rest of the universe.

But it's just a theory.

[video]

[hollowchild]

[you really do love to hear yourself talk, don't you, doctor. but it makes her smile a little]

Doesn't it depend a little on the nature of the gods? Are we being gathered from journeys down meandering branches or plucked up like fruit in an orchard?

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

[ Well, why wouldn't he? He is so very clever, and all.]

Is it really that different?

[video] [filtered]

[holmes_fanatic]

It's a compelling theory, Doctor-san. But what evidence do you have that the laws of your world apply here?

[video] [filtered]

[comeonthensexy]

Universe, Conan. Using "world" in this matter just makes things even more confusing.

It doesn't matter if they apply here or not, or if alternate universes even have different laws. They're still breaking through to other universes and pulling people from them, and that's still extraordinary.

( VOICE )

[deductions]

A commendable assault of needless chatter, My good fellow. More than a few points that could be expressed with much less trifles wedged between them.

( VOICE )

[comeonthensexy]

Needless? Hardly.

[ video ]

[thoughts]

[ River is ... well, she's still a little nervous. Okay, a lot of nervous. She's not allowed to be anything but the very extreme of what she feels, of what's given to her. The part of her brain that screams doctor doctor doctor is louder than rationale, louder than Lǐngjié, and there's not a power in the 'verse can drown it out.

But ... it's better here. She doesn't have to be afraid here, even if her brain says she does. It's a liar anyway, lies because it's broken, and what is the doctor but a word? Words are liars too. Always going to lie.

Maybe she can lie right back. She's not afraid. She's not. (And maybe if she repeats it enough, one day it will be true.) ]

You think loudly.

[ Her voice comes small, hushed by reservation and that persistent, nagging fear, but there's also a bit of wonder in it. River can't hear their thoughts anymore, not here, but the Doctor - Lǐngjié - puts them loudly on display. She doesn't have to take it without asking for it, it's not just in her head like rest of them. He's giving it to them, freely, openly.

It's ... nice.

She can do this. ]

[ video ]

[comeonthensexy]

[ There's both relief and some pain at seeing River's face on the screen. Relief because despite having seemingly repaired at least something, the Doctor still worried she wouldn't want to talk to him again due to being afraid and he definitely doesn't want that. Pain because she still is afraid, he's sure of that, and her name is still River, and it's still a reminder of his own mistakes and the fact that he actually is someone to fear.

But he smiles anyway, because she keeps up the pattern of giving different, rather unexpected responses. And aside from the doctor thing, it's very exciting. ]

People don't really notice that. They seem to just think of it as talking, but it's not. Figures you'd understand, clever girl.

audio;

[onlyserves]

[Time Lord-sama, that is a lot of information to take in, so have an SS Agent, who was actually taking notes and paying attention to every word the Doctor had said explaining about time, universes, and so on. It is a miracle Soushi was able to keep up with him (although, he did rewind the video a couple of time to be certain he got everything before deciding to speak to the Doctor over the matter).]

Do you believe the answer to the patron's connection of universes could be connected to the castle in the center of Asgard? It would seem as thought everyone, who have found their way to this universe, appear at the same room within the castle walls and is greeted by the very same maid as well. [At least, that is the way it seems to have been by the countless introduction videos that pop up every few days or so.

Now for the last remark over trying to claim actual proof for the Doctor's theory, Soushi will be rather silent with only the sound of writing being heard. No, Soushi, this is not a college class or anything like that.]

I am uncertain if there is a way to gather actual proof over your theory, Time Lord-sama. The endeavor might be difficult to acquire due to... [Okay. How to phrase this?] ...the effects of losing one's own memories of ever having been part of this universe once one returns home for any particular period of time.

audio;

[comeonthensexy]

I had my suspicions that everyone appears in the same place. I don't think that could be a coincidence. It probably makes it easier to take people from everywhere, to have them arrive at the same place.

[ Pause. ]

It doesn't matter if anyone remembers or not. Obviously you're not very aware of being moved - that's unusual too - so you don't actually see anything. That won't be helpful. No, you need an instrument that can read pathways and traces in the fabric of the universe.