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[mintjulep]

This is Leonard McCoy, Chief Medical Officer aboard the USS Enterprise. Bridge, do you copy?

[ There’s a man in science blue standing next to the fountain, looking cold and grumpy as he shakes his device. ]

Damn interference… Enterprise, this is McCoy. I don’t know what the hell happened with those infernal transporters, but I’m damn sure I ain’t where I’m supposed to be. Scott, can you hear me? Jim? Uhura? Sulu? Chekov? Chapel? Anyone?

… Spock?

[ Nothing, not even the hobgoblin. Dammit. ]

Right, well. Looks like I’ll try and blend in. Christmas music and all...

[ Except since his communicator couldn’t reach the Enterprise, it broadcasted his conversation to the entire city instead… ]

Comments

[mintjulep]

[ He'll figure that out if it happens. ]

I'm a doctor. At least I can patch myself up if I get into any scrapes.

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

The last time he tried to get to me, he raised an army of clockwork men, and did not stop at killing others.

[ In other words: please don't try, you'll only get killed. ]

[mintjulep]

'm not sayin' I'm going to confront him directly, all right? I just want to know.

[ Maybe that will set her mind at ease. ]

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

Yes. [ It does. ] Hopefully, he will never come here, though.

[mintjulep]

Hopefully, yeah. [ But if he does... ]

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

He hasn't so far. [ Here's to hoping.

Tessa visibly pulls herself together, straightening. ] Do you have any questions about the City, Doctor?

[mintjulep]

I think I've had most of 'em answered, save one -- what can you tell me about whoever brought us here?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

I do not know much about that. There's some people here called the Deities, and they control this place, in as much at it is controlled. People say they are the ones who are behind the curses as well.

[mintjulep]

Deities, huh? [ Interesting. ] Well, if they are actual deities, or are in control, it'd make sense. Curses like this don't seem like something that'd happen naturally.

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

No, indeed, I don't think that they do. And we do not arrive here by any choice of ours, either.

[mintjulep]

So what are we to them? Animals in a zoo? Experiments?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

That has certainly been suggested.

[mintjulep]

They don't show their faces much, do they? Or give straight answers when they do?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

That is quite true. And I haven't -- sought them out.

[mintjulep]

Suppose you wouldn't, if you prefer it here. [ It's not judgment, more like an outloud musing of his thoughts. ]

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

Yes. [ And she almost feels a little guilty for that, but-- not really. ] But I know that many people do not like it here at all.

[mintjulep]

All depends on circumstances back home, I'm sure. [ Or the people they've met here -- if being stuck here outweighs the desire to return, he's not going to try and change their minds. Not yet, anyway. ] I'm just not too terribly comfortable with bein' kidnapped when I've got an entire ship to keep healthy.

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

Oh. You needn't worry about that. Time does not pass in your home world while you are here, so when you return, it will be like you have never left.

[ And that is not something she likes to think about, but there you go. ]

[mintjulep]

... How is that possible?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

I don't know.

[mintjulep]

Time shouldn't stop just because we've been pulled somewhere else. [ Unless they are actually gods... ]

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

But people who have gone home and returned here have confirmed it.

[mintjulep]

How often does that happen?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

I'm not certain. [ A pause. ] I'm very sorry that I cannot be of more help, Doctor.

[mintjulep]

It's all right. You've been plenty of help. I should apologize for takin' up your time.