it is a mind. A Mind of Evil.

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor has had One of Those Days. You know the type - the sort when your best enemy has you running around fighting mind parasites and preventing peace conferences from being targeted by missiles and so on. But then, on the other hand, she did prevent disasters and retrieve her dematerialization circuit from the Master even if she was beaten at checkers by all three of her companions in a row.

Still, being reminded of some of her less... pleasant... memories and portions of her psyche calls for a little time out, away from her companions (as justified their worry may be, she'd rather start them off with a smile and a destination to be off to, not a few hours waiting around for her to pull her mind together again). So she finds a cup of tea; and, it's true, she perhaps lingers a moment too long near the bar - but to go in would be lending credence to certain accusations, not to mention a betrayal of a promise she made to herself.

Instead, she finds a comfortable sofa somewhere relatively reclusive to settle down with her tea and sort her thoughts out. Given that her intent is to be somewhat alone, interrupting her would likely be in accordance with some rule or another, not to mention considerably better for her than letting her sit around and mope on her own.]

Comments

[collector]

[Rather by coincidence, because obviously he has no idea that the Doctor is stressed, and of course he wouldn't be offering any sort of comfort in a time of need, Braxiatel sits down at the sofa with his own cup of tea. It is a delicious cup of tea. Accordingly, he drinks from it without speaking.]

[As checkers is a topic of the day, let this be Brax's way of saying 'your move']

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[Her move, it appears, is mostly to throw him a somewhat inscrutable glance and draw up her legs to allow him room. Of course, the very nature of the Doctor being inscrutable generally means something's up, which sort of ruins the point.

Her move is also, however, to extend the silence. Perhaps she's tired of checkers.]

[collector]

[Just because she keeps losing... Braxiatel will take another sip of his tea, then, either because he's at ease or because he's testing the silence. Possibly a third option, or even a fourth one.]

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[Perhaps he just very much enjoys his tea?

And perhaps the Doctor does, too, though for a moment she draws in a breath with apparent intent to speak. In the silence following you can perhaps hear her rearranging her thoughts. Maybe (possibly, probably) she even wants to say something, but for once isn't certain how to start, and could use a little help.]

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie is making his way towards the kitchens when he spots a familiar looking form on the sofa. He doesn't approach immediately - instead, he finishes his trip and is out of sight for a short bit, coming back with a sandwich and a small dish of ice-cream balanced on a slightly larger-than-normal plate.]

He settles down next to her on the sofa, offering the plate over so she can take whatever she wants off it first. If she wants anything, that is.]

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[- Awwww, Jamie. She musters up a smile for him, but doesn't take anything. She's not particularly hungry. Plus! She has tea. Mmmmmm tea. Tea > sandwiches though maybe not ice cream

Settling in all right?

*kicks the errant bracket*

[bonnypiperlad]

[He'll start on the sandwich, if she doesn't mind, then, setting the plate and ice-cream down. If it melts, it melts. Ice-cream soup is good, too. After a few minutes of quiet chewing, he swallows and offers a distraction from her thoughts.]

Do ye not like ice-cream now?

[And yes, he is.]

....*likewise kicks the lack of /strike tag asjkdfh* We are so very abused by HTML tonight.

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[He is so cute sweet, though! She appreciates it.]

Oh, no, I'm very fond of it.

[Mmmmm ice cream. She's just a little distracted, though.]

[collector]

[There is a ninety percent probability that he just really likes his tea.]

[So he will break the silence, having picked up on that cue.]

I wish I had crumpets to go with this.

[With stirring intellectual discussing, obviously.]

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[Yes, that is... extremely helpful, Brax, thanks. Her voice is tinged with a touch of annoyance, which may or may not be a particularly reasonable emotional reaction to crumpets.]

You could get some from the kitchen.

[collector]

I could also go home and get my PA to bring me some. I shan't, though. I don't like to take advantage of the staff like that. It almost makes one miss having uniformed guards to attend to one's whims without making one feel terribly guilty.

[tea and flippancy, yes]

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

Mm.

[For a moment, she seems to consider it. And then she sets her tea down on the ground next to the sofa and wanders off.


After a few minutes, she reappears with a plate of crumpets in hand, and resettles herself in her seat. But does not give them to him immediately, because these are her crumpets. She may, however, share.]

Here's hoping that HTML is behaving now that it's past midnight. XD

[bonnypiperlad]

Oh, aye? Well, that's all right, then.

[He's quiet again, because, well, he's trying to figure out a good way to ask what's bothering Three. And perhaps a little bit due to the sandwich.]

So...how are...things?

[knowswheregodis.livejournal.com]

[Chris is here with food because apparently Chris and food never wish to be apart. He is also busy neglecting to think about things - hurray dead bodies! - so he's got a nice big newspaper wrap of chips and hey there's a bird here, so why not talk to her.]

Looking pretty down there, luv.

[gotitwrong]

[And because Chris without Ray is just a half person, here's Ray too. He has to keep Chris from ever experiencing the wonder that is heterosexuality!

He rolls his eyes at Chris' attempt at flirting. But let us presume he has snuck up on Chris, and steps up behind him with sneaky Ray powers.]

Friend of yours, Chris? Care to introduce us?

[Ray grins. Victory for Raymond Carling!]

[collector]

[He looks genuinely surprised at that.] I didn't expect you to actually get any.

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[Oh look, she surprised Brax! Point to her.]

I'm full of surprises, then.

[collector]

[And now she gets him asking nicely. Two points.] May I have a crumpet? Please?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

Oh, they're all right. [Aww, Jamie. She takes a sip of her tea and then throws the question back at him.]

And your... things?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[Before Ray sneaks up she does manage a rather puzzled "Thank you?" because Three... is not exactly used to being flirted with. Or even flirted at. It's one of those things she just never got the hang of.

And hello, person with a... slightly ill-advised moustache!]

Not really. I believe you just did, though. [And Three knows... one-half of the Chris-Ray monster's names now. Score one for her!]

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[Maybe this will even make up for the lack of victory in checkers.]

If you'd like.

[And lo, the crumpets are passed.]

[bonnypiperlad]

Mm. [Chew, chew, faint look of surprise, swallow.] Hey, this is a really good sandwich.

[Sorry, he's gotten off topic.] Aye, well, they're fine, too. Nothing exciting's going on at the moment, so I came for a visit.

[There's a rather thoughtful look sent Three's way after a few moments.] Are ye sure everything's okay, Doctor? Ye seem...well, a wee bit distracted.

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[...Sigh. And this is part of what she came here to get away from, though of course at least Jamie doesn't really know anything, here.

So she changes the subject back.] You weren't expected it to be good?

[bonnypiperlad]

[Okay, clearly she doesn't want to talk about whatever it is that's bothering her. Jamie can go with that for now. Sandwich discussion it is, then.]

No, I figured it would be all right. It's just...[shrugging] It seems like things taste a wee bit better here, for some reason.

[He's slowly starting to figure out some things about the Plane.] Have ye noticed that?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[Mmmmmm, sammiches.

...And there's a genuinely thoughtful silence.]

You know, I hadn't really noticed that until you mentioned it.