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[sonofdawn]

[ Theo’s back in his farm after having grabbed some pastries and coffee from the station café, lounging outside and just watching the weeds and overgrown trees fighting for his attention. He’s normally more social than this, but he’s been bummed about the bus situation — now more than ever, with that latest announcement. ]

So what the heck does HYPERDIMENSIONAL SHIFT NOT WORKING FOR OUTGOING BUSES mean and how do we fix it?

Comments

[impossibilities]

It means the nexus is not aligned properly. One should sit back and enjoy the scenery until it is fixed.

[sonofdawn]

[ Snaps and shares a quick photo of his view. ]



Alas, it’s not terribly inspiring.

[impossibilities]

Have you not been up into the mountains yet? A spectacular view. Still, I can see a dozen medicinal plants in that picture. Where is that?

[sonofdawn]

Not yet, but it looks like I have all the time in the world for it now. Thanks for the recommendation.

My farm. Do you want them? I can gather them up for you, if you like. I absolutely have no idea about plants or medicine, anyway.

[impossibilities]

It is a veritably easy going place to be stuck.

[Oh, hm. Grainne taps her chin as she decides how to respond.]

How much would you like for them?

[sonofdawn]

I just didn’t really bother, since I’d hoped to be out of here fairly quickly.

[ He’s a little surprised by the question. He’s not the enterprising sort, and his family’s big on service and helping others. ]

Oh, no, you don’t have to pay me. It’s not like I spent anything for this place.

[shotinhead]

Sounds scientific.

Alas, my scientific knowledge doesn't expand to this. What a pity.

[standingonmyneck]

For the sake of your own sanity, it’ll be easier to just say “it’s broken”.

[impossibilities]

Aye and they meant us to live off the land. Would you care for a trade then? A pie or two?

[jorie]

It means instead of taking you to your home world, it'll just launch you into space. Sorry. Repairs will be complete soon...ish.

[ringrust]

It means we're stuck here. Don't count on it being fixed that easily.

he can crash into her thread and bring the plants over?

[sonofdawn]

Pie? Well, then, that's an offer I can't refuse.

But you'll have to tell me SPECIFICALLY which of these you want, because I can hardly tell the difference.

[sonofdawn]

I'm hardly scientific. Unless military science counts?

[sonofdawn]

What about YOUR sanity? You get it, don't you?

[sonofdawn]

Space? So you mean these buses are actually... ships?

[ Pardon him, Marjorie, he's not familiar with the multiverse yet. Also, his world is in a strange state of being familiar with space travel, but not having buses. They have trains, though. And some of the more well-connected families have communicators. ]

Anything I can do to help with the repairs?

[sonofdawn]

Great.

I didn't want to be right about those fancy words spelling trouble.

[standingonmyneck]

Lets just say this isn’t my first time involved in this kind of crap. So either I’m completely sane or the opposite. No matter what science says about it, you’re stuck here until you aren’t.

[jorie]

Yes, you have to pick up a certain velocity over lightyears in order to travel to another dimension. Right now, the engines are too slow, but the ones going around picking people up have enough horsepower... er... dimension hopping power to bring them in.

We have to refuel and repair. It's not easy getting machines like that to work, and we're not a big business interdimensional beacon, more like a Mom and Pop store, so resources can be a bit slow... however, once it's up and running, you can come and go as you please.

[jorie]

... yes, actually! If you go to the mines, and bring me back something that looks like coal, but doesn't cast light or a shadow, that's fuel! It's a kind of dark matter.

[ringrust]

So far it hasn't been the worst place to be trapped in.

The good news in there's usually a way out of these eventually. It just might not be after summer or even by bus. From what I hear it'll be like you never left home.

[sonofdawn]

[ He rolls his eyes and mutters science in an uncomplimentary fashion. But now he's curious. ]

What happened the first time? Bus problems, too?

[sonofdawn]

[ His eyes glaze over the long, science-y reply. He can be quite the geek, but not over these things. Fighting, yes. Tactics, too. But science is not his strong suit.

Thankfully, he knows a thing or two about mines. ]

Okay. I might as well do something productive.

Sure thing!

[impossibilities]

I have a blueberry going spare. [She's rather proud of it.]

Will give you a list of the leaves to identify, but if there are a few weeds in there I will not be upset.

[Did he know blackberry leaf tea can be used to sooth upset stomach and throats? Dandelion is eaten as a salad and the root can be used for medicine, too. Those are just some examples of Grainne's list she sends, along with a brief identification guide.]

[standingonmyneck]

More like blood binding magical contracts. Then it was magical wormhole portals. Now it’s buses. Changes every time.

[shotinhead]

Likely doesn't. I had a friend who knew more then me, but he's not here. (My own knowledge is mostly medical in nature - things I've picked up from him. But when you're meeting many people, you pick up a lot of knowledge.)

And neither are those five scientists who're scared of me.

[sonofdawn]

[ Okay, he's actually impressed by the list. And the fact that there are so many useful plants hidden among what he'd simply dismissed as a garden of weeds. ]

Wow. This is great. I had no idea.

This afternoon a good time for me to drop by?

[sonofdawn]

Guess we're stuck here, then.

[ A couple of minutes later, he sends another text. ]

Marjorie says we can gather fuel, to help repair the bus. Doesn't sound so scientific.

[sonofdawn]

So you're a traveler?

[sonofdawn]

This isn't the first time for you, too?

Huh. Sounds like one of those adventure stories, where you go through magical doors and into other worlds.

[impossibilities]

[Botany is one of Grainne's best subjects.]

It is good enough. I will be in my farm house garden.

[standingonmyneck]

Not by choice.

[ringrust]

Funny you should say that. There's at least one place where it is doors.

Not where I was, though. That was all demons and witches.