Crowdsourcing Science

[multiversal_science]

The power flickers out within the Plaza.

A momentary fluctuation, nothing more. Everything's soon up and running as though nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever just happened. People who might have stopped to look around for a second are free to return to their day to day business after only a moment of confusion. It's certainly not stopping people from walking in and out of their myriad of doorways. Approaching the open area with it's assorted places to sit and people watch to ask questions.

One such older woman adjusts her glasses. Tucks a stray wispy strand of purple hair back out of her face. She can't quite keep her tittering chuckle to herself. With a snap of her laptop, she stuffs it away into a pack on her back. Instead she'll pull out a clipboard and pen. Right. She sees how this is done.

She clears her throat.

"You there! A minute of your time, please. Do you happen to have an alternate of yourself, do you know? Any unusual side effects to being in this place? I'm conducting a survey of impacts to the general populace health in this place."

Comments

[conjuredskies]

"I... don't." The young man she's caught turns to give her a slight frown, his attention well and truly caught. Felix is in his light shipboard clothes; it's proven convenient that he favors dusky shades of blue, even if he (obviously) avoids the official blue and black used by actual Starfleet crew.

"But I know someone who does," he goes on, tucking his phone into a pocket. All the better to give her his full attention. "Is that a problem? I'm not aware of any particular side-effects so far..."

[multiversal_science]

Oh, look at this young man. He knows something. Sharply dressed, no extra limbs or inhuman features on him. Just the sort of human to offer a good baseline data point to her survey.

"Do you now? And he's not suffered any pain because of it? Not taken ill or had any adverse reactions to anything within the Nexus?"

[silverseamariner]

"An interesting question you have there, lass. Let's see if I can help you some, shall we?"

skekSa the Mariner approaches the woman, feathery tail sweeping behind her as she looks down, primary arms folded.

"There aren't any side effects I know of, no - there are some oddities here." While she isn't a scientist herself - though she does follow oceanography as a hobby, it's useful for a sailor - she recognizes that she's talking to one.

While she isn't friends with any of the Castle Skeksis, she has more respect for skekTek the Scientist than some, and thinks he would be better off sailing with her than at the Castle with the Emperor. She's reminded a little of him by this woman. Maybe it's the glasses, or the curiosity - one of skekTek's better qualities, in her opinion.

[multiversal_science]

"Lass, me?" The woman tips her head back in a startled and slightly awkward laugh. "That's flattering, really. I think I'm a bit old for that though. Buttering me up won't get me data." Especially not from someone who looks like they've spent a bit too much time around Norman and his experiments. Then again, she has seen weirder.

"In every experiment I've observed in regards to the convergence of parallel universes there's been instability in the invasive bodies. It's incredible to think that a place like this which seems to be a convergence on hundreds of universes can manage all of that conflicting matter and basic structure rules divergence without any sort of consequence."

[sohoangel]

"An alternate of me here? Because I'm aware of at least one other version of myself, but so far as I know, they haven't been to the Nexus."

Aziraphale is happy to help this woman -- presumably a scientist or doctor of some sort -- with her questions, although he's not entirely sure how helpful he'll be. "I'm only a visitor, not a resident. I've heard of a wild sort of magic that can affect people here sometimes, but I've never experienced anything like that."

[multiversal_science]

Oh good, it's always easier to get data when subjects participants are willing. The woman taps her pen against her clipboard with a wry smile.

"And how did you come across this information? Do parallel universes often come into close contact within your dimension?" She can't contain herself from jotting down his response verbatim either way. Should have really brought a recording device but it's a thought for next time.

"Aren't most people here visitors? Are you telling me there are permanent residents in this convergence?" Glossing right over the M-word Aziraphale is throwing out. No need to buy in to that sort of thing just yet when there's so much actual data she has at her fingertips.

[tr1ckortreat]

"Actually, yes, I do. There are around six alternate versions of myself living in the Nexus at the moment including myself. All Lokis."

He studied the rather eccentric woman and realised she must be some kind of scientist judging by the experiments and the power outage in the Plaza. It was a good thing Loki's popsicle freezers were powered by magic, otherwise he might have an issue with her. As for side effects having six versions of himself living in close proximity to one another? None as of yet.

"Do side effects count in the form of multiple acts of possible mischief? Since we are the Gods of Mischief."

A sly smirk spread across the god's face as he wondered how she would take his rather poignant but true remarks.

[multiversal_science]

Six?!

Liv stops writing on her clipboard and turns around to face Loki directly. Strange of him to assume she's the one behind this little blip in the power. She's been here the whole time! Pay no attention to the program she was running on her laptop before she got up to take notes.

"Wait, hold on. Loki? As in, green leather and horns Loki? Isn't that what you are good at? Making copies of yourself?" She deals more in Spider themed vigilantes than Avengers level threats but hey, she'll take the data she can get.

[the_rebel_son]

The flickering lights have Lucifer looking around for another angel. He's been waiting for another like his partner to show up. His eyes easily pick up the person who seems least startled by the situation.

Lucifer has been getting stopped a lot lately in the plaza. He's not sure if he likes this or it is annoying. He shifts his wings once he realizes this isn't another angel. The feathers on all four white wings lowering into a relaxed position. At 6'6" with pale skin, pale hair, and mismatched blue eyes Lucifer is often seen as ethereal without anyone knowing just who he is.

"I know of hundreds, but we do not usually get along. I do not expect to see another here, but it is a possibility." Lucifer laughs at the last question. "I can relax, but I am not sure it is this place as much as who is not here."

[multiversal_science]

In a world where every other person with any sort of power looks Far more inhuman than Lucifer does, Liv doesn't hardly bat an eye. The man with the wings is stopping to answer her question like a model citizen and that's all she's really concerned about for the time being.

The question of how he came across those wings is one her curiosity will have to sit on for now.

"Hundreds? That's the largest amount yet, if you're not exaggerating." Scribble scratchity scratch goes her pen against the clipboard as she hurries to get his response written down. She's going to need to have to flip over to a new sheet shortly before continuing to write. "Are you terribly territorial, is that why they don't dare come here?" Her smile is amused though she barely looks up from her writing.

[boldygoing]

It's such a strong reflex to call Engineering at the first signs of power trouble that it takes Jim a moment to remember he's not on the ship, hand halfway to his communicator. Right. Nexus. Clearly he needs more coffee.

That was what he'd been on his way to do before that little blip interrupted him, anyway. Why use up his own supplies when he can get it fresh here, and stock up? He doesn't make it terribly far before he's approached by the woman with the clipboard, though, and while his specific relationship with his double seems a bit personal to talk about with a stranger, there's no harm in answering a survey, is there? It's for science. That's a good cause.

"I do, actually. The only 'side effect' I've noticed is people got us mixed up a lot at first." He scratches lightly at his jaw and gives her a tired but charming smile. "I grew a beard, that solved most of the problem."

[multiversal_science]

"You do!" Someone has never sounded this eager to check a box on a piece of paper. She tucks her pen into the space between the clip and handle so she has a free hand to gesture with as she takes a step closer to...

She pauses. Squints. Blond hair, blue eyes, a shapely jaw, and that voice....

"And what might your name be, sir?" Her most pleasant smile is on offer. So many spiders falling out of the sky you'd think her lot in life was in a basement somewhere rather than the multiverse.

[telarano]

Miles was of course minding his own business. Had a pile of homework to do, so his backpack was a bit more loaded down than usual as he was wandering through the Plaza, trying to decide if he wanted fries or pizza to binge on while he knocked out his history paper.

Derailed by the woman calling, brows lifting as he tugged his headphones down, shuffling a bit closer. Tilting his head as he considered what she was saying before responding.

"I'm sure I've got some alternates somewhere ma'am, but not any I've met here. But back home it's not super uncommon to see it happen, so it stands to reason there's at least a couple other mes out there, hopefully with a lot less homework to do this week. I do know a few people here who have alternates, and they all seem to be doing alright, whether they live here full-time or just visit from what I've seen."

[multiversal_science]

Oh, oh look! There's Youths(TM) in the Nexus too! How delightfully questionably safe for their atomic structures. Still, Dr. Octavius never gets tired of a chance to be an Expert in front of a child so she's all smiles when Miles stops to answer some questions for her.

"It's not? That's surprising, but I am gathering all kinds of data about how common parallel universe convergence is across the multiverse." More surprising that a child seems to be in the know about this. It must be Very Common in his world if it's making the local news cycle. "Do you have systems in place for handling those kind of dimensional cross contamination, do you know?"

[time_consuming]

Between the flicker of power and the sharp energy about her, she has the attention of a tall, broad-shouldered man in a snappily-tailored suit. He raises his eyebrows at her, before his expression settles back into amusement.

"An alternate of myself? From another version of the timeline? That certainly would be hazardous to the populace." He laughs at his own joke. "I'm afraid I've never had that pleasure. But I am intrigued. Just what sort of 'side effects' are you researching?"

[multiversal_science]

Olivia Octavius is rather quite used to being the smallest statured person in any given room but her confidence is sturdy enough to measure up to the most formidable of men she's had the pleasure of working with during her career. One more looming broad shouldered man doesn't frighten her though his uncharacteristic charisma chases a smile of her own out to match his in greeting.

"Neither have I, but I suppose that's a blessing. We'd either be as thick as thieves or ready to strangle the other within minutes." More of a hazard than one might think!

"Where convergences have been documented in my world there's been gradual but indiscriminate atomic decay in affected subjects. Very painful and quite irreversible." A beat before she adds, "Sad, really."

[sweetcandygirl]

"I honestly don't think people could handle more than one of me." A woman wearing brightly colored clothing and eating a vegan burger answers the question. Her blue jacket is accessorized with plaid pants and a pink pair of sunglasses.

"But I have met alternates of other people!"

[multiversal_science]

Ooooh that's a hard outfit to look at for long. The doctor reaches up to adjust her glasses but shuts her mouth rather than comment on it. Different worlds must have different tastes.

"I think that's a perfectly reasonable reaction to have, Miss. Most people don't want to countenance not being the only representative of their consciousness."

Her pen taps at the clipboard in her hands a moment.

"Have you now! That's good. Have they had any negative symptoms for coming into contact?"

[ginger_firebird]

The very question gets him to shiver, not just from the force of the personality behind it, but the sheer concept. Another him? Even Screaming Mantis was a madwoman who had been tortured and later made vulnerable to his control. He shakes his head at the woman with the mane of untamed hair.

"For everyone's sake, there is only one version of myself. Only one attempt had ever been made to copy me, and I crushed that dream as fast as I could." As to the other questions... "My health has been fine here so far. I'm even gaining weight."

[multiversal_science]

When people like to insist they're the only one of themselves in all the multiverse it's usually out of fear to one's identity. The inevitable question of the nature of free will pops up where if someone Chooses not to do something an entire subuniverse is born where they chose to do it instead....it gets messy fast. Liv's less used to the notion that people would fear for others' safety if there were more than one of them.

But it does track from a certain perspective. If there were more than one Wilson Fisk (and there are, she's seen it) running around.

"When it comes to the endless possibility of the multiverse I tend to lean toward statistics." Liv scribbles down the answer all the same. "But it's certainly possible you'd be the only one."

[unapprovedtrash]

Well. That was weird? Probably nothing to be concerned about. In a place that is a crossroads between countless realities that kind of thing probably happens all the time when conflicting technologies clash. He does glance back at BD-1 to make sure his little friend is fine. He is and waggles his antenna to prove it.

"Huh?" He stops and hears the woman out and shakes his head, "I've heard about duplicates. Apparently someone named 'Loki' has like twelve, but I haven't encountered any other version of myself though."

Not to be cut out of the conversation the tiny robot on his back scrambles up higher onto his shoulder and beeps out a series of excited boops and whistles. Cal rolls his eyes.

"BD, we've gone through this. That wasn't your evil twin, that was an espresso maker."

BD just responds with what can only be described as a low spooky whistle.

[multiversal_science]

Oh! Now isn't this a pleasant surprise? More Youths in the Nexus and this one has brought along a small robot friend. No belligerent spider themed tech or powers to speak of by the looks of him....which means Cal is going to get a very media friendly smile offered his way. One that's extended to BD after just a moment.

"Oh yes, I've met one of them. No big surprises there that a self proclaimed god of mischief and lies would get his nose into everything it could reach."

The little robot thing is rather charming. She just wants to pick him up and disassemble him into his component parts to see what makes him tick give him a nice squish. Precious.

"How long did it take you two to get used to this place? It's almost more startling how comfortable everyone is with this phenomena than it is for such a place to be stable."

[wouldilietoyou]

"I don't know any alternates of myself, but I'd tell them not to make my mistakes."

A teenager, who's listened raptly to the woman's speech, replies.

"Maybe this way, I'd do a lot of good for other 'mes', if they exist, and their family! And their friends."

[multiversal_science]

"That can be so very dangerous though. They mightn't make your mistakes but then they wouldn't learn from them either. And who knows what Other mistakes they might make in place of those..." Messing with timelines and alternate realities can be so very dangerous even when it appears not to be.

Liv smiles kindly down to the Youth.

"It is such a noble thought though."

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia jumps at the fizzling of electricity, her hands coming to rest on the hilts of two of her daggers briefly until everything settles down. After all the things that have happened to her in her time in the Nexus, it's hard not to get nervous when things happen without any obvious explanation. She's taking a breath to calm herself when the woman calls out, and the questions catch her off guard. It's not often anyone asks things quite like that.

"I've met someone who looks just like me. Or very close to what I look like. Her hair is a different color and she's older than I am, but her build, her face, her voice... They're all the same as mine." It's still a bit unnerving to think about, even after meeting several others sets of people who are the same person but are still distinctly different. "She's unlike me in every other way. She's from Earth while I am not, has very different skills than me, and has a history completely different from mine." How and why that happens is a little beyond Amelia's understanding, but that's something to process another time.

"I didn't have any issues being around her. I'm sure I've passed her since we met and never noticed." She shrugs, unconcerned by what this person might be hinting at. "She's not exactly someone I seek out, though. Seeing my face on a person who is... not me is not something I look forward to."

[multiversal_science]

"Excellent, yes. That is exactly the kind of information I need." The older woman is scribbling furiously on her clipboard as she hurries to jot down Amelia's response as close to verbatim as possible. She can't afford to waste even a second letting her curiosity and thoughts drift away from her lest she miss a detail.

"How long would you say you were in her direct company? You've not had any pain since coming into contact with them?"

[eumenis]

The woman she's addressed looks back at her expressionlessly for a moment, standing in her tracks with shoulders back and head slightly tilted. There's a blend of ex-military and predatory animal in her body language, and she's clearly sizing the stranger up. Possibly the abrupt way she was addressed has ruffled her feathers, or maybe the bristling technology on the stranger has captured her attention. Either way, she's silent for a moment, then rolls the shoulder on her left side, where a heavy metal prosthesis attaches. The joint pops quietly.

"I haven't seen any alternates of myself," she answers. "But I've met one of a man I know in my world. It was a long while back."

"And later on, I met a man with his face. Identical down to the last detail, but he wasn't the same person. I hear that happens to others, too."

[multiversal_science]

Doctor Octavius' attention has been primarily on her clipboard as she stops those that pass by. She's been taking care to write down every response she gets word for word so not a scrap of potential data falls by the wayside. So she startled a bit to find that this particular woman isn't exactly like the others she's gotten the attention of so far.

"I see." Being eyed by this woman feels akin to being eyed by her previous employer. It's enough to make Doctor Octavius quiet her urges to talk through her thoughts and watch more than she speaks. "Thank you, that's the sort of data I'm looking for."

No sudden movements around this one.

"You were never in any physical pain to be in proximity to any of them? No adverse reactions?"