So What's Your Age Again?

[clockwork_doc]

60-something, 70-something -- it seems to change depending on which bits of the canon you go by (TAS, movies, Game). And of course this Doc has to account for a) time spent not on earth, b) time spent in Chicago, & c) time spent in a pocket universe whose personal timestream was really messed up for a while there.

Well, while determining Doc's age may be an exercise in futility at this point, determining his birthday is easy -- it's today! The Inkwell is decked out in the usual streamers -- orange & brown -- with red and yellow balloons and a few cute cut-outs of gears helping to hold everything up. BTTF's theme is playing on the jukebox, and goodies are set out on the bar itself. You all know the drill by now, so let's get to giving presents!

Comments

[deadgirlslikeme]

Victor's the one going first this year, with a medium-sized box wrapped in paper printed with clocks. "Happy birthday Doc," he says with a bright grin, presenting the gift. "As usual, it's from me and Alice."

[clockwork_doc]

"Thank you both," Doc says with a smile and a nod back for each of his friends. He carefully opens the paper (he kind of wants to save a bit of it -- it's cool-looking!) and pops open the top of the box to find a brass-colored teapot with a clock in the side. "Oh! I really should have expected something like this from you two."

[save_us_alice]

"Oh yes," Alice says with a snicker. "The best part is, it's actually a teapot. The clock on the side has a timer you can set for steeping different kinds of tea properly. I don't know if you're a fan of hot tea, but I thought you'd like the clock part at least."

[clockwork_doc]

"Well, I've always been a fan of iced tea, and I have no objections to the hot stuff -- I'll have to give it a try," Doc decides, patting the spout. "Thank you again!"

[deadgirlslikeme]

"You're very welcome," Victor says, sliding an arm around his beloved as she nods.

[dee_lorean81]

Dee goes next, holding a smaller box wrapped in bronze paper. "I got you something weird but neat," she says, handing it over.

[clockwork_doc]

"That honestly sounds like a good description of our canon," Doc jokes, opening the present. Inside, he finds a box of what is labeled sugru Hacking Putty. "Huh -- what's this?"

[dee_lorean81]

"It's kind of like ultra-awesome adult Silly Putty," Dee says, bouncing on her heels. "You can use it to make stuff, fix stuff, improve stuff. . .on the ThinkGeek site they used it to make a USB-ring, and put new nosepads on glasses, and all sorts of stuff!"

[clockwork_doc]

"Ooooh," Doc says, now quite intrigued. "I'll have to experiment then! And you'll have to show me the page on ThinkGeek." He grins and gives her a hug. "Thank you very much, Dee!"

[dee_lorean81]

"You're welcome, Daddy!" Dee says, enthusiastically returning the embrace. "Happy birthday!"

[museicalmarty]

Marty is up next, with a very little box. "Yeah, mine's the smallest, but I think you'll be impressed anyway," he says, handing it over. "Happy birthday, Doc."

[clockwork_doc]

"Thanks, Marty," Doc says, opening up said tiny box. Inside is a curious assortment of items -- a tiny pair of scissors, a pair of nail clippers, a flashlight, and a weirdly-shaped bit of metal with words on it like "file," "cap," and "cut." All of them seem designed to go on a keyring. "All right, the first three I can figure out, but what's this thing?" Doc asks, holding up the odd bit of metal out.

[museicalmarty]

"They're keyring tools!" Marty explains with a grin. "I found 'em on ThinkGeek too. The first three are a set from True Utility, and that things the KeyTool multitool. Those flat bits with the letters are little screwdriver heads, the "file" is a nail file, the "cap" is a bottle cap opener, the "cut" is a wire cutter, and there's even tweezers and a fingernail cleaner. I figure, now you've got something even when you're not carrying your other stuff."

[clockwork_doc]

"Ah!" Doc grins at the curious little multitool. "I see now! Great Scott, I'm going to have so many tools on me I'm never going to have any excuse not to tinker with things. . ." He laughs, then claps his friend on the back. "Thank you."

[museicalmarty]

"You wouldn't be you if you couldn't tinker with everything in sight," Marty tells him with a laugh of his own. "You're welcome, Doc."

[forgotten_vows]

Forgotten's up next, carrying a medium-sized box in his hands and a silver fire lizard (who has gotten rather a bit bigger since his arrival about a week and a half ago) on his shoulder. "Happy birthday, Doc," he says with a smile, handing over the present as Moonlight trills his own good wishes.

[clockwork_doc]

"Thank you, Forgotten Vows," Doc says, returning the smile as he opens the present.

And promptly laughs again as he lifts out a table lamp made from a Mr. Fusion base. "Well, will you look at that!"

[forgotten_vows]

"Vic told me that one of the Bobs made one of the original Mr. Fusions into a lamp, so I thought, well, I'm sure you'd appreciate one too," Forgotten says as Moonlight whirrs happily, eyes dark blue. "I know it's probably not as great as Butterfly Boy's steampunk version, but I'm glad you like it nonetheless."

[clockwork_doc]

"Oh, don't start comparing your gift to mine -- everyone agrees I set a bit of an impossible standard," Butterfly Boy says, blushing.

Doc nods and pats Victor on his free shoulder. "It's great, really. The perfect lamp for my nightstand. Thank you very much."

[forgotten_vows]

"You're very welcome," Forgotten says, as Moonlight trills again, tail almost wagging.

[secundus_cast]

There's a brief jam at the door as both the Secundusians and the Muses show up at the same time, but eventually the two groups work their way through. Immediately noticeable is a new face joining the regular group of SecDoc, SecMarty, and SecAlice -- a certain brunette schoolteacher. "Hello all!"

[clockwork_doc]

"Clara!" Doc says, grinning. "I see our mun kept our promise to you, my other self."

[secundus_cast]

"Yup," SecDoc says, giving his beloved a quick squeeze around the middle. "Not going to Hill Valley today in the tumblr, mind, but Vic's said she's got an idea for a Christmas trip based around Marty proposing to Jennifer that would have me meet her there."

"And give Butterfly Boy over there a proper freaking honeymoon," SecMarty adds, causing Butterfly Boy to blush.

[clockwork_doc]

"Sounds wonderful," Doc says with a beaming grin. "I'm very happy for you. Happy birthday."

[8docs_n_1victor]

"And a happy birthday to you as well!" OckDoc puts in as the tentacles present their gift. "You should really like this one."

[clockwork_doc]

"Thank you," Doc says, patting the tentacles on the claws before ripping open the present. His grin brightens even more, if that's possible. "A new coffeemaker! About damn time!"

[8docs_n_1victor]

"Yeah -- I think Vic can't do anything with that old gag anymore, so she let us finally give you a new one," NoTril Doc says. "Now we just have to figure out how to dispose of the old one."

[clockwork_doc]

"Well, that can be her present to me," Doc says, smirking at his mun.

[crossover_chick]

"Weeell, if you really want that instead of me guaranteeing you a chance to meet Jules Verne," Vic says in a teasing sing-song.

[clockwork_doc]

Doc's jaw drops. "Wait -- what? Seriously?!"

[crossover_chick]

"Yeah," Vic nods. "I was reading over that first 'Alice: Otherlands' script, and I thought, if Alice can meet the guy. . . I'll have to come up with a way for it to happen, since your pocket universe is empty and all, but rest assured it will happen before the year is out."

[clockwork_doc]

"That's -- wow." Doc almost looks teary-eyed. "Thank you so much."

[crossover_chick]

"Hey -- anything for the guy who was -- well, my first on LiveJournal," Vic says, glancing over at RolePlayDoc, who chuckles.

[alienlisa]

AL and the guys trudge in late as usual. As the guys wish the assorted Docs a happy birthday, AL promptly squees over Moonlight.

"Awwww!!! I'd forgotten you'd gotten a fire lizard! I was at Comic Con when you brought him here otherwise I would've been over in a flash." She briefly activates her teleportation just enough to...well, flash. "Literally." She grins. "He's adorable!"

[forgotten_vows]

"Yes, I did -- are you a fan of the Pern books?" Forgotten asks curiously. "Or are you like Vic and know everything from the web?" He grins a little as she continues to squee. "He is, isn't he? I'm very happy Vic responded to that meme."

Moonlight warbles and then teleports himself over onto AL's head. He can do that trick too, see?

[alienlisa]

AL makes a 'so-so' gesture with her hand. "I know of the universe, the alter ego has read maybe part of one book and she's played the video game for Dreamcast." That's how old it is...well okay 2001. "The game didn't go over so well with critics, but the altere go liked it, as she would. In the game you can get firelizards, too. At least like three or five of them and it follows the player character around."

She giggles as Moonlight teleports onto her head. "Hello, there," she says with a huge goofy grin on her face, reaching up to pet him wherever it is he likes to be petted the most. She turns to Victor. "Does he get along with the other pets around here? Have you had a chance to let them interact?"

[forgotten_vows]

"That's still better than me," Vic says with a half-smile. "Never read any of the books or played any video games. I went into that meme pretty much blind and have been playing catch-up ever since." She giggles. "Aww, that sounds cute. I've really come to like these little guys."

"So have I," Victor says as Moonlight warbles happily, eyes turning deep blue. His favorite place to be pet is everywhere, so just pick a spot. "And yes -- he was already used to Bayard on my tumblr, so getting him adjusted to the other fuzzy -- and one boney -- creatures here wasn't an issue. He thinks of them as other members of his 'fair,' though he does understand they're not fellow fire-lizards." Moonlight whirrs and nods -- too fuzzy for fire-lizards.

[alienlisa]

AL chuckles as she scritches Moonlight on his head. "I probably never told you this, and you wouldn't notice they were there anyway unless you actively sought them out, but there are dragons on Alnilam. In fact, one of the unicorns, Wind Chaser, is best friends with one, Calla Lily. They met a while ago...Lily used to be small enough to ride on Wind Chaser's back. Now, though, she's getting too big for that." She thinks a moment, then laughs. "Maybe Lily'll eventually be big enough to carry Wind Chaser around."

"That's good," she says to Victor, moving her hand down Moonlight's neck. "Great that everyone gets along." She picks up on something. "So he doesn't breathe fire, huh? Not unless he eats a special rock? Well, that's good for Alice then, hm?" She doesn't blame her; she hates fire, too.

[forgotten_vows]

"Really?" Forgotten says, tilting his head. "Then again, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised, what with all the other incredible beasts you've got running around up there. . ."

"Yeah, you might have mentioned them in the past?" Vic says, trying to remember. "I'm trying to remember if there was any fanart of them. I know your alicorn form has dragon-type wings. . ."

Forgotten shrugs, then nods as Moonlight gets down onto AL's shoulder for better pettings. "Me too. I was worried there might be squabbling over hierarchy, but I think Moonlight's too lazy for that." Benefits of a "relaxed, lazy, and gentle" dragon. "And no, which is a relief to me too. I wouldn't want this place to burn down either."

"It's kind of interesting how they do it, though," Vic says with a grin. "They've got a second stomach that breaks down the rock and creates a phosphorous gas, which ignites when they exhale it into the air. Flame only lasts a few seconds, but it kills the Thread that threatens their home pretty well I imagine."

[alienlisa]

"There is," says AL, idly scritching Moonlight as she speaks, "and the alter ego's drawn them in the past. And yes, I do." Behind her, her golden feathered wings briefly turn red and dragon-like before returning to normal. She then leans in close as if she's about to tell some great secret. "But that's just because dragon wings are easier to draw for the alter ego than feathered ones." She shrugs.

"I'm sure," she says to V. "That's an interesting way to do it. Though every dragon species is different. I know of one whose lungs actually create the flame...and one actually has an ice lung to breathe ice. Though that took him a while to learn...wound up spitting up some half-frozen goop at first." She makes a face.

[forgotten_vows]

The wing change gets Moonlight's attention, his eyes changing to a curious light green as he watches the transformation. Huh. Are you a wherry or a dragon, Miss Lady? Either way, please keep up with the scritches.

Victor chuckles as Lisa reveals the great secret behind her having dragon wings. "Well, I've drawn a few birds myself -- feathers are a bit of a pain," he agrees. "And yes, dragon abilities are as varied as dragons themselves, I'm sure. I don't intend to let Moonlight learn firebreathing anytime soon." Moonlight whirrs -- he doesn't need to learn. It's a natural thing, like teleporting. "Yes, well, you're not likely to get your jaws on any firestone anytime soon. And certainly never in the house."

[alienlisa]

Neither. Just a visitor from another world. And it was very rude of her not to properly introduce herself. The name's Lisa and it's so very nice to meet you. *scritchscritch*

AL chuckles back. "I bet insect wings are easier, eh?" She then grins. "You can always come to Alnilam. Plenty of big, open meadow space for that sort of thing. I'm sure the unicorns won't mind if they're given forewarning."

[forgotten_vows]

Moonlight is very happy to meet you, Lisa. Particularly because you give good pets. He makes an almost purring noise as he settles back on her shoulder.

"Depends on how close up you get," Victor says with a smile of his own. "The delicate detail of veins or scales can be tricky too. And thank you, though I'd probably just take him up to romp around."

[alienlisa]

AL smiles as Moonlight makes himself comfortable, petting him gently. He can stay there as long as he wants.

She shrugs. "Hey, my door is always open to you guys." Beat. "Or portal or however it is you get there." She chuckles. "Really, whenever you want to stop by. We hang out here all the time; it's only right we extend the same courtesy. I already mentioned that you're invited to the Doctors' 50th anniversary party next month but it doesn't need to be a party to just drop by."

[clockwork_doc]

Moonlight will take full advantage of that! Lazy dragon.

"Portal, usually, I believe," Doc puts in with a little smile. "And thank you. Perhaps we'll start taking advantage of that a little more often." Would be nice to go out and stretch the legs a little more. "How's preparations going for that, by the by?"

[alienlisa]

AL doesn't mind, really.

"Oh, going good," she says with enthusiasm. "I've got a couple of the Food Network Whovians coming over to cook...Alton, Robert and a newbie, Justin Warner. He won Food Network Star two seasons ago. The alter ego once Tweeted to him that she'd once had a dream that she, he and Alton hosted a HUGE block party for the event and he replied that that was a great idea, so I have to figure he's at least familiar with the show." She shrugs. "And Duff and co. are making the cakes. They're kind of familiar with the show since they got a request for a Dalek cake once." She cringes. "They kept pronouncing it 'day-leck'." It's "dah-leck". "And I sweet-talked Chef Ron into doing a cake, too. Just because I like him." She chuckles.

[clockwork_doc]

"Sounds delicious!" Doc says, as the others nod and murmur assent. "We've seen some of your friends' work, so we're sure it'll be a blast." He chuckles. "Though hopefully by now Duff's learned that it's 'dah-leck.' I imagine you run into a fair amount of pronunciation errors with those on the fringes of the franchise."

[alienlisa]

AL nods solemnly. "Oh, as soon as I heard they were doing a Dalek cake, I schooled them on proper pronunciation. Although in the age of the Internet, there's really no excuse. Even if you don't have WiFi, libraries are free."

[clockwork_doc]

"Yes, well, tell that to every BTTF fan who still doesn't know how to spell 'DeLorean,'" is Doc's response, as Dee rolls her eyes.

"To be fair, though, what about you and 'jigowatts?'" Vic says with a sly look.

"I'm not at fault for the scriptwriters not realizing that wasn't correct! It's canonical at this point."