016 ✳ day 186 ✳ video/private text

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue's in the kitchen with a tall glass of dark something — it's alcoholic, let's not kid ourselves here — and a somewhat strained expression. She peers down at her phone, after a sip of her mystery fluid. From the tiny wince, it's not ideal. But it'll have to do.

This is all she has left. Bitter sensations on her taste buds, fire down her throat. Because everything else is gone, at the moment.]

So, how are we all doing, fellow box openers? Anyone go mad yet? That's always fun. Certainly gets rid of the monotony. [Another sip, a smaller wince.] Suppose one of the boxes had actually stripped someone of their sanity. Now that wouldn't have been nice.



[private text to Donna Noble]

You doing all right, love? Sorry I've been a little quiet. Weird couple of days.

Comments

[ private text ]

[noblexcompanion]

I'm doing okay... Mostly...

[ If by 'okay' she means 'really not okay at all'. Apparently her box wasn't as empty as she first thought and um, she might have a few injuries. Oops. ]

[ private text ]

[blackmagus]

Mostly?

[Fortescue frowns at her phone.]

Do you need anything?

[ private text ]

[noblexcompanion]

Don't suppose you've come across any burn cream, have you? No worries. I'm fine.

[ private text ]

[blackmagus]

Burn cream.

Love, you're going to need to be more specific.

[Good thing you can't see this face, Donna.]

There's burn cream in the infirmary, I think.

[ private text ]

[noblexcompanion]

Might've burnt myself on an oven. And scalded myself in the shower. And cut my fingers on a knife.

Nothing big.

How are you holding up?

[ private text ]

[blackmagus]

Perhaps not on their own. Hold tight, love. I'll go see what the infirmary has.

[No weaseling your way out of it, either, Donna Noble. Someone is now in full Big Sister Mode.]

It's been interesting. A bad sort of interesting.

[ private text ]

[noblexcompanion]

Oh you. Don't be running around after me. You should be looking after yourself.

[ Weaseling out of it? Who's trying to weasel out of it? ]

[ private text ]

[blackmagus]

I'm all looked after. Nothing to be done until this thing blows over.

[Nope, nope. She's already out in the halls and headed to the infirmary. With her drink, of course. Priorities.]

I hope it's soon, because I'm going to go crazy if it's not.

[ private text ]

[noblexcompanion]

Maybe we're already crazy?

[ Reassuring, Donna. Really. ]

[ private text ]

[blackmagus]

[She's just going to come right out and say it. Text it.]

Not helpful, darling.

[White corridors and someone telling her she might already be crazy? After arriving here while hallucinating? No, thank you.]

Besides, when I go crazy, I want red balloons. And a strait jacket.

[ private text ]

[noblexcompanion]

A strait jacket? The must-have fashion accessory for every crazy gal!

Sign me up!

[ private text ]

[blackmagus]

I hear they're snug.

[She finds herself in the infirmary now, at least, after having trotted through two corridors looking for where it moved itself. Fortescue collects herself a small bag of supplies and resists the urge to lift the medicinal liquor that someone brought in.

...no, strike that, she just puts that into the bag, too. Whiskey. Might be a good idea. Or a bad idea. What's the difference?]

Also, warm.

[ private text ]

[noblexcompanion]

Just like a great big hug - with straps and buckles.

[ Bring all the alcohol! Alcohol is never a bad idea! ]

[ voice ]

[foundacause]

Next time random boxes with cryptic messages show up - remind me not to open them.

[ voice ]

[blackmagus]

I can only be so many places at once, darling. [Sadly. There are a million uses for more of her. None of them clean.] Are you all right?

[ voice ]

[foundacause]

Yeah, just peachy. Except I can't see a damn thing.

[ voice ]

[blackmagus]

Oh, dear.

[See, not being able to feel much of anything kind of blows. Fortescue has a few bruises from bumping into things, too. But not being able to see? Much worse. At least Meg doesn't need to do as much to survive as humans do.]

Do you need anything? It seems I'm making the rounds. I can pop in on you if you'd like.

[ voice ]

[foundacause]

Nah. I'm good. Just kinda blows that all my usual methods of entertaining myself are out the window.

[ voice ]

[blackmagus]

All of them? Well, that's no fun. I don't blame you, I'm not sure what I'd do with myself if I was blind.

[She wouldn't get to look at all the pretty people. Ugh. What a terrible thing!]

[ voice ]

[foundacause]

[ Exactly! No eye candy! Life is so unfair! ]

Well, I can still drink, so there's that. But everything else? Not a chance.

[ voice ]

[blackmagus]

I'm guessing we wouldn't want to light a match in your room, right now.

[But she's not judging. That's exactly what she'd be doing.]

Are you certain I can't liven anything up for you?

[ voice ]

[foundacause]

I'm pretty sure the alcohol fumes aren't at fireball level yet. Give it a few more days.

My door's open to you any time, hot stuff, you know that. But there's no pressure.

[ voice ]

[blackmagus]

Let me visit a friend first, and then I'll see what I can do. [How can she resist someone who calls her hot stuff? Really, some people just don't pay any attention at all. A little attention is nice.] But, really, let's hope this clears up in a day or two. For the sake of your room, if nothing else. If I continue to not feel anything, I'm going to start yelling at the walls.

[ voice ]

[foundacause]

[ People should pay more attention to her! She's pretty and flirty, and great fun when drunk - what's not to like? Maybe Fortescue should give Cas lessons on being less socially awkward? ]

I'd gladly swap with you.

[ voice ]

[blackmagus]

Unfortunate, really, that that isn't an option. I can think of some fun things to do when you can't see everything going on.

[The smirk is right there in her voice.]