[019]

[grip_on_reality]

[probably the most noticeable thing about Menzies today is that the strange clothing she's been wearing around the Plane is gone, replaced by her usual attire--a blouse and slacks with practical boots. her hair is tied back, but there is no sign of a ribbon. she's in one of the dining areas of the bathhouse, as that's one of the only spots she knows of to get decent food or drink on the Plane these days. she's enjoying a meal of fried rice from that area but with a can of beer that she brought from home. she's definitely unhappy about the lack of alcoholic beverages on the Plane at the moment, but she's at least taking comfort in the fact that she can solve a lot of the problems that have plagued her about life on the Plane by going back to Manchester now. finally, she's no longer trapped]

[this, of course, is in addition to the great relief that it is just to be herself again. she has a feeling she has some awkward conversations to face, though. she remembers everything that happened while she thought she was the Doctor, and as soon as she finishes her meal, she means to set out and start tracking some people down. after all, she's always of the opinion that it's better to get things done and over with--not to mention she has a feeling that, for a couple people at least, it could be a relief to see her. and she doesn't want to leave them waiting...]

[ooc: The experiment is over! Feel free to encounter Menzies in the bathhouse or out in the fog as she wanders the Plane in search of a few friends]

Comments

[decrypts]

[ well, look who's found himself back at the bath house again? it's not that he comes here very often – usually only when he's looking for jacqli and he can't find her anywhere else – but this time around it's something of a pleasant surprise to happen upon menzies in his wandering.

… and she looks like she might be back to normal. at the very least, the crazy clothing is gone, and that makes for a good sign that she might be back to her old, usual self. he wonders briefly if he should bother her while she's having her meal, but ultimately decides that that's never stopped him bothering someone before, and truth be told, he has a lot of questions to ask her about the things they'd talked about during her time spent as the doctor.

so this will be one less person you have to seek out, menzies. he's coming to you.

york sits down across from her silently, not even starting out with so much as a how do you do, and simply eyes her for a moment. it isn't scrutinizing, but it would appear that he's trying to gauge just how much of herself has returned to … well, herself. and by looks alone, the decision isn't conclusive, but he'll take what he can get.

he extends a hand across the table, pointing a finger at her, and the first words that come out of his mouth are – ]

What's my name?

[ he just has to be sure. ]

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies is both relieved and a little nervous to see York, considering the way their last meeting went. she's not actually sure how to start a conversation after an experiment like that either, so when he eyes her, she just looks back at him. and while she might have said something in a moment, he moves first--]

[--and she can't help it. she chuckles at that question, breaking out in her usual smirk. way to break the ice, York] Well, Agent Bermuda, but that one's not exactly conclusive because she heard it, too. So, let's say Agent Atlantis. Because the jury's still out on Agent Ireland today.

[decrypts]

[ york is the absolute best at breaking the ice. you should see him back on the mother of invention – he's a hit at all the freelancer parties.

except it's mostly exactly the opposite.

no need to be nervous about seeing him, menzies. you and your doctor-self might have had it out when you were all out of sorts, but he doesn't take it to heart. the plane does odd things to people, and with the experiments that keep happening, it's only natural to expect that sometimes, they're a little worse than you'd think.

he breathes an audible sigh of relief at her answer, slumping back in his chair and wiping a hand across his forehead with a short huff of a laugh. ] Thank god, you're back to normal. I mean, the clothes might have been a tip-off, but I had to know for sure.

[ there's a pause, and then he's taking the hand that had initially pointed its finger at her and extending it as though expecting her to shake it as he says – ] So, let's start over. Hi, Menzies, I'm James. It's nice to meet you. Why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?

[ and where you're from. and your version of the doctor. and why he doesn't know your first name is patricia. ]

[grip_on_reality]

Ah, yeah... [she winces because that was definitely not the most pleasant thing to "wake up" in, as it were. she's just glad she was able to recover her own clothing] Believe it or not, you're not the only one who's relieved about that. [by which she means both the clothing and being back, naturally]

[she gives him a slightly bemused look but reaches out to shake his hand all the same. still, way to make that sound awkward with his first name and her surname. she makes a face] You know, you can call me Patricia if you want. [because she honestly has no idea that he doesn't already know her first name]

Well. [she pauses briefly] What do you want to know? [because that's very broad, and she's not used to talking about herself. York might have noticed. still, after everything she put him through, she's sure she owes him some answers. and more than that--York is someone she trusts, so there are a lot of things she wouldn't mind telling him in any case. after all, it's not like she was purposefully hiding information from him. it just never came up...]

[decrypts]

[ aw, menzies, it really wasn't so bad! it was kind of entertaining, he thinks he can say about it now. ( now that it's over and done with and he isn't wracking his brain for reasons why the whole thing might have happened in the first place. but it's easy to grin, now, and act like it hadn't been so much of a big deal as he'd thought while it was going on, and he can tease her a bit about it. ] Yeah? What'd North have to say about it?

[ because that might just be a story he wants to hear, if there is one. and –

hold on just a second.

did she just say her first name?

he blinks a couple of times, caught completely off-guard, and stares at her. ] Well, I … would have called you that before, if I'd known that was your first name. You've never told me 'til now. [ he could have asked, sure, but he figures since names are such a touchy subject where he's from, going by anything other than a first name doesn't sound so odd.

anyway. moving right along!

he hums a bit in thought, wondering where to start first. there's so much he doesn't know about her, and while he won't be delving too deeply into her past and present, he would like to say he knows her a bit better than he does presently. ] Uh.

[ very intelligent, york. ] Well, I don't wanna start out with anything too heavy, 'cause there's all kinds of time for that, so … [ he takes note of the can of beer she's having with her meal, and decides to start there. ] Is that from where you're from? Manchester? You could tell me about what it's like there. [ since he's never been to that part of the world, and while wyoming has never made him want to do so, he'd still like to hear about it from her. ]

[grip_on_reality]

[she's surprised he can have that reaction after the way she treated him. not that she's surprised that he's being kind to her--she does understand the difference between her actual self and how an experiment made her act, and she's certain he does, too. but she wouldn't think he'd have pleasant memories of the experiment itself]

[...but, admittedly, he did take it better than North. and at that question, her smile drops. she swallows hard] Ah. Not very well. I mean, he thought about the same as you did--that it was someone else in my body. Which is a good theory, by the way--you're more of a detective than I realised. [she smirks a bit weakly] But, ah, he avoided her--me--after that. [she shifts a little uncomfortably] I'm gonna track him down soon. [because they have a lot they need to talk about. she just hopes she hasn't hurt him too badly...]

[she looks up at York in surprise at his reaction to her name, though] Hang on, you didn't know? [she might just be staring a little, speechless for a second] I...thought you did. [another awkward pause as she gathers her thoughts and prepares herself to do something that she doesn't do often] Look. I'm sorry. I mean, for 'ow I treated you during--that. And... [she sighs, feeling silly, but it's something she wants him to know, so she's going to say it] For not saying more. Honestly, I can't say I ever thought about it. So ask what you want to know, all right?

[that said, she turns her attention to his question] Yeah, I've lived in Manchester all my life. And... [she pauses, trying to think of how you describe a city in general] Well, it's a nice city. I mean, it's big, so there are good areas and bad. It's busy. Lots of interesting places, although it's a lot less technological than you're used to. [because she's been to North's world a couple times now] But we're not that far behind. And it's got good people. [there's fondness in her tone] And a lot of people--plenty of tourists, and plenty of extraterrestrials deciding it's a good place to set up their lives. [she smirks a bit wryly] It's 2013 now, if that gives you an idea of anything. Really, North could probably tell you some things, too. I took him to the zoo once.

[her smile grows warm at that memory--but it gives her an idea, too. it's always easier to show than to tell, right?] Oi, Agent Ireland, did you want a drink? [she gestures to the beer] I could take you to my flat, grab one for you. Could probably show you a few other answers while we're there, too.

[decrypts]

[ here's something you have yet to learn about your friend york here, apparently – it takes a lot more than a pod version of you to make him legitimately angry with you. it isn't just that he's laid back, that he's about as easy-going as anyone within the project. he knows when his friends aren't acting as they should, knows when that means something is wrong and gives them the benefit of the doubt. he doesn't hold grudges, doesn't do the forgive-but-never-forget thing, because it's all going to end up being water under the bridge at some point, anyway. why waste time in being angry when there's no real reason for it in the first place?

so there you go, menzies. a perfect explanation for why this idiot is treating you better than you think you deserve.

he takes in the way her smile drops, and he thinks that maybe he shouldn't have asked about north just yet – he can't have taken it that well, could he? and he should have known that. damn, but sometimes he can't help but to open his mouth before he thinks things through, and he's already chiding himself for it.

which means he's going to move along like they hadn't even stopped to mention the other freelancer in any capacity, because he doesn't want her to feel worse than she already clearly does. ] Hey, I'm more perceptive that people give me credit for sometimes. [ he winks, but then his expression is nothing but seriousness. ] Feel free to tell me to mind my own business, but … I could come with you, when you go look for him. If you wanted. [ he might not be his north, as south would so aptly put it, not theirs – but the man is still a friend to him, and he likes to think he knows him pretty well.

though, he would also understand that this is something that he and menzies need to deal with on their own time. still, he had to extend the offer. it's neither of their faults that things happened the way they did, and he doesn't want either of them to suffer.

but then he's rolling his shoulders in a shrug. ] Nope, I had no idea … I kinda figured that if you cared whether or not I knew your first name, you'd tell me. Like I did. [ makes sense, doesn't it? and –

ahhh here we come with the apologies. menzies … that isn't at all necessary. he understands. ] Uh-uh, I'm gonna stop you right there. You're not allowed to apologize for crap that wasn't your fault. Okay? 'Sides, it was kinda fun arguing with your pod self. We coulda gone round and round forever. [ so. there's that.

and then his eyes go wide. ] 2013? You kiddin' me? Man … I had a feelin' we were ahead of you, but … damn. [ yeah. okay. he's gonna have to see some of this stuff. because when he was a kid and on up through his teenage years, most of the films he watched were from the 1980's on through around that time, and given half a chance to see for himself what it had been like? you best believe he's up for it. ] You sure your boyfriend's not gonna mind you bringin' another guy back to your place?

[ york. stop it. you're going to make things worse by trying to joke. ] Sorry, sorry, outta line … pretend I didn't say that. A drink sounds great – and I'd like to see it. It'd probably give me better insight to the kinda person you are better than anything you told me.

[ have a secretive little smile. ]

[fallbythesword]

[Jacqli has just spent a while in one of the "outdoor" baths, trying to calm her thoughts that range from frustration with the current state of the Plane to... well, frustration with things back in her own reality. So needless to say, it's been a rather long bath. And she's needed it. But that just means that when she finally comes out, wraps herself up in a robe and heads for one of the dining areas for a snack, her mind is that much clearer and she's far less likely to Force- choke someone.

And that's when she spots Menzies.

She notices instantly how much closer to herself she seems, but she won't let herself give into her relief until she's spoken with her.

She ends up calling from the doorway, head tilted to the side, one hand resting on her hip while the other hangs loose.]

You've changed - at the very least, your clothes. What about the rest?

[grip_on_reality]

[she looks up at the voice--and smirks when she sees who it is. for one, that's one less person she'll have to look for. but also, out of everyone she saw during the experiment, she's least worried about any lasting hurt feelings from Jacqli, so it makes this part a bit easier] Hullo, Miwa. And if you mean changed back, then yeah. My memories are back.

[fallbythesword]

[Hurt? Nope. Menzies doesn't have the proper ammo to hurt her. By far. But she'll keep that fact to herself.]

Very good. I thought so.

[She nods once, firmly, walking the rest of the way over to take a seat next to her, a tiny smile on her face.]

Welcome back, detective inspector.

[grip_on_reality]

[it's not something she plans to try to do in any case. but she does still feel responsible for her actions during the experiment, even if her mind had been thoroughly rewritten, and she knows some people who are much more likely to be sensitive to that--but this is exactly why she isn't nervous about facing Jacqli]

[she smiles back, chuckling a little. there's something appropriate about Jacqli's use of the title after the Doctor version of her used it as a tool to create distance between herself and the real Menzies] Cheers.

Look, I owe you for helping 'er--helping me--work out what was going on. So if there are any explanations you want now that I remember, just say so. [because she wants to be able to offer Jacqli something in return, and that's the best idea she can think of for the moment] And if you're looking for a favour sometime, well, you know 'ow to find me.

[fallbythesword]

[Jacqli's surprised at herself. She doesn't want anything from Menzies in return. It's no big deal to her. ... As she is normally quite in favor of a favor owed, this is new. ... So she pretends it isn't that way.]

The only explanation I want at the moment is how you are now. You just spent the past however long thinking you were someone you're not. Some humans wouldn't know what to do with themselves after that.

[grip_on_reality]

[she can't help looking surprised by that response from Jacqli of all people. she's not exactly used to her expressing concern, after all--and whether she's trying to mask it or not, that's definitely what it is] Yeah? [she chuckles] I'd think that'd go for some other species, too.

[as usual, she's not quite sure what to do with a question about her feelings, but if this is really all Jacqli wants, the least she can do is give her an honest answer] Well... [she pauses thoughtfully, and then she makes a face] I can't say I'm feeling terribly kind toward this place, but there's nothing new about that. [admittedly, this experiment was rather more disturbing than the Plane's general antics, but the principles of its uncontrolled mischief remain the same at least. so while she's a little shaken, she's confident that it's nothing she can't handle] And I wasn't able to go to Manchester while it was going on, so thankfully everything there's exactly the way I left it.

Otherwise... [she sighs] There are some people here I need to talk to. They'll want to know I'm back, and, well, I can't say I was treating people very well during all that. [she shrugs a little uncomfortably] Not that it was really my fault, but it's not the sort of thing I want to leave hanging without a chance for an explanation at least.

[behisequal]

[Though there are many things he has done to the Plane, the one thing he has yet to do is directly harm or alter someone with his tricks. The Plane has done that too often, so he refuses to do it himself. So in a way, he is almost glad to see the Detective again, or so he thinks it's her.]

I must ask, who are we today? Detective Inspector, Doctor, Dancer...? [He trails off.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she looks up from her meal, chuckling at his words] Oh, didn't you know? I'm a dentist now.

[because that question was just asking for that answer--and perhaps the fact that she gave that answer is her way of giving him an answer of another sort]

[behisequal]

Are you? What exactly do you dent?

[Why yes, welcome to one of his genuine, "I have no idea what this Midgardian concept is" moments. It helps detract from their last meeting.]

[grip_on_reality]

What? [she gives a short laugh at that] It's a career. [knowing that's not much of an explanation, she adds:] An 'uman thing--taking care of teeth.

[behisequal]

Is that all they do? Take care of teeth and nothing more? [He supposes there are some merits to a job devoted to such a thing, but they've never had such a need for someone like that in Asgard.]

[But since he's here, and since they parted on strange terms the last time they met...] Anyway, I trust you are back to normal? Relatively, anyway.

[grip_on_reality]

For their job, yeah. [she nods] I doubt 'umans are as resilient as, ah, Asgardians, was it?

[she snorts at the way he put that question] You could say that. Guess this place must 'ave got bored with it. [she means her tone to be flippant, but there's a note of bitterness there. there was nothing about that experiment that was actually amusing to her]

[betrayedtwin]

[The fog is thin enough outside the onsen that North gladly goes inside to escape the voices he keeps hearing. The Counsellor's voice is back, moving on from Carolina's voice giving orders. He sighs as he removes his helmet, tucking it under his left arm instead of his right. He's been good up until now avoiding the forest, but a tree had just long enough reach to thwack his arm good. It's like getting hit by both Tex and Maine at the same time. The spot is gonna bruise pretty nice.

By now, it's been days since he's seen Menzies, or rather the woman using her body. It bothers him, seeing her but not seeing her. He knows by now this kind of thing is temporary on the Plane, but there's never a concrete expiration date, and he's growing impatient. It seems like it has been going on for much longer. It makes him wonder if there is something more to it.

He enters the onsen hoping for a reprieve from the fog, but he stops when he spots someone in the dining area. All he can feel, despite everything--the anger, frustration, worry--is relief as he recognizes her. That other person would never dress as practically as she does, and he bets that she'd never drink a beer either. Even before speaking to her, he just...has this feeling that it's her. It has to be. From where he stands, staring, he speaks her name just loud enough for her to hear--]

Patricia...

[--Then he closes the distance between them. Nothing's going to stop him from embracing her, not fried rice, not an open can of beer. Nothing.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she looks up when she hears footsteps, and seeing who it is, her breath catches in her throat. she's been wanting to talk to North, of course--him more than anyone. but she's also been most worried about this conversation because she saw how he reacted during the experiment--so angry, worried, and upset. she hurt him, and while she knows it wasn't her fault and that North would be the last person to hold it against her, she's still responsible for it, and she still wants to make it up to him if she can]

[and so, when he says her name and rushes toward her, she quickly stands. but she doesn't move to meet him or say anything just yet. like him allowing her to punch him when he came back after being eaten by that beast, this is his move. she'll follow whatever he initiates]

[betrayedtwin]

[At some point, his helmet takes a dive. He doesn't care at the moment; it's just a helmet. It's made to be battered. All that matters to him is right in front of him. Her, her practical clothing, the fact that she responded to his saying her name...

He wishes he didn't have his armor on. He's missed feeling her warmth. But he doesn't dare to drop and change out of it in case this is like the voices outside. So he keeps going until he practically crashes into her as he wraps his arms around her, lifting her up off her feet. One hand slides up to cradle the back of her head while he crushes his lips to hers. A long moment later, he slowly lets her down again and pulls slightly away. He catches his breath, knowing it can't have been that comfortable held against him in his armor, but his lips can't help curling into a smile as he says:] Hey.

[grip_on_reality]

[she's surprised when he drops his helmet, but she hardly has time to think about it before he's grabbed her and lifted her up. admittedly, she isn't fond at all of being suddenly airborne, and being crushed against armour definitely isn't comfortable. but while normally she'd have something to say about it, at the moment, if it's going to help him, she isn't going to complain. and besides, her lips are rather busy at the moment, and that part she is enjoying]

[by the time he finally pulls back, she's also out of breath. but at that word of greeting, she can't help a short laugh] What, that wasn't enough of a greeting already? [she smirks at him] Hullo, North. [but she doesn't know what else to say--or rather, where to start. so after a pause, she finds herself simply admitting:] I was about to go looking for you.

[betrayedtwin]

[He chuckles] No, you're lucky I'm in my armor. I never would've let you go. [He smiles and gently sweeps her hair back with his gloved hand, careful not to get it caught.] I'm glad you're back.

[Translation: "I missed you like crazy but I know you don't like sappy things like that."]

[grip_on_reality]

Oh really? I'll 'ave to watch out next time I see you without it. [she smirks at him as she says it. and at his comment, she just chuckles] You're not the only one. [after all, she already told him that she missed him like crazy, too--in her own way, at least. but she pauses now, pursing her lips. and then she decides she might as well just get it over with]

[softly, she says:] North...look. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve to go through all that.