Summer 8 - Open

[notrosesshadow]

Morning - Community Center

Martha decided she needed a hike. While she had been avoiding people, she also wasn't really experiencing the island. Today she would. She woke up early and braided her hair... her hair. The rain had done a number on it, and she didn't have any product to even attempt to straighten it... Braids it was until she figured something else out. That done, and with proper adventuring clothes and shoes, she made her way to the Community Center. There she poked around in the kitchen. She filled a canteen with water and grabbed some various food stuffs that she could throw in her backpack. She didn't plan for this to be a massive hike, but just enough. She also make sure to add a pen and notebook.

---

Evening - Community Center

Martha sat in the lounge on the second floor with a cup of tea and a book. The hike had been what she needed, and now, she needed tea. She also should review her notes, but that could wait until she got back to her room.

Comments

Evening

[readystopwatch]

[If there’s one place Ianto can always be found it’s where the books are. He’s finally made time to go explore the community center more thoroughly and is rummaging through the shelves when he catches sight of Martha. He’s already spoken to Jack and knows their timelines don’t entirely line up but he’s still glad to see her.]

I’d heard a rumor you were here, Martha Jones.

Re: Evening

[notrosesshadow]

[Well there was a voice Martha wasn’t expecting to hear. She had finally gotten used to Jack being here, but she wasn’t fully expecting more people from home to show up. She smiled though when she looked up.]

Ianto. You must have just arrived.

[readystopwatch]

[It feels strange speaking to someone he was so close to one who has no memories of that friendship now. They’re still friends but they went through a lot together at Marina, good and bad and it’s a little sad knowing he’s the only one who remembers it. He smiles despite it all, still very glad to see her.] Only two days ago. Still getting settled in I’m afraid.

[notrosesshadow]

Doesn't take too long though. Once you get used to sharing houses with strangers again. Feels a bit like Uni again.

[She took a sip of tea before asking the necessary question.]

So, when are you from?

[readystopwatch]

Yes, that’s a bit of an adjustment, I’ll admit. [He decides not to lead with the Spike rooming situation. Let’s work up to that.]

The same time as Jack, so about five years in your future. I’ll try not to give much away, I promise.

[notrosesshadow]

"Oh, that's... good for you guys then right?" Martha found herself feeling... left out. She wanted a break from people at home, but now that they were here, she was disappointed that they were so far ahead of her. Things that had just happened to her, that she was still working through were in the past for them.

The disappointment only flashed on her face for an instant though before her smile was back to it's normal brilliance. She closed her notebook and tossed it on the table in front of her. "So when was the last time you took a vacation?"

[readystopwatch]

None of those are easy questions to answer but there’s not much point in hiding. She’s going to find everything out soon enough anyway and at least this way she and Spike have a better chance of getting along this time around. If there’s honesty from the start hinge might not go so badly this time.

“When are you from, specifically?” He asked, taking s seat across the table from her with a smile to make his hesitation seem less ominous. “I just want to make sure before I start taking about myself, so I know what not to mention. You know how it is with timelines.”

[notrosesshadow]

Yes, the question was to be expected. Time travel and all that. But she still wasn't quite over whatever lowness had come over her the last few days. "Shortly after the Dalek invasion. When they moved all the planets in the sky?" After she'd been fired from her job. After she and Tom had split.

Still, the smile she flashes Ianto belies exactly how she's feeling. Besides, she'e here to relax and heal. And NOT worry about things. It was time to be happy.

[readystopwatch]

“I remember. We all saved the world that day.” For all the chaos and fear of that day there’s some good memories, too. They came together and stopped the Daleks. Five years later and it still sticks in his mind.

He’s honestly not sure what he should say about his time between now and then. He remembers that pain of learning about his own future when Jack chose to keep it a secret from him, but hers isn’t quite as bad. On the other hand it seems cruel to recount memories of the times they spent together that she won’t ever experience. It seems like it places a burden on her to live up to the closeness they achieved in that time. In the end he decides to go for honest but vague. She can ask for more details and he can decide what’s safe to share.

“To be honest it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Jack. I didn’t even know he was here. I met someone else and we’ve been traveling together for the past few years. That’s how we ended up in the place.”

Morning

[bluerocks]

Zel's having breakfast by himself; a big mug of coffee, and a much smaller bowl of mixed fruits, nuts, and grains with some yogurt. He was also reading a paperback novel (a murder mystery, by the looks of it), until he noticed someone shoving a bunch of food into a pack. It looked pretty serious.

"Planning a big trip?" he asks her as she passes his table. He's not usually one to pry, but he's curious about this adventurous-looking woman.

Re: Morning

[notrosesshadow]

Martha shrugged. “Planning on going out for most of the day, yes.” She wasn’t fully sure how far she’s get. The lake was closest but she also wanted to check out the beach as well.

[bluerocks]

She didn't balk at his looks; that was a good first step.

"Most people here haven't seemed to plan for anything more than a nap on the beach." He takes a sip of his coffee, eyeing what was left of his breakfast. "Would you care for some company? I'm about to go stretch my legs myself."

[notrosesshadow]

Martha hadn't been paying enough attention to really get a good look at him. When he asked if she'd like some company, she did turn her attention. She cocked and eyebrow as she took in his blue skin and the patches of... something across his skin.

"We've not met yet. I'm Martha." She didn't hold out a hand. Sure that was polite, but she still had a package of granola in her hand that she was in the process of placing in her backpack.

[bluerocks]

"Zelgadis." He takes that brief hesitation a little personally, though, and lets out a small sigh. "Don't feel obliged. But there aren't many paths to take here, so we're bound to travel in the same areas eventually."

[notrosesshadow]

"Zelgadis." Martha nods. While she noticed the sigh, and while she typically was more concerned for other people, she still wasn't feeling her normal self. The party last night had taken more out of her than she wanted. But it was still worth having another person.

"I've more'n enough supplies for two." Yes, it was rather more than enough supplies. Don't ask Zelgadis. "You ready to go now?"

[bluerocks]

"My needs are simple." He's already eaten breakfast, how much could a stroll up the mountain or whatever really take out of him?

Zelgadis swigs the rest of his coffee and brings the dishes over to the kitchen, filling up his canteen while he's there. He might be holding Martha up while he finishes up his morning, but he doesn't particularly care; if she wants the company, she can wait a couple minutes for him.

When he's done, he comes back with just a full canteen hanging from a belt, nodding to Martha. "Ready."

[notrosesshadow]

Martha waited for him in the dining hall. She adjusted her backpack and was just finishing up tightening her boots when he came back.

"Brilliant. Let's go."

She sets off at a brisk pace. Martha wants to get to the mountain before the sun gets too high, though with summer this high north, that's difficult in and of itself.

Once they're out of the general community, she spoke again. "Haven't run across your species before. May I ask where you're from?"

community center

[sparkandburn]

No one told him she was around. They didn't have the greatest of relationships back in prison but there were moments and he'd like to think they at least saw eye to eye towards the end of it. Chances are, even if he had known she was on the island he wouldn't have rushed to greet her, but it would've been nice, he supposes.

He's been in the kitchen, heating up a mug of blood — pig, he thinks — before heading upstairs to raid the library. Only, there she is, and he stops in his tracks to look at her. A blast from the bloody past.

"Martha?"

This HAS to be after Ianto meets her because she doesn't know Spike in that thread.

[notrosesshadow]

It had been about a half hour since Ianto had left. She was going over her notes from the day and adding other thoughts so she could think better on it overnight. Perhaps go back out the next day or so.

She looked up quizzically when an unfamiliar voice said her name.

"Yes?"

[sparkandburn]

It takes him a short moment before things clicks into place — she doesn't remember. It shouldn't bother him, if anything it should be a relief but a small part of him is bothered. They should have known each other for months. All that's gone now.

He doesn't let any of that show for more than the briefest of moments though, instead arranges himself into something nonchalantly pleasant.

"I'm a friend of Ianto's. Heard a lot about you."

[notrosesshadow]

Martha grinned. "You're him! Spike. Pale, blonde, and absurdly handsome!" She eagerly reached forward to shake his hand. "He's already told me about you too."

Bit different from their last meeting.

[sparkandburn]

Bit different indeed, so much so that he remains a bit taken aback by the whole thing. He does reciprocate the handshake, as warm as he can muster.

"Is that how he introduces me to people?" Can't really complain, but c'mon. "What else did he say?"

[notrosesshadow]

"Mainly that you're devilishly handsome," she replied, her grin widening. "Also something about first impressions and how you're not so great at them." Martha finally let go of his hand and sat back down on her chair, inviting him to sit in the chair opposite if he so chose.

"That's really about it. Other than that, I know nothing about you."

[sparkandburn]

"Hey, I make great first impressions."

There's a hint of self-awareness at that comment - back in the day, he always prided himself of making memorable first impressions, usually by setting something on fire or breaking someone's neck. That kind of tactic doesn't work as well when you're trying to at least be civil.

"He hasn't said that much about you either. Just that there were people from back home about." He does take that offered seat, making an attempt at being nice.

[notrosesshadow]

Martha smirked at him. Provided he made Ianto happy, she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"It's good to have people from home. People from home who... understand what home can be like." She assumed Spike would know what she was talking about if he was with Ianto. But then again, she just ended a relationship where she kept secrets.