- 2 - He that dares not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose.

[toobravehearted]

[This morning The Doctor has secluded himself in a quiet corner of the Library. He has with him his notebook, pencil and his journal. The pages that were marked for him have been well read, several times over by now, and each time he looks at them he has a new question or theory. Poring over the information he does have and taking notes however, he's been putting off one thing in particular and decides that today is time enough.

Out of the information that Lady Galadriel and Phoebe shared with him, he's seen his own name crop up several times. Not only that, but he had known Ms. Lane at one time and had spoken with her. Some of the information referenced in the pages pre-dates the journal he has... all right, almost all of the information, which The Doctor finds nothing but frustrating. A particular reference appears to be to something he once reported, which brings mixed feelings.

He shouldn't learn too much about what might be in his future. Several things that Hermione had said though, have been on his mind. The temptation to look is huge and he knows what he is risking if he does; the thought that it might be too late for that also crosses his mind. He's already trounced over his own timestream by asking questions, and it's not good to know too much. 

And yet, curiosity always wins in the end, often to his detriment. He searches for, and finds, the last entry made in his hand. It's the only one he will read, for now.

After what he has learned, it's not a surprise that Lente was mentioned and he wonders if he ever did find her. Not that he would know.

Which brings him to another thought. He's not found any reference to what point in his time stream he was taken from last. To add, he has no recollection of ever being here in his Third, and the thought that he has to acknowledge that his memories have been tampered with... In his two weeks at Cair Paradisa, The Doctor has staunchly defended that he must have been here before from further along in his time stream. The truth of the matter is... he just doesn't know and he can't be certain. It worries him to think he might be wrong. 

He decides to start with a written filter.] 

Filter: Those that know me from my last stay.

Leaving anyone high and dry I'm sure was not my intention. I'm aware I likely don't need to, given the nature and apparent whims of Paradisa, but I would like to apologise. If you would allow me, I would like very much to get to know you all, again.

/Filter

[The next is dictated as he is on the move leaving the Library, and his tone is forced bright and chipper.] 

Good morning everyone, I hope you're all well. For those that don't know, I'm The Doctor and I'll be pleased to make your acquaintance in the course of things. Things to note: I can't get the TARDIS to move. Nothing serious, she's just a bit under the weather and I'm working on that since I know it was possible for her to travel before. Upshot of that, running off anywhere soon is unlikely to happen. Questions, I have a few of those still. If anyone can chip-in, I'd be very grateful.

1. Has anyone spoken with Lente in the last six months? 
2. Can anyone hazard a guess at the ratio of children to adults in the castle?
3. Phoebe, if you're available, do you have a little time to talk?
4. Aradia, would you like to meet me later today?

I think that covers what is immediately on my mind, but I do have an important discovery to share. There is a forty-cup tea urn in the kitchen. [Yes, he is very pleased at this discovery.]

I'm on my way there now and I'll be making a round, so if anyone would care to join me for a cup you are very welcome to do so.

Comments

dictated;

[nukeoleptic]

[ -- she'll approach his questions in a second. Right now: ]

What in the world could anyone do with a forty-cup tea urn?

dictated;

[toobravehearted]

[In the kitchen he's making himself busy filling said tea urn with hot water. The journal is open by his side and getting a bit splashed in the process.]

Hello, Jade! Well, it's used for- for tea of course! For gatherings, a lot of people at once. And it stays nice and hot for a long time.

[psych0p0mps]

yes of course!
i can meet you in the kitchen if you like
did you see the lemonade tap in there by the way

[toobravehearted]

Aradia! Yes, Im here already, would you like to try some tea?

[Lemonade tap? Really? He looks around, and starts to turn on and off all the taps in the kitchen until he finds it.]

There's a lemonade tap in the kitchen. That's rather brilliant!

[ensorceler]

There seem to be quite a few stray children about on their own, day and night, not even playing with other children. It is troubling.

[toobravehearted]

Hello, your Majesty. Yes, it is troubling. The thought worries me quite a bit.

...Is there anything else I could call you? Would you mind if I could use your given name?

Filter

[save_the_souls]

[Hey Five, have someone that sounds like a teenage british teen]

Doctor! You're back?

[Well that's very good news. Not only that, it's a bit of a joy to hear the words of the filter. ]

And don't worry, you don't have to apologise for Paradisa's doings. It's a very normal occurrence.

Filter

[toobravehearted]

Hello. Yes, it seems that I am. I have to say you're a new voice to me. Might I ask your name?

[The kitchen is getting noisy. The Doctor is rooting through cupboards and looking for cups.]

Quite a few people vanish and come back so I hear.

Filter

[encryptedlock]

You got it, Doctor. And besides, anyone who's been here long enough to remember the last time you were here knows it's not anybody's choice to leave.

As for me, I haven't heard anything from the First Gens in a while, and nothing from Lente since we visited there. [But then, his particular contact is Reno Browne, and it's been over a year since he's spoken to her.]

Filter

[toobravehearted]

Hello there, York. It's a funny thing I'm finding. When people come they want to get out, but when they leave, it seems a bit too soon.

Right. Is that usual, not to hear anything for so long? Unfortunately, I'm still missing most of the details myself.

dictated;

[wolfchild]

Who is Tardy?

dictated;

[toobravehearted]

Tardy? [His immediate thought is of the parrot, oddly enough. How did the parrot get in his TARDIS, anyway? And it got back here without him...]

Oh, the TARDIS, of course. It- she- is a ship. I don't believe we've spoke before. Can I ask your name, miss?

[dictated]

[wantsiceland]

I'm gonna second the questions of number one and number six.

[she doesn't know Jade and Arya, so they just get numbers]

The Tar-diss sounds like a vehicle; am I right?

[dictated]

[toobravehearted]

Hello. For number one, you could always come down to the kitchen and see for yourself. [Smile in his voice.] And, you're exactly correct on that. Although, she is rather grounded at the moment.

Filter

[heal_theworld]

Oh, welcome back, Doctor! [Martel only talked to you a few times, but it's nice to see him nonetheless.]

Filter

[toobravehearted]

Hello! Thank you and how do you do? Unfortunately, you have me at a disadvantage, miss-?

Fifth Doctor

[courageous_wit]

There's no need to apologize. I'm sorry to hear about the TARDIS, but I'm sure you'll be able to fix it in no-time.

Hermione

[toobravehearted]

Hello, Hermione. How are you doing?

I know, but still. As for the TARDIS, no-time being the operative phrase there. Thank you, and I'm sure we'll figure it out soon. At least, I hope.

Dictated forever

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

Depends on what you consider 'children'. There's about 18 youngins, but if you're counting teenagers, that numbers a lot higher.

Dictated and ever

[toobravehearted]

Hello. Thank you very much for the information. How did you come by it and what age group are you talking about specifically? I was thinking of teenagers also, yes, and I can imagine it being a lot higher.

Again, thank you for your input. Can I ask a name to put that by?

dictated;

[minicaptain]

...You don't sound like the Doctor.

[ that's all she got out of this. she's still stuck on the not getting home soon part. and by home, she means voyager. ]

dictated;

[toobravehearted]

...No? I do assure you that I am. [There's a smile in his voice next.] Which Doctor are you thinking of, miss?

[Cause he has to ask. With a fair amount of himselves running around here in the past, yeah, it can get confusing, and she might not even be referring to him.]

Filter

[heliotroping]

...I'd like that too.

Filter

[toobravehearted]

[Now that's a new person to him.] Hello. I'm glad to hear that. I'm afraid I don't recall you though. Can I ask your name?

Doctor

[kungfuwitch]

I'm free right now, Doctor. Where would you like me to meet you?

Phoebe

[toobravehearted]

Hello, Phoebe! Thank you, that would be excellent.

I'm in the kitchen. I'm making tea. [He sounds pleased with himself, like he's a big boy now.]

Filter

[pompous_today]

As I said before, I am more than willing to get to know you all over again. Perhaps even better than I did last time.

Filter

[toobravehearted]

Thank you Simon. I do appreciate it. I look forward to that very much. How have you been keeping?

I somehow missed this post, is late okay?; also filter

[inafadingcrown]

As I have said before, it would be a pleasure to come to know you again. I might join you in the kitchens if you have no objections.

Filter (no such thing as late! <3 )

[toobravehearted]

Lady Galadriel. ...Thank you. No objection at all, you would be very welcome to join me.