- 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

[inafadingcrown]

We may have to discuss this in more detail as we continue. I confess that I am less certain how I might instruct one without such talents, but between the two of us, I am sure that we will manage.

[A little chuckle] This is what happens when we do not speak for a time, it seems; topics begin to accumulate.

[toobravehearted]

Ah. [He nods at the expression.] So you're saying that there are enough people that have the gift of this inherited magic that abuse it?

[He looks between Cassel and his own teacup, pondering what Cassel can do.] ... I like elephants.

Me, I'm a-- I have some telepathic ability. Hardly worth mentioning, really. Stronger with touch.

[onlyanapple]

I think we're both old enough to be aware of how important memories are. Immortality isn't much if you don't remember everything.

[As much as Crowley wishes forgetting was an option, sometimes.]

Need help with what, memories?

[deductiongeek]

[And that news was more than enough to alarm Conan. If the castle was capable of bringing in individual enemies from other worlds.... He'd seen groups of enemies brought in, but it had never been truly proved where exactly they had come from. But if this was something that the Doctor recognized...

The possibilities were extremely troubling.]

Do you have a guess why it wanted that?

[patheticvillain]

Yeah, most of them abuse it. We're the criminal element.

[He laughs out loud at that - I like elephants - and it's that more than anything that makes him decide what he does. He doesn't really like telepaths, never has, but, well. Something about this guy.]

[He likes elephants.]

[Cassel takes another sip of his tea and holds his hand out, wrist up.]

Show me.

[lightbranded]

Then I think I would like to try.

[toobravehearted]

[Conan's alarm seems apparent.]

Oh no, please, it's not like that. [Blast it. This is what happened when the Doctor attempts to hide truth within truth. He used to be such a good liar, not so much anymore. His hand goes to Conan's - Shinichi's - shoulder, attempting to give some reassurance.]

It's-- Yes, it can happen. One of my enemies was here once, during my time before here. I don't know any more than why the castle wants you or I here but it doesn't discriminate between the good or the bad.

If it ever should happen, you have friends here. I'd do anything I can to ensure your safety.

[toobravehearted]

[With her chuckle he smiles a little shyly.] Just a bit. Things have been too out of our control to talk and share the finer things.

You're right, and I don't intend to leave that topic of conversation quite yet but this is as equally important too. [He pauses for breath and then takes a quick drink of his tea. One of my elder selves is here at Paradisa.

[toobravehearted]

Sometimes that applies too; we remember too much and live too long.

[Looking down at his hands again, the distraction in his voice is back.]

Hmm? Memories, no. Not those lost ones. What I need help with is... [He cocks his head towards the TARDIS.] It's in there.

[His tone implies it's definitely not the tea he promised but something else entirely.]

[toobravehearted]

[Criminal? And he includes himself of that number. Interesting.]

I wouldn't immediately have you pegged to be the delinquent sort. [Careful word used for Cassel's apparent youth. He reaches for his cup again and is surprised by Cassel's laughter. He tries to hold back a smile of his own as he goes to take a drink, not fully succeeding, but then--

Then nearly misses his mouth as he turns his head.]

What? Show you? [Yes, that's very apparent with Cassel holding his hand out.]

[deductiongeek]

[Conan shakes off the hand. Assurance wasn't something he ever trusted.]

If something like that ever happens, you won't be seeing me.

[Conan had long ago laid his plans in place if something like that should ever happen. Step One was to distance himself from anyone who might care what happened to him.]

[onlyanapple]

[Crowley arches one eyebrow behind the rim of his sunglasses.]

This sounds suspiciously like cryptic friendship bullshit to get me into the TARDIS.

[lord_wizard]

[Felix wonders what that might have been. Fear? Anger? Vanity?]

Not just to yours, Lakare. It's one of the reasons I started Chimera. I was treated, very early on, to examples of what happens when the castle causes a person of ability to turn against the other residents.

[toobravehearted]

[A frown passes over the Doctor's face, a look that might be construed as momentary hurt. It could also be for the swearing though.]

Have you ever known me to lead someone so transparently?

[It's possible, he's not entirely above it. His tone remains serious however.]

[toobravehearted]

It has happened before? What am I asking? Why wouldn't it?

[He wipes a hand down his face and leans back in the chair.]

Yes, of course. What it did was awful enough. If the Mara had succeeded in its goals...

[inafadingcrown]

Is he? [Her reaction is nothing more than pleasant surprise. If not- what little surprise she shows is very mild.] May I ask which? I have met one other, you realize.

[lord_wizard]

What was it's goal, precisely?

[toobravehearted]

[For how many there are of him and the castle's apparent fondness of in the past, he's not surprised at her only show of mild surprise.]

I do. I recall you telling me of my Eleventh. This one is the Tenth, which you've also spoke about to me before, but you've... Spoke to him more recently than that. Does, er, John Smith ring any bells?

[onlyanapple]

[Crowley catches that frown, and for a brief moment regrets his words. He's the master of nonchalance, though, and gives a shrug in response.]

There's always a chance. [A pause, a sigh.] I don't know. I don't especially relish the bad memories that will come from stepping inside.

[patheticvillain]

Well, shows what you know.

[Cassel grins, broad and thrilled at having surprised him.] Show me. Your telepathic ability. I want to see what you can do.

[He's trusting this guy. God knows why. Call it instinct.]

[lucre]

[ She smiles a little wider, quite pleased. ]

There is little reason for that now. Perhaps I should be worried for him instead, would you agree?

[inafadingcrown]

[She smiles]

I remember. I did think his voice sounded familiar.

[toobravehearted]

I suppose it does. I'm usually a fair judge of character.

[His look to Cassel is a little guarded and he carefully puts down his cup again. The Doctor debates if he should show Cassel or not. He down plays his abilities, cards kept close to his chest and he's more powerful than he appears. Besides that, the last time his abilities were used (not by himself, mind) several of his friends were hurt.]

I'm not a performing monkey, you know. Put your hand down, Cassel.

[It sounds like a 'no'. Another moment of debate, the Doctor knows he is in control of what he can do and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone. He reaches out a hand to Cassel's head, fingertips going towards his temple.]

Pick a memory of yours. Show me.

[toobravehearted]

[He's hard to read behind those glasses. The Mara really was right, the Doctor has no idea how to take him. Is he about to repeat the future and the past again, give more trust than is deserved?]

I know, and after what you've told me I understand. I wouldn't ask you to go in, simply just for the tea.

I don't particularly relish what I'll need to do or what I might need to ask of you.

[toobravehearted]

Good. I am glad to hear. It has been a while since I've taught mental defence and relaxation; if not for the reasons behind the teaching this time I would look forward to it.