☤ 001

[mintjulep]

This is Leonard McCoy, Chief Medical Officer aboard the USS Enterprise. Bridge, do you copy?

[ There’s a man in science blue standing next to the fountain, looking cold and grumpy as he shakes his device. ]

Damn interference… Enterprise, this is McCoy. I don’t know what the hell happened with those infernal transporters, but I’m damn sure I ain’t where I’m supposed to be. Scott, can you hear me? Jim? Uhura? Sulu? Chekov? Chapel? Anyone?

… Spock?

[ Nothing, not even the hobgoblin. Dammit. ]

Right, well. Looks like I’ll try and blend in. Christmas music and all...

[ Except since his communicator couldn’t reach the Enterprise, it broadcasted his conversation to the entire city instead… ]

Comments

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

It will. Many things such as the music are merely passing and last no longer than a day.

[mintjulep]

Yeah -- the 'curses', right? You'd mentioned it earlier.

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Most of them are mere inconveniences, but at times they are quite cruel.

[mintjulep]

[ He frowns. ] How so?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

They may reveal your memories on the network for all to see, or force you to speak your mind even if you do not wish it, or turn you into a monster, trap you--

[mintjulep]

Jesus--

Okay, okay, I get the picture. [ Good lord. ]

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

[ There's a lengthy pause before she speaks again. ] For all its faults, I prefer the City to my own world.

[mintjulep]

... Is it that bad?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

Not in general, I should think.

[mintjulep]

To you, then?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

I am not--- I can do things, and- people [ one person, really ] want to use me for the abilities.

[mintjulep]

[ There's a pause, then a nod. ]

I can see why you'd prefer it here. If you don't mind me askin'... What sort of things?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

[ For a moment, she considers not answering, and it might show on her face, but then she straightens, her jaw set stubbornly. She might expect to be judged, but that does not mean she has to accept it, does it? ]

I can Change. I become other people-- I can hear their thoughts, know their history, feel their feelings.

[mintjulep]

[ There's shock, surprise, disbelief, and interest on McCoy's face. No judgment, though; he's seen weird things, lots of weird things. Judgement is saved for whether or not she uses it -- or what she might use it for. ]

So if you were to 'Change' into me right now, you'd know what I was thinking, feeling, what I'd been doing before I came here... all of it?

I can see why people would want to use it, unfortunately. [ He shakes his head. Assholes. ]

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

To Change the first time, I have to hold an item belonging to the person.

But yes. If I had that, and I Changed, I would know. Not all, unless I looked for the information, tried to think of it. Then your thoughts would likely reveal it.

[ She shakes her head, not so much in denial as if to shake off memories. ] I was kidnapped, and to be married to the man who wishes to use me the most. I do not know what for, or why exactly.

[mintjulep]

[ Kidnapped, too? There's righteous anger bubbling up that he has to try and stamp down. ]

Probably nothin' good.

[ Deep breaths. Come on, McCoy. ]

... How old are you, Miss Gray?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

No, I expect not. The Magister is not a very nice person.

[ What does her age have to do with anything? ] Sixteen, Doctor.

[mintjulep]

[ Jesus. Definitely nothing good. And yeah, she's from the 1800s, but still. Sixteen. ]

Anyone like that shows up here an' you let me know, all right?

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

[ But-- what could he possibly do? ]

I would not wish for anyone to endanger themselves on my behalf.

[mintjulep]

[ He'll figure that out if it happens. ]

I'm a doctor. At least I can patch myself up if I get into any scrapes.

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

The last time he tried to get to me, he raised an army of clockwork men, and did not stop at killing others.

[ In other words: please don't try, you'll only get killed. ]

[mintjulep]

'm not sayin' I'm going to confront him directly, all right? I just want to know.

[ Maybe that will set her mind at ease. ]

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

Yes. [ It does. ] Hopefully, he will never come here, though.

[mintjulep]

Hopefully, yeah. [ But if he does... ]

[likeboudica.livejournal.com]

He hasn't so far. [ Here's to hoping.

Tessa visibly pulls herself together, straightening. ] Do you have any questions about the City, Doctor?