That wasn't supposed to happen

[whatamithinking]

The parameters are recalibrated, the dial is spun, and a new universe is selected.
It won't be home--they haven't collected anywhere near enough coordinate data to think they can find home yet--but it will be another step closer.
And who knows, it might be interesting.
Edie steps through the portal first.

Comments

[iamnotpolaris]

"Yeah. And technically, most planets do have an inside, they're just inhospitable. Due to being filled with rock."

[not_only]

"Yes. That's about what I thought."

[iamnotpolaris]

"Also lava, frequently."

[not_only]

"Lava. Is it... in layers? Or is it just rock until the lava and then it's all lava? And does down change in the middle? Or has nobody figured it out because they don't want to swim in the lava and see?"

[iamnotpolaris]

"Down is towards the center of the planet. It's all rock until it's lava and then the very core of the planet is metal, I think."

[not_only]

"That does make sense, as a way for a solid planet to be."

[iamnotpolaris]

"I wonder whether your different conception of down caused the planet to be hollow or vice-versa?"

[not_only]

"What do you mean?"

[iamnotpolaris]

"I mean--down points towards the surface of the planet, whichever side of it you're on, right, that's the impression I'm getting from your language."

[not_only]

"Yes. If you climb down a chasm, there's a part in the middle where down fades out and then there's none at all for a while until you get to the other side and there's more down going in the other direction. If it's an incomplete chasm, that's about where the lava is, too."

[iamnotpolaris]

"Things fall--materials go--in the direction that down is. If down goes towards the center, everything will fall towards the center. If down exists in a ring, things would fall into a ring. But downness, at least in my universe, is caused by matter. So the question is, does downness in your universe work differently, causing your planet to be hollow, or does the hollow planet exert downness idiosyncratically because of its composition."

[not_only]

"That's a good question. I have no idea," says Sivath.

[iamnotpolaris]

"Nor I. It's not the only question of it's sort I probably won't get an answer to that I've found, wandering the multiverse, I won't get too hung up on it."

[not_only]

[iamnotpolaris]

"So this place looks mostly finished."

[not_only]

"Oh - yes," he says. "It has all the furniture and things. It's a bit, well, ugly, but making a pretty house usually takes me longer than a day."

[iamnotpolaris]

"Hmm."
She takes out her copper bar, removes one of the pieces, and sets it as a block on the floor. It melts, and then reforms itself as a lacy lattice and attaches to the wall.
"Better?"

[not_only]

Sivath grins.

"That's lovely!"

[iamnotpolaris]

"Thanks! I've been practicing for, well, forever. Or as long as I've been alive, anyway."

[not_only]

"It's very pretty. And now I finally have a use for all this copper. Would you like some tin, too?"

[iamnotpolaris]

"Sure! I can do other things, too, I made this bracelet." She holds up the arm that doesn't have the machine on it. It's made of steel and fairly ornate. "Several times. I get bored with the design and change it periodically."

[not_only]

"You're very good at making pretty things."

[iamnotpolaris]

"Flattery will get you everywhere. And by everywhere I mean pretty lattices and jewelry and statues."

[not_only]

"That's good to know. If I ever need pretty things made of metal that I can't make on my own, you'll be the first place I look."

[iamnotpolaris]

She beams at him.