The Wee Hours of Saturday Morning in the PARK

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

She's always been an early riser, but this was ridiculous. She slid out of bed, dressed in her sweats and sweatshirt, and went to make mischeif of a sort.

She dug into her school bag and pulled out a tablet. With a wide marker she wrote a large 9 on one, and a 10 on the other. Snatching up some tape, throwing on her coat, and taking her key, she steps outside. To the TARDIS she tapes the 10 paper, speaking low and sweetly to her.

Then she steps immediately next door and tapes the 9 to the other TARDIS. If that one doesn't stay, she's pretty sure her TARDIS will help her out. She really doesn't want to make the particular mistake of running into Nine unexpectedly again.


((Play?))

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[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

Taking a early morning constitutional, Widow Twanky notices the woman playing with the large blue boxes. "Why hello, my darling."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Oh, good morning. Early for a walk...

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Yes, it does look to be a glorious day." Twanky smiles serenely "I often rise at this hour, a throwback to my youth at Terpsichore's Temple. Oh the stories I could tell, about those days."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I'm an early riser myself. I'm sorry, what temple? I don't think I've ever heard of that.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Terpsichore's. Dedicated to the muse of that most glorious of arts, the dance."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Ah...Greek mythology...for me anyhow. Are you here for Parents Weekend?

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Indeed. As part of my duties as a member of the Thracian Women's guild, I sponsor a delightful young lady for our War Orphan Resettlement and Education Program. Although I must admit she's something of a michievous young scamp."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

A scamp? Who is she? I teach at the school...I'm CJ Cregg.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"You do? Then you've probably met her. Her name's Callisto."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Callisto? I love her...she's a wonderful girl.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"You're one of her teachers?" Twanky looks slightly troubled. "She hasn't gotten into any trouble, then? She does have a bit of a stubborn streak."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

No, she's not in my classes. I've met her though. She was quite heroic when we had some troubles here earlier this term. She's very...capable. I adore her.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"What kind of troubles? I'm afraid that all her messages to me must have gotten waylaid or something, so I have to catch up on all the gossip."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't want to disturb you, but we have had some very unusual things happen around here. Nothing our staff and faculty and even students couldn't handle though.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"My dear, it takes a lot to disturb the Widow Twanky, also known as Gertrude the Quick in the dark alleys of the Persian seaports."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[she leans forward and whispers conspiratorially, even though no one is out at this hour] Our town was invaded. We beat them back. It was...horrible and thrilling.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Oh, my." Twanky leans in towards CJ, if she had her fan, she'd be fluttering it. "Invaded you say? By who? Spartans? Romans?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

The undead.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"The undead? And you say Callisto was fighting them?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Yes. Talented girl. She helped me that night. I'm not...let's just say I'm more of a diplomat. Callisto was one of many who really stood up and did a wonderful thing. We're very proud of all of our students.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Oh, dearie me. There wasn't anything about fighting the undead in the brochures, but then she was so set on not going to the Hestians." Twanky grimaces. "Would you say she's happy here?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Happy? I can't say. But I know she has quite a few friends, and she isn't as emo as the other kids.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Professor. It was a sheer delight speaking to you, and I'll let you get back to...what are you doing?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Putting address markers on these two buildings to help parents find their way around town. See, this one is number 9, and this one is 10. Just trying to help, and I forgot to do it before bed.

[twanky-twiddle.livejournal.com]

"Okay, I'll leave you to it then." Twanky looks like she doesn't quite believe CJ, but that pressing the matter might lead to brain-warping. "Again, it was delightful talking to you."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

It was lovely meeting you. I hope to see you up at the school later. [Smiles brightly] Have a lovely morning!

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

Han is an early riser, always has been. He slips out of bed, has a quic shower and goes for a walk after leaving a note "In the park walking, back in a few minutes. There's kaf."

He finds his way down to the TARDIS and sees two, and CJ labeling them.

"Morning, CJ."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Smiling] Morning, Han. How are you?

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"Scared as hell and needing someone a little more grown-up to talk to. Since I owe you an apology anyway for last Sunday, I thought I'd better stop. I'm really sorry about the garbage I said to you. It was totally inappropriate and I had no right to say it or to make the offer I did."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[snorts] Han...you are forgiven and then some. Some of the things I said...sheesh, I have no room to be mad. What's got you scared?

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"You'd been affected by something. I was in my right mind and still capable of being that bad."

He sighs. "Bagoas moved in. The others have all washed their hands of him. I... I love him but I'm not ready to take responsibility for another person, CJ!" He shifts. "Sometimes I think he's way older than I am, but at other times, he's as naive as a little kid. But I'm all he's got left That makes him my charge."

A rueful smile crosses his face. "Now I understand Chewbacca's look after finding me in the cargo space."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

That's a big step, Han...living together. [she looks at the TARDIS]...you love him, right?

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

He nods, more solemn than she's ever seen him. "I do. I would love to wake up next to him for the rest of my life."

He sighs. "I just feel like I took everything away from him yet he's clinging to me. Have you seen the inside of the hotel? He was living there, penthouse suite and everything. He coulda had a the whole world if he'd asked for it."

Han looks absolutely miserable for a man in love. "Instead, he gave it all up for me. A kid with no name, no family, no nothing. And all I've done is made him flotsam like me."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Not so, Han. I know you feel that way, but consider him. In a penthouse suite, alone, no family, no friends, no one in his bed...all alone. And on the other hand, he has you. Love can be the whole world, Han. I know I'd rather be with Ten anywhere at all than alone in luxury.

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"He wasn't alone there," Han says softly.

He shakes his shoulders back and stand with his head up. "I guess I just have to stand tall about about this too. Somehow, it's easier when it's a fist coming at my face."

"And I will take care of him, as long as he wants me to."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Han, he came willingly, I assume? He wants to be with you? Don't second guess that, it'll just eat you up. You're a decent guy, Han, and you'll do right by him. You take care of him, and let him take care of you. That's what you do...and it's harder than it sounds.

[12parseckessel.livejournal.com]

"He came willingly. It's just a big change. And so far, change has almost never been good. I'm still scared, but I can do it. Thanks, CJ. I'm going to walk a little more then I'm going to go make him breakfast. He's not a morning person."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

You drop by anytime, Han. I'm full of it...advice I mean.[She smiles] I'll see you around.

((Not for interaction, merely for my own purposes.))

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor gets up early...for him, at least...but despite all his efforts, he finds himself daydreaming in the shower. Not even the good kind of daydream, mind you, more like the topic of Other Him running about Fandom, causing trouble.

Still, by half eight he's on his way out the door, dressed to kill. And as he locks the TARDIS door, he sees the sign.

It makes him laugh, something that he definitely needs. He's getting the sensation that today is going to be painful at best.]