Gifted Gathering
Mar. 13th, 2006 10:49 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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crossing_lostrpSchool for the Gifted.
The Doctor stood, leaning one shoulder against a tree. A thin line of scrub brush separated this small clearing from the beach. This spot was as secluded as they could get while remaining safely close to the main camp.
Rose sat on the rich brown dirt. Much harder than the beach sand. She shifted a few times. “So this control subject thing… doesn’t actually mean Control the Subject, right?”
A small smile flitted across his lips. “Nope. Just that you have no psionic talents and happen to be a normal human.”
“Right. Why do I still feel a ‘but’ coming about. I’m gonna be the lab rat.” She glared suspiciously.
“If a demonstration has to be made, but I’ll protect you, and there will be no digging into your mind, I promise. Only something like the TARDIS does… surface thoughts only. And then not without your say.” He reassured her.
“And you can do that… get into people’s heads? An you never told me?” She was acting all techy this morning.
“Yeah. But I haven’t done it in… a long time. Plus, humans, primitive little monkey brains. Not exactly like I’d find some lofty insight into the universe there. Sides, digging in other people’s brains is not only morally reprehensible, it’s illegal in most civilized societies.” He looked mildly offended.
“Right, cause you’re all about following rules, you are.” She muttered.
“There are certain rules I don’t break. And I’d never try to read your mind. I haven’t even tried at your surface thoughts. I’ve always respected your space.” Now he was offended.
“I know. It’s just that you never told me you could. Though I suppose that Psychic paper shoulda told me somethin’.” She leaned back where she sat, resting her weight on her hands a bit.
“Anyone can use that. It’s the paper that’s slightly psychic, doesn’t need the user to be.”
Just then the sound of the brush rustling signaled the first arrival to the Meeting of the Minds.
The Doctor stood, leaning one shoulder against a tree. A thin line of scrub brush separated this small clearing from the beach. This spot was as secluded as they could get while remaining safely close to the main camp.
Rose sat on the rich brown dirt. Much harder than the beach sand. She shifted a few times. “So this control subject thing… doesn’t actually mean Control the Subject, right?”
A small smile flitted across his lips. “Nope. Just that you have no psionic talents and happen to be a normal human.”
“Right. Why do I still feel a ‘but’ coming about. I’m gonna be the lab rat.” She glared suspiciously.
“If a demonstration has to be made, but I’ll protect you, and there will be no digging into your mind, I promise. Only something like the TARDIS does… surface thoughts only. And then not without your say.” He reassured her.
“And you can do that… get into people’s heads? An you never told me?” She was acting all techy this morning.
“Yeah. But I haven’t done it in… a long time. Plus, humans, primitive little monkey brains. Not exactly like I’d find some lofty insight into the universe there. Sides, digging in other people’s brains is not only morally reprehensible, it’s illegal in most civilized societies.” He looked mildly offended.
“Right, cause you’re all about following rules, you are.” She muttered.
“There are certain rules I don’t break. And I’d never try to read your mind. I haven’t even tried at your surface thoughts. I’ve always respected your space.” Now he was offended.
“I know. It’s just that you never told me you could. Though I suppose that Psychic paper shoulda told me somethin’.” She leaned back where she sat, resting her weight on her hands a bit.
“Anyone can use that. It’s the paper that’s slightly psychic, doesn’t need the user to be.”
Just then the sound of the brush rustling signaled the first arrival to the Meeting of the Minds.
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[Scott] Let's get this over with. (tag Doctor, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 02:53 pm (UTC)"...paper that's slightly psychic," the Doctor told the clearly grumpy Rose. "Doesn't need the user to be."
Scott stopped short with a baffled frown. "Slightly psychic paper?"
[Doctor] Let's get this over with. (tag Scott, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 04:11 pm (UTC)He pulled what looked to be a badge wallet from his leather jacket. On Flipping it open and presenting it to Scott, it revealed a FBI ID card with The Doctor's picture on it. It was a real ID card, and Scott had no reason at all to disbealeave it. In fact he wanted to belive it.
The Doctor flipped it closed and tossed the wallet to Rose who opened it up and handed it to Scott with a amused grin. It was now a driver's lisence a bit blurry at the edges. It was Rose's driver's licence.
"It makes the reader see whatever the holder wants them to see. Very handy bit of paper that."
The Doctor leaned against the tree again. "I see Damon is still making up his mind. He better not make me give him that headache." The Doctor shook his head. "There are a few others comming yet, so I won't have to take drastic action."
Drastic action consisted of mentally singing 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall or I'm Henry the Eighth, I am. Or maybe This is the Song that never ends... It was that or Vorgon poetry, and even The Doctor wasn't that cruel.
[Scott] Psychic paper! (tag Ami, the Doctor, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 06:27 pm (UTC)/What's got you so excited?/ Ami asked with a hint of amusement.
/Psychic paper!/ Scott replied as he turned to the Doctor. He thought to Ami and said to the time-traveling alien, "How does it do that? Nanotechnology? An illusion?" He hesisted, then, "Can I see it?"
Re: [Doctor/Rose] Psychic paper! (tag Scott/Ami, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 07:11 pm (UTC)“First time he used that in front of me I was so completely flummoxed at everything else, didn’t even register, really.” Rose, as well as The Doctor seemed to enjoy his delight at the little bit of tech.
“Actually it’s made on Javorixolandia. Plants there are slightly psychic. It transfers when they make paper out of the local deadfall. Not cheap that, but useful.” The Doctor answered. “Just concentrate on what you want someone to see. Don’t have to picture what it looks like, cause most often you have no idea what the thing looks like that you’re tryin’ to pass it off as. Just imagine the reader will see… whatever.”
“You should see Kystrals. They’re gemstones that are alive. They change color to compliment the wearer and whatever clothes or style they have on. Their highest purpose in life is to look pretty. They get slightly warm when they’re complimented and admired. I didn’t bring my necklace of them in the rush.” Rose could see why The Doctor liked showing her new things and little wonders. It was its own kind a thrill to see someone see things for the first time.
[Ami] Two plus two (tag Scott, MB, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 07:33 pm (UTC)(I don’t know why he puts up with me,) Ami thought as she walked along the shoreline, waves brushing her feet and ankles, trainers in her hands and her favorite, most comfortable pair of hip hugger jeans rolled up to above her calves in an effort to stay as dry as possible. (I think I’ve probably been single-handedly responsible for more of his psychic trauma in the last five days than he’s had to deal with his whole life.)
She was going to have to work harder on shielding him; on remembering to shield him. Ami knew that she couldn’t walk around with her shields up all the time. She found the background buzz and hum to be a familiar comfort and the thought of not sensing Scott or Megabyte at all made her feel slightly ill. But she knew she’d have to figure something out – sooner rather than later.
Ami frowned, not liking where that train of thought was leading, and was fortunately distracted by the sight of Clarice talking with Molly. She nearly walked in that direction until she remembered Clarice’s bitter and hateful thoughts from last night. Maybe the woman was under stress, but while Ami was willing to give Clarice the benefit of the doubt, she was not willing to expose herself to more misplaced venom and bitterness. Ami ducked her head, looking away before she could accidentally make eye contact with Molly and headed down the beach in the opposite direction.
Her chose path took her to Megabyte, whom she could tell by the set of his jaw and the stance of his body where he sat just barely out of the surf was in a very surly mood. Ami slowed down, hesitant to approach him. He’d already blocked her out psychically. You couldn’t get much more “stay away” than that.
He looked her way and gave her a half-smile which encouraged her to keep walking.
"Hiya," Ami said with far more chipperiness than she was feeling.
"Hey," Megabyte returned. "Feeling better?"
"Yes, for now, thanks for asking," Ami sank down to her knees beside him. "This island just keeps turning everything on its head. It’s full of surprises."
"Tell me about it," Megabyte muttered.
They sat in silence for a bit, both watching the ocean. Megabyte was in a mood, and if he wasn’t in any mood to talk, Ami wasn’t going to pry. Unfortunately, sitting silently with him scowling was growing more and more uncomfortable and she was glad to feel a pulse of excitement and amusement from Scott along their link.
/What's got you so excited?/ Ami asked, happy for the distraction.
/Psychic paper!/ Scott replied.
"Psychic paper?" Ami asked and thought simultaneously.
Megabyte blinked at her. She had his attention now as well. "Did you just say psychic paper? And why did you just say psychic paper?"
"I think the Doctor has something called psychic paper. Or paper that is psychic." Then she averted her eyes, realizing that she had just inadvertently let Megabyte know more than a little about Scott’s telepathic abilities.
"Oh him," Megabyte rolled his eyes. "The Telepathic Alien Know It All."
It was Ami’s turn to blink in surprise, giving a startled exclamation, "The Doctor’s telepathic?!"
"What, he didn’t invite you to his little club meeting via mind control? How’d you escape his notice?"
But Ami wasn't listening, she was too busy putting two and two together.
[Scott] Psychic paper! (tag Doctor/Rose, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 07:39 pm (UTC)Like the Doctor said, the psychic paper was blank to Scott's eyes. He held it out for Rose and the Doctor to see. "What does it say?"
[Doctor/Rose] The trouble with Psychic Paper (tag Scott, all)
Date: 2006-03-14 08:34 pm (UTC)Rose looked at the paper and blushed. “Mmm… Scott. You might want to try thinking of something else. Ami’s gorgeous ass side, not something to be sharing, right.” Rose actually giggled. The paper remained blank as far as Scott could see.
“When I first met our friend Jack he tried using Psychic paper on me. I took it off him, and when I handed it back he knew my sign and apparently that I was very available.” Rose kept grinning. The Doctor just snorted, evidently not amused.
“Wisconson? Well that’s a boring little place… but evidently something exciting happens there.” For once the Doctor looked around them before continuing. “ Algeiba, now there’s some place I haven’t been in ages. The natives are completely peaceful and dedicated to scientific study. Interesting, but boring after a fortnight. Course they’re made from pure energy. But they have this little cloning trick for interplanetary exploration. Certainly explains a bit.”
“What are you nattering on about now?” Rose arched an eyebrow at the Doctor.
The Doctor took the paper from Scott with an apologetic smile. “The more you try NOT to think about the elephant in the room, the more you concentrate on it. Didn’t want to spilling more than you have, hmm?”
[Scott] The trouble with Psychic Paper (tag Doctor/Rose, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 09:19 pm (UTC)The Doctor had the nerve to be *amused* by the situation! "For a few minutes. Only I can see it anyhow."
Scott gulped. There was no point trying to deny what he'd unwittingly revealed. "Y- you can't tell anyone. Especially not Daniel and Blaise. Or Starling or Mars. You don't know what they'd do to me."
Re: [Doctor] The trouble with Psychic Paper (tag Scott, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 09:22 pm (UTC)"I take it I'm missin' somethin' again." Rose shook her head. "That the usual, for me."
[Scott] The trouble with Psychic Paper (tag the Doctor/Rose, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 09:39 pm (UTC)Re: [Rose] The trouble with Psychic Paper (tag Scott, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 10:41 pm (UTC)"Undoubtedly. And physics, xenobiology, nanochemistry and any number of sciences." The Doctor clapped Scott on the shoulder.
Rose looked at Scott speculatively. Another example of humans dancing with aliens. She was jealous, she could admit that to herself now.
"So, you're dad cloned someone and met your Mum if I followed this right... So that makes you all human... with benefits, yeah?"
The Doctor nodded. "And you're all human who'se traveled through time and space. Makes you bout equal."
The Doctor stood and tucked the billfold away as someone else joined the group.
[Ami] Equals Five (tag Scott)
Date: 2006-03-14 10:53 pm (UTC)The Doctor was telepathic and from what Megabyte said, that meant that he was probably the source of the mysterious telepathic shout. Of course, that added more questions than it answered, up to and including why was he threatening Megabyte and why was he interested in gathering all the psychics together?
Ami turned her attention to Megabyte to answer the first question when she felt a rippling of mixed emotions from Scott: embarrassment followed with anxiety and worry. She resisted, just barely, the urge to turn and run to his side, particularly in light of what she'd just figured out about the Doctor. Scott wasn't panicking or running for the hills, so she forced herself to stay calm as she asked, /Scott? What's wrong?/
[Scott] The trouble with Psychic Paper (tag Ami, open)
Date: 2006-03-14 11:04 pm (UTC)Ami's thoughts were a welcome distraction. /Scott? What's wrong?/
Rustling brush announced that someone else was joining them. /The damn psychic paper outted me to the Doctor and Rose. Could've been a lot worse. If the Doctor offers you a black leather billfold, don't touch it!/
[Megabyte] The Thing About Curiosity and Cats, Part I
Date: 2006-03-14 11:31 pm (UTC)"Okay, I know that look," Megabyte stood up, "What's going on?"
Ami didn't answer him. She wasn't ignoring him, but rather had that intense yet distant look that he knew too well. The one that said her mind was engaged elsewhere, likely in conversation with someone else. But, he was the only Tomorrow Person on the island, she hadn't even known the Doctor was telepathic before Megabyte said something, and unless River had become a two-way channel instead of a one-way transmitter there was no one she could be talking to.
Except Scott.
His mind rewound and replayed the conversation he and Ami had been having before she got distracted. Her comment about 'psychic paper' and The Doctor being the owner of said paper; something that he'd thought she'd simply gleaned from how she sometimes knew things. A distinct possibility until Megabyte also figured in Scott's speedy flight after Ami down the beach this morning, and the less than covert looks the two of them exchanged in Megabyte's presence. He hadn't recognized it at the time because he had no reason to recognize it.
Scott was telepathic. And he and Ami were clearly able to communicate with one another.
"You're talking to him," Megabyte said simply.
Ami focused on him slowly, "Wha – what?"
"Scott. You were talking to him. Just now. He's telepathic and somehow you're able to talk to him even though he isn't one of us." It wasn't a question.
A few random emotions played over Ami's face and Megabyte simply leveled a disbelieving look in her direction. He really hoped that she wasn't going to try and lie about it.
"Yes," Ami said, "Scott and I can talk. Please don't make a fuss."
Megabyte sighed and repressed the urge to do exactly that. It made him uncomfortable on many different levels that Ami and Scott apparently had linked up telepathically, but again, he was going to try to trust Ami's judgment and intuition. (Even if her track record with men hasn't been so great in the past.)
Raking his hands through his hair, he changed the subject. "So, what does your boyfriend have to say about the psychic paper?"
He thought he kept his voice neutral when asking the question, but from Ami's raised eyebrows and disapproving look, maybe he hadn't. "He said that I shouldn't touch it."
[Megabyte] The Thing About Curiosity and Cats ([optional tag])
Date: 2006-03-14 11:33 pm (UTC)Of course, if it was bad enough that Scott didn't want her to touch it (which might mean the guy is actually trying to protect her, again), the thought came with some annoyance – she probably should consider not touching it. Megabyte said that aloud and earned a soft, innocent, doe eyed smile. One that Megabyte did not buy for one minute.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Ami said lightly. She grabbed his wrist and began pulling him towards the tree line where the Doctor had told him to go earlier.
"Whoa! Where are we going?"
"Aren't you the least bit curious about why the Doctor wanted all the psychics together in one place?"
"No." He was damn curious, especially when Ami stated that the Doctor wanted all the psychics. But he wasn't going to admit it, not when Ami was wearing that far too curious, far too manipulative, far too predatory smile. He jerked away, "And I don't like being ordered around."
/What about the psychic paper?/
/Paper can not be psychic!/
"Well, there is only one way to find out," Ami turned and headed off.
(And everyone says I'm reckless,) Megabyte thought with exasperation as he headed off after her. "And why weren't you invited to the shindig?"
Ami shrugged, "I guess he doesn't realize I'm psychic."
Megabyte stopped, "You ever stop to think that maybe that's a good thing?"
"I'm just coming along for curiosity's sake," Ami said cheekily.
"Yeah, like I believe that." Still, Megabyte found himself falling into step beside her.
(Damn curiosity.)
OOC: Ami and Megabyte will be joining The Doctor's shindig above ... or below if you want to defeat teh_ebil shifting. And yes, this post has been screaming at me for the last two hours. I had to doctor it a bit, but it still works.
Re: [Doctor/Rose] The Thing About Curiosity and Cats ([optional tag])
Date: 2006-03-14 11:51 pm (UTC)Rose looked up at her friend and offered one of her brightest smiles. "This looks like it's gonna be interesting, provided someone fills me in later." She looked pointedly at The Doctor. "How many others are coming?"
"I asked Tara. Maybe Ripley." The Doctor offered. He had thought asking Molly, but while he had picked up her more than human nature, and a strange tingling mental field about her, there was no real sign of psychic talent.
"Maybe you asked Ripley or maybe Ripley will come?" Rose teased.
"Aren't you just full of it this morning. Nothing like a bit of danger to get the blood pumping, eh?" The Doctor winked.
"Gotta admit I was starting to get bored, not running for my life every other day. Worried I was gonna get outta shape." She laughed.
[Megabyte] The Thing About Curiosity and Cats (tag Doctor, Rose, Scott, Ami)
Date: 2006-03-15 12:57 am (UTC)For the first time, he actually felt a bit sorry for Scott.
(Heh, let's see how well you can handle an overly curious Ami, buddy.)
Turning his attention from Ami and Scott, Megabyte considered Rose and her words, and pointedly did not consider the Doctor for the moment. "That happens to you a lot, too, huh?"
[Doctor] The Thing About Curiosity and Cats (tag MB, Scott, Ami)
Date: 2006-03-15 01:11 am (UTC)"Might happen less often if your plans ever actually worked out the way you plan them." Rose pointed out.
"My plans work out the way I planned them. Most of the time. Usually. And running is very good excercise. Good for the cardiovascuylar system." The Doctor wore his goofy grin now.
"Yeah, both of 'em." Rose drolled.
[Scott] I see crazy people. (open tag)
Date: 2006-03-15 01:31 am (UTC)That left Damon. (He's just an ass.)
Scott distracted himself by keeping himself from fidgeting and not looking at Ami's oh-so-not-innocent doe eyes. His gut told him they were nothing but trouble.
[Megabyte] Basically Blunt (tag Doctor, Rose, Scott, Ami, open)
Date: 2006-03-15 01:56 am (UTC)/But you like it./
Megabyte glared at Ami who was of course, studiously looking anywhere but at him. /I do not./
/Danger finds you because you, Marmaduke Damon, are wreckless./
/Hello, kettle, have you ever met my friend Ami? She says you're black./
/I. Am. Not. Wreckless./
/And you're here because?/ Megabyte challenged.
/I'm curious./
/Famous last words,/ Megabyte sat down in the dirt and looked pointedly at the Doctor, "So, what was your criteria for choosing all the cool kids? Or rather, why the hell do you care who's psychic, who's not and why did you want us all here?"
/Do you have to be such an ass?/
/Do you have to be in my head?/ Megabyte waited for The Doctor's response. He only flinched a bit when he felt the telepathic cuff to the back of his head.
[Ami] Questions (tag Doctor, Rose, Scott, MB, open)
Date: 2006-03-15 02:00 am (UTC)"You said Tara and Ripley were invited, Doctor. Do you think that they are psychic, too?" Ami asked on the heels of Megabyte's less than kind interrogative. She did her best to look only at the Doctor and not at Rose for fear she might give herself away if they both began laughing.
OOC Correction
Date: 2006-03-15 02:01 am (UTC)*the muses are too loud and silly tonight, and typing way too fast*
[Scott] Questions (tag Ami, open)
Date: 2006-03-15 02:05 am (UTC)Since she was *right there* he thought about what Rose saw, which made him blush all over again. (Dammit.) Scott took a deep breath, then replied, /Not much to say. It's paper. It's psychic. It outted me. Can we talk about this later?/
Re: [Doctor/Rose] Questions /Basicly Blunt (tag all)
Date: 2006-03-15 02:13 am (UTC)The Doctor's grin remained.
"Oh yes. The point. The point is the little stunt you pulled last night, Mr. Damon. I warned Scott about it, but as I hate having to repeat myself I'm going to go through all the salient points for everyone."
Rose recognized the fact that the Doctor's grin had not changed but his eyes had. Shit, he was annoyed. Maybe even pissed off.
"There was a stunt? I didn't see a stunt." Rose spoke up.
"You were a bit busy at the time, helping your friends get medical aid." The Doctor kept his eyes on Megabyte. "Tell me Mr. Damon... if you had a female prisoner who may or may not have vital information, and the way you knew would get her to tell you was to rape her... would you?"
Rose paled. She didn't have a clue what was going on here, but she didn't like the sounds of it, or the icey tone the Doctor asked the question in.
Just then Tara joined the group, bringing Tommy with her.
[Megabyte] Defensive Reactions (tag all)
Date: 2006-03-15 02:20 am (UTC)/Megabyte -/
"No," Megabyte glared at Ami and turned back to the Doctor. He didn't care about Tommy or Tara or anyone else, no one was going to dictate behavior to him, especially not some sick fuck from the future who thought the best way to get someone to join his games was to plant telepathic threats. "I came here because Ami thought it would be a good idea, even though your idea of getting cooperation is to yell inside people's head and plant threats. Sorry, but I am not hanging around for this shit."