realityshifted

Entry tags:

doctor who (d1) patricia menzies

[010]

[Menzies appears on the Plane near the bathhouse. she has an overnight bag slung over her shoulder, and she looks disgruntled. also, her eyes are glowing faintly with dark blue light, and hidden beneath her hair is a rash on the back of her neck]

[she starts walking forward, slowly, with her hands outstretched in front of her. it's obvious that she can't see where she's going, although she has picked the right direction] If that worked, then the bathhouse should be... [she frowns, hesitating. she thought she'd brought herself to the Plane right in front of it, but apparently not. she mutters:] All right, if this didn't work, there'd better be something nearby. [she continues somewhat haltingly forward, but before she even reaches the building, she abruptly stops and turns her head]

Who's there?

[she's sure she just "saw" a flash of colour, so she's turned in the direction she expects to find a person. considering the situation, she hopes it's a friend]

[ooc: Menzies has inhaled the pollen! she has taken on a couple specific alien attributes, meaning that she can't see at the moment. instead, she sees the essences of people (and other living beings). if you'd like her to be able to see your character's, please indicate in your tag what color their essence is, as well as an idea of their current feelings/intentions. if there's anything you don't want to share, we'll just assume she's seeing on the wrong wavelength to sense that character or information. and let me know if you have any questions!]

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Will do.

[that said, she breaks the connection. then she takes a moment to walk around the room she's chosen in the bathhouse, feeling over where her bag is and making sure she'll be able to recognise this room readily when she returns. after that, she closes her eyes and drops back to her flat. after very carefully picturing the front of the mansion, she returns--and actually shows up right out front, though she can't tell]

[looking around for any sign of light, she calls:] North? You 'ere?

[He's not quite out of the mansion yet, but he hears her. Now that he doesn't need the helmet radio, he takes his helmet off, setting it on a table to his right. After making a mental note that that's where it is, he finally walks out where she, he thinks, can see him.

She's spared the sight of his white, opaque eyes, but she does see a warm purple color similar to his armor. He's a mix of emotions right now; like relief that she's there and that South is there for him (though not currently, but that's besides the point), heartache that he can't hear his sister and she's been effected too, and uncertainty that this may or may not be permanent for them both--but there's also a shred of hope that it really might be just some trouble the Plane has cooked up for them that he's clinging to right now.]

[He smiles and gives her a half wave in greeting.]

Yeah, I'm here. [He pauses for a second, debating how to tell her this.] You asked if something was going on and...yeah, there is. I can't see you right now. [softly] I can't see anything.

[as soon as she spots him, she starts in his direction. his feelings nearly bring her up short, though. she doesn't like the train of them one bit. and then he speaks, and all she can do is stare] Oh, hell.

[after a moment's pause, she asks urgently:] 'as anybody else been blinded? Or this some game it's just playing on the two of us?

[He stops short too, his eyebrows raising at her question.] The two of us? No, my sister can see, but she can't speak. [He frowns] Patricia...had I known, I wouldn't have asked you to come. [He starts walking in her direction, feeling bad now that he hadn't figured out anything was wrong from her request as well as upset that this has happened to her too.] But since you're here, let's go in and we can talk. I know the way.

[He extends his arm towards where he thinks she may be--and he's not too far off, truth be told.] Can you say something again so I can find you?

[her eyes widen at that revelation] So maybe it's senses, then. Great. [but at his comment, she scoffs] Don't. I'm not an invalid, and I don't plan to spend all my time confined to the same building. Besides, I'd rather 'ave this conversation in person.

[which is surprisingly true at the moment. she isn't normally a person who minds being alone, but in her current state, she's finding it oddly lonely. she's sure the darkness is part of the reason, but she wonders if part of it is the experiment, too--she's certainly not used to being this curious about other people's emotions]

No need. [based on his voice and the sight of his essence, it isn't hard for her to find him. she takes a few steps forward, reaching out a hand of her own. she can't see his outstretched arm, though, so she first makes contact somewhere on his chestplate. she taps it lightly as she moves along it until she finds his arm, and she rests her hand on that] There, lead on. [but she snorts as she realises what she just said] Let's prove there's nothing wrong with the blind leading the blind!

[He's not really surprised by her reaction. He pretty much expected it--but he still had to say it anyway. They're both just lucky there hasn't been any dangers around the Plane yet.]

[Part of him is surprised she found him so quickly, but he smiles faintly and waits for her to find his arm. Gently, he places his hand on top of hers for a moment, as if acknowledging that he's got her.]

That's a horrible joke. [But even as he says it, he's laughing and shaking his head, and then he starts to lead her back into the living room.]

How long have you been like this?

[he's lucky he's already used to women who don't like having their capabilities questioned. and she's well-aware of how dangerous their current state is, but she refuses to dwell on it]

[when he laughs, she smirks back at him, wondering if he can sense her amusement the way she can sense his. considering he was trying to find her by sound, though, she has to wonder]

A little more than an hour, I think. [it's been a while since she's been able to see her watch] But it's been a couple hours since this started. At first, I just spent a while watching things get dim. [her mouth twists into a sour expression. that wasn't her favourite experience] 'ow 'bout you?

[when he starts forward, she moves with him, keeping her hand on his arm. she's trusting he knows what he's doing because it would be unfortunate if they both crashed into something]

And, uh, this might sound like a funny question. But once you stopped seeing, did you start sort of...sensing other things?

Things got dim for you, huh? For me, it was like someone flipped off a light switch in my head. [His boot nudges something in front of him just then.] Watch out, there's a step here. I don't know how long ago it was. Could have been a handful of hours, could have been a bit longer.

[He puts a hand out to the side of him, feeling for the table he put his helmet on as the sounds of their steps change as the flooring does. Sure enough, he bumps the helmet with his hand a moment later.]

Now, what was that about sensing things? I can only sense just about as much as I used to--just without my sight, of course. [He slows to a stop.] Did something else happen to you?

Edited 2012-09-08 21:12 (UTC)

Yeah, it was gradual. I thought it was just getting overcast to start. [but she frowns at the thought of the lights just...going out. she doesn't want to imagine what it would be like to have that happen] Are you somewhere safe, back 'ome?

Got it. [she steps carefully, finding the height of the step so that she doesn't trip over it. then they continue forward. she hears a faint noise as he touches or grabs something, but she can't tell what it is. she watches his purple essence, as though she expects to see an answer somehow--but she stops when he does, making a face at that question]

Just me, then. I'm sure someone in charge is having a cosmic laugh at all this. [she sneers] But, ah, basically? I can see--like, energy from people. Sort of coloured clouds. Yours is purple.

[and as she describes his essence, she looks into it again, unconsciously prodding for anything she can read about it--feelings, thoughts, hints of his intentions or desires. she's trying to see anything she can possibly pick up]

[He nods] Yeah, I was back home. I'd just finished up a round of training when it hit.

[He grips the bottom edge of his helmet in one hand while he tries to picture that.] I'm a purple cloud? [Admittedly, he thinks the whole cloud thing is a little weird, but mostly pretty cool and amusing.]

[As she probes around for things, she'll still find his concern for South and her, the uncertainty about the future if this isn't permanent, the relief that he has friends who can be there for him, and the hope that he'll get his sight back. Overall, there's a sense of nurturing to his thoughts, feelings and actions. Beneath it all, she'll come across his determination and drive to remain one of the best Freelancers in the program as well as the stress that comes with remaining the best and from avoiding the ever-increasing amounts of danger they're put in--but why they go through all that is blocked. Of course, since this is North, there's also a big degree of concern for the welfare of his friends, teammates, and most of all for South as a result of the danger.

And if she goes very, very deep? She'll find a small area of professional soldier coldness that he has to put his mind into whenever he's on a mission and has to kill someone. It's far removed from everything else, yet it is a part of him. It doesn't seem to bother him, though. He's made peace with it since it's his duty. Sometimes, he has to kill in order to survive and to accomplish his objectives.]

Must be a little weird. Do you see yourself as a cloud of any color?

Edited 2012-09-10 01:04 (UTC)

[relieved, she nods back ~~because the inability to see each other nodding means they don't know how silly it might look~~] So you could go back if you need to to get around on the Plane. Good. [not to mention he can go back and not immediately get himself killed, which is even more important. she was really worried he might have been in the middle of a mission]

Yep. Yeah, a sort of deep blue. [she snorts, remembering what Riku said] Apparently my eyes are glowing with it. I must...be some sight...

[with those last words, her voice grows a bit distant. her probing is starting to have results, and she loses herself for a moment in his feelings, only half-conscious of what she's saying] North...you're really worried about her. All that worry... But she'll be all right, won't she? You know she's strong. [then she pauses before breathing quietly, horrified:] Wait. How can you even think this won't be temporary? [it's a train of thought she'd been avoiding herself]

[and then she's hit by his determination--and by that deep, dark coldness. he might feel it as a shiver runs through her, and she stops walking. unless he stops, too, he's about to lose contact with her]

[softly] Not just a protector, then...

[He is stopped and looks towards her with a very quizzical expression on his face (not that she can see that, but still).] ...Patricia?

[But he falls silent as she goes on and to him, that shiver is like a flinch.] So that's what you meant by sensing things. [He isn't going to deny any of that. Softly:] You could feel all that?

[Gently, he tries to coax her forward, feeling like has to explain some of this.] You were talking about South, right? I know she is, but she's my sister. I've always looked out for her--and her, me.

And I don't know if this is temporary or not. How many other people have been hit by this? Patricia... If this is for good, I can't go back. My sight is so important to what I do.

[But it's her last reaction that concerns him.] What you said just now about me being more than a protector... What did you see or feel to make you say that?

Damnit! [she puts a hand to her temple, frustrated]

[the more this happens, the more frightening Menzies is finding it. at first it was interesting to realise she could look into people, but by now she's realised that she can't control it--and that, for some reason, she vocalises it unconsciously, and she can't stop that, either. and this revelation was the worst so far. for one, he now has her picturing what it might be like if this doesn't go away, and that's a thought she'd rather be rid of. even worse, she saw darkness in him that she wasn't expecting. it isn't so much the darkness itself that bothers her; she's more mad at herself for being surprised. after all, hasn't she known what he is all along? maybe his kindness and spending all that time looking up to him as a nine-year-old skewed her perspective, but still--she's supposed to be a better judge of people than that. and now she's reacted openly, in front of him, and she can feel worry coming off him as her reward. what a mess. but she's lucky it happened with North because she's sure there are plenty of people on the Plane who would have a much worse reaction. this ability is starting to seem dangerous]

[she sighs, starting forward again] It keeps 'appening. I get curious about something, and all of a sudden... [she trails off, not sure how to describe it. she scowls] Someone's getting a laugh out of it, I'm sure.

But I can't believe you're wasting time imagining this lasting forever. We need to focus on 'ow to stop it.

[at his last question, she hesitates for a second before saying dismissively:] Nothing. Just...remembered you're a soldier. Not a policeman.

C'mon, there must be a sitting area 'round 'ere.

[Luckily, the cough isn't too far away from where they are, so he listens to her speak while he pictures where the couch is. It's good for him to just listen anyway. There has to be more to it than what she's telling him. The hesitation in her voice is enough to sell him on that.]

[He holds his helmet out in front of him, the object hitting what he hopes is the couch a second later. Carefully, he sets the helmet down and feels the arm of what he's looking for.] Well, you're in luck. We're already here. [Gently, he takes her hand off his arm, moving towards the couch's arm that he just found.] It's right here.

[Grabbing hold of his helmet again, he moves around to Menzies other side to sit down there.]

So, all of a sudden, you could...see into me? [He frowns, concerned about what she saw to remind her of the fact that he's a soldier.]

[she's impressed with North's ability to lead them both; he's certainly proved her earlier comment true. she would have been paying more attention to the layout and number of steps herself, but she's been unfortunately distracted. for the moment, she takes advantage of his help to find the sofa and takes a seat on it] Cheers.

[she watches him move to sit beside her, but she sighs at his question] Not exactly. It's sort of 'appening all the time. Like, right now, you're basically radiating worry--which you can stop any time, by the way. [there's an edge to her voice, but it's out of frustration rather than anger at him] It's not like I'm injured, and I don't see you attacking me for it.

But... [she considers what to say. with most people, she wouldn't admit this at all, but she knows she can trust him] If I start getting curious about something, I sort of... [she pauses again, struggling for how to describe it] I sort of...forget who I am. Like, I get lost in what I'm seeing. I don't even know I'm talking about it until--well, until the other person says something. It's...weird. [it's scary. she crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back against the sofa]

The curiosity's odd, too. Like, I keep thinking about what I'm seeing whether I want to or not. I don't know what this is.

[and she pauses again, taking a deep breath--because here comes the realisation she really doesn't want to admit, not even to herself] Whatever it is, it's not just physical. It's done something to my mind, too, and...I can't really control it.

[He's silent for a moment, taking it all in. He can only imagine what all she's seen and gotten lost in, but all things considered, maybe he got the better end of the deal.] It'll be okay. This just happened to you, so of course you don't have control. You'll get the hang of it--and that's not me worrying, or thinking you're an invalid or something. It's the truth.

And if there's anything I can do to help you, please let me do what I can. Even if it's just talking through things you saw other than worry.

[she smiles at that comment, but the expression is a bit wry] Wish I could be so sure.

Still, it's not exactly the end of the world. It could even have advantages. [she chuckles] You know, if I could risk going back to Manchester, I could probably solve a confusing case or two just by getting a look at the criminal. Then again, I'd blurt out what 'e was thinking at the same time and probably get myself committed! So best not.

[she appreciates his offer of help, but she has a feeling she knows what the second half of it really is. so, she does what she does best and addresses it directly] Same to you, Agent. But somehow I get the feeling you're more curious about it than I am. What exactly do you want to know?

[he sounds amused] I think everyone might wonder about your sudden blindness and glowing eyes first before they let you interrogate someone.

[he shrugs casually] I don't know about that, but I get the impression now that you saw something about me that scared you in some way and you're trying to distance yourself a bit. [calling him "Agent" was a bit of a tip-off.] It's okay, though; perfectly natural to react like that. But that's why I want to talk.

[she snorts, raising her own hand to gaze curiously at the dark blue cloud she sees in front of her] You know, I almost forgot that part? Then again, knowing the staff at Longsight, they'd probably call it an "eye infection" and spend the rest of the day coming up with ways to ignore it.

[she's surprised by that response, though, and her kneejerk reaction is more sarcasm] So you're a psychologist, too? I 'ad no idea! [but he asked a serious question, and she knows that she isn't going to make matters any better by refusing to answer it. even so, she's embarrassed. objectively speaking, she shouldn't have been surprised at all to find a part of him that's prepared to kill, and she doesn't like admitting her mistake. on top of that, it doesn't help that she finds it strange--and a little uncomfortable--for someone to be picking at her emotions like this. to say she's not used to that sort of treatment would be an understatement]

Look, I'm not afraid of you, if that's what you're saying. [her tone is direct; it's not a lie. she has plenty more to be afraid of at the moment. she pauses, thinking about how to describe what happened, and sighs] I was just surprised. Like I said, I sensed 'ow you're a soldier. [reflexively, she gestures with her hand as she speaks] You have to follow orders--to kill your enemies. I just didn't see it coming when I looked your way. [her lip curls into a wry smile] I mean, it's not exactly what you expect when you're having a conversation with somebody. But trust me, that doesn't mean I'm afraid of it.

[surprised] Really? Not exactly the brightest people there, huh?

[At first, he just frowns at her response, but her reaction is understandable he feels. He also knows better than to interrupt and waits for her to continue. When she's done, he lets out a small, amused laugh] You're right; it isn't something someone would expect. [Truth be told, though, he's glad she hasn't had to see him directly in action. There's a part of him still picturing the little girl she was and wishing to protect her from such things.] But I'm glad to hear it.

Not exactly! And even the ones who are would rather pretend none of that alien stuff is out there. Wouldn't want to complicate their lives! [her tone is mostly off-handed, though he may catch a hint of bitterness, but she's been at this long enough that she's mostly over that by now]

[it's a good thing she doesn't realise he's still thinking of her as a child because she would have a thing or two to say about that, especially considering he's actually the younger one. not to mention, she may not be ready to kill like he is, but she's no stranger to violence or gore. but she picks up on his relief and considers the topic settled]

Scare people a lot, do you? [she smirks, her tone amused] You'd think with so many of you running 'round the Plane, people would be used to you by now.

Right... I kinda wondered what it was like for people back in the days before they knew other life forms truly did exist out there. It makes sense why they wouldn't want to believe in it.

[He chuckles, shifting on the couch to turn towards her voice.] I haven't scared anyone,really. [Then someone does come to mind] Hah, actually, there was this one guy who was convinced I was going to shoot him, but he's better now. He seems to know about us from somewhere, but I know I haven't met him before. He's also convinced a colleague of mine is his hostage taker, but I know that guy. There's no way in hell Wash would do something so off the book as that. And then there's this thing called the Meta... [He frowns, his tone turning to one of uncertainty and suspicion.] I don't know what it is, but from the sounds of it, it doesn't sound like anything good.

Oh yeah, it makes perfect sense when it's staring them in the face and they ignore it anyway! Not like they're paid to gather evidence, after all.

[she snorts at his description of this frightened Plane-goer, though] So he must be from your universe. Do you think it's some other version of it? [but after the serious theory, she can't help but add:] Or maybe he just 'as something against armour. Or Americans!

[despite her jokes, she finds this other person's assertions a bit unsettling, as she knows Agents North and Washington, and it's hard for her to imagine anyone who knows them expecting to be immediately blown away. also, while she would believe Wash might take a prisoner if someone broke the law, a hostage sounds like something else entirely]

Well, 'opefully that "Meta" 's nothing you'll 'ave to worry about.

[she's not sure what the chances of that are, even if they are dealing with a second version of his universe, but it hardly seems helpful to encourage North to worry about it, especially in the middle of everything else]

No, it's not that... I know there is another version of my universe, but nothing seems different, at least not that I can tell. [And it's here that she might feel some sadness coming from North that he and his sister aren't from the same universe and know they aren't. He feels a small wall put up between them ever since they discovered it, but no matter what happens, he still loves her no matter what. He'll always love his sister in any universe.] Or maybe the Plane screwed up somehow. I don't know.

Yeah, I'm hope not either. He sounds like one bad customer. [And he really does hope. He's full of hope.]

Patricia, I'm wondering... You said your eyes are glowing whenever you do that thing you did earlier. Do they feel any warmer or anything when you do it?

[she does feel that sadness--as well sense the gist of his thoughts. she frowns, her worry clear in her tone] Your sister? Really?

Ugh! [she closes her eyes, putting a hand to her head as though to shut out the unwelcome ability. she's starting to feel a little guilty for prying so much into his thoughts. sourly, she says:] Well, this is getting old fast. [she sighs] Sorry. But look, even if you don't know if anything's different yet, that doesn't mean things aren't--or won't be.

[she raises an eyebrow at that odd question, but she can sense his curiosity about it. she shakes her head] No. I don't feel a thing, physically. It's just...in my head. [again, there's a hint of fear in her voice] Honestly, I wouldn't 'ave even known about the glowing if Riku 'adn't mentioned it.

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