- 20 - Return (revenge) of the forty-cup tea urn.

[toobravehearted]

Some may have heard my voice over the radio and journal recently, or, well, I don't know, perhaps you didn't or chose to ignore it, it wouldn't be for the first time honestly, and in that case I will actually say well done to you for taking no notice on that occasion, that was very much the best thing you could have ever done. As for what I appeared to say and for what I appeared to do... I could never and I am very sorry.

[Filter: Those that encountered the Mara.]
I have spoken with many of you already but of those where we've just missed each other... Please, I want to check that you are all right and to make my apologies and gratitude in person.

[Filter: Felix.]
How are you doing? I-- If I could have a little of your time, may we talk?

[Filter: Lady Galadriel.]
If you are available, may we speak, please?


Things have been quite... Busy, in the castle so far this year, haven't they? Not that busy is the best word to use. Frenetic, disjointed, lots of smaller things happening, isolated mostly, like squalls, touching or affecting just a few of us at a time or more, for a day, two, and longer. Residents with lost memories or other afflictions, monsters in the upper halls, rooms decorated at a whim, dragons in the dining room. Add them all up, mark them down, there's no pattern to discern so far, just random pockets of activity and where does that lead us?

[Or what follows a squall? The castle makes him feel restless sometimes. He feels restless now and yet it's not so simple a feeling to define.]

[Filter: Tenth Doctor.]
Do you have a moment?


[What do you do when it's that time in the afternoon and your mind is preoccupied? You make tea, of course. Except the Doctor doesn't tend to do things by half, especially when tea making becomes Olympic Tea Making and it is looking like he may very well take the gold.

The forty-cup tea urn is out, a beautiful, blessed machine, stoked with hot water enough for, well, we shouldn't have to say just how many cups at this point, should we? On the counter next to that are a myriad of cups, mugs, saucers, delicate china tea receptacles painted exquisitely, gaudy large and kitsch mugs with all sorts of designs and what-not twisted jokily as the handles. If anyone was guessing, yes, he did empty the cupboards looking for everything and anything that would hold that such oriental and noxious fluid known as tea.

At the other side of the tea urn, this is where the real magic is happening. The Doctor is actually blending tea. He's taken down everything and all he can find, flavours and strengths from far and wide, a little bit this of, a small pinch of that, just a dash of that one there, tea perfectly tailored for an individual.

And then there's that moment when he takes stock of what he has accomplished and the kitchen counter doesn't look that far away from pleasing John Adams for how much of a mess he has made.]


Er... Would anyone like any tea?


[After all the writing of filters, after all the tea making, there's still room for one more. What does he have to lose? Or what is he trying to prove? Nothing.]

[Filter: Crowley.]
Hello. ... I think I invited you for tea, once, and never actually made good on that. Well, there's some here, if you'd like.


[[ooc: Wide open for journal or action and those that just want to say Hi or have tea. :) ]]

Comments

Five

[onlyanapple]

Back to normal, then, are we? [He's not going to beat around the bush here.]

Sure, I'm on my way.

Crowley

[toobravehearted]

[Straight to the point, yes.] Ah, I'm, yes.

Good. Good. Doing well, Crowley? The kettle's on, so to speak.

Five

[onlyanapple]

Good to know. That was irritating to say the least.

[And that's all he says for now, while he makes his way up to the castle. Eventually, though, there's a knock at Five's door.]

[lightbranded]

I might take you up on the tea.

[toobravehearted]

Will, I'd be very pleased if you would.

I seem to have a bit of it here...

[lightbranded]

Are you in the kitchen now?

The Doctor

[deductiongeek]

I'm going to expect you to destroy that photograph.

[Someone was not happy.]

Conan

[toobravehearted]

Yes, absolutely. [A pause as he clears his throat.] Ah, which one, exactly, would you like destroyed?

The Doctor

[deductiongeek]

How many did you take?

[Action 1 of 2]

[schrodingersghost]

[Danny, unfortunately, was still under the effect of his temporary loss. And thus in no condition to understand much of the apology. Or anything that was going on, really.

No, instead one half of Danny comes slouching into the room. He looks around apathetically, then drops down into a nearby couch.]

If the other half of my mind comes in here? I'm not here.

[schrodingersghost]

[Almost immediately he was followed by a ghost copy of himself. Wearing a bedsheet tied around his neck like a cape. For some reason his hair and cape are blowing dramatically in a nonexistent wind. He leaps into the room and poses dramatically.]

Greetings citizen! Have you seen my callow compatriot!

Filtered to Fifth Doctor

[im_the_doctor]

Eh? For you I'm sure I could spare two.

Filtered to Tenth Doctor

[toobravehearted]

Good, thank you, I have a question, are you all right?

The Doctor

[inafadingcrown]

For you, I will always have time to spare.

Galadriel

[toobravehearted]

Lady Galadriel, that does lighten my hearts my hearts to hear so. Thank you.

Would you join me for tea?

action

[patheticvillain]

[The invitation to tea is one that Cassel is mildly accustomed to at this point, despite coming from a culture in which tea is not really a thing as well as a family that basically never got its shit together for togetherness meal-or-tea moments. Which is why he pokes his head into the room cautiously, overtaken by curiosity and restlessness.]

[When he sees what the Doctor is actually doing, his eyes widen slightly.]

Doesn't that just take forever?

action all the way

[toobravehearted]

[He turns around at the voice and the young man peeking in. It's not a face he recognises now, someone new? The Doctor is quick to empty his hands and cross the kitchen to greet him.]

Hello. Tea should never be rushed, now. Although for this, I do have a small short-cut, but still, tea takes time, for getting just the right balance, the steeping, the brewing and, of course, time should be taken it its eventual enjoyment.

Listen to me, a mile a minute all about tea. Do you have a preference for a cup, or dealer's choice?

Lakare

[lord_wizard]

I am well, Doctor. Of course I can spare some time for you.

Felix

[toobravehearted]

Felix, thank you.

[He doesn't quite know where to start.] I'm very sorry. What the Mara did... From what I'm told, I owe you a debt of gratitude. One that I can't hope to repay but I'd gladly try. Thank you.

Any chance we could meet in person?

[lucre]

But do you take sugar with your tea?

[toobravehearted]

Of course, and today, I think I might even take two lumps.

[And then he replays her words over and sees how they could well be intended especially with the lady they belonged to.]

Ah. I don't think I'd say no to a little sweetness. Hello Lucrezia.

Re: Filter: Those that encountered the Mara.

[teenagebadboy]

Damn right you need to apologize after the mess you caused. Also my dog would like to thank you for giving him rats to chase. Don't expect me to show any gratitude though.

That filter

[toobravehearted]

I-- [Not his actions but he feels guilty enough for them. Enough so that he doesn't feel he should defend himself, really.] You sound very aggrieved. I'm sorry. It appeared to be me and I can only assure you that I would never carry out such acts.

I'm sorry, I think I recognise your voice but I don't think I know you.

So goddamned late

[babyaliendaddy]

....Uh. Sup, Doctor? You cool now? No more ... killykill things?

[toobravehearted]

Tucker! Am I glad to hear your voice. How are you, are you all right? No, none of... that, I'm fine.