[BtR] Public

[shotofdumbidea]

So... when I went to bed last night, it was the end of October.

Could someone please explain to me how I woke up eight hours later in January? I am still in the same universe, right? Please tell me I don't have to give the zombie talk again.

Comments

[gatherslight]

You're in the same universe.

It sounds like you fell through another rift. Of the less-than-permanent variety. There are different kinds. The one Wanderers fall through? Permanent. They can't go back to their home universe. Once you're here, there are--well, rabbit holes.

Makes you lose sense of time. I'm sorry you got caught in one of them.

[shotofdumbidea]

Well, that's a relief. The last thing I want is to go through the whole 'enjoy your highly contagious and dangerous virus' thing a second time.

So, did anything interesting happen while I was gone?

[gatherslight]

Yeah, that would be ... something else. I can't imagine the world you must've come from.

Chicago was Chicago. There was the occasional disaster, habitual monster mayhem, Christmas came and went, and we now apparently have a magical toy store in the city.

[shotofdumbidea]

I figure any universe has a million ways to kill you, every day. I know mine's the subject material of horror movies in a place like this, and it's not like I don't see why, but there's something to be said for knowing exactly what's going to try to kill you on any given day.

...I'm tempted to ask how the toy store is magical, but I'm not sure the answer would actually clarify anything.

[smithnjones]

It sounds like you've fallen through an invisible Rift.

If you don't remember the time that you were away, that's likely what it is. It used to happen to Jack Harkness when he was still here all the time. It happens to Vaughn rather frequently too.

You're still in the same universe. You've just been 'removed' for a certain time and now you're back. It's disconcerting, I know. I wish we had a way of stopping it, but I'm afraid we don't. Welcome back! You missed reindeer and rainbow sherbert ice cream falling from the sky. That's Chicago for you.

[shotofdumbidea]

...you know, I think I'm just fine missing out on those things.

And I gather losing a little time is a lot less inconvenient than plenty of other things that can happen in this place, so I think I'll just be grateful I'm still in a place I recognize and my brother came with me.

Out of curiosity, though, do the people this happens to frequently have anything in common that you're aware of?

[smithnjones]

Really? You mean, you didn't want to eat rainbow sherbert snow? Not one of your top desires?

That's a rather good way to look at it. It's not easy either, and I know some people that have consistently lost months at a time, but hopefully, this will only be the one time that it happens to you.

Looking for a common factor? They were both here for a very long time, longer than most are, but I've been here a long time as well and it hasn't happened to me. Can't say that there's really any way to tell, I'm afraid.

[shotofdumbidea]

Not particularly. It sounds sticky, and I imagine it would lose some of its appeal once it hit the ground...

And... well, when inexplicable things are happening to me, I like to know as much about them as possible. I realize that's something of a losing battle in this place, and it may not help me avoid it happening again, but if nothing else, it makes me feel better about it.