[010]

[grip_on_reality]

[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!]

Comments

[bonnypiperlad]

He wanted to play sandcastles. [Just remembering it makes him roll his eyes a little, even though he knows Menzies can't see it.]

But nevermind that. [His eyes flick to the bag, giving it a considering look. He could head off to take the bath he'd been planning on, but even as itchy as he is, he thinks it can wait at least a few minutes.]

Why don't I at least see ye to one of the rooms first? That way you'll not have to worry about walking in on someone you'd not meant to. Maybe ye can tell me what your Doctor's like on the way.

[grip_on_reality]

He--the Doctor!? [she's rather surprised--and amused--by the suggestion. it's certainly not something she can see from Six. then again, the Doctor on the Plane could probably manage it] If I 'ad to guess, I'd say mine thinks a bit too highly of 'imself for that.

[she nods, accepting the offer] Thanks. First one by the stairs should be fine, as long as it's empty. [since the rooms don't start until the second floor, she has a feeling that one would be the easiest to get back to]

[as they walk through the first floor, she counts the steps in her head. in all honesty, she's a little relieved that she'll have guidance for her first trip up the stairs. not to mention, Jamie is a friend of the Doctor's, and if the Doctor trusts him, then she's ready to as well]

Yeah? What do you want to know? [she smiles a little at his curiosity. unconsciously, she's poking at his essence--trying to find out a bit more about him, if she can] Ah, but I don't travel with 'im. I've just met 'im a few times. Still, he's not the sort to leave without making an impression, so I know a thing or two about him.

[she smirks. she knows enough that she briefly pretended she was him, but that's a story she wouldn't bring up without prodding]

[bonnypiperlad]

Oh! [He sounds a little surprised. Menzies is the first person he's met who knows the Doctor but hasn't actually traveled with him, and he's a little curious why. Still, he's curious about other things she said, too, so as he guides her through the first floor, he starts there.]

Well, what do ye mean by thinking a bit too highly of himself? Doesn't make much sense if he's wearing a coat like ye described.

[grip_on_reality]

[she smiles as she senses that curiosity because she feels very much the same. after all, it's not every day you meet someone who's had experience with the Doctor--and she didn't exactly have a lot of leisure time with Charley or Evelyn or Thomas Brewster to ask about him]

Oh, does your Doctor make sense? That's a new one. [she smirks, though there's still that fondness in her tone, even as she gives the Doctor a hard time] And yours must be different if he doesn't go about ordering people around and acting superior. What's he like?

[bonnypiperlad]

Him? Och, no, don't be daft. There's times where he'll not make any sense at all.

[It's said with fondness as well, though, despite the words. And that carries over as he goes on.]

Aye, well, he's a funny little man, but the most clever one I know. He's always getting into trouble, though. Right up to his neck, sometimes. I don't know what he'd do if he didn't have me there to look out for him.

[grip_on_reality]

[she snorts] Didn't expect he would.

[and she laughs fondly at that description] Well, that definitely hasn't changed. Last time I saw 'im, I was called all the way down to London to deal with the trouble he'd caused.

[she knows that mess was Brewster's fault before it was the Doctor's, but why bog the story down with details?]

You know, he pretends he doesn't go looking for trouble, but maybe that's why he always 'as somebody with 'im. Because he knows he'll be in it up to his neck in minutes every time he lands!

[bonnypiperlad]

Why am I not surprised? Let me guess, once you'd gotten there he wound up dragging ye into more of it, too?

[Because that seems to happen rather a lot when the Doctor's around, doesn't it?]

Maybe you're right, though. Who knows what would happen if he didn't? Here, this board's a wee bit loose. Come over this way.

[grip_on_reality]

[she chuckles] Not really. More like he got 'imself captured and I had to come after 'im. And then he dragged me into more of it. [because getting dragged in always happens around the Doctor. in fact, it's happened all three times she's met him back home]

Earth would probably be short a few cities before long. [it's a grim statement, but her tone is light. they should probably just be grateful that isn't the state of affairs]

[she follows his lead, taking the stairs slowly] So, 'ave you been travelling with him long?

[bonnypiperlad]

Oh, aye. That would make sense, too. [He shakes his head a little, not at all surprised to hear that, then scratches at his chest again.]

Traveling with him? Oh, it's been years. There was a small amount of time when I'd not, but...aye, well, that's a long story. Even with the time I'd not though, it's been, mm, nearly 5 years, I'd say. Give or take a wee bit, that is.

[Even as he speaks, he's careful to make sure that she's getting up the steps all right, because the last thing he wants is for her to get hurt while doing so.]

Seems like it's one adventure after another sometimes, though, so it's hard to keep track. Hey, which room up here did ye say ye wanted to go to again?

[grip_on_reality]

Five years? [her surprise is obvious in her tone] Tell me it 'asn't all been non-stop adventures! Or does he take a break now and then and I just 'aven't 'ad the chance to see it?

Oh, whichever's first. Doesn't really matter.

[and it's a good thing he's watching her because her foot catches on a step then, and she stumbles]

[bonnypiperlad]

Sometimes he does, but usually even then he winds up...hey!

[His reaction at the stumble is an immediate one, reaching out to wrap his arms around her in an effort to try and prevent her from falling. And it's followed up with a definite concern in his voice - one she won't need any extra senses to pick up on.]

Look, are ye alright?

[grip_on_reality]

[and now she knows that Jamie is a very hands-on person. between her own instinct and Jamie's help, she quickly regains her balance and straightens, scowling. but she's not upset with Jamie--just with herself for being so careless. under normal circumstances, going up a flight of stairs wouldn't even be an event worth mentioning, and certainly not a dangerous one. she's not enjoying the blindness one bit] I'm fine.

[she pulls away--if he'll let her--and adds:] We're close to the top, right?

[bonnypiperlad]

[Once he's satisfied she's not going to fall, he has no problem with giving her her space back - that scowl's enough to give him an idea she'd likely be happier with it there.]

Aye, we are. Actually, one more good step should do it, and then ye want to turn to the right to get to the room itself.

[Maybe that'll help, knowing that they're there.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods, carefully finding the top of that step because she refuses to be careless enough to trip again] Right. [once she's at the top, she steps to the right, reaching out to find the doorframe. she relaxes when her hand touches it] Cheers for that.

[she turns back to him, glad to be able to tell him with (relative) confidence that she'll be fine on her own now. but as she looks at his aura, she senses his curiosity, and that brings her up short. thinking on it, she realises that she let him do most of the talking--not that she's one who usually goes around spouting off about herself, but she owes him for helping her, and if he's looking for information, that doesn't seem like too much to offer]

Look, before you go--was there anything you wanted to know about, ah, my Doctor?

[bonnypiperlad]

Ah...well, maybe not about that so much, but I was wondering about one thing.

[After all, the Doctor is the Doctor is the Doctor, more or less. But he's still wondering about something from earlier, and since he's gotten the opportunity, he might as well ask about that.]

Ye mentioned you'd not traveled with yours. Why not?

[grip_on_reality]

[she snorts. he would ask that] Bit of a long story, actually. Here, you'd better sit down for a minute. [she gestures for him to follow her as she heads into the room. once inside, she chooses a wall to lean against rather than trying to find the furniture. she figures he can find a place to sit himself]

I asked once. Second time I saw 'im--in 2008. He said no. Well. Really, he said maybe another time. [she pauses, trying to think of how to explain. she's actually never spoken to anyone about this before--but not because she minds sharing. she just hasn't had anyone to share it with. and if this is all Jamie wants in return for his help, she has no problem explaining]

See, there was this problem going on with the girl he was travelling with. I don't know if he ever worked that out, so I'm not gonna risk saying too much about it, but the long and short of it is, that was 'is reason. Or that's what he said, anyway. [she smirks a bit. knowing what she knows now, she's rethought that whole conversation. the Doctor really is too clever for his own good]

Turns out, he already knew he was going to meet me again two years later--because for him, that happened earlier. So I couldn't leave Manchester with him or it would 'ave changed his own past. You follow? [she gives his aura a curious look. she knows some of the Doctor's companions are used to that sort of thing, but her situation did confuse even Evelyn, so she has a feeling she should ask]

[bonnypiperlad]

[He will take the chair by the door, then. Once he's settled, he leans back to listen, brow furrowing slightly as she talks.]

Oh. [Well, he was with her for a bit. Problem with one of the companions, he can understand. The rest of it...not so much. He opens his mouth, then closes it.]

I don't understand. He can change his past?

[grip_on_reality]

[she chuckles because that isn't the question she was expecting] Can he? I don't know. But I get the idea he's not supposed to, whether he can or not.

Look, it's like this. [she gestures as she explains] The first time he saw me was 2010, right? So what if he took me with 'im in 2008? And then I never saw 'im in 2010, and he wouldn't 'ave known me when he met me again in 2008. Paradox. I don't know what that would do, exactly, but I doubt it's anything good.

[bonnypiperlad]

[He has no idea either, but he has to agree that it doesn't sound good.]

Aye. So he had to have ye stay so that wouldn't do that. Why not go with him in 2010, then?

[grip_on_reality]

[she chuckles again] What, go with 'im in 2010 when he 'adn't met me in 2008 yet? Don't know if that'd cause a paradox the other way, but it doesn't sound safe either.

I tried not to even let 'im know I'd met 'im before, but of course he worked it out. [she tries to sound annoyed, but her smirk betrays the attempt]

[curiously, she adds:] 'ave you ever met a Doctor who didn't know you? Here, I mean?

[bonnypiperlad]

[He scratches at his neck for a moment. The whole thing sounds confusing, and he's not completely understanding the paradox aspect, so when she seemingly changes the subject, he latches on to it with a little relief.]

No, I can't say as I have. All of them've recognized me. Although I think mine's from before when the rest of them are. At least, if I'm understanding things right.

[grip_on_reality]

[clearly Jamie should try living it. her expression is amused, although it's slightly ruined when she sneezes again]

Sounds like you're lucky. I've only met one 'ere who knew me--pinstripes, the one who's still around. He must be a late one.

[it seems like a sound assumption, but she doesn't know Nine just had a gap in his memory]

Anyway, thanks for the help.

[bonnypiperlad]

Och, it's no bother. Are ye sure you'll be alright here by yourself, though?

[grip_on_reality]

[she scoffs] Better here than somewhere without food or shelter! I can handle it, thanks.

[bonnypiperlad]

Aye, alright then. [Absently scratching at his chest, he heads out with every intent of checking back in on her later, as long whatever's going to happen with his reaction to the pollen's not too bad.

Pity things won't work out like that.]