1st Idea [visual]

[notgivinguponyou]

[The screen opens up to a green pony as he's pacing; his steps are slow and deliberate, each hoof lifting a little too high as he gets used to walking. He doesn't seem to notice that his scroll has unfurled, too busy as he was trying to stay calm.]

Okay...okay, this is fine. I'm fine...there's...there's a reasonable explanation for this...

[He nearly trips but manages to catch himself, though a look at one hoof has him on the edge of panic.]

I'm dreaming. Right...that's what this is. I hit my head, and I'm in the hospital dreaming...yeah...

[He runs a hoof through his mane, but pauses to glance up at his head.]

Aww man, my hat...

Comments

[4thdimensional]

[Doc had to hide a smile.]

I'd do more if we were any further along than this odd combination of magic and steam power, but I build. It's largely repair work for now, but I'm hoping to open a clock shop in the near future---with side business in tutoring in the sciences.

I'm sure magic will be of use to me once I master it, but for now I'm doing things as I've always done.

[notgivinguponyou]

Oh man, that sounds like a great idea. What kind of sciences do you study?

[4thdimensional]

All areas---but physics and chemistry in particular. I love triggering reactions.

[He also has a particular interest in time, but that doesn't need to be made any more obvious.]

Are you a student of the sciences as well?

[notgivinguponyou]

[Physics and chemsitry...that reminds him of certain people back home.] Yeah...! I'm a robotics engineering student at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology back home.

[4thdimensional]

...I can't say I've ever heard of that city.

But I imagine this lifestyle's a drastic change from what you're used to. Was there anything in particular you were working on? There are equivalents of some scientific activities being pursued here, much to my delight.

[notgivinguponyou]

Really? It's a pretty big city in California. Yeah, I was actually finishing up a project that I've been working on for a while. His name is Baymax, a personal healthcare companion robot.

[4thdimensional]

I've heard of a San Francisco, but Sokyo? No. I'm from Hill Valley, California---not the biggest of towns.

But this Baymax of yours---when you say health care, does he assist medical staff, or does he replace them?

[notgivinguponyou]

[He can't help raising a curious eyebrow.] Well, actually...San Fransokyo used to be called San Francisco...but that was over a hundred years ago, before the earthquake that nearly destroyed the entire city. After it was rebuilt, it was renamed San Fransokyo in honor of the Japanese immigrants that rebuilt the city to withstand seismic activity. Oh, Baymax isn't meant to replace medical staff. He couldn't do any kind of operational procedures, or even something like fixing a broken leg, but he'd know when someone was ill enough that they might need to go to the hospital. And he would be able to help someone in case humans aren't able to.

[4thdimensional]

Oh! You're from another point in time, or an alternate timeline. It all makes sense.

[He nods, then smiles.]

That's still an incredible project. Using the power of science to save lives...there's something incredibly admirable about that.

[notgivinguponyou]

Oh yeah? So San Francisco still exists where you're from? [The idea of that is rather interesting, and he can't help being a bit excited about it.

His smile softens a bit at that.] Thanks...it's something I've wanted to do since I was younger.

[4thdimensional]

Sure does. I don't head out there, I've got enough trouble back in Hill Valley, but I've always liked that bridge. A marvel of engineering.

[Doc can imagine what would lead Tadashi to this kind of project.]

You saw a need---is San Fransokyo a rough place to be?

[notgivinguponyou]

Oh yeah, the bridge is pretty cool. If I remember right, the design changed a bit after it was rebuilt, but the way it looked before was still pretty spectacular. It has its ups and downs, same as any city. Underground bot fighting is a pretty big problem... [There's a tone there that says more than he does about the subject.] But building something to help people...that's a bit more personal.

[4thdimensional]

I wish I could say my ambitions were as selfless. Never lose that.

[He can't exactly go on about time travel, but he can say a good something else.]

I'm aiming to build timepieces, and teach eventually, but...perhaps I can eventually extend myself a little further.

[notgivinguponyou]

[A small smile.] I'll do my best.

Maybe. You never know unless you try, right?

[4thdimensional]

You're absolutely right. Now that I have a friend I need to protect, and in time, maybe more...it's time I expand my horizons.

Thank you. You've certainly given me something to think about.

[notgivinguponyou]

No problem. I didn't really do all that much.

But hey, if you need any help with anything, let me know.