Is Your Love Strong Enough? Part 6 - The Final Scratch

[cityship]

Such a strange occurrence needed, finally a conclusion. Thanks for the Time Lord's trinket gift, there was suddenly an old, fearsome creature made of gears, it's old features squeaking (although not as bad as before, since a certain someone had given him a good oil job). Analog,the fearsome creature known by some as a the crankiest Time Dragon, walked in the city to find out o where Eleven was. She could smell him even in here, you see (wow that's creepy). Flanked by her three handmaidens, the women giggling like schoolgirls at everything, memorized at the ship. The city could hold her well, for all her large size.

First step - Find the Doctor, ask him what he wants. Step two - Do that. Step three - Get out of here.

She still was a Time Dragon, after all. Proud....and cranky. These boring old puny humanoids were nothing as the greatness of HERSELF so the sooner they were our of her mind, the better.

[OOC - Done! Go for it.]

Comments

The Profession of a Connection

[cityship]

The course of time was forever affected. The flowers stopped growing and blooming, the pies she baked each day were gone. The plants would continue to grow in certain places - provided they had the nutriments for it, but for the most part, with Nezaitben's defeat, the world on the ship returned to a sort of normality.

In a heap, most of the bodies, returned to their normal outfits were sitting down like an odd collection of lifeless dolls - just breathing enough for then to continue living they were essentially in a vegetable state. They could not switch from one body to the other anymore. It was either stay two people in one body or...

Now, it was the time for them confess their connection. Outloud. To each other. No exceptions. How their souls were, together. What spark they might have, if any. For should they chose not to...well, they'd be stuck in a single body for a while, carrying around the other body and making sure it's fine.

[OOC - If you want to hand-wave that part, go right ahead, but this is the fun part.]

Lash and Zetta

[thewunderkind]

Clearly they totally had this in the bag. Lash looked over to her barely breathing body and knew what she had to answer.

We have fun together. AND NOTHING ELSE. What do you say to that, Soulcatcher?

Re: Lash and Zetta

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Exactly. Lash is fun.

Smugly, Zetta sat back and waited for Lash to get out of his book body.

Re: Lash and Zetta

[thewunderkind]

WRONG ANSWER.

Nothing happened. Lash waited a bit more and then...

"..." Why hadn't she left yet?

Hit Girl and Ruffnut

[hit-girl-mindy.livejournal.com]

She was breathing shallowly, trying to retain her body. She had to speak aloud her connection apparently, and so much for keeping things private, to herself. But in the time they shared, in all they'd done, had she really hated it?

No. Sure, Ruffnut had seen the dream she wanted to keep to herself, and there had been awkward moments (her nude, for instance, in that impromptu shower), but all in all? It had been another adventure for the both of them. It was pretty clear why she'd dream Ruffnut burning in her dad's place. Whether he was still alive or dead, he wasn't here, and she had made sure to distance herself from people enough.

Clearly, that had failed.

You made me...care about what happens to you, more than anybody. You're someone I'm scared as hell to lose.

Re: Hit Girl and Ruffnut

[ruffntumblenut.livejournal.com]

Ruffnut felt a tingle, a rush and some embarrassment, was that from Mindy or herself?

Yeah well, I'm not going anywhere. She answered automatically and felt defensive and protective as she did every time she thought back to that dream.

You're my best friend, you're...more then that. You're dangerous, you're powerful, You make me feel better then anyone else. I um...you know... This was the greatest test of her courage and determination yet. As a Viking she wasn't much for talking about her feelings, but she wore them on her sleeve.

Her throat closed up and her face began turning red, redder, bright red,
"I totally freaking love you ok?!" She burst out loud which made the embarrassment even worse. She could just die now.

Re: Hit Girl and Ruffnut

[hit-girl-mindy.livejournal.com]

Well THAT worked. Mindy knew that immediately, because suddenly WHAM, she was right back in her body, like a propelled force, and all the colors started to come together, That harsh, weak breathing was replaced with her regular breaths, and she got up shakily, moving as if she'd had atrophy. Once she got up, she groaned, then walked toward Ruffnut, hers steps getting bolder and bolder.

She reached a hand out to help her get up, and there was no denying the war glow in her eyes. It was her as Mindy anyway, so she could act however she wanted. It turned out those words were exactly what they needed to get their bodies back, that something that Mindy was not sure she could say, not ever again, not after everything. And here was Ruffnut, saying it.

Meaning it.

"You idiot," she said quietly. "Broadcast it to the whole fucking world, why don't you?" Her voice was small though, and was followed by her pulling Ruffnut down, her mouth toward her ear. "The dream I had...that's what mine meant. It's the only reason you were in that chair. Dad moved on, but you're still here: the most important person to me."

Goliath and Elisa

[not_the_philistine]

Sharing a body forever was unacceptable, but as long as he had known Elisa, he had understood that there were some things she liked to keep to herself. The words for their feelings about each other were among these.

I would have had this moment set aside until you wanted it.

On the other hand, professing their feelings was really nothing more than a formality. They hadn't had to share space in the same body to understand how each other felt - all that had done was confirm what they'd both understood.

Even so, Elisa, there is something I have wanted to say to you for a while.

[newyorkbynight.livejournal.com]

Elisa had always been a secretive person. At first it had been because of her firm believe that a good detective couldn't afford to trust anyone. Over time, however, the feelings that she kept close to her chest were ones that she felt that she couldn't afford to share. Because it was impossible or because it would change too much or ...

... or maybe just because she was scared.

Goliath would be aware of that by now. The goddess might have intended to promote harmony and improve morale, but what she'd really done was cause trouble by getting people to share things they wouldn't have ordinarily shared.

"Maybe there'll never be a perfect time," she said with a half shrug, trying to keep calm. She knew what he felt - what they both felt - and she knew what he was going to say, but her heart still beat a little faster.

[not_the_philistine]

Perhaps there never would be -

- but still, it should have been of her choice, not out of obligation.

Goliath had not felt truly angry at the goddess in question yet. Irritated, yes, but to be angry at a goddess for not understanding mortals was like being angry at a windstorm.

His anger finally sunk in as he felt Elisa's anxiety. There was no need for this, and yet, Nezaitben had made it the only thing that they truly needed to do. For all that he wanted to confess his love in words to her, he could have gone on waiting. But he could not be a passenger in her mind while he waited.

What are you afraid of?

He was prepared to go into battle with anything that might cause her fear. But if what she feared was him - his usual approach was useless.

Jamie and Victoria

[bonnypiperlad]

Like once before, Jamie finds himself looking down at Victoria's unresponsive form, only this time there's not any fear that something terrible has happened to her, no sense that he's failed her in way he can't fix no matter how desperately he wishes to do so. Their time together has had some unexpected...well, benefits, he supposes. For all the awkwardness and uncomfortable things that come with sharing a body, there's a closeness in doing so - and maybe just a hint of relief, too. Even if he hadn't meant for it to happen, having her see those glimpses of some of their time together back in their world means he's not hiding as many secrets from her now.

If only it were just that, then this next part would be easy. However, he knows full well that it's more complicated that that. That this time he won't see her open her eyes again and smile up at him...not unless he finally admits the one thing that he never could when they traveled together the first time. There's no doubt that he has to - he couldn't possibly be selfish enough to make them stay like this forever. But how do you tell someone something you've been keeping to yourself for years?

I'm sorry, Victoria, for all of this. I know it's not been the easiest thing for ye to deal with, he says finally. And I know I owe ye more of an explanation about the time that I knew ye from before. I promise ye, if ye want to know, I'll tell ye all of it once we're back to ourselves. There's something...something else I need to say, though. I-I'm just not sure where to start.

[sonicscreamer.livejournal.com]

And what a strange week that was, or well, what Victoria assumes is a week. She looks down at herself, back into her plantsuit and thankfully nothing to bright and shiny. She's...learned a lot this week, truthfully. Not just glimpses of her own possible future, but a side of Jamie she hasn't gotten to see or experience before due to her shorter time traveling with him and the Doctor.

Jamie's nervousness is reflected in herself inwardly as well, as she silently listens to his words, wondering just what she's going to say to him as well. Unsure what to say back, she does take comfort that he wants to go first. When she does think out words, they are unusually calm and kind.

G-go on, she urged soft.

[bonnypiperlad]

When I told ye I thought I'd never see ye again after ye woke up, it was the truth. It wasn't because of my being here, though. The truth is, ye us left a long time ago. After a point, everything was too much for ye, and ye stayed behind one time. I'd not wanted ye to, because...

He can't help but look down at her body again, only the faint rise and fall of her chest giving any indication she's still alive. Even after all this time, he's still struck by her beauty, but it's mixed in now with all the feelings of protectiveness and friendship and how deeply he's fallen for her.

I cared for ye more than I let on, he continues, not quite ready to use another word to describe it. Still, his 'voice' is quite soft and full of emotion, and for a moment there's a flash of their last conversation the night she decided to stay with the Harrises. But the Doctor said it was your life, and your decision whether to stay with us or not. I never told ye how I felt, then. Maybe because I thought you'd always travel with us, and I'd not ever given any consideration to leaving myself.

The adventures they had, travelling from place to place without knowing where they were going to wind up next - he had said once it was half the fun, and he meant it. The idea of leaving had simply never occurred to him. Even when it became clear she wasn't going to go with them. He had been heartbroken, but left all the same.

I still thought about ye after ye were gone. Ye saw that dream, with the Nightmare King, when I thought ye were there. Then ye woke up for real and...I-I guess what I'm trying to say, Victoria, is that I like ye, as more than a friend. And I have for a long time now.

Zouichi and Ildraniath

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Strange, to see Ildraniath's body simply lying there in what had once been Nezaitben's domain. Her breathing was shallow, almost undetectable; had he not been subject to the events of the last few days, he might have simply thought her asleep. Zouichi bent down without thinking, lifting her prone, now-vacant shell gently from the heap of bodies that had been so unceremoniously piled into this abandoned space, careful not to let the dark cloth of her robes drag along the ground. He set her down just as gently in a patch of soft grass, a proper distance away from the others. Somehow, he didn't think she'd be eager to do this where anyone could see.

Truth be told, he wasn't quite sure how to go about this. What should he say? What did he have to confess? It had been easier when he'd simply had the luxury of not thinking about it. They were... colleagues, perhaps. Two people forcibly abducted from their own worlds, who had learned to work together for a common purpose. But then, somewhere along the line, something had changed, hadn't it? Almost imperceptibly. Something it was far easier to simply gloss over in the midst of the hundred separate tasks and concerns that filled each passing day.

Farseer, I... he began, then trailed off. To be honest, I'm not really sure where to begin. I enjoy speaking with you. I enjoy your company. And I consider you a... friend.

It wasn't the whole truth, something he was just now beginning to realize. Not yet enough to appease the conditions for dispelling their current condition. But it was a start, and this task was... considerably more difficult that he'd expected. Perhaps it would have been easier if he'd had the benefit of his own thoughts to retreat to.

He could only hope his own inner conflict wasn't negatively affecting Ildraniath.

[futureisclear.livejournal.com]

Ildraniath had been quietly fuming ever since she'd been forced out of her body. Her ire wasn't aimed at Zouichi of course, but the sheer idea that she was nothing more than disembodied thought at the moment was frightening, in a way. Especially considering what was lurking out in the Warp if something were to go horribly, horribly wrong. But she was hiding that fear as best she could, considering the two of them were currently sharing a mind. It simply wouldn't do, after all, for Zouichi to realize the worry she felt. In that regard, they both had their own inner conflicts to deal with, although she was doing her best to ignore Zouichi's discomfort out of politeness.

The truth was, as her thoughts shifted back to Zouichi and this little dilemma of confessions and feelings, that she wasn't entirely show how she felt and it wasn't crystallizing any more quickly now that she thought about it. He was a companion, really the only person aboard the ship who she felt entirely comfortable speaking her mind to (which was ironic, considering he was almost a human). Even as they worked alongside one another, there was a strain of something else, something she'd felt more comfortable ignoring. It would make things complicated. It was something she didn't particularly want to admit, even to herself, but thinking about it here and now (practically forced to, in fact), it was starting to make itself known.

Zouichi, I have to say I'm in agreement with you on that. You're one of my only confidants aboard this ship and...

Well, how to say this delicately.

I think my life aboard this ship would be significantly less bearable if you weren't here.

That would work, right? She wouldn't have to drag out all of those other uncomfortable and awkward thoughts that she was trying very hard not to hink about.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, nothing happened. Well, in terms of them continuing to occupy the same mind, anyway. The confusion Zouichi was currently experiencing, in contrast, only increased as he listened to her words. Part of him was gratified, glad that she cared enough about him in turn that she could be at ease with his presence. Part of him was uncomfortable, listening to her admit something he doubted she'd ever own up to under normal circumstances.

And a small, selfish part of him, one that he seldom listened to, wanted something else. Something more.

He quashed that line of thought almost immediately. They might both have worlds to return to; certainly they both had duties that far eclipsed the importance of any personal concerns. It was petty. Irrational. Completely and utterly irresponsible. ...But it was also becoming harder and harder to ignore. And oh, did it ever make things more complicated.

I... would miss your company as well.

But they had to get her back to her body. Remaining like this was unacceptable, and besides, if her consciousness should be lost while separated from her waystone...

The truth is, he continued suddenly, You caught my notice the first time we met, back on the Observation Deck. Something about her had pushed him to approach her, to speak to her, though he'd be hard pressed to come up with what, exactly, that something was. Her manner, perhaps -- the cool, poised way she approached those around her, lending gravity to each action she chose to pursue.

Vala and Daniel

[valaunbound]

"I'd quite like to sleep you with you, Daniel. There." Vala 'admitted'. She had this nailed, he just had to say the same and they'd be separated. Simple.

There was no need to go into it any deeper than that. Besides, there was no 'deeper'.

Re: Vala and Daniel

[hi_there_aliens]

Flabbergasted didn't even begin to cover what he was feeling right now. Maybe stunned, or taken aback, or something better because none of those was doing the trick.

"I got that, yes," Daniel muttered. If it weren't for the fact that she'd offered sex to pass the time earlier, he'd have thought she was saying it just to get this over with. Actually it wasn't exactly flattering either way, but he'd caught hints of what she was really thinking now. Unless he read her completely wrong, it went further than wanting a one-night stand. Whatever it was Vala saw him. When Daniel looked at himself, he saw an occasionally awkward archaeologist with long hair, allergies, and glasses, who made up for it by being the biggest pain in the butt when he believed in something, which generally wasn't an attractive quality to most people either.

Vala on the other hand, had plenty going on for her, confident and- Daniel cut the train of thought before it could run away on him. She was a lot of things. Whatever he thought of her, it was complicated, and he didn't really understand it himself. Now Daniel was expected to put it into words, right now, and every single language he knew failed him spontaneously.

"I don't know if I can do this." Where to even start?

[valaunbound]

Oh for God's sake Daniel, Vala thought at him. Just say you find me attractive and we can end this. She doesn't need to know any more than that. How can she possibly know what's the truth or what just skims the truth?

Vala looked over at the empty shell of Daniel, she wanted him back. She wanted that Daniel back. He was important to her, as important as he would be ten years later. This whole experience had taught her that if nothing else.

Marco & Sakura

[encourage]

"Shit."

Sakura hadn't meant to say that out loud, and was pretending that she hadn't, even as she crouched down next to Marco's currently very unanimated body and checked his pulse. Steady, if nothing felt terribly strong about him. Where most folks looked peaceful as they slept, the bodies of those currently without souls in occupancy looked more eerie. This wasn't rest.

Sakura'd seen this look before. It was being one step away from the grave.

"You ready for this?" she muttered, knowing Marco wouldn't have any trouble hearing her. Her own distress was far too apparent, inwardly. Outwardly she looked calm and businessly enough, until you caught a glimpse of her eyes.

Sakura didn't want to do this. Honesty was more than she felt she could afford, and she didn't have a choice. She hated having that choice taken away from her. She hated having the veneer of polite social distance forcibly taken away.

Mostly she didn't want to have this discussion with Marco, on the tail end of basically already having this discussion with Marco. At least this should be relatively easier for him. His hang-ups weren't around these kinds of interpersonal relationships.

Shit.

Marco & Sakura

[livestoannoy]

Am I ready to get the hell out of here and back into my own body? No, I think I'd rather just kick around in here for a few more years just for the hell of it, Marco said, sarcastic.

Sakura's distress would get a flash of annoyance from Marco. He wasn't a fan of forced truth-telling - for anything - but if it would get him back in his own body and no longer having that constant feeling of someone else in his head, of feeling like his limbs were being controlled by somebody else...he'd do it.

Marco & Sakura

[encourage]

Her own irritation flashed right back, if she did curb it in as much as she could. Then get going, she said, mental tones clipped. She'd have to see how honest honest even had to be.

River and Eleven

[hullo-sweetie.livejournal.com]

River had a feeling it would come to this.

Being in the Doctor's body, experiencing what he experienced, feeling what he felt - it was all quite taxing. She was all too often overwhelmed by his simplest emotions, thoughts, or memories and it was becoming very taxing to keep her own feelings for him from bleeding through their connection.

Doctor, perhaps we should have a little talk?

She had to be so careful. This was like walking on ice, the slightest slip up could cause unrepairable damage.

[makeherblue]

Frankly, the Doctor was surprised she had lasted this long with sharing his soul, and then his body. Can't imagine many humans out there capable of it. He supposed she was a very special breed of human.

River Song didn't get nervous. Not in the conventional sense, like with humans. Not usually. In fact, the only time he can really recall her having that tremble in her voice was during that whole mess with the Pandorica, when she'd screamed for his help in the TARDIS and he hadn't been able to get to her. But other than that? (Aside from...the Library That He Most Certainly Isn't Thinking Of?). She has to be the least screamy, least-prone-to-a-good-panic companion he's had, ever. Ever ever. He means it. And no, he's not trying to compliment her. It makes her stick out.

A little talk, yeah. Probably even so far as a discussion.

Normally he likes talking. Loves it. Talking helps him think, keeps up the appearance that he's not the only one in the TARDIS those times he's letting his companions do their own thing. But right now talking seems just as intimate as sharing body and soul with this woman and despite that, he hasn't gleaned much more from her than that what she feels toward him is real. Or at least what she's permitted him to have a snoop at.

[hullo-sweetie.livejournal.com]

Special? Oh if he only know the half of it.

He was getting suspicious though, she could sense that much. Questions were forming in his head that she couldn't rightly answer. The Doctor was a brilliant man, but it was unlikely he could figure out what exactly River Song was all on his own. A woman capable of housing his soul, even if it was rather taxing after awhile, without any physical or mental signs of damage.

Alright. Let's start with why we seem to be sharing this connection? My soul in your body. Your soul in my body. It can't be pure coincidence. It was something else. Something a bit deeper, but even River Song wasn't sure how to approach this situation without frightening the Doctor off. He could be stubborn.