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]

...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.]

[noblexcompanion]

Nah, it's fine down here. Got plenty of padding on my arse. So then! girly things. Any goss? War time smooches with gorgeous soldiers?

[ Well, Fortescue is the one that mentioned girly things. ]

[blackmagus]

[Sell. Fortescue's got plenty of fodder for that. She smirks.]

Oh... a few.

[More than a few, says the smirk. Plenty of gorgeous people around, plenty of stress to relieve. It hasn't exactly been a pleasure cruise, the last three years, but she's had more than her fair share of fun. Up until recently, at least. The last month, before being captured, drinking was far more desirable than escaping into anyone's bed.

Still, she tends to downplay all of that. But Donna probably has a better idea than most people, simply because she's known her a while.]

There was a nice and dreamy Elven captain. Spirithowl — built like a tank, impeccable manners. We were both sent to the same base, had the same night off. His English was a little rusty, but we didn't spend too much time talking.

[noblexcompanion]

[ Donna is pretty good at reading people. And she's slowly getting better at not suffering foot-in-mouth-itis - it's a work in progress though.

Plus she's the master at downplaying things, herself.

Focus on the good! ]

Elven, you say? What are we talking here? Legolas with extra muscles Elven?

[blackmagus]

Legolas?

[Not a term she's familiar with. But she considers.]

Oh, Spirithowl are usually pretty muscled. They've got skin like hot cocoa, long hair. Though they usually braid it up in combat to be safe. Nice dark eyes. If I were picky I might prefer Elben Mahr, but they're our enemies and all. Or were. I suppose that will end, now, with the war.

[noblexcompanion]

They sound kind of dreamy. Look at you, flirting with Elves. Closest thing to anything like that back home is the foreign builders across twon who are probably cowboy builders and can barely speak a flippin' word of English.

Course, there's plenty of eye candy here.

[blackmagus]

There is, indeed. Can't waste a moment. [Fortescue grins slightly.] "Cowboy builders"?

[noblexcompanion]

Unfortunately they're not actual cowboys. Shame. Nah, they're y'know, shoddy workmen. Cut corners and stuff.

[blackmagus]

[She laughs. It hurts, a little, but it also feels good to actually laugh.]

That is a shame. I was imagining blokes in those big hats, wielding saws or hammers. [Though there's probably been a music video about that.] Who's to say we won't get any elves around here, though?

[noblexcompanion]

Mm. Cowboys. Elves. Angels. This place has so much potential.

[ Especially the angels... ]

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue winks.]

It's really a pity most are so irritated by it, isn't it?

[noblexcompanion]

It is the only downside.

Did I mention the hot angels though?

[blackmagus]

[This gets a laugh, even if it's slightly painful.]

You did, love. Wish we had them where I'm from. Back home it's all a bunch of religious nonsense. [Not nearly as fun.

Then, she smirks, remembering what Donna had said during their tunnel walk. That seems an age ago, but it comes back easily enough.]

Wouldn't happen to be thinking of a certain angel, would we?