Summer 16 - Dreary Day Mingle

[kollomods]

[ It's another calm, quiet day on the island. Swedish summers are like this, from time to time. Cloudy, too cold to spend outside but not so cold that you can really cosy up under a blanket. Another gray, endless summer day, the kind school children dread. Even the birds are quiet.

The Community Center lies mostly abandoned, the only sign of activity being the steaming pots of coffee and hot water set out on the counter, alongside a small assortment of cinnamon buns and shortbread cookies. The locals are busy elsewhere. Come, sit. Spend some time together. ]

Comments

Christmas is over, work has settled down, illnesses gone... i'ts been a month.

[notrosesshadow]

[Gray, bleak, and cold. Could be London. Martha thought about going out, but a brisk walk around the cabins and she felt that it really was better to be inside. Well, there'd probably be something going on at the Community.

Of course, it was fairly quiet there too. She poured herself a cup of coffee and made her way to the library to find something to read. Perhaps it was just a cozy day. But even after browsing the books, none of those looked good either. Eventually she resolved to pacing from window to window, taking moments to stare out and sip coffee before moving to the next one.]

[readystopwatch]

[She’s not the only one with coffee and books on their mind. They seem the perfect activity for a day like today and after using the weather as an excuse to lay around in bed for longer than he normally would Ianto is up and at the community center, giant mug of coffee in hand. His caffeine intake has definitely increased since introducing a vampire into his lifestyle and sleeping habits.

He smiles as he catches sight of Martha by the window and wanders over to join her in admiring the view.] Rather a dismal day, isn’t it?

[notrosesshadow]

[Martha looked over from her window when Ianto spoke and gave him a half smile.] A bit. Good day for coffee.

Met Spike the other day.

[readystopwatch]

I can make you a cup if you’d like. [She knows about his whole coffee thing after all.

That comment gets a curious little quirk of his brow.] And? How did he manage the first impression?

[notrosesshadow]

[Martha looked at the cup she currently held in her hand and found it empty.] I'd like that. Thanks.

You had me worried, but he was on his best behavior it seems. And devilishly handsome as you said. Cheekbones that could cut glass. [She grinned as she said it.]

[readystopwatch]

[He’s on the case, as far as coffee is concerned and takes the mug from her with a smile. The coffee maker is close enough that he can glance over his shoulder and continue their conversation as he works.

It’s very odd to hear her say anything remotely positive about Spike and he’s doing his best to hide behind his usual bland sarcasm and not give anything away.] I think he’s making an effort for this place. Or rather we both are. I’m not always the most social myself. [He wants to ask more, to see if she approves of Spike, if she resents him for being with someone besides Jack but he tries to play it cool.]

[notrosesshadow]

It's easy to end up by yourself here. Far easier than it should be for a small island. At least, I've found it easy to go long stretches without talking to other people even though I share a cabin with four other people.

[Not usual for Martha to be so out of the way. But perhaps that was what she needed. She watches Ianto make the coffee and notices his... discomfort? Apprehension? There's something there...] You seem to have something on your mind. Want to share?

[readystopwatch]

It’s peaceful. I like it. I think. [He doesn’t really do relaxed, and isn’t quite sure what to make of it.

He walks back over to hand her the cup, smiling a small, sheepish smile.] Nothing really. I suppose I was just nervous about what you’d think of him. I know how close you and Jack are, it would be easy to disapprove of all this.

[notrosesshadow]

[Martha took the mug with an easy shrug.]

We're close, yeah, but you happen to be ahead of me. All of you. I'm sure with a few years difference, things change.

[She took a sip before adding another thought.]

Also, I haven't talked to him since I learned of it. But Jack's a big boy.

[readystopwatch]

I appreciate your maturity on it. I suppose I should have expected it. You’ve always been the most reasonable of us. [Now that is very true.]

[notrosesshadow]

[Martha raised an amused eyebrow.]

The most reasonable? I suppose traveling with a couple hundred years old man child... alien child? Whatever the Doctor is would do that to you.

[And you know, all the other things that happened.]

[readystopwatch]

And here I thought dealing with a Jack was bad enough. [One of his more dry smiles as he clinks their mugs together. ] Cheers to us for putting up with them.

[notrosesshadow]

[She chuckles as they clink mugs and takes another sip. Then she clears her throat.]

In all seriousness though, how is Jack taking it? He's been quiet since we arrived with the first crew. And in order to avoid spoilers, I'm not asking a whole lot.

[Also to avoid talking about life. But Ianto knows what's going on with hers.]

[readystopwatch]

You know Jack, his life is one big spoiler. [For a time traveler he’s never seemed particularly cautious about dropping hints where the future is concerned.]

Honestly? I don’t know. It’s been months since I even heard from him, and he’s hard to get a read on at the best of times. I think he has something on his mind or some reason to come here but you know how impossible it can be to get him to share what he’s thinking.

[notrosesshadow]

[Martha nodded, thoughtfully.]

He's been rather quiet since the beginning of our time here. Even when I met him that first day he was stepping around something in conversation. But then, so was I, so I didn't pry too hard.