open ; catch all for October

[bossily]

CHARACTERS: Clara Oswald & OPEN
LOCATION: Around the station
DATE: 10/17-10/21
CONTENT: Clara pops back onto the station after a canon update
WARNINGS: Mentions of death


I. Twice Returned
[Time is such a funny thing, really. In her time spent traveling with the Doctor, she's come to understand that it can be such a meaningless thing. Except for when it's important. And in the series of events that have just unfolded for her, time feels incredibly important. Vital, even.

The thing is, she remembers being on the station before. Remembers her friends there, and the missions. And she remembers the orbs. It had all been one big adventure before. But then she was sent back, gone in a blink of an eye. For those close to her, it's not likely they even will notice she's gone. For her though, time passes more slowly. Hours turn to days away, and days to week. Before she knows it, years have passed. Time spent aging and growing, developing into a different person. Clara Oswald has a home on Earth maybe, but she no longer feels the same sort of attachment to it that she once had. With the loss of Danny Pink and the intensity of her connection growing stronger with each adventure after, Clara's left more and more of her life on Earth behind.

Sure, it's fine to tap in and out of London to check in on people like Rigsy. People who are friends. People who -

Well, people who Clara's willing to die for. Her reckless streak has finally caught up to her in the form of a chronolock. One that's recently taken her life. Or maybe it took her life billions of years ago, things are a bit fuzzy at the moment. She recalls coming back, recalls learning the Doctor spent billions of years in a personal hell because of her dying. She recalls stealing her own TARDIS, recalls making the one person she loves more than anyone forget everything about her.

She had done it for his own good, and the good of the universe. It's a bit hard to justify staying together when you know an entire prophecy was written as a warning to keep you apart. It won't do to have their relationship bring on the hybrid.

Which is exactly why she's confused as she's pulled back into the station and has to try and sort things out. Is the Doctor still here, she wonders. Have billions of years passed here too? Only a few days? Weeks?

Time had started to feel meaningless for her.

That was before the raven swooped in and changed everything.

Now it feels increasingly important to pinpoint exact moments in time. Her fingers press against the inside of her left wrist as she slowly navigates the hallways. There's a heartbeat there. But there shouldn't be. When she bumps into someone as she walks she owlishly blinks up at them, her fingers slipping away.]

How long has it been since the last mission?



II. Sunlight Room
[For those that know her well enough, it's easy to tell that something is a little off. She looks a little older in her face, her eyes holding a maturity that she had previously been lacking. She's seen and been through so many things in her time away that being back here almost feels surreal. It doesn't feel like it should be possible.

But she's the impossible girl, or at least she once had been. She knows from experience that anything is possible. Usually she's the one forcing the impossible to happen. There's almost something comical about the fact that she finally was in full control of her own destiny. She had the ability to be the Doctor in her own right, traveling whenever and wherever she wanted. She could face her death when she was ready and go back to it the long way around.

She finally had all the control she wanted, only to have it torn away from her again. But she knew now she had a distinct purpose for being here. She couldn't remember her regret from before, but knew that it couldn't be as important as the one she wanted to undo now. She would do whatever it took to protect the Doctor. Even if it meant rewriting time itself.

She stands in the sunlight room, head tipped so she can peer up at the artificial light. It's almost like she's looking for something. She hears the sound of someone walking past and reaches out to grab hold of their hand. There's no words at first, no sign of what she wants. Really, she's just desperate for some kind of contact right now. A reminder to anchor her to the reality of being back and having a purpose again.]

Do you think this station had a purpose before we all arrived here?


III. Kitchen

[Apparently coming back to life and getting her heartbeat back means that the threat of being caught between her last heartbeat and death doesn't have to be an immediate threat. What is the immediate issue is that no amount of food seems to be enough. Clara's typically anxious over the amount of supplies on the station and worrying about whether or not everyone has enough. She started her hydroponic garden to help ensure the children have plenty to eat. But now that concern is far from her mind as she camps out in the kitchen and eats.

She spends hours grazing her way around the kitchen, only pausing when she catches sight of someone else entering. Her mouth is usually full when this happens, and she swallows what's in her mouth to try and awkwardly smile.]

Right, so...I can explain.

[She still thinks supplies are an issue and she should apologize for just stuffing her face this way.]


IV. Personal Quarters - closed close CR
[Clara spends as little time as possible in the room she shares with the Doctor. She finds herself not really wanting or needing to sleep those first handful of days back, only getting some catnaps here and there around the station. But when she finally feels disgusting and in ready of freshening up, she makes her way back to her quarters at long last.

After cleaning up and getting a change of clothes, she spends an extraordinary amount of time looking in the small mirror hanging on the wall by her bed. Typically her ego doesn't see any issue with admiring her reflection. Her purpose for looking today has little to do with how amazing her hair looks or how on point her eyeliner is. No, she's far more concerned about something else. It's easy to pretend like she hasn't been gone at all with the others. When it comes to the Doctor...well, she has her concerns. He'll be able to tell she's different immediately, just from the look in her eyes.

But it's the number that's tattooed on the back of her neck that she's worried about. Is it even still there? Clara gathers up her short hair to lift it up and turn in a way she can look at what she's afraid will be there. And sure enough, the numbers 001 are there, taunting her. There's no escaping the chronolock. Even here in another dimension and possibly even another universe entirely it follows her. It's a reminder of what she has waiting for her. Of what she has to hide from the man that's willing to tear the fabric of the universe apart if it means protecting her.

No matter what happens, the Doctor can never know her fate.

She's so caught up in her thoughts that she doesn't hear the door open at first. Her close friends know they're always able to just come inside, and it's likely the Doctor could pop back in as well. As soon as she realizes she's not alone her hair is dropped, hopefully masking any sign of the fact she's marked with a permanent countdown. She forces a smile, though it doesn't quite meet her eyes. She's able to keep her tone as fond and teasing as ever, which is a win. Banter is exactly what she needs to cheer up right about now.]

Let me guess. You want me to come see something you've done that shows how amazingly clever you are?

Comments

II

[callada]

[Since the last mission, Rosinante has been spending more time in here, too. It's somehow comforting, to sit in the sun with the trees and flowers around him, even if it's nothing like home.

He enters, expecting to be mostly alone, maybe find some time to read the book in his hand, but he sees Clara there and she looks... pensive. He'd wondered where she'd been hiding lately, but maybe like many of them she wanted some time to get away for a little while.

Best not to bother her - except she grabs hold of him, and he stops in his tracks and looks down at her with a frown.]

Possibly. Viveca hinted at that to me before the last mission when I asked.

[He'll continue on that thought, but first, what's this about all of a sudden, anyway?]

Are you all right?

[bossily]

[He's someone that's difficult to forget. Not that she forgets many people, but someone that's as tall as he is definitely stands out in her memory. So his response makes her smile a little, just a slight upward tug of the corner of her mouth.]

What? Me, I'm fine. Never been better.

[which is both the exact truth and a complete lie in one smooth statement.]

I'm just finally taking the time to wonder what strings come attached to our being here. Do you speak to Viveca often?

[callada]

[Well, all right. Can't do much other than to accept that. She's fine, just been thinking, and doesn't that describe all of them here some days? He sure knows how easy it is to get stuck in his own head, reflecting on everything that goes on around them as they do their best to get these orbs back under control.

So he lets it be, then shakes his head.]

Not often, no. I just ask her things now and then in the hopes the answer that comes back shines some tiny light into the darkness we're always in. I asked her once about what defenses the station had in case we ended up under attack here in space, and she said that there's no need. That the station is impossible to find, and that we and the orbs are safe, and that she spoke from experience. And in other network conversations between her and other people, she admitted there were people here before us who were supposed to have their own regrets reversed by the orb.

[No, it's not a firm answer, but it's pretty damn close to one, and it raises lots of its own concerns. What happened to the people before them?]

iv.

[lateness]

Claraaa! Clara, are you in —

[ The Doctor enters their shared quarters in a flurry of his usual, enthusiastic movement, bowtie and suspenders arranged just right. His usual long coat is left draped over some piece of furniture or what-have-you, discarded without a care. This space is beginning to resemble the closet in the TARDIS, honestly, and thankfully no Nannybots have sought to tidy it up or they'd be in for a (rude) surprise.

When he spots the woman in question, his arms are still up like he's been trying to dispel the extra energy within him, and then he stops short. Lets them flop back to their sides. And squints.

Something's different. Something's very different. ]

Did you do something with your hair?

[bossily]

[And right on cue, there he is. He comes through the door with a flurry of energy and his usual flailing limbs and floppy hair. And she's left feeling something she can't quite put a finger on at first. For her, it's been a long time since she's seen this particular face. But of course she remembers his being here with her, and recalls all the things they've done in their time here. She hadn't before, but being back here, it feels impossible to forget.

Still, it's been an incredibly long time since he made that phone call to her to reassure her about his new self. That had been the last time she heard his voice. Hearing it again instantly makes tears come to her eyes. She refuses to let them fall though. She just keeps a stiff upper lip before smiling in a way that suggests she's completely fine.]

I'm always doing something with my hair.

[Her voice trembles as she speaks, and she feels her feet moving before she has time to really think things through. Emotion swells within her as she makes her way over to him to wrap her arms around him as tight as she can. She has no idea how long she's been gone from the station. But it's been so long, and she's missed him so much.

Time really isn't fair to the two of them. It almost feels cruel at this point.]

[lateness]

Hugging. Yes, all right, hugging's good.

[ There's a different sort of energy in the room right now, the Doctor can practically taste it on his tongue, and the hug — while nice — does nothing for the way the cogs start to turn and whirl in his brain. It's all very ... hm. Strange.

Still, there's no hesitation when he pulls her into his arms in kind, squeezing her just as tightly as she's squeezing him. ]

Hello, Clara. I didn't forget the waffles, you know.

[ Because that ... must be what this is about, right? ]

Shampoo?

[ No — no, there's a reason for this. There's — ]

You smell different.

iv.

[attackbrows]

[Okay, yes. You got him there. He is here to share something clever. She didn’t have to go on and spoil the surprise (if there is any at this point).

The Doctor leans next to the door frame with a wry smirk on his face. He hadn’t picked up on any cues (just yet). All he knows is that Clara has been running all over the place, trying to keep things in check in her usual control-freak manner.]

Would it surprise you if I said I have a fresh batch of biscuits waiting for you?

[Because he doesn’t but it’s the thought that counts.]

[bossily]

[The look in her eyes is warm and fond, the way one space spouse looks at another when they're glad to see them. Her hips give a little sway as she starts to approach him, pulled right into his orbit until she's standing in close.]

I'm gobsmacked. [She teases, smiling with coy amusement.] You haven't tried making me biscuits since the Christmas after Danny -

[She stops there for a second, her smile briefly fading. She's able to refer back to Danny Pink now without any issue. Her smile returns after that pause, accompanied by a shrug.]

You aren't trying to apologize for something with food, are you?

[attackbrows]

[The mere mention of Danny is enough for the Doctor to arch an eyebrow. She knows. It’d been so difficult for him to hold his tongue all this time. Not having to spoil the adventures they will have together for as long as they can run. So it’s no surprise that while his expression looks disconcerted, his arms easily wrap around her tiny frame for him to (finally) take a deep breath. His cheek brushes against her hair.]

I think you owe me a batch this time around. [The Doctor pulls away slightly so he can see her face.] When were you going to tell me?

II

[chronosynthesis]

[He hadn't seen Clara on their return to the station. She's not the first face to go missing, from what are probably second thoughts or... well, he's less sure the orbs can completely break a bargain it starts unless they want it broken.

But it's seeing her again in the sunlight room that really surprises him. So he goes to her side, opening his mouth to speak--which dies immediately as he grabs his hand and he's standing there in silent, awkward, bafflement.

He doesn't pull away. This was just unexpected.]

Um... do you mean, a purpose besides containing the orbs?

[bossily]

[She doesn't realize that she's gripping hold of his hand until he speaks. His words seem to pull her out of her thoughts and she blinks as she drops his hand. She glances down from the lights up above over to him, the corner of her mouth curling upward.

She can tell from the look on his face that he's a little confused about her grabbing him and asking what she did. But he's polite enough to stay here and talk to her anyway.]

That's exactly what I mean, yeah. Do you think the station was built for that purpose? Or was it something else once.

[chronosynthesis]

[All right, well, if she won't address it neither will be. Maybe she just needed to ground herself.]

Viveca seemed under the impression that the station's purpose was always containing the orbs. But they haven't always been in charge of this place.

[If she's plugged into the system, surely she would know, but maybe it was erased long before they came into contact.]

I

[coordination]

Hey!

[ Is Yzak's automatic, bristly reaction when bumped into, because, seriously! Why can't anybody watch where they're going! These hallways are perfectly wide enough for— ]

—Clara?

[ He notes the way her fingers slip from her wrist - is she doing some kind of cardio or something? Hm!

But to more immediate things, aka her question. Yzak tilts his head slightly. ]

A little over a week? What, did you lose track of time or something?

[bossily]

You could say that, yeah.

[It takes her a few seconds to place him, but quickly remembers his name and the conversations they've had together here. A smile pops up on her face, something more sheepish and unsure than anything. She really hopes she hasn't just offended him by not paying full attention to where she was going.]

Sorry for bumping into you like that. I'm a bit preoccupied trying to sort time out.

[To put it lightly. She figures it's easier to let it come across like she's been busy doing...something and is just out of sorts because of that. Because she isn't someone that usually just loses track of time. She has more control over her life than that.]

[coordination]

[ Everything offends him. Which means it's fine. ]

Sort it out?

Have you been busy with something? Or, [ A pause, as he gives her a once over. ] did you get hurt?

iv. of course he's gonna come bug you, clara

[groupiedrifter]

[Newton always has a hard time keeping track of time, especially lately now that he's had an even more difficult time trying to go to sleep; it's not out of lack of caring or laziness or anything cruel, most people know. He could go nearly three or four days in the lab back in the PPDC if he was on the cusp of a breakthrough, and he would have to be physically halted and forced to leave (petulant, cursing, annoyed and moody and please Dr. Geiszler, you look unwell, go to your bed or we'll call the nurse in).

So there's some point where he dumbly realizes he hadn't checked in on Clara in far too long. That means it's time to come knocking at her door, carrying one small container of pizza-flavored pringles in his hand as tribute. He'd busted open his emergency snack box for Hermann after his, uh, drift bleed issues, and now it's only fair he share and care.]

Knock, knock! Coolest friend in the universe at the door!

Where's my stargirl at?

[He actually has a lot to talk to her about.

And now maybe she's got a lot to talk about, too. Yeesh.]

[bossily]

Newt.

[Some people here she had to think for a bit to remember who they were. But not him. Her face lights up with a genuine smile, and she hurries on over to embrace him in a hug. The sort of hug you give someone after you haven't seen them in years.]

I've missed you.

[It's a funny sort of missing though, the kind she hadn't even realized until she saw him a moment ago. She blames that on the time issues related to being sent away and pulled back in. But Newt's always enjoyed hugs before, and she figures he still will now.]

I don't think I've seen you since before we left Braccia. Right?

[He'll have to forgive her for being a little confused on that one. She really isn't sure.]

the invisible v wildcard option 🍵

[kovach]

[ it wouldn't be the first time someone's asked about sleeves, and by now, he's probably recited some of his own world's history a number of times to anyone that showed interest, not necessarily because he's so eager to talk about it, but because it reminds him that it's real, that even if he's yet to find someone here with a stack in their neck, it really is what his life has been for the past nearly three centuries.

somehow, if there's anyone who probably should know about it, it's clara. with what's happened between them, it seems pretty fair to keep her filled on the truth of this body.

despite the hour of the night, he does actually have clothes on this time around, sliding on his boots and rolling up the sleeves of a dark long-sleeved shirt as he slips through the station's halls to make his way to the kitchen, finding her inside already heating up the water.

it's the first he's seen her since that night, since his bedroom, and he watches her for a few moments, smirk slight in the corner of his lips as he leans his arm against the frame of the entryway before speaking up. ]

You ever sleep?

[bossily]

[She's a little preoccupied with focusing on the heat of the stovetop before he arrives. Her hands grip hold of the edge of the counter after placing the kettle on, and she finds herself wondering if this sort of heat still feels the same.

She can feel emotions. Feels pleasurable things. But her senses still feel off somehow, dulled. There's a moment of hesitation when she considers running her hand up above the burner. Not enough to burn, but just so she can feel the heat.

His voice pulls her out of her thoughts and she turns to face him with a smile.]

Not really. [It's an easy counter, and is honest for all it sounds like she's being patronizing.] I've been having...dreams.

[Or nightmares, really. She's sure he'll read between the lines and figure that out.]

Sleep only happened when I'm with someone else.

[Aka: when I was with him that one time.

And whether that's a security or a comfort thing, she isn't sure. It's easier not to think on it. But now that he's here, her personal issues don't matter. What matters is the fact he's here on time, and is open to discussing his sleeve situation.

Given what's happened between them, she does have some questions. But it's more a genuine curiosity about him and the world he comes from. This isn't meant to be an interrogation. Just friends coming together to have a late night chat.]

ii

[romancekiller]

[ Clarke has been spending a bit more of her time in the sunlight room after the mission with a sketchbook in hand because it was the easiest way for her to relax and she found it calming in a way too.

She usually goes at the odd hours when she figures no one else is around but when she spots Clara, she is pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face especially since they hadn't crossed paths in the last mission. She is a bit caught off guard when she grabs hold of her free hand but hearing the question she considers it from a moment] I feel like there must have been.

I wasn't expecting anyone else here but it's good to see you, Clara. [she gives a small smile]

[bossily]

[Hearing her name makes her snap out of her thoughts. She blinks a little as she glances down at their joined hands, and sheepishly smiles as she lets go of Clarke's hand.]

Sorry, it's just -

[She hesitates, not wanting to sound properly bonkers. But she's got a lot on her mind and she might as well let it out to someone.]

There's so many secrets about what this place is and what the orbs are really to be used for. I can't believe I never put any thought into it until now.

( wildcard )

[scarcastically]

[ it felt right to keep this appointment. mostly because his curiosity was killing him. she left? and just came back? what did that mean for them? what did it mean for him?

could he leave? could he live?

and even if he did, what would he even do with his life?

either way, some alcohol, drinks and a quiet table shared between two is a great place to start. though erik can't let his guard down. clara is smart and she has experiences he has yet to gauge. ]

See, I came through.

[bossily]

[He always manages to charm and impress her. She half expected him to stand her up, but here he is, sitting with her for drinks. An eyebrow arches as she raises her glass to him, corner of her mouth curving upward into a smile.]

You always do in my experience. If you're not careful, I may have to label you the most reliable person on the station.

I

[bindsthedead]

Since Braccia? Just a few days.

[And Sabriel's still reeling from how it ended. With a building falling apart around them and a teleport that almost happened too late.

After that, Sabriel can't blame anyone for losing sense of time a bit.]

[bossily]

[Clara recalls being shaken at the end of that mission, but it feels like a distant memory at this point. Even if it's just technically happened for everyone else here. Thankfully, she's used to time being muddled. She just has to regain her footing.]

Only a few days, right. Only, it's been years for me. Everything feels off.