[001]

[grip_on_reality]

Oh. Would you look at that.

[finding herself in the middle of a field of stars, Menzies' first instinct is to spend a moment looking around to get an idea of her situation. her eyes roam over the star patterns reaching as far as she can see. she taps a foot on the ground, frowning at the feel of it]

Well. That has to be the smoothest trip to another planet I've ever had. Not that I make a habit of it, but I do have some experience. Now... [she straightens, her demeanor growing more serious--ready for anything--though her tone remains conversational] Are you going to show yourself? Because whoever you are, I think I oughta recommend you to some people. I bet you could have yourself an interdimensional taxi service if you wanted.

Or do you just make a habit of kidnapping police officers? Because in case you don't know, some planets frown on that sort of behaviour.

[takes a step forward, watching for anyone around her] Well? What have you got to say for yourself?

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

It's not so much another planet than another plane of reality altogether. If you want to go home, you only need to think about it.

[grip_on_reality]

[watches the strange man--whom she'd assumed was a woman until she heard the voice, but you never know, really--as he approaches her. she crosses her arms over her chest, thinking he means that he's the one responsible for her appearance here] Yeah? So why bring me here if I can go any time I want?

[lamb_of_gold]

That's something I've been wondering for the last three years.

[grip_on_reality]

[she raises an eyebrow at that] So you're not the one who did it, then. [and if that's true and he's been here that long, it stands to reason...] ...you haven't thought about home in three years?

[lamb_of_gold]

I come and go all the time. But it has been three years since I found myself here initially. Believe me, I was not the one who brought you.

[grip_on_reality]

So who did that, then?

[lamb_of_gold]

At one point, I'd have had an answer for you, but the twins have been missing for some time now. I don't know who's responsive for bringing more people here.

[grip_on_reality]

Lovely. [she sighs. leave it to her to get sucked into the middle of something strange like this] So basically, you don't know who's bringing people here, and you don't know what we're here for. So why keep coming back if you can leave whenever you want?

[lamb_of_gold]

We're here for some sort of experiment, though I don't know what, exactly, is being tested.

I suppose I've grown attached to the people here. [Which he realizes may or may not be a good thing]

[grip_on_reality]

[dryly] Even better. So what's there to do around here? Besides romantic starlit strolls, of course.

[surprised] How many people are here?

[lamb_of_gold]

Eat, sleep, work...Time does not pass while you're here.

Hmm, I lost count a long time ago.

[grip_on_reality]

So, what, there's a whole city out here? [gestures at the stars around her]

And they can all leave whenever they want? And just keep coming back?

[lamb_of_gold]

Not quite. It's what we make of it, I suppose. There's a kitchen and a bar, the remnants of a beach and a forest. A little farther off is a Colosseum.

Mm. That time doesn't pass here is something of a draw.

[grip_on_reality]

[chuckles] All the essentials, is it?

[frowns, considering him thoughtfully for a moment. how can time not pass? isn't time passing right now?] All right, I'll bite. What exactly do you mean by that?

[lamb_of_gold]

More or less.

Go home and you'll see.

[grip_on_reality]

Okay... [this is clearly completely mad, but it's not the first time she's run into things like that. still, she can't resist remarking:] What, I don't even have to click my heels?

[she closes her eyes and thinks about Manchester. the metallic smell of space disappears, replaced by the familiar smell of the streets of her city. Menzies looks around. there was a boy across the street, whinging to his mum about a game he wanted. she remembers that distinctly--and he's still at it now]

Oh, very good. [she closes her eyes again. the strange man didn't explain how to get back, but she can guess. she thinks about space and reappears there] All right, time doesn't pass, got it. But what about here? Does that mean nothing actually happens?

[lamb_of_gold]

How do you mean?

[grip_on_reality]

You said time doesn't pass. If I go back, it's the same time as when I left. So is nothing that happens here real? [she gestures between them] Isn't time passing now?

[lamb_of_gold]

To your second question, time is a relative thing. It may very well be passing so fast here, that none passes at home in comparison.

As to your first question, I don't know. I really don't.

[grip_on_reality]

Right. [obviously those questions aren't getting her anywhere] So what about you, then? What's your name?

[lamb_of_gold]

Mu. And yours?

[grip_on_reality]

DI Patricia Menzies. Where are you from, Mu?

[lamb_of_gold]

Tibet, originally. I live in Greece these days, though.

Your accent is familiar to me, but I'm not quite sure where to place it. England of course, but...

[grip_on_reality]

[looking him up and down] Are you some sort of monk, then? [he looks like he could be, except don't they have to shave their heads? they always seemed to in films]

[with a grin] I'm from Manchester.

[lamb_of_gold]

Of a sort, I suppose.

Manchester--! Do you...no, that would be far too much of a stretch, I think.