013 ✳ day 149 ✳ audio

[blackmagus]

[She isn't showing her face over the network, but still, Fortescue's voice sounds almost as bad as her numerous injuries. It wobbles every so often, from the abuse it's taken, and she can't even drum up the emotion to be angry about her lack of control over it. It is what is is.]

Hello, Science Center. Miss me? [Fortescue holds the phone away from her face, for a moment, to cough. She might sound dry, but she really is grateful to be back. Very grateful.] Had this place let me remember, I would have been able to return the favor.

...I don't want to inconvenience anyone, but I'm not... especially mobile, and the canteen is quite a distance from my room. If anyone feels like being generous, I wouldn't mind a snack. [Or maybe more than a snack, but she doesn't feel worthy enough, anymore, to ask for more than that. What is she, aside from a person who failed in her most basic duties as a sister?

She almost asks for alcohol, too, just for the hell of it, but she doesn't. She cuts the feed after a quick,]

Thank you.

Comments

[blackmagus]

The trick is not to have one. [Fortescue smirks briefly, before shaking her head at herself and eating another piece of chocolate, offering them to Donna. Not very smooth, talking like you're an alcoholic. Even if you are.] What do you stick with, instead? [She's not sure if she's asked Donna about her drink preferences before.]

[noblexcompanion]

[ Donna turns down the chocolate. That in itself is a rare occurrence. Donna loves chocolate. But not enough to deprive Fortescue when she's gone without for so long. ]

Oh, I usually stick to lager or wine these days. Maybe a couple of Jäger bombs or fruity cocktails on occasion - especially the ones with the little umbrellas.

[blackmagus]

The little umbrellas do add a certain... something. [She chuckles.] Tequila was just my cheapest option. I have— had to lay low for a while. Dumpy little town in the Middle of Nowhere, Panama, isn't going to have anything fancy to drink unless you want to pay out the nose. [And she couldn't afford the attention. Though she'd slipped up and gone to that stupid party. The alcohol would have been better, probably.]

[noblexcompanion]

Panama? Isn't that a kind of hat?

[ Not helping, Donna! Sorry Fortescue. Her brain often forgets to engage before speaking. ]

I wonder if this place has any of those umbrellas... When you're up to it we should have a cocktail party!

[blackmagus]

It's a republic. Sort of makes a bridge to North America. Not one of the better places to hide in that part of the world, but the... easiest with my connections.

[She shrugs. It is what it is. Maybe she wouldn't be here if she hadn't gone through that ordeal, somehow? And that would be horrible.

But she chuckles at the idea of a cocktail party.]

That would be fun. Not entirely sure how we'd manage it, though...

[noblexcompanion]

We totally should try. It'll do you the world of good and it'll give this place a much needed morale boost. We can swipe some booze from the kitchen, and maybe use some of the fruit and stuff to make some of our own. And we can get everyone together in the dining hall.

If we're lucky we can get someone to play music and make it a bit of a dance too.

Booze and dancing - and hot guys. Am I selling this to you yet?

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue continues to chuckle. She has to stop, though, because her ribs inform her that they've had enough for a moment or two. Instead, she nods. Donna, you don't have to work very hard to sell her on booze.]

Don't worry, love, I'm sold. We could ask Rat. He's marvelous with his guitar. [She pauses, draining the rest of her tea.] ...he's still around, isn't he?

[And there's the tentative tone again.]

[noblexcompanion]

He was a few days back. I've been a bit rubbish at keeping in touch with people lately.

[ What with the Doctor up and vanishing and then Fortescue... Yeah, Donna may've been a bit depressed, okay? ]

But yes! He would be great.

[blackmagus]

[She reaches out to straighten Donna's bangs with a smile, tackling another piece of chocolate. It does stop the ache in her chest, the taste of it, along with Donna's presence, though she imagines it will be a temporary stop.]

We could tag everyone. You know, like they do with whales. Do they do that in your world?

[noblexcompanion]

[ Aw Fortescue! That draws a smile from Donna. This is nice. Just hanging out. Even if Fortescue is under the weather. ]

Tagging? They tag all kinds of animals to keep records on them and stuff, like science-y and conservation stuff. And they tag dogs and cats so if they get lost they can find their owners again. And they tag delinquent teens with ASBOs.

[blackmagus]

Well, we should do that, then. Everyone gets a collar with a radio signal in it. Perfect.

[Fortescue raises an eyebrow at the unfamiliar acronym.]

What's an ASBO?

[noblexcompanion]

It's one way to keep track of everyone, that's for sure. We can all have cute little customised collars too, to make it more interesting.

An ASBO? Oh it's um a... [ Let her remember this and get it right... ] Anti-social behaviour order and they get tagged. I think. Or maybe they just get a warning and worse people are tagged... I have no idea.

[blackmagus]

...interesting. [She frowns slightly, and her voice gains a definite bitter tone.] Imperium monitors all of its citizens, not just the trouble-makers. But I suppose they have an extra flag on their signature, or the like.

[noblexcompanion]

Imperium? What's that then? Like the government or sommat? Dictators? Sounds like dictators.

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue chuckles.]

That would be my country. Britain's multiversal cousin. [No, wait... the smile dies again.] Was my country. I suppose I'm not allowed back there, after deserting my post. ...in my defense, it was a pretty lousy post, even if it paid well.

[Now she never has to kill another soul again. She can just stay here. Perfect.]

[noblexcompanion]

If we ever get kicked out of this place you can always come to my Britain. I probably won't remember a damn thing - and not just because this place messes with your head. But you'd always be welcome in Chiswick.

[blackmagus]

Always good to know. [She frowns, attention catching on that one little detail.] Why wouldn't you remember anything? Does your world like to modify memories, too?

[noblexcompanion]

[ A sad smile passes her features. ] Not my world. Just the Doctor.

[blackmagus]

[Well, that... makes too much sense, really. Fortescue's frown stays right in place. She's not sure if she should pry, being that Donna isn't prying with her.]

Do I need to swat him when he returns again?

[When. Not if. She hasn't yet spoken to him, but she's sure he'll come back.]

[noblexcompanion]

Nah. Swatting won't be necessary. I know he did what he felt he needed to do. And hey, it's not like I'll remember that I don't remember.

[blackmagus]

All right. Only because you say so.

[And because he might not remember who she is, either, and... good grief, this place is a mess.]

Sounds terrible, though.

[noblexcompanion]

Anyway, enough about me and my depressing memory loss. We're supposed to be cheering you up, missus!

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue laughs quietly. Coughs. Ugh, she can't wait for that to go away. Muscles, be healed.]

Sorry, yes. Cheering me up. What should we talk about?

[noblexcompanion]

[ Oh man, healing is definitely a thing that needs to happen! ]

I dunno. What do you fancy talking about, sweetheart?

[blackmagus]

[She'd settle for them being slightly less grumpy, too. But when Donna asks, Fortescue is suddenly reminded of all of the subject that she's actively avoiding, and the weight of it seems to press down again. She tries to keep her expression, and smile, steady.]

Well, if we were to be properly "girly", I suppose we've got a few subjects left untouched. [It's a weak joke, but she tries.] Are you sure the floor's comfortable? There's plenty of room up here.

[She can move the cat, after all.]