- 14 - Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, remember more than I have seen.

[toobravehearted]

[[ooc: Audio file will open in a new window and immediately play. Yes, I am using a gimmick, :P .]]

[Filtered away from the First Gens, their allies and anyone intending any harm to the expedition.]

[ There's a noise that hasn't been heard for a long time in Paradisa. In the lobby especially it can be heard, and considering the Doctor has his own journal folded open, well, you might not have to be anywhere near the lobby to hear what's going on. A vworping-whooping comes across and sounds as if it's going to precede something BIG, until the noise finally recedes with a thunk, and the lobby now has a blue police box fully materialised in it.

Little more than a few moments later one of its doors opens and the Doctor pokes his head out. A look around, he allows himself a quick smile and an affectionate pat to the TARDIS before coming out completely. ]

Well. To start with the not so obvious question, who let the dinosaur out? Better yet, who brought it in? If we're quite done corralling the animals, I have some news to share.

[ Walking around the lobby, journal in one hand, the other in his pocket, his tone turns business like with a hint of impatience. He's made good use of his time the last few days at least. There was organising done, supplies collected, interior configurations recalibrated, people checked up on and found to be... Not here. His tone of voice is a good cover for that, as well. And then there's what happened in his room, another thing that he is conveniently not touching upon and will deal with when he gets back. ]

As some of you may be aware, in times past I have offered the use of the TARDIS as transport to the edge of the Dead Zone. Regrettably, the last time we were out so was the TARDIS due to a technical difficulty. However, as things now stand, I would like to extend the same courtesy for our mission to Fairfield and Winchester. Some may think that the TARDIS is not much to look at, but I assure you there is more than enough room for everyone four times over and then some.

Both towns lie North-West of the castle, and I estimate the distance to be at some eighty miles, all told. Unfortunately I can't get us all the way there, but I can certainly ensure interested parties a bit of a head start should they wish to travel in speed and style.

I'm well aware there are vehicles already, and do you know, some of them really are quite splendid. For those without conventional transport, you are more than welcome to join me. In fact, I'm rather counting on it. It will give us a chance to set-up camp while we wait for those that prefer to get there under their own steam, and we can ready any vehicles and animals - of which I am also happy to take - for the next leg of our journey. Please make sure that mounts have used the bathroom before bringing them inside the TARDIS, thank you very much, or you may find yourself on bucket and mop duty as a matter of immediacy. As for vehicles, don't worry, they will go through the doors.

I don't think we can wholly assume what to expect when we do get to the towns. I know that for many of us, the creatures that were encountered in Terre Haute has already crossed our minds, mine included. For that alone, I do have a message for the children of the castle: stay here. Please. I admire your mettle to help, I really do, and in normal circumstances I certainly would encourage the willingness; the group out there need perhaps need every hand. But if these Collectors are what we think they might be... You really would be better off to stay here.

As for myself... Well, tonight I'll be here in the lobby, collecting supplies and gear to be stowed. When we are ready to depart, I shall be with the TARDIS outside as we saddle up. Any questions?

Comments

Doctor

[encryptedlock]

Let's do it. Frankly, I'm not sure why we haven't left already.

York, and to end.

[toobravehearted]

I do agree. Having said that, there is safety in numbers to be had. Do you know how many of your team will be going?

[And there's a thought.] What do you call your team, collectively?

Doctor to end!

[encryptedlock]

Only Carolina this time, I think. South's definitely not going, and Church and Tex can't leave the live zone. Haven't heard from Wash, Lucy, or North, and Kelly's...gone.

[There's Tucker too, but York doesn't actually consider him to be on the team.]

[toobravehearted]

I see. There's a few names I don't know, yet. Some remaining at the castle might be good in the long run, just in case.

You've lost one of your number? I'm sorry. [He sighs.] Did you know Aradia?

[encryptedlock]

There are always a lot of people left at the castle. Competent people, just a lot of them can't or won't come to the Dead Zone. [He's not really sure why everyone is worked up about it this time.]

Thanks. And--well, I knew her a little bit, yeah. Good kid.

[schrodingersghost]

Um, sorry? What is a tardis again?

[toobravehearted]

Danny, hello again. TARDIS. Time and Relative Dimension in Space. Usually, my mode of transport and my home. Although her wings are still substantially clipped, so to speak. A trip out I'm hoping will do her good, I think she's getting restless.

[schrodingersghost]

So... its like a spaceship?

[toobravehearted]

A spaceship? Good Lord, no, the TARDIS is no mere ship, far more than that. A little unreliable at times, but I couldn't do without her.

[not_mafia]

The TARDIS... [Where has he heard that before?] Oh--! The blue phone booth that's really big on the inside, right?

[toobravehearted]

Yes, that's correct. You've seen her before I take it?

[not_mafia]

Yeah, during the other expeditions. [He pauses.] Thank you, for letting us use it. --e-er... her.

[toobravehearted]

You are most welcome. It seems a bit of a tradition and far be it for me to break that.

How are you faring? [He's not sure if he recognises this voice or not. Wasn't the Tsuna that he met a fair bit older...? And it's feasible for there to be two people of the same name in the castle after all.]

Doctor

[wizard_redfive]

I think someone brought him here a while back. He seemed to be very used to living in the area.

[Yes, she's been talking with the dinosaurs again. Sue her.]

Yeah, here's one: when should I expect to board the TARDIS?

Dairine

[toobravehearted]

[Good gracious, why is it he's already gotten to the conclusion that it was a human that brought the dinosaur back?]

That's a very good question, Dairine. The answer being, I don't think you should at all. Before we even get started, I hold your safety at a much higher regard than your independence. Please, for once... Consider my feelings on the matter. [If she makes a remark about companions like last time, this discussion is already over. He is not in the frame of mind to be insulted or to argue.]

Doctor

[wizard_redfive]

[Ugh, OUCH. Dairine probably should have expected this after the last expedition, but it still stings. Why does no one seem to see how capable she is? Why must her friends make this harder on her than it has to be? Part of her mind finds it tempting to use this an excuse not to go, to not face those bug-like aliens again. 'See? The Doctor said no. Sorry, Powers That Be, but what the Doctor says goes.'

But deep in her heart, she knows it would not be right. Something tells her she has to go, and whether it turns out to be for good or ill, a wizard listens to her instincts.

Still, she understands that his concern comes from good intentons, so she tries to be gentle even if her resolve is firm.]

I'm sorry, Doctor, but I'm afraid that isn't an option. This isn't about my independence or my safety. I have an Oath to uphold.

Dairine

[toobravehearted]

[It's funny, that. The remark she made to him still stings when recalled. Furthermore, she was right. It's not that he's trying to shake her off. He's trying to make sure he keeps the unsaid vow to never lose a companion again.

With so many friends here that he feels would fit that role... Keeping the youngest as safe as he can becomes a thankless task.

With some maturity from Dairine, his voice is less authoritative.]

But Dairine, you do understand why? Tell me, please, what Oath would that be?

that filter

[eat_me_beat_me]

[Nora's voice is soft, lacking much of its usual exuberance as she replies]

Yeah, uh... Do you have room for one more?

that filter all the way

[toobravehearted]

[He notes that softness and a frown creases his forehead. He thinks for a moment, wondering if he has an inkling where this might be going. He asked Mark, after all. And while he is still so very young, he also has maturity, well, most of the time, as does Nora.

A decision made, it can't be helped when he replies and his voice is low, too.]

You know I do. What's the matter, Nora?

[eat_me_beat_me]

[She sighs softly, a hand raking through her hair]

Two good friends of mine, a father and daughter, went off to the Dead Zone. I've known him almost as long as I've been here and I made friends with her when she got here a few months ago. [She pauses, fingers running over the seal on the letter James sent her]

I don't think they're coming back...

[toobravehearted]

[Here he was almost expecting to be given a lecture of potentially putting Mark in danger by asking him if he would join the expedition. But being shouted at he can take; Nora's news is far worse though.]

Oh no. Nora, I'm so sorry.

[Agitated by the news and all the more anxious to get going now,] How long ago did they leave? Don't they know how stupid that is to go off on their own? Obviously, we have to look for them...

[anytime]

What do you think is up with the Collectors, because they sure have got a nondescript name if I ever heard one. Which is saying something.

[toobravehearted]

Honestly, Dave?

I don't know. No one stopped to ask the last time we encountered the creatures at Terre Haute.

The name is more descriptive than you think. A collector, collects. ...Either for their own pleasure or on behalf of-- [Good Lord.]

[anytime]

[The Doctor gets a second to finish that, before Dave just figures. Well, ok then.]

Lots of people collect random shit. But anyway, see, there you go. Didn't know they've been around before. That's like, way more informative than all the vague BS going around.

Filter, hastily scribbled in.

[toobravehearted]

[Oh, his brain is still ticking over, thinking fast and wondering if it could be possible that someone else is behind the Collectors. It's a little moment before he replies.]

I... Excuse me, I'm terribly sorry. Language by the way, please. Not to mislead you but until we get to the destination and find out for ourselves, there's no real way to be definite on if the 'Collectors' or what we did encounter are one and the same.