realityshifted

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doctor who (d1) patricia menzies

[016]

[Menzies is currently sitting at a table in the library, looking rather disgruntled. to her right sits a cup of coffee--half-empty. to her left sits her ever-present notepad, opened to a page of scribbled commentary. and directly in front of her is a tiny, handheld metal device with one button on it. she closes her eyes, sitting quietly for a moment, and then reaches out to press the button with her eyes still closed] The bar.

[nothing happens. she opens her eyes again and scowls at it] Damnit! I knew it was too good to be true. [she sighs, running a hand through her hair in frustration, and mutters to herself:] At least I got to see the workings of the shop, for all the good this thing is doing me... [she glowers at it]

[but then she purses her lips. as she thinks this over, she stares out among the stacks of books, talking the situation through softly out loud] Well...probably better no results than getting cursed with some strange or morbid compulsion. [she snorts, thinking of the possibilities described by Ray. she was ready for this to blow up in her face, which obviously would have been a problem, but somehow no results at all is a bit of a letdown] Maybe it is cursed--cursed to never work. I wouldn't put it past this place.

[she picks up the cup of coffee, taking a sip before she turns to her notepad. then she settles in to reread what she's written and jot down any new ideas, a decidedly disgruntled expression on her face. this is a position in which she will remain for a while--unless she's interrupted, of course]

[ooc: Menzies bought a teleporter from the shop! And paid off her debt by helping Kross out with shop inventory. Unfortunately for her, while she's found out from Ray that there is something odd about the device, she has no idea that it will only work if you don't have keys on your person. Feel free to bother her as she tries to work this out!]

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Very creative. I'm surprised they 'aven't named one after the bald eagle! [because Freelancers being named after American states never stops being amusing to her] So what's the, ah, UNSC?

[admittedly, he's made her curious now. it's strange to think about how the current day might be portrayed in future textbooks--not to mention she wonders just how big a range of years he has in mind when he refers to her "time period." she glances at him again] So what's different?

I wouldn't put it past them to use that one sometime in the future. [And he can't think of any vehicles or crafts in the past that could've used it.]

[He returns her glance. Everything. The technology, infrastructure, the fashions... [He falls silent again, leaning forward to have a look up in the sky.] And up there. It's too quiet. [Softly.] Man, what I wouldn't give to be able to show you what this place looks like in my present... Maybe someday.

You know, me neither!

[teasingly] Sounds like you might want to work on those history books, then. [though she has her eyes on the road, her curiosity is clear in her tone] Do you spend much time on Earth with your job?

[His tone matches hers.] Aw come on, let's be fair! It's not the history book's fault for understating everything.

[He makes himself sit back in his seat.] Not that much. I was on Earth a little while ago, but we don't get down to Earth with any kind of regularity--or for an extended period of time, either. I haven't lived there since...probably not long after South and me enlisted. It's not really home now, but it's our home planet, if...that makes sense. Our ship is kind of what I'd consider home right now.

[she smirks] No, only the authors'. But you do know not everywhere looks like Manchester, right?

[at his description, she gives him an amused glance] I 'elp aliens who 'ave resettled on Earth, remember? It's not exactly a new idea.

So what it's like, living in space? [she doesn't have much of a reference point for that, but she thinks about some of her sci-fi experience and settles on a question] 'ave you got a big crew, or are you stuck with the same people all the time?

[He laughs] Oh, I know. I wasn't a lazy punk who barely did any work in school. I've done my research. It's kind of a hobby of mine, reading history books and seeing what's changed over the years. It's good to see where we've been. Helps put the present into context.

[But considering how things are different with the aliens here...] Yeah, I remember. It's...sometimes a bit weird to think about. We've been at war practically my whole life, and here you are in a different reality, helping the nice aliens. [He smiles wryly at her.] Kinda wish we had more of them around than ours.

[By now, he doesn't mind sharing more and more info about his work with her. Had she asked this earlier when they first met, he wouldn't be so open.] Living in space is...well, it's nice. The view changes pretty often, and medicine's advanced enough where we don't really feel much going from being in space to planetary atmosphere and back. Some people can be kind of sensitive to the changes, but not me. And we actually have a pretty large crew. The ship's over 1,600 feet long. Need a lot of people to run it, and never mind all the other soldiers onboard who act as support for us when we need it.

Oh good. And 'ere I thought you were coming to Manchester to plan an invasion!

[she frowns, glancing at him before refocusing on the road] Well, you never know. And they're not all nice. Out of curiosity, just who are you fighting? [because she's definitely met aliens who need to be fought in her universe as well]

[she whistles at his description of the ship] Not small, then. [a thought striking her, she asks curiously:] Do all your lot know each other well or just the ones lucky enough to find themselves on the Plane? I mean, there must be, what, 50 of you? [she figures it's a safe enough guess, considering their names]

[He gets a good laugh out of that.] And cause a paradox? No way, I'd like to not erase myself from existence.

We're not actively fighting them--not my group, not yet--but word on the grapevine is these aliens are called "Covenant". Not exactly sure why. We just call them aliens. [He shrugs.]

I know a decent amount of them. We don't all get to hang out together, or even train together. In the beginning, we were mixed up a lot more, but as time as gone on, we've been ranked and assigned teams from there. We share teammates from time to time depending on the kind of mission, but we've been staying together with our main ones for some time now. I'm uh...[He smiles with a mix of pride and coyness]...number three right now.

[she smirks] Probably a good attitude to have.

Convenant, huh? [she frowns thoughtfully] Can't say I've 'eard of any species called that. Never know, though. I could ask my contacts--or put a bug in the Doctor's ear. [skeptical] But you really just call 'em aliens? Aren't there any other alien species about in your universe?

[she gives a hmmm of interest--or perhaps she's teasing him] Oh, are you? Very impressive. So, what, are the other ones on the Plane all up there, too? [since they seem to know each other well, and he did just say they know their own teams best]

[He shakes his head.] Nah, don't ask them. I wouldn't be able to use the information anyway even if they could find out about them. But yeah, we do just say "aliens". It's easier, even if it is cruder. They aren't our only problem anyway.

The others should be up there too. They...well. At least in my reality they are. They're from a different one, but they should be close to their counterparts' ranks. [He hopes, anyway. He has his suspicions this isn't exactly the case if South's attitude is anything to go from.]

So, are you off for the rest of the day, or do you have other things to do after our excursion?

[she shrugs] If you say so. You said you take care of the in-fighting, right? Which is...what exactly? Humans against the war?

[they've made it out of the downtown area now, but unfortunately it hasn't reduced the traffic. still, they're making progress at least--and this is why she warned it would take an hour. Menzies drives calmly, glancing at North at intervals as their conversation continues]

Wait. You mean they're all from a different reality? [her surprise is clear] Do you know if any of you are from the same one? Or 'as everybody got their own version?

[she smirks] Believe it or not--and assuming there aren't any sudden intergalatic crises or aliens dropping dead--I'm off. I've got the morning shift tomorrow, which is a bit of a treat, really. I might even sleep during the night!

More like humans taking advantage of the war to fight against the government in place and raise hell. Kind of like a civil war but on a larger scale across different planetary colonies.

From what South's said, they're from the same one. [Probably makes things interesting where Wash is concerned.] Probably makes it easier for them.

You might huh? [He glances at her, amused.] I'll have to get you all nice and tired while we're out so you'll sleep easy tonight.

A civil war within your war? [she scowls and comments darkly:] Sounds like a real bright idea!

What, all of them? [that is, if anything, just as surprising as the idea of none of them being from the same reality. she considers that] Sounds like you're a rare find, if you ask me. [she smirks] Then again, I'm not sure if anyone on the Plane 'as been from mine either--but it's 'ard to tell, with things being the way they are. [after all, the most conclusive indicator of her reality is someone who knows the Doctor, and he's so widely travelled that no one who does is close enough to her home for her to tell for certain. and even with the Doctor himself, it's no easier]

[she chuckles] I just meant, usually I'm working the night shift, so I do most of my sleeping at other times. [or not at all, as it sometimes happens] And you do remember we're 'eaded to a zoo, don't you?

Hey, just because we live in the future doesn't mean people have gotten any smarter where war's involved. [He shrugs, watching things go by as Menzies drives.]

Yeah... I didn't know for a long time that we weren't really from the same place. The way I look at it, we're all together when it matters. Different realities doesn't change anything, not when we can all go to the Plane.

It can get pretty tiring walking around in a zoo. [He smiles, a memory surfacing.] When we were really little, our parents took us to our local zoo. I remember our father carrying South on his shoulders by the time we got to the elephants. She was out within seconds. I don't think I lasted much longer after that either. [A laugh escapes his lips as he shakes his head. It's sometimes sad to think that at one point in their lives, their father was a source of calm for them.]

[she frowns at that grim thought] I suppose you've got a point...

[but when she glances at him next, her eyebrow is up. she knows that this is something that North has struggled with, but that declaration makes it sound like he's starting to come to terms with it--and she's glad for that] Just think, if you looked at it any other way, you'd 'ave to ignore all of us from different universes! [she smirks faintly] And what a shame that would be.

[his next little story amuses her, and she starts to smile openly, though her eyes are back on the road] You know, I've got a feeling you've got a bit more stamina now. [after a beat, she adds curiously:] Did you take many trips like that as a child?

[He still struggles with it; it's not something that'll get better overnight, unfortunately. Still, he smiles anyway, knowing she'd want to see it.] I wouldn't want to do that. It'd be kinda hard to, anyway.

We took a good number of them when we were kids. I mean, it's not the kind of thing you count when you're that old. We didn't do as much later on, though. South and I couldn't always agree on where we wanted to go, and sometimes we'd end up doing something the other didn't want to do. [And other reasons.]

[no, she didn't think it would get better quickly either. but still, progress is important, and she's happy for that] Especially if you're going to keep running off to other worlds with people. [her tone is teasing]

Where else did you used to go? Besides the zoo, I mean. [she's curious--and she's also wondering if this information might be useful later] Gotta say, we didn't do a whole lot of travel. [thoughtfully] My mum and I did go to the Police Museum a couple times, though. And the Manchester Museum--they've got a greenhouse and vivarium. [she's smiling faintly at the memory] 'aven't been anywhere like that in ages, though.

[as they make another turn, she nods approvingly] Looks like we're almost there now. 'ope you've enjoyed your time on 21st century roads!

Yeah, especially one in particular. [He smiles at her.]

Different museums, and some theme parks. Always had to go to ones that had a bunch of options in case one of us wanted to go on rides and the other wanted to go swimming. But we got out to one of the colonies once, but I can't remember which one now. May have been the Moon.

[He laughs.] I've had great company! [His smile is kind and he doesn't say anything for a second as he just watches her now.] But you know, we should go to some of those places sometime. Maybe see if your mom wants to come with us.

[she smirks back] I never knew Manchester was such a popular tourist destination!

[as he tells his story, she listens in amusement. her tone teasing, she asks:] So which were you--rides or swimming? [she might be silently taking a guess at his answer. but his next comment leads her to do a double-take] Wait, are you seriously saying you don't remember if you've been to the moon? [she shakes her head, giving an amused chuckle. the future is something else--or North is, at least]

[speaking of him being something else, she gives him a confused look at that] Not to sound thick, but why exactly are you wanting my mother to join us?

[Does he really have to spell it out?] More like a certain person in Manchester.

Well, I liked both a lot, but sometimes, you just want to go swimming. The different water slides were amazing. [He laughs] Hey, cut me a little slack. We were little, and there were flights out to all different kinds of colonies. Not so much these days.

[He gives her an amused look. It's obvious to him why.] Well, I'd like to meet her one of these days. Besides, how long has it been since you've done something with her like that?

[she smirks, amused] Yeah, you've uh, very craftily hidden that fact, North. [because she already knew that, of course, but did he really expect her to acknowledge it?]

Swimming, huh? [she raises an eyebrow, figuring she should look into that when the season's right. maybe she could even take him on a proper holiday to the coast] Not one I had a lot of opportunities for, but I think I know what you mean. And what, do all moons look the same? [her tone is teasing; she can't let him off on that so easily]

[his explanation does nothing to ease her confusion] You really want to meet my mum? Did the, ah, little girl go on about 'er too much, or what? [she is absolutely baffled by this request--not least of all because she can't imagine trying to explain to her mother who this man is or why she's brought him over. it's not something she's accustomed to do] You know, probably since I was a child, seeing as that's usually when you take most of your trips to the museum. [despite her words, her tone isn't condescending--just very confused]

[He laughs, a little embarrassed.]

Yep, swimming. [He pats his stomach.] Still do it when I get the chance, but not while I'm deployed on the main ship. Water and space don't really get along. And if I ever find our photos, I'll show you how easy it is to confuse one shopping center for another. [He smirks and shakes his head. He shouldn't be surprised she's busting his chops for that.]

Okay, do you not want me to meet her someday? I figure she must be a pretty amazing woman, having raised you into the person you are today. It's not like I'm saying to bring her to the zoo with us. Dinner, on the other hand, would work a little better.

[she cringes] I bet not. But you're not seriously telling me the only place you've been to on those moons is shopping centres--are you? [her tone is still teasing, and she raises an eyebrow at him]

[but she frowns then, not sure what to make of that request. not that his feelings are any secret to her by now, but usually you at least start having a relationship before you bring parents into it. on top of that, she's not at a point yet where she can imagine introducing him to her mum--there are just too many questions surrounding his existence that they'd have to work out] I'm not saying that. But she doesn't know about the Plane, aliens, or any of this space stuff. So maybe someday, but you'd need a good cover story first. And that's just for a start.

[she pulls into the carpark then, heading down an aisle in search of a spot] Well, 'ere we are. Chester Zoo!

[He just smiles and shrugs innocently. His memories of that time are a bit hazy, admittedly. It was a long time ago.] Mom liked to shop.

Oh, we'll come up with something. If there's an American base somewhere around here, I can work with that. It's something to think about for later.

[He's looking for a parking spot too.] Looks pretty busy. I think I see a space over there. [He points at an aisle.]

[she chuckles] All right, I'll give you that. Can't say I 'aven't seen that myself. [not that they had the money for her mother to be a particularly avid shopper, but she always did seem to enjoy it]

Yeah. [she gives a slight nod. she knows it's a noncommittal answer, but she hopes that's where they can leave it for now--and maybe the next time he brings it up she'll be more ready to plan something]

Good eye. [she makes her way around, claiming that space. once she's stopped the car, she turns to him with a grin] So, ready to see the zoo?

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