realityshifted | (no subject)

(no subject)

[the Doctor appears in mid-air, turned on his side as he aims a sonic blaster

when his shoulder slams into the stars, he looks more surprised than pained; slowly, cautiously, he sits up, examining the sudden change in scenery]

Well, I certainly wasn't expecting this.

[he keeps a firm grip on his weapon as he stands, but it stays at his side; his clothes are simple and elegant, save for the ragged tears and stains of blood

his body language is carefully casual; his expression is, at most, curiously bemused]

I will say it's a nice break from all the chaos and clamour.

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[Menzies is at first startled by the sudden appearance of someone in midair, and she stops short, tensing. but once he lands and gets back up, she relaxes. as she heads toward him, she can't help smiling in amusement]

Like to go for a dramatic entrance, I see.

[at which point she realises there are blood stains on his clothing. she frowns] Hey, you all right?

[the Doctor's wry smile covers the cool assessment he's giving her] I do have something of a dramatic flair, I'll admit.

[his smile fades as he nods] And I'm quite all right. [he gestures towards the bloody mess that his outfit has become with his free hand] None of this is mine.

[she smiles wryly right back at him] Then you might fit right in in a place like this! You're new, I take it? [she's guessing so, considering how surprised he seemed to arrive]

Ah. And it doesn't belong to anybody you're fussed over, I take it? [the question is nonchalant, but she's assessing him as well. not just anyone can arrive wearing that much blood and be so casual about it]

It appears so, yes. You know where we are, then?

[softly, as he shakes his head] One can't afford to be fussed over their enemies. I can grieve for the bloodshed when it's over.

As much as anybody does. Welcome to the Astral Plane! A place where a lot of universes meet and you can leave any time--but somehow, you can't really leave at all.

[she frowns but keeps her tone brusque] Well, call this a break, then. There's even a ballroom if you're looking for clothes.

[he arches his eyebrows, more in interest than scepticism] That's both fascinating and perturbing.

[the smile returns, faint but grateful] I certainly don't mind it. Thank you - I'll need to take a look.

[she chuckles. that's a very level-headed reaction] Sounds about right, yeah. If you want it, there's a brochure somewhere 'round 'ere that explains the basics.

[at that, she nods. although she's still not quite sure what to make of this man, she isn't exactly going to snub a newcomer just because he arrived in the middle of some sort of situation. and there's an air of kindness about him that she can't deny either. he's caught her curiosity] I could take you over there.

Written by a trustworthy source, I hope.

[his smile deepens] I would be delighted.

Ah, not anybody I've met, but the information seems reliable enough. We'll grab a copy on the way.

[she smiles back. glancing again at his bloodstained clothing, she doesn't offer her hand, but it does seem about time for introductions] I'm Detective Inspector Patricia Menzies. You?

[the Doctor almost does, but lets it fall as his expression turns rueful] It's a pleasure, Detective. I'm generally known as the Doctor.

[that draws her up short] The Doctor? As in, the Doctor?

[she is really starting to wonder how many of him there are. not to mention how many don't know her! because how many times can you meet the same person out of order? does the Doctor lose his memory that often, or does this have something to do with the Plane? either way, she's sighing inwardly. she doesn't want to have to play this game again--she isn't even sure if it's necessary on the Plane--but with her limited knowledge of time travel, she figures it's safest to, once again, pretend not to know everything about the Doctor that she actually does. but at least she has the excuse of having already met two of him on the Plane]

...Apparently so, yes. Have we met, or does my reputation precede me? [it wouldn't be the first time either way, but it can make things tricky; it's always disconcerting to be the one with less knowledge]

Ah, there are two more of you 'ere, actually. Well, different ones.

[this is definitely a lot easier when she doesn't have to pretend not to know him at all; she just hopes she isn't messing up the universe somehow by telling him about it. but that aside, he's just added a whole new dimension to the strange air about him. because, for two Doctors at least, she wouldn't believe it if she saw them walking around covered in blood and holding some sort of gun. curiouser and curiouser]

[his eyebrows rise at that] Are there indeed? Well, that's always...interesting. Do you happen to know which they are?

Not as such, but one wears pinstripes. The other's into black and you can't miss his ears. [curious] Ring any bells?

[a thoughtful frown as he shakes his head] Neither, no. I'll have to tread carefully, then.

[and this is why she isn't going to mention knowing another him back home. that reaction at least confirms to her that she's made the right decision] Then I'll spare you the details.

[they've reached the kiosk, and she gestures to it] Ah, I'd recommend the first. It's more about information. I think the second's somebody's idea of anger management.

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