CATCH-ALL FOR JANUARY; OPEN

[dow]

Characters: Spock/OTA
Date: Catch-all for January.
Location: Anywhere.
Situation: TBA.

Feel free to start a thread here (with the date in the header) or pm/pp for a specific scene and I'll set it up.

Comments

[dow]

That is a unique ability indeed, for anyone to possess.

[ But to own it so completely as to become a 'Doctor' of it, that speaks volumes about how long the being must have been doing it. Or perhaps it was a natural inclination, there are certainly those out there with the power to move through time, that much he does not doubt in the slightest. 'A Time Machine'? A machine with the ability to navigate it, rather. Ways and means. Not always for the best, though he keeps that opinion to himself in the wake of Clara's confession.

Spock sips his tea. ]

How did you meet this Time Lord?

[parallels]

He came to my door and asked me to come away with him. I told him to bugger off and slammed the door in his face

[She laughs a little at the memory though she was completely justified in doing so.]

He'd met another me, one of the echoes from the time stream, and came to find me.

[dow]

A reasonable response. [ To anyone asking a stranger to elope with them. ] What did he want with you?

[parallels]

I thought so.

[She cocks her head. It's such a strange tale, really.]

He was friends with the other me. But she died. But he connected her to me in London in 2013 and came to find me to see if I was the same girl.

[dow]

Fascinating. He created a predestination paradox, then? Having met you, he then decided he wanted to make sure you met him because he met the other you first.

[ TIME. Shenanigans aplenty. ]

[parallels]

Something like that.

[She's an English teacher, timey-wimey stuff is way beyond her.]

But he didn't know about the connection at the time. To him, he'd just met the same girl twice.

[dow]

It is possible to accidentally create such a phenomena. [ Spock studies Clara, gauging her reactions. ] When you return, it is likely you will reawaken when and where you left your world. Does that bring you comfort, to know you will see him again?

[parallels]

[She darts her eyes to her tea, like she's slightly embarrassed about her feelings. Which she is. She's never been good at opening up, even just a small crack to let a little out. It's unsettlingly vulnerable.]

Yeah.

I miss him.

[dow]

[ He will never understand the myriad traits that humans exhibit. Pleased but reticent, comforted and unsettled — excited? There are so many nuances that it must be exhausting to carry around on a daily basis, additives and prerequisites for every tiny little comment.

But Spock knows affection, has done since he was a child and tried to ignore its pull. ]

Do you love him?

[parallels]

[At the question, her nose crinkles and she narrows her eyes. While also praying she isn't blushing or showing any outwards signs that might answer Spock's question.]

Bit personal, isn't it? Why I am being interviewed here. [She sniffs.] What about you and Lieutenant Uhura?

[dow]

[ Frowning at her sudden change in demeanor, he arches a cool brow that almost lets her know he has enough information to infer a real answer. Evasion doesn't really help her cause, but as it isn't a subject that he's at all eager to understand (passing curiosity), Spock obliges Clara's sudden verbal parry. ]

Your point is made. [ Nobody wants to talk about Feelings here, no matter how genuine; somewhat because of the strength of them it's mildly shameful. ] We need not discuss this subject if it causes you to feel uncomfortable.

[ Because Vulcans never feel uncomfortable when asked if they love people. Not at all. Is is hardly surprising my father did not answer this question for most of my life. ]

[parallels]

[Well now between his eyebrow raise and his reply, she's just blushing a little. And praying he's not going to notice that. She wishes she'd just decided to choke on her tea instead of try to retaliate.]

It's not uncomfortable. [Lies.] He's just my best friend. [Only just] So of course, I love him. But it's sort of a complicated word, "love". Sort of a lot of implications to... work through.

[A+ arguing there Clara! She's just going to sink into a chair and blow her nose.]

[dow]

[ How does Spock get himself into these situations? He can retrace the conversation perfectly and still be completely bemused by the whole thing. At any rate, he's glad not to be grilled about any of his personal relationships, which fall into the category of Girlfriend, Best Friend, Trusted Albeit Annoying Colleague and Admiral Rulebook.

He takes some kitchen-roll and folds it neatly, offering her more with which to blow her nose. Curious that she should have a cold when the ambient temperature of the house is above normal for humans. ]

Are you ill?

[ Segueing like a boss. ]

[parallels]

[She takes it gratefully and delicately blows her nose again, thankful to be away from that topic of conversation. But she also definitely doesn't want him worrying about her so she just gives him a little smile and shakes her head.]

No. I'm alright. Just my sinuses in winter go a bit mad in the cold and the dry heat. Plus new house and new dust and adjustments.

I've already caught one cold this winter and that was miserable enough, hopefully that means I'm good for the season.

[dow]

Is there a general number of infections that you consider as the zenith of your biological tolerance?

[ He might mentally map out her colds, oh dear. ]

[parallels]

I dunno. It's four or five a year. Does that count as a zenith?

[vaguely amused by all this.]

[dow]

If nothing else, Clara, I would hope so. [ Why so sickly, girl? ] You should request an appointment with Doctor McCoy.

[parallels]

[The wrinkliest of nose wrinkles.]

I'm fine, Spock. Please don't tell me you're going to start worrying and going bonkers every time I sneeze.

[dow]

[ The driest of dry tones. ]

I will make every effort to refrain from going bonkers in the wake of your illness.

[parallels]

[She grins.]

Knew I could count on you not to fuss.