abraxaslogs | [ open & closed

Entry tags:

[ open & closed | july & august ]

Who: The Doctor + Others
When: July & August
Where: Free Cities | Nocwich | Horizon
What: Monthly Catch-All
Warnings: None for now, will update if needed!

[ ooc: please feel free to ping me if you'd like to plot a custom starter of any sort, i'm open to anything!
hit me up on plurk or PM | also happy to match prose or brackets~ ]

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All these people and their fighting and their weapons and the people who suffer and die or live by the whims of madness and chaos — it goes on and on. Good and bad, life and death — all the inescapable truths he's witnessed these long years. All the terrible things he's seen and done by his own hand, but he's held tightly nonetheless to the belief that good prevails, that hope remains. He may stumble and falter and question his sanity more than usual, but he holds onto it now, tighter than he ever has.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack on the Free Cities and the subsequent internal strife and destruction of the medical facility and family compound, the Doctor's primary focus is on helping those impacted most; survivors, or those left behind in the wake of their family being torn apart. For all his persistent whimsy and blithe attitude in most situations, he is at least capable of adapting when things are grim, and when listening ears and comfort are needed far more than a joke or a laugh.

He can be seen around Cadens and Aquila most often in those early days of recovering and dealing with all that's come to pass. As ever, he'll appear like a whirlwind darting to and fro, delivering messages and supplies, helping to repair buildings and equipment when needed. If he sees you and bumps into you (potentially literally), you might be recruited for any particular task at hand.

When evening comes, he'll settle in for a bit at the Sarstina Inn, just long enough to check on those who might be wandering through. It's a particularly somber day after the assassinations in Aquila, so he'll be more subdued as he jots down notes in a journal and makes a half-hearted attempt at eating something.

In the weeks that follow, after the attacks on Thorne and as the economy comes near to a halt and budget tightens and money has to be re-routed and there's talk of more bloodshed, he throws himself into the things he can control at least. Today, that happens to be attempting to be near Portam Hall, where tensions are rising among rival protestors. Nothing's happened yet and he's hoping to keep it that way, jogging up towards the crowd and just preparing to introduce himself and try to put himself between them when, by way of greeting, a wayward punch lands solidly against his face. Lovely! Clearly it was meant for someone else, he just happened to get in the way, and characteristically he tries to joke it off and calm the crowd down, even as he begins to bleed steadily from his nose —
"Oh! Ow! Yes, that's...an interesting way to say hello! Enthusiastic, which I appreciate, but not friendly, if we're being honest. Still, not the worst greeting I've ever had. I do hope you're still perfecting your technique because if you're not, it does need work."

Once recovered from that lively little encounter, he'll spend some time deep in his studies at the Academy of Knowledge, listening to the lectures being given on history and resource management, offering his input from his own experience and knowledge. As he leaves, there's an accident in the streets with a wagon — unfortunately all too common now, with corners being cut left and right — and he rushes over to help.

To a familiar face in the crowd that's gathered, the Doctor looks as concerned and frustrated as ever. "This keeps happening. Come on!" To help the injured. And — if he has anything to say about it — try to stop things getting worse.

Edited 2024-07-07 22:56 (UTC)

It's been far too long, of course, and Nocwich offers him the chance to see those from other territories, an opportunity he's missed so much recently. It's one thing to meet in the Horizon, it's something else entirely to be able to meet in person. If he knows you well and you're not opposed, be prepared to be greeted with a warm, gentle smile and a hug, or at least — an attempt at one! He's been worried about everyone he hasn't been able to put his eyes on, so he'll be looking for every familiar face possible.

Otherwise, he can be found wandering Oleuni Square, speaking with vendors, taking in the sights, eventually stepping into Ivory Bloom Lounge because it's been far too long separated from those lavender cream eclairs. He'll take a hearty bite and offer the extra one to you!

At some point in his wandering, the Doctor briefly stumbles on a loose paver in the cobblestone streets. Though he catches himself before falling, he kneels down to adjust the paver, moving his hand over it, speaking out loud to himself and...yes, to the stone:
"Oh, terribly sorry! Wasn't looking. But! I'll have you put to rights, just a moment —"

The stone, meanwhile, makes a soft groaning sound and grumbles in apparent offense: "Yeah, yeah, you should be sorry! Watch where you're going."

"Oi! I could leave you here, couldn't I, but I won't. Because I'm not rude, unlike present company."

Feel free to...interrupt or encourage this conversation!

Edited 2024-07-07 23:04 (UTC)

[ If you happen by the Doctor's domain, you might notice the TARDIS doors completely open. There's faint music playing and inside, the Doctor is actually one level below the console, not easily seen. He's tinkering with things that aren't real, that won't be real, that can't be real. If you step inside and happen to look for him, you'll be met with a somber Doctor who's trying to be anything but for a little while, hence keeping himself busy with things that don't actually need mending!

Edited 2024-07-07 23:01 (UTC)

[ It's not nearly the same, of course, given his continued and appalling lack of his TARDIS (a point which has driven him closer to the edge of true madness more than he'd like to admit recently), but journeying to the outposts to lend aid where they can makes the Doctor feel at least briefly as though he's more in his element again. This is what he does! Everything will be fine!

And an adventure isn't really a good or true adventure without a friend along for the ride, is it? Well, that much is true in his opinion at least.

He'd managed to procure a horse — just one — so they at least wouldn't have to walk the whole way, although that's more for Hilda's sake than the Doctor's. He doesn't mind the walk at all. Though it's probably for the best because if he was walking and left completely to his own devices, he might never make it there. They've just spent their first night out here and as morning comes, the Doctor's prepared a meager breakfast with a few of their provisions. It's nothing fancy — just some biscuits he'd made before they left, and some jam, and a dash of salt. Brings out the flavor! He has the rudimentary breakfast sandwich wrapped up for Hilda when she awakens, and he gives a little nod to their horse. ]

We were talking earlier before you woke, she wanted me to pass along that she thinks you're splendid, really, no notes so far. Trust me, that's quite the compliment, horses can be tetchy sometimes!

[ The horse makes a noise in response and the Doctor is quick to assure her — ] Not you, obviously!

Edited 2024-08-03 19:18 (UTC)

[ Claire is never opposed to a hug from the Doctor, but this time her arm is full with a covered bundle and she switches from her usual full-bodied hug to a one-armed side hug. But she's so excited, she begins talking before she's even pulled away. ]

I finally started my dig, and it's taken so much time, but look. Look what I've found!

[ She looks around and decides it might be best if they're out of the way, so she tugs him to the nearest out-of-the-way spot. Then, she unwraps her find, a cup with a pattern painted in the bottom and up the sides. ]

I was on my way to do a bit of research to figure out what it might've been used for. It's certainly very specific and over-large for a regular old drinking cup, don't you think?

[ All of this before she's even said hello, but she knows he'll understand her excitement. ]

[ While traditionally, the full-bodied, two-armed (or four-armed, technically) hug is much preferred, given that they haven't actually seen one another in person since that festival months ago in Ikorr, the Doctor will settle for anything at all. So he holds on as long as he can, but he's more than happy to be ushered aside to listen to her chatter on.

He also thinks nothing of Claire just launching right into showing him what she's found; they're a bit alike in that sense, both of them always eager for advancing their knowledge, particularly of this world. ]

Large enough you'd almost be able to serve soup out of it. What do you make of the patterns? It reminds me of mythology from Earth a bit.

[ Even now, as a grown woman into her fifties, Claire misses her uncle, the man who raised her and was her father. Without realizing it, she's latched onto the Doctor as that father figure in her life, even before being turned into gods and given a false history. She's always excited to share with him, sends him random thoughts at random times, and has leaned on him without meaning to. He's never made her feel like she shouldn't, and so she's never given it a second thought.

She's already nodding, handing the cup over to him to examine, looking at their options and deciding to lead the into a bakery. A sweet sounds nice, and she's missed spending real time with everyone she cares for. ]

It does look like it's from Earth, doesn't it? I think that speaks to the universal urge to create stories in art in every culture. [ Claire glances at the Doctor, wishing not for the first time she could experience traveling with him, just once. ] Have you ever been anywhere there's no art?

[ She can't imagine, but the universe is s infinite, there's always the chance, even for as broad as 'art' can be. ]

Julia is nervous. She talked to Hilda about that and it seemed so silly, given that she and the Doctor had been on date-like experiences before, but now it is formal. And now they have centuries of memories from a more serious (and complicated) relationship, so finding all the ways through it, will be a task. And one they've both chosen, so at least they have that.

Still, this is the type of nervous that isn't necessarily bad. It's the butterflies in the stomach kind. The getting ready takes twice as long because you want to look nice kind. Which is hard for Julia because she doesn't have access to a cute wardrobe to cycle between, but she did manage to get offered a nice pretty dress from her home family. They wanted to thank her for looking after their kids, so it may be a simple dark red dress, but it's the thought that counts. And it does make her feel better.

It goes well with her newly red eyes, probably a surprise as she's always appeared to him with hazel in the Horizon, the only place they've been lately.

Julia's always been the very light makeup mostly-natural look so she gets access to minimal mascara and a tiny bit of lip coloring, nothing fancy. It's probably little things the Doctor won't notice, she looks much nicer in the Horizon where she can pick clothes, but it makes her feel date-like. Julia steps into Nocwich with a basket of too many apple goods a few minutes early because she was just bouncing outside the portal, waiting to go in and not seem too eager.

You've never been nervous with him before, relax!

While the Doctor doesn't feel nervousness about such things in quite the same way, he does spend an extra bit of time smoothing out his hair in the mirror before he makes his way to the portal to meet her in Nocwich. Straightening out his waistcoat and bowtie — wearing a newer bowtie, in fact, one that Hilda had made for him a bit ago. He has at least some sense about these things.

He had wanted to plan something grand, but the nature of this world means they're more limited than he would like. He could have done more in the Horizon, but that defeats the whole purpose of wanting to actually see her again in person, to be able to touch and hold onto one another. He does have a small package with him, though, a bit of a sweet treat he'd attempted to make for her in the Free Cities.

He is, perhaps predictably, a bit late because of it. Getting distracted with grabbing a few things at the last minute. He's not too late, but always seems to have a habit of running behind, though certainly not for lack of wanting to see her. So when he steps through the portal and does see her, he opens his arms wide.

"Julia! There you are," his grin is bright, moving close and intending to wrap her up in a tight hug, to start. He's missed the sensation of having his arms around her.

[ He would gladly talk with her endlessly, long into the night, the early morning. Whenever she needs him most, he's there for her. He always will be. That fondness goes both ways, and he only ever wants to nurture the endless curiosity in Claire.

He will, always, enjoy something sweet of course. Ever eager for such indulgences. So he follows her where she leads, knowing it will be delicious no matter where they end up. ]

A few places with a dearth of art or definable culture, yes, though it's rare. There are a few civilizations out there who define themselves by their military prowess, their ability to exert power and aggression over others more than anything else. They want only to harm and destroy, and their worlds of origin lack anything imaginative like this.

What do you think this piece says about this world, the history of it?

Julia doesn't know how much she missed the physical contact of him until she steps into his arms and sinks into the offered hug. The Horizon can do incredible things and technically it could make them a fantastic picnic and date place, whatever they could imagine, but there is something so solid about this. The last time they really got to have this, outside of the god experience, was when she danced in his arms and they looked at each other, knowing something had changed.

It feels so good. She puts her arms around his middle and sets her head on his chest, just enjoying the hug for what it is. She's still almost a foot shorter than him, she can't create the heels that put her closer to him out here. There was a time Julia didn't think she'd want anyone to embrace her again, but now she's getting used to it again. It feels amazing.

Julia pulls back and leans up onto her tip toes to kiss his cheek sweetly. While she does want to kiss him in the real world, they haven't yet, this public space is not really the right time. But she gives him a casual one on the cheek, which suits her, and then goes back down on her heels, smiling up at him. The Doctor is handsome and she's thought that from the moment she saw him, but damned if he isn't more so now that their relationship has shifted.

"Okay let's not miss a Nocwich again because that felt great."

[ Claire frowns at the thought of a culture based on hurting others and thinks of the Mongols, but luckily, nothing she's found points in that direction. Something happened to push the Luna into less territory, but she isn't sure she'll get to the answer soon, if at all. She's happy with what she's found, though, and would do it all again.

His question is one she's been thinking about since the moment she cleaned the piece. ]

It might say there was another species here we haven't encountered yet: the centaurs. I didn't think there were dragons but I've been proven wrong there, so could it be so far-fetched that centaurs existed...or even possibly still do somewhere off of this continent?

[ When they make it inside, Claire finds a table for them and points it out, heading that way. ] Why don't you get situated with the chalice, and I'll get us something?

[ Hilda's idea of a good time still wasn't going out into the desert to camp or any other related activity to it. But people were in need and she wasn't just about to let the Doctor head out and embark on his own - especially through the Badlands. She knew better than to judge a book by its cover, or in this case a bandit by their profession, but that still didn't mean they weren't also suffering from this latest turn of events that had happened in the Free Cities.

Thankfully for the Doctor she's kept most of her complaining to a minimum. Mostly in part thanks to him procuring a horse. As good natured as the Doctor is everyone had their limits when it came to complaining.

When she wakes the next day, she's still blinking the sleep from her eyes but gladly takes the breakfast sandwich with a yawn and an affectionate pat on the snoot of their horse. ]

I'm glad she thinks so. Although I wouldn't be surprised if some of that had to do with the treats I brought.

[ Before taking a bite of her sandwich she gives him a smile of thanks. ]

Did you sleep okay?

He doesn't take it for granted for a single moment, that she's comfortable with letting him hold her like this, even for a little while. After all she's been through, everything done to her, he's constantly amazed by her strength. When she kisses his cheek, he smiles widely and brightly enough that his dimples are on full display.

Like her, he'd rather reserve more intimate touch for a space to themselves, but for the moment, he's just eager and glad to be near her. He takes one of her hands, drawing it to his lips to kiss her knuckles.

"That is an easy promise to keep," he smiles against her skin, lacing their fingers together for a moment if she'll allow him. But he does take notice now of her eyes, leaning in a little.

"I didn't notice before, your eyes —"

You'll learn quite quickly with me, Claire, that I don't believe anything is too far-fetched. Impossible, far-fetched...words I don't really tend to embrace.

[ But he gives her a little smile and a nod as she goes to grab them something. ]

Anything sweet, please!

[ He makes her grin before she disappears to the counter. She has a moment of remembering the life that wasn't real, of sitting with him in a random room of the TARDIS with two forks and a chocolate cake between them when Sam left. Because she knows he likes it, that's what she gets for both of them, along with a sweetened coffee for him (she grabs additional sugar just in case) and a coffee with cream for her.

When she returns, she parcels everything out, then sits with a soft sigh and smile. ]

There. Now we can really get serious. [ Her smile grows into a grin before she takes a bite of the cake. ] I think I need another day in Luna to poke around some of the bookshops with older texts. But we can put that on hold a moment. How are things looking in your neck of the woods? Are people getting better?

[ When she sets that cake down in front of him, he can't help having a flash of that same memory, perhaps because it was meaningful to both of them. He hasn't entirely reconciled it yet — those moments held so close, that felt so real, but weren't. It was all a dream, but it wasn't. The feelings linger, even...physical markings. He still has the ability to conjure the planets in the palm of his hand, for instance.

It doesn't make letting go of what happened any easier when they bear remnants even now.

He has nothing but a smile for her, though, as she slides that cake close to him, and he's quick to take a very large bite, humming as he chews and puffs out his cheeks a bit. As he hasn't entirely swallowed, he simply shakes his head, wiping his mouth, taking a sip of coffee, and finally answering — ]

Not entirely, no, I'm sorry to say. I wish I had a better answer, trust me. Myself and others have continued to give blood to the doctors there so they can study why Summoned seem to remain immune. People have died, families separated, it's...this is better. This time with you.

I kept busy!

[ He might have slept an hour, a quick nap, and that's all he really needed. It's handy, at least, that his body hardly requires much, because he wouldn't have felt very settled sleeping completely with Hilda here. It's one thing when it's his own safety at stake — which matters little to him — and it's another thing entirely when he's with a friend. He takes his duties of care very seriously.

— when he's...paying attention.

He does, at least, have something to show for it when he says he kept busy, and he reaches for a notebook in one of his cavernous pockets, flipping a few pages and showing to her. In it, he's drawn much of their present surroundings in great detail, but on subsequent pages, he's doodled more amusing images, inserting absurd things, like a swimming pool in the middle of the desert or an ice cream machine in the middle of Cadens. ]

How is Hilda the Magnificent this morning? Ready for our duties ahead?

[ For what it’s worth, Hilda had offered to keep watch and take shifts. But the Doctor’s insistence that it was just fine had won her over in the end. Having to fight the stubborn men in her life was enough without also adding the Doctor to that list.

Ensuring that the breakfast sandwich is kept away from the pages of his notebook (nothing was more upsetting than spilling something on paper) she peers at the doodles and intricate drawings with equal amounts of interest, eyes lighting up at the strange looking contraption in the middle of Cadens. It looked like something easily built out of New Magic — a lever there, spouts for dispensing something — but she hadn’t ever seen something like it before. ]

She will be once she gets some food in her belly. If we make good time, I think we should be able to get there before sunset.

[ Casting a glance out at the horizon a faint little line appears between her brows. ]

At least we’ll be able to see if there’s any trouble coming towards us. That’s the only good thing about the desert.

"I'll be grateful for the Horizon so we don't only see each other once a month, but this I like." Julia smiles as he kisses her knuckles and she playfully dips down into a little curtsey since she's wearing a dress and she feels cute. He makes her all giddy inside in the best sense, and being near him again is almost euphoric after everything that's gone on.

Julia was worried that seeing him again would make her think about the times everything went wrong between them, but it didn't in their reunion, and it doesn't now. There's something about him that does the opposite, makes her think of all the good times instead. She's been trying to see the bright side of that experience and most days, it actually works.

Her smile fades just a little and she nods. "I woke up after our experience with them. They're pretty and all, but it's a little confusing, so I've kept my old shade in the Horizon." Since they've only seen each other there, he didn't know until now. Julia does genuinely like the color, but it's weird and another thing that was done to her without her permission, which is a little annoying.

[ Claire hasn't been able to fully let go of that dream, whatever it is they're calling it. Not because she was powerful, but because she had deep connections and roots, and she never realized before how deeply she craved that. She wasn't able to let go of Jon, and the Doctor may not be her father, but she has no doubt that she can turn to him should she need him.

She's taken a bite of cake, chewing slowly as he explains. It isn't as if she can do much more than anyone in the Free Cities already is, but as a doctor, to not be in the thick of a medical crisis unsettles her. ]

I wish that I could help, at least to try and alleviate some of the worst symptoms, to be there.

[ But he's right, this is better. This time they have together face to face, live in person. Taking a sip of her coffee, she does a little reset, taking a breath and letting it out, then offering a small smile. ]

Now, in an effort to move on to happier things, you'll be glad to know I have a plan to restore my bee houses. Magic bees seem to be the answer, which is a solution I never would have come up with on my own. I have Wanda to thank for that. I don't think I realized it was even possible. But I'll be able to make sure nothing can ever end my entire colony again, or at least as close to nothing.

[ There's always the chance something that's never happened before will surprise them all, but she's hopeful. ]

One thing at a time though, I still need to finish my research on this [ she nods at the chalice. ] and let the Council know I've actually found something. I'm not sure anyone expected me to. [ More likely they were humoring her, but that's alright. ]

And the views, don't neglect them. The desert works hard on itself to give us this —

[ Tucking his notebook back into his pocket, he waves a hand now out towards the sky ahead of them. It's easy for him to delight in nearly everything, from the more obviously exciting things like wind-up toys, to even something as simple as a grain of sand. But he understands his perspective might not be shared by all.

He starts to munch a bit on the food now, rapidly shifting from one thing to the next. But he offers their horse some food as well, gently rubbing her snout for a brief moment. ]

I like to think of any trouble we might encounter as just a bit of extra scenery. We'll be fine!

[ He shouldn't be so flippant perhaps, given that reports of bandit attacks have increased, but it's the only way he knows. Should anything happen to them, though, Hilda would see a completely different side to him. ]

[ As much as she might lament about the sun and how easily her skin may burn, Hilda understands that there's some semblance of beauty to be held in the landscape before them. She hadn't seen much of any desert before arriving in Abraxas. Goneril was blissfully verdant and blue with colours that dotted the landscape like jewels. It had taken her a little while to appreciate all of this - but it was slowly becoming something akin to a second home to her after all this time.

She just had to be a little more vigilant about the sun. That was all. Speaking of which - she reaches over to her nearby pack and plops the large sunhat atop her head before plopping another similar one onto the Doctor's. (Sun) Safety first! ]

Well let's not jinx it or chance it, hm?

[ Devouring the rest of breakfast she stands up gives a bit of a stretch before starting to pack up their things. ]

Just because I brought my axe doesn't mean I want to use it. It's way too hot out for that!

[ As chipper as her voice is she knows that she'll use it if she has to. ]

Edited 2024-08-07 06:06 (UTC)

In the same way that he doesn't take it for granted that she can trust him with being close to her like this — holding her hand, even kissing her — the Doctor also doesn't take those moments of her being playful with him for granted. It's strange to still feel twinges of those old memories in that shared dream, the feeling of missing her so desperately and not knowing if they could ever fix it. But they're here now, they're connected to one another, and she incrementally makes him less and less afraid of it — getting close, too close, only to lose her. He saves those moments of worry for when he's alone.

"What a strange thing to carry over, though — and more that's out of our control." He's most upset with the way his memories were stolen. To have their minds played with like that —

"A bit stayed behind with me as well." This, at least, he doesn't mind; he can be stroppy about the mechanism of it while still delighting in the fact that he can do this at all, and he smiles softly when he opens the palm of his hand, revealing a few small stars and planets swirling about.

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Page 1 of 3

[ open & closed | july & august ]

free cities | open

nocwich | open

horizon | open

quest shenanigans | hilda!

closed | julia

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yay!

sob sorry this is so late <3

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never any worries

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