The Hidden Mall: 👭 Pairings

[aldersprig]

They ran through the smoky halls, looking behind them for the source of the rumbling, looking ahead of them for Rue 21.  They were dodging obstacles they could barely see in the haze, looking for flames they couldn’t see, and holding hands, Abigail so she didn’t lose yet another Liv - Liv, presumably, for the same reason.

Neither of them saw what grabbed them and pulled them through a door.  But as the floor shook and shook and something outside crashed, Abigail decided that whoever it was, was probably a friend.

She wiped her eyes, turned around, and saw two Livs and Vic Carter.

She turned to her side.  Liv, skinny-and-clean Liv.  The one on the left there, that was probably her Liv - she was wearing the same clothes, at least.  The one on the right was clinging close to Vic Carter and staring at her in horror.

She took three measured breaths. “Liv?”

read on…

Comments

[sauergeek]

Oh, intriguing! They've gotten far enough from their own mall to start running into universes with rather different internal dynamics. And from the looks of it, this new universe's Liv considers Abigail bad news. That, plus this Vic being much more civil, suggests that Abigail and Vic have swapped roles, but Liv hasn't.

Given what Vic recited at the end, I think only possibly dirty-Liv can still open doors. We haven't seen the potion yet. Abigail took — but did not eat — the candy. And Abigail's original Liv both traded for something (which probably counts as bought) and ate the ginger candy. Original Liv also made a book, which included a drop of blood, but there's nothing about writing in it. I don't think we've had a recitation of dirty-Liv to that level of detail, so it's possible that dirty-Liv also can't open doors. The last time we saw Abigail open a door, it was to the Stepford mall. Original-Liv's last door was to the room full of doors. Dirty-Liv's only door was to follow original Liv.

I'm puzzled that Vic can open a door that's potentially useful for someone else, but can't get home herself. Or does she not want to get home? She certainly doesn't want to go through. We'll see soon!

[aldersprig]

Abigail took — but did not eat — the candy.

Oops! Thanks.

And we don’t know what’s up with Vic yet.

[kelkyag]

The Hidden Mall: Moving On appears not to've cross-posted.