Time Traveling Adventures

[javvie]

Six walked as calmly as he could to the man and the woman - not very calm, considering he was bouncing on the heels of his feet. He bowed and grinned up at them. "Hello!" He greeted blithely.

Susan glanced between the man and Ten nervously. "Hello." She held out her hand weakly, unsure of how her grandfather would react. Six grabbed her hand and shook it emphatically. She winced as Six's fingers clasped around the burn from the vortex manipulator.

[ooc| sorry this is so fail. :/ my muse is officially run out.][/verdana]

[The Tenth Doctor]

Ten glanced at Six and nodded. It was at least better for Six to talk to him than someone else -- someone who he might give his identity away, and cause all of them to go running. He knew that people were going to react when they saw him talking to the strange coated man. However, it was important to keep Six occupied.

"Hello," Ten greeted in return. He did his best to copy a gentleman's bow. "David Smith....pleasure to meet you, sir."

He saw how nervous Susan was acting, although he hoped that she would relax soon.
_______
The Hunter watched as Six had gone up to the brown haired human and greeted the man. He reached out for Kyra's hand, nervous about actually meeting humans.

[Scarlett De Fontaine]

Kyra smiled and took his hand. "It's going to be alright. No need to worry."

***
NY 1889

James then asked Clara, as the break in the clouds became covered up again, "So, where to next?"

Clara was still thinking about her TARDIS and whipped her head up to face him when he asked.

"Clara, are you alright? You seem a bit distant," James said as he studied her expression.

"I'm fine, really. It's just odd to be back in this time period." Clara put on a grin and hoped he wouldn't think any more of it.

But James knew that smile better than anyone. "Come on, what's really bothering you?"

Clara looked down, a bit ashamed that she had tried, and failed, to fool him like that. "I'm not sure, but... I'm just worried about my TARDIS... something just feels odd about everything... I don't know."

[The Eighth Doctor]

Eighth glanced around the very large room again and then froze. He blinked, looked away, then back again. No, he was still there, the larger-than-life version of him in his 6th life. He turned his back quickly as if to admire the painting on the wall but his mind was racing furiously. So he -had- been here, before, at this time, but he couldn't seem to remember why, or what had come from that visit. If he still had his 500 year old diary he could skim through to find out but his 7th life had lost it somewhere along the time lines. Rather careless of him but it probably was due to one of the numerous times he had been running for his life!

He sipped his wine thoughtfully and turned around just enough so his peripheral vision could watch Sixth. He couldn't see Peri anywhere but she could still be in the lobby. And who was that he was greeting? A tall rather thin man with brown hair. As he wasn't familiar to the Eighth he disregarded him and concentrated on his former self. Hopefully he wouldn't draw too much attention to himself but he vaguely remembered how he loved to be the center of every event at that time. A bit silly now, he thought, as an adult would think of the foolish things they had done as a child. It was so much easier to deal with things when one blended in more or less.

"Oh, it's such a GRAND party!" a loud voice gushed next to him. He looked up into the face of a rather large woman dressed up in a satin gown and jewelry glittering from neck, hair, ears and both arms. She looked like a walking crystal chandalier. "And the queen herself is about to arrive! Isn't this just thrilling!?"

Eighth gave her a vague smile. "Oh yes, I've been waiting the longest time to see her." he said non-commitably.

"Didn't you just DIE when you got the invitation!?" she gushed again, touching his arm for emphasis. "I had been waiting YEARS to be invited and now, I'm here!" She gave a happy loud sigh and looked about the room as if all of it had been arranged just for her benefit. "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me! Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Mrs. Chablis! Mrs. Clara Chablis."

"I'm the Doctor," Eighth replied with a slight bow. "Doctor Smith, John Smith."

"You do look like a doctor! I was saying to myself when I saw you standing here. 'That man looks like he could be a doctor, Clara!' And so you are! Oh have you tried the caviar yet? It's just scrumptious!"

"Well, no, not..." he was interuppted as Mrs Chablis saw someone she recognized.

"Robert! Oh Robert!! Oh please do excuse me, Doctor Smith, but I simply must speak to Mr. Robert Hunley over there. Enjoy the party!"

"I shall, now." he said to himself as she left, parting the crowd of people like the bow of an icebreaker. "Thank you, Mr. Hunley!"

He tried to carefully seek out his former self once more but even with his loud coat Sixth was no longer anywhere to be seen, at least from his angle. Perhaps that was for the best.

[The Tenth Doctor]

Just after Ten had replied to Six, he happened to scan the room with his eyes. Stopping on a particular man dressed like a gentlemen -- his Eighth self he stared several minutes. Yes, it was definitely him. Knowing that his Eighth self had much more sense in social situations, the fact that Eight was now there as well didn't cause too much concern. However, he did know that Eight liked to refer to himself as a medical Doctor. Hoping that that would be all he would reveal about his identity, and if pressed for a name, he hoped that Eight would say 'John Smith' or make up another name, with Six there.

Obviously, Eight would recognize Six instantly, and had probably already spotted the man.

So as not to stare at Eight, Ten looked back over at Six. He was, however, curious about how Eight would react -- what Eight's opinion of him would be. He had been rather fond of Eight, and was anxious to get a chance to talk with him at some point that evening. He would have to be discreet about it -- he wouldn't want Eight to think him suspicious.

[Scarlett De Fontaine]

Kyra looked around, taking in the scenery. She didn't quite understand the purpose of this gathering, but she was trying to learn quickly. The women seems to wear big dresses that hid their legs, and the men wore shirts and pants that seemed to either hid or accentuate their bodies. The way they moved... She blushed as she realized that this could be some sort of way of choosing mates.

[Issildia Nevar]

The brittle edge of a winter wind whipped through her as her lungs seized up with the scent of sulfur and ozone lingering in her nose. Issildia had decided then that she despised time travel, it was far more trouble than it was worth as her body convulsed into a short trumpeting of coughs to get the taste of copper off her tongue, and that horrid air out of her lungs. Whispers of snow swirled about her body as the ringing in Issildia’s ears dissipated to be replaced with the clop of hooves and the clatter of coach wheels. The bitter cold of the Victorian era slapped against her body which was clothed in exo-fiber material, which in fact did not need to be very thick to be useful against energy based weaponry. As such a roll of shivers rocketed through her body as the woman wrapped her coat tightly around her lithe form. Her raven black locks tumbled in the wind behind her as Issildia scampered out of the small alleyway where she had rather gracelessly materialized.

For a moment her hand fell to the Vortex Manipulator at her wrist which had started to emit a faint tendril of smoke from where the wrist strap met her flesh. Her wrist was now a delicate patchwork of burns that stung brilliantly against that bitter London cold.

Puffing out a great cloud of vapor from her mouth, Issildia could not shake the frustration that was inching into her very marrow. She did not like these early human eras in the least, they were utterly foreign to someone from New Earth.
Still her assignment burned brightly within her consciousness and this particular date had been noted in the Torchwood files to hold an appearance of the Doctor. Issildia was even fortunate enough to know the exact address where he would be appearing. It was almost lucky that the queen had put a price on his head; it allowed this date to stick out like a weed among a well tended bed of tulips.

Keeping the coat wrapped tightly about her body Issildia stepped back into the shadows of the alleyway for a short lived moment, her mind focusing briefly into a single thought. A faint heat radiated upon the surface of her skin as her Spiridon genetics came into play, her body becoming utterly invisible, save for the dark coat wrapped about her shoulders and the array of weaponry at her belt. The exo suit she wore was bio-engineered to mimic her genetic structure, which allowed it to also be covered by her cloak of invisibility. This meant sadly that she would need to leave all of her weapons behind, along with her coat, which silently Issildia wished to keep more than anything else in this blasted cold. Still, she would manage to find a way indoors soon enough, and perhaps get her hands on a proper wardrobe for this time period.
Shrugging off the coat, and removing her belt which hung heavy with her S-Class Ion Saber and A/M explosives Issildia moved further back into the alleyway to find a heavy snow drift to stow her belongings in. All the while the bitter cold snapped at her thinly clothed body. After hiding her items completely in the drift where no street rat would dare look for the danger of getting chilblains, Issildia turned back to the street, her body still utterly invisible from the passing pedestrians.

Her agile form shot across the bustling street at a sharp sprint towards a massive build that was almost garish in its grandness. Sliding into the adjoining alley off to the side of the structure, which appeared to either be some sort of lovely hotel for the wealthy or a private manor that was simply playing host for the apparent ball that evening. A frost rimmed emergency ladder hung off the shadow cloaked side of the manor, hanging an easy five feet over her head. Without pausing but for an instant Issildia again made a brutal sprint directly at the wall, her speed carrying her up the bricked surface several feet before gravity began to take hold and she kicked off viciously to send her body into a half extended back twist where her extended hands caught the lowest iron rung of the ladder. Snow fell in lumps to the ground where her hand met the metal, yet of course in her invisible form it appeared that some unseen specter was ascending the array of iron bars.

Wrenching her body up Issildia towed her body weight up to take the next set of rungs in succession, moving at a quick but steady pace. The metal so cold it burned her skin like some white hot flame as puffs of vapor evenly existed her nose, the woman finally swung herself over the edge of the rooftop, her invisibility wavering as the vicious eastern wind slammed into her now that she was clear of the protective brick wall. Her concentration wavered for but a moment before she resumed control and her half cloaked body disappeared once again.

A glassy dome at least three times her length stood astride the manor roof where dozens of dancing nobles spiraled about a glowing ball room. Moving to the edge of the dome, Issildia peered downwards. She could not make out individual faces at such a height, and besides she had best procure herself some sort of disguise if she was going to make her way into that chamber.



~ A cackle of girlish voices pattered outside the private rooms of Lady Roslyn Ashford as the door to the chamber closed with a soft click behind the parade of women headed to the party. The private quarters were utterly vacant and dim as a dull tap echoed from the snow rimmed window pane. Slowly the latch popped open and the glass slid upwards to emit a frosty gust of air before the window slid shut behind the unseen invader.

A waver of light passed about a humanoid figure as her body came into sight again. Issildia stood within the far warmer chambers glad to be rid of the cold that was still gripping her aching muscles.
She wasted no time in attempting warm herself as she moved over to what must have been a rather lovely walk-in wardrobe. Issildia paid no heed to the golden inlay surrounding the closet’s threshold as she moved into the wardrobe. Amid the gloom silken fabrics pressed in upon her shoulders from both sides as the Torchwood huntress made a quick decision in choosing the garment with the least about of garish lace and adornments. She was not going to make herself look like some gold plated peacock even if it was for the sake of her objective.

[The Tenth Doctor]

One of the men who was serving as a guard for the event thought that he had heard movement somewhere else in the house. Frowning, he turned to investigate. Creeping up the stairs slowly, he strained to see if he could hear any more movements. Thinking at perhaps a couple had decided to go elsewhere in the house, he knew he couldn't be too careful. The Queen would be arriving any moment, and he had to make sure that there had not been any intruders. Every little noise must be investigated.

Continue to listen, he stopped where he was. Now, where exactly had the sounds come from?

[Issildia Nevar]

(I know, it will be brilliant. ^^ She won't have any idea what to do )

Issildia fidgeted about with the neckline of the simple silken gown that she had donned for infiltrating the event. In an act of forethought she had locked the door and barred it with a tipped chair in case Lady Ashford or her ladies returned before the end of the ball. The smooth silk fabric was relatively unadorned with the layers of lace and gems that dripped off the other gowns in the wardrobe Issildia noted as she picked at the soft netted sleeves that reached down to her wrists. The gown also did not boast a heavy bustle and fell simply down her body as a dress should the woman deduced, though to be quite honest this was the first time she had ever worn such a thing.

The dress was a soft champagne gold hue with a play of discrete lace about her neckline with a small citrine gem dangling at the center of the collar where it was clasped at the base of her throat.

A silver comb rested on the table beside the bed, and Issildia took this opportunity to detangle the swathe of obsidian locks that she had allowed to fly freely during her journey to this room. Daring not to steal any hair adornments or jewelry that might tip off the real owner of the dress to the theft, Issildia did not bother in putting up her hair and instead allowed it to fall down her back in a shining curtain. Matching shoes were easy enough to find in the closet just beneath where the dress had been hung, and Issildia helped herself to the jewel tone boots without a second thought.
Shifting uncomfortable in all of this glamour the woman made sure that the silk sleeves covered the dark exo suit that she still wore beneath the glittering garment.
Turning to the full length mirror by the door Issildia caught a glimpse of herself. A stranger stared her in the face it seemed as the woman who she had come to know, wrought of steely lines and unyielding posture looked so……alien. Frowning slightly Issildia allowed a slow exhale of air to escape her lips as she prepared for the task ahead.

She would need to play the part of a noble woman, and of course come up with some sort of alias. Such things she had been trained for and a name immediately sprung into her thoughts.

Alice…Lady Alice Trevena she decided as she reached to remove the chair she had used to bar the door, her mind concocting a reliable back story ; Wealthy land owning family, daughter of a baroness perhaps…something of the like.


Turning the knob and cracking the door open a breath of warmth and music assaulted her senses as she allowed her gaze to dart about the corridor before stepping forth. Voices murmured in the distance as the light of the massive ballroom glittered in the distance.

Moving at a steady pace, Issildia tipped her chin slightly up, taking on the appearance of her character, Lady Trevena. She would have to play the part flawlessly if she was to succeed.

Bright lights and the thrum of a waltz greeted her as the swirl of dancing bodies came into sight. Champagne colored skirts skimming about her ankles as the huntress stepped just into the edge of the ballroom, her eyes open for any sign of the Doctor and his colleagues. Without her weapons, she would play solely with the element of deception, she had no other choice.

It was then that the footsteps of some guardsman thundered behind her, Issildia feeling the bile of panic rising in her throat as she turned to see a man in a crimson uniform coming upon her perch at the corridor approaching the dancing chamber.

A small alighted upon her lips as she began to play her part exquisitely. From the look on the guard’s face as he saw her, there was evidently suspicion lurking at the back of his mind.

“Oh you arrived just in time!” Issildia exclaimed with a woebegone look alighting on her lips, the faux damsel in distress setting her sights on the man.

“The girls and I think there may be something foul afoot, we heard sounds…voices!” She spoke, intent on leading this man on a wild goose chase. She did not need attention focused on her.

Her boots thumping on the polished tile floor as she moved towards Lady Ashford's chambers, the room she had just departed from.

“Inside here!” Issildia spoke with an expression of fright dancing over her façade.

[javvie]

The Doctor blinked and ran through his internal eidetic memory. Why were they acting so... high-strung? It was a party, was it not? Even in the Victorian era, people had to have a little sense of humor. Deciding that that wasn't the case - due to the strangers and what information he had gathered through his other jaunts into the era - he merely put his hands in his pockets and stared back. Despite his flashy coat and colorful cat pin, Six's presence throughout the room dropped rather quickly.

He couldn't exactly go incognito, but he could become less conspicuous. Six glanced at his brother, then looked back to David Smith. "My name is Jeremiah McInolds." He hadn't had to come up with very many pseudonyms in his travels. The name came completely from a sign he had seen outside advertising the MacDonald house, and the family of Reynolds he could hear across the room. Jeremiah was a popular name at the time.

"This is my brother, Tyler McInolds and his lovely wife, Gertrude." Tyler was a relatively mundane Victorian era name, correct? Kyra's name had seemed too not-Victorian-esque, so he said the first old name that had come to mind. He'd have to apologize for the ugly name later. He didn't linger over the thought and offered a wide smile. The Doctor decided that his brother didn't need him to say that he should just go with the flow.


Susan looked at her grandfather uncertainly, and bowed. "Pleasure to meet you, McInolds." She said politely with a clumsy curtsy.


[ooc| :l Six fails at being inconspicuous.][/size]

[The Tenth Doctor]

Ten nodded at Six. "Well, then, Jeremiah McInolds, it is a pleasure to meet you," he said this with a grin.

When Six introduced Tyler and Kyra, a sad look crossed his face for a moment. However, that went away as he heard what Six had called Kyra. Unable to stop himself, he laughed at the name that Six had given Kyra.

Tyler sent Six a slight glare when Six had called Kyra Gertrude.

The glare caused Ten to laugh more. "I....I'm sorry....I.....just....there was this joke....oh, nevermind."

He looked away nervously. "That wasn't proper of me." He tried to muster up his Victorian voice and acting once more. He imagined how Kyra might respond to being called Gertrude.
___________
The Hunter, too recovered quickly from the name that his girlfriend had been called. Seeing how the human female had given a curtsy, the Hunter tried to imitate that in return. It hadn't quite dawned on him that the males seemed to bow while the females curtsied.

[The Tenth Doctor]

(oh...didn't see the reply...I'll edit my previous post)

The guard studied the woman carefully -- a look of confusion crossing his face.

"Lady, I do apologize, but you should have alerted one of us. We would have been here sooner. What did the voices sound like? Did you recognize them? This house must be kept secure. The Queen shall be arriving at any moment now."

He followed her gaze to the Lady's chambers. "You should not be up here yourself. Guests are not allowed here. However, I do thank you for reporting what you heard to me. In the future, I must insist that you tell a guard and not look into security matters yourself."

Curiosity was growing inside of him as he wondered who really might be inside the room. He would wait for this lady's response.

[Issildia Nevar]

A number of scenarios played through Issildia’s mind as the man bought her ploy beautifully. It was amazing how much credit they gave women during this day and age she thought darkly as her smile diminished faintly. She almost went into introductions as the Lady Alice Trevena, but it was best not even to trifle with names if she could help it. Less to identify her by in the future if the guards got a bit curious about her. Still, she had a problem here, a dire one indeed. What would scream suspicion more…a guard strangely disappearing during his rounds, or Issildia letting him slip away to go back to his peers and talk about what he found. Neither would bode well, and she held a tendency towards the former in the hope that no one would check for the man for a few hours.

Refining her voice again into a sweet tune playing the sonata of a helpless female Issildia spoke, her voice sporting a frail tone that would hopefully add another layer to her façade.

“Men’s’ voices…” She uttered in a low whisper as she reached forward to pull him away from the door leading into Lady Ashford’s chambers as though afraid that someone might catch a snatch of their conversation.

“The girls thought that perhaps it was Mr. Pembroke and the Governess Falveil partaking in a little tryst…” She uttered with a teasing smile as though prodding at the idea of the scandal that the ladies of the era loved to chatter about. The names were utterly faux, but Issildia was going to run with this for as long as she could.

“But.” She whispered, her voice deserting that carefree trill and taking on something mimicking concern. “We heard men’s voices, we couldn’t catch their words, but the girls left me to fetch a guard, I have only been here but for a moment” She promised, her mind now settled on her actions.


“Hush now!” Issildia uttered severely as she angled her ear towards the door. “They have stopped…”

Squaring her shoulders she met eyes with the guardsman, offering her best look of authority that she could muster.

“It is our duty to queen and county sir, I surely will not stand by if there is a danger to Her Majesty.” She spoke as her narrow fingertips touched on the doorknob to the silent chambers, intent to enter and seclude the guard from the rest of the party.

“What say you?”

[The Tenth Doctor]

The guardsman listened to this lady's explanation, frowning slightly. Although he didn't know who Mr. Pembroke and the Governess Falveil were, a disgusted look crossed his face as he heard this woman suggest that the two were alone together.

"Well, if that is the case -- that the couple you mentioned are...together -- I then the two shall have their privacy. You women may find that sort of of thing intriguing, but such a thing is improper. A lady of your stature should know better than to suggest spying on them. I care little for the idle chatter and gossip of women."

However, the disgusted look left his face once this Lady had mentioned it being men who had come that way. Raising his eyebrows he asked her, "Are you certain that it was two men's voices that you heard?"

If this were the case, it certainly WOULD be his duty to investigate the matter thoroughly. This particular man disliked the company of women in general, save that of his own wife. And even with her, he preferred avoiding her company as much as possible.

"I shall investigate, but I may need to report this matter. I have my sword. I cannot, however, guarantee your own safety. It is your choice whether or not you wish to come with me. I won't prevent you, but I should strongly caution you against it," the man answered her.

[Issildia Nevar]

Issildia’s face tensed as the guardsman chastised her for the thought of spying on the imaginary couple. Yet this expression soon softened as a leering smile crossed her features, a deadly promise glistening in the core of her eyes. Her hands tightened expectantly into a curled fist before relaxing as Issildia assumed her role once again as the Lady Trevena.

“Oh yes, certainly male voices, I may be a woman sir but I am no fool, I know well what I heard.” She snapped faintly at the guard, knowing better the limits she might push with him.

As the man mentioned that he might potentially need to report the incident, the poor fellow sealed his own fate as Issildia moved a step closer to him and the door. Her hand tightened around the brass door knob as she began to turn it, those azure orbs meeting his brown gaze for a fleeting moment, a cold promise lying in wait.

“Oh I would not worry sir, I can’t manage just fine.” Issildia proffered as her hand turned the gleaming antique knob, the brush of cooler air pressing in against the woman as she opened the door fully to allow the silence of the pitch black chamber to fully greet them.

Her eyes peering about with false sincerity the woman stood aside to allow the guardsman entrance.

“Perhaps they heard us, they might have hidden themselves.” She whispered, whilst indicating the vast walk in wardrobe.