(no subject)

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

Mary O'Brien has found herself another newspaper.

This one is from 1993, and is describing some kind of elementary school evacuation in Manhattan.

Having taught elementary school -- or its rather limited equivalent -- and being unfamilliar with this 'asbestos' business, she's wrapped up in it.

And yet not against being interrupted.

[Mun is on hospital tour, and might vanish. But you will be answered! You know, whenever there's a connection.]

Comments

[street-sparrow.livejournal.com]

Gavroche appears through the painting portal, with his usual glance around to make sure Blodwen isn't there.

Kennis the rat is perched on his shoulder.

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

No Blodwen, just Mary.

-- who looks up from the newspaper at that precise moment.

"Lovely rat you have."

It's a good thing her dog isn't around.

[street-sparrow.livejournal.com]

Gavroche could just tell the dog this rat isn't food, if he was.

"Thanks. His name's Kennis."

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

"A good name for a loyal companion -- and mine's Mary. My name, that is."

[street-sparrow.livejournal.com]

"Gavroche. Nice to meet you."

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

"And the same to you both --"

This calm conversation is interrupted by the addition of a young Bernese Mountain Dog, barking and hopping up to sit on Mary's feet.

Laughing, she adds, "-- and this is Ludwig."

[street-sparrow.livejournal.com]

Gavroche grins at him, and switches to the Speech.

"Dai'stiho, Ludwig."

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

Mary, for all that she's intrigued, and accepting, only sees motion and hears sounds -- they don't quite make words.

But Ludwig, canine and hyper and so full of Life, catches on quickly.

Hi! Are you going to feed me something?

[street-sparrow.livejournal.com]

"I don't know. I'll ask.." He looks up at Mary. "He wants me to feed him something."

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

"He wants --"

Well, stranger things have happened.

"... I don't object, but backtrack a minute? You understand him?"

[street-sparrow.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." It might be noted there's a rowan wand stuck through Gavroche's belt. "I'm a wizard, see."

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

Three years ago, Mary would have thought maybe this poor child overdosed a bit.

Two years ago, she'd say it was creative oppression.

Last year, she'd have tried to adopt him.

Now's different.

"That's amazing." And she believes him, completely. "What does he want?"

[street-sparrow.livejournal.com]

Gavroche looks to the dog.

"What do you want to eat?"

[othercaptjack]

His Royal Highness the Prince Charming peers over her shoulder.

Or Jack Harkness, still in dazzling white, wearing dazzling stage makeup.

"Anything good?" he asks cheerfully.

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

"Not really. A bunch of children were evacuated from a school due to a small fire and dangerous chemicals in the wall," Mary answers without looking up.

"I think there may be a comic section, though, if you'd like it."

[othercaptjack]

"Oh, I'm good, thanks," says Jack.

"Just nosy, you know. Sorry."

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

"Oh," Mary looks up and smiles. "So am I, anytime I see someone reading. It's fine. My name's Mary."

[othercaptjack]

He grins. There is a very faint 'ting!' noise as the light hits his perfect teeth.

Jack looks a little puzzled. But anyway.

"Jack Harkness, good to meet you."

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

... that's new, too.

"You too. And your triangle player, wherever he may be."

[othercaptjack]

"Yeah, I... haven't located him yet."

He shrugs. "Anyway. You been around long? I don't get here very often, entirely possible I just missed you."

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

"Actually, no, not really, just a ... couple of weeks, I think. My sense of time is off since dying," she adds casually, as if death is really nothing.

It's actually been helpful, though. Milliways wins for pleasant locations on her part.

"Have you tried baiting him?"

[othercaptjack]

He winces, but nods understandingly. Jack takes most things in strode.

"Well, not much seems to work. It's just that whenever I..."

He pauses a second before aiming a million-volt smile at nothing in particular. The fourth wall he happens to look at, perhaps.

Ting!

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

"... oh dear, that must be annoying."

Mary blinks, and tries to place the sound.

Then balls up a newspaper page and hurls it in that direction.

[othercaptjack]

Somewhere, a delighted kid in the front row squeals and catches it, only to start crying when it proves not to be sweets.

Jack scrunches up his eyes, searching.

"Did you... see where that went?"

[live-to-feel.livejournal.com]

Mary blinks again.

"No. Did you hear that squeal? I hope I didn't hurt someone."