Jack's Smashing Party!

[tenthdoc.livejournal.com]

The Doctor was asked to help do the greeting of Jack's guests, he's standing there trying to keep his hands from walking over towards a pile of pizza boxes. The Time Lord sways on his feet and he goes to walk towards the ball room doors that the party is going to be held in. "I was really hoping for the beach party." He even had an outfit lined up for that one that wasn't his tuxedo and bow tie.

With the doors open, he's there to lend out a hand and he was kind enough to help transport people to New York. "Well, welcome to Jack's party, if you were expecting a meal for a king...well if you're the King of the Pizza people this is it for you lot." That Lombardo's Pizza is tempting and he's trying to keep his Meta-Crisis from helping himself before everyone arrives.

The band consists of a few random street musicians who were willing to play on demand. "Ah, that's lovely. The sounds of New York City are happening right here!"

OOC: This is a typical social gathering thread. There's no pose order but please be mindful of the other players involved. It will continue so long as people tag to it, make sure to track this one!

Comments

[bottled_drums]

You're going away. You won't come back. We won't ever see you again. [This time he doesn't move away from the contact, but lifts a hand, hesitates, then places it on her wrist. He really is sure that if she leaves now, he'll never see her again.

He's really not any better at letting go than Andrew is. He's visibly upset now, and the light touch of his hand turns into a firm grip on her wrist.]

[romana2]

[Her eyes widen in shock as his grip tightens, but she will not draw attention to them until he harms her.]

And what are you going to do with me?

[She's hoping the shock of making him come up with a plan will get him to ease up.]

[bottled_drums]

[He's breathing more heavily now, and the eyes he finally turns on her face are wet. His grip doesn't loosen, but he looks lost. He doesn't know what she means, but he's not about to let her go.]

I want you to stay.

[romana2]

[She tries to pull away gently.]

But there are others who need my help... you say I am good... I can do good for others.

[Yes, yes, tell him what he wanted to hear earlier - that works, right?]

[bottled_drums]

[He shakes his head, not accepting this even though she's appealing to the more rational side of him - the side that knows he's being selfish. He feels her trying to pull away, but he won't let go - if he lets go, she'll leave him, and she'll be gone forever. His arm relaxes enough that she can pull her hand away from his chest, but his fingers remain tight around her wrist.]

[romana2]

[Romana was getting just a bit stressed about this. She didn't tug on him, though. She was afraid his fierce grip might set him off.]

You and the Doctor are doing well now, right? So I've helped you all that I can. The rest is up to you two... you don't need me here for that.

[Something is out there and coming she can feel it, but doesn't know what it is.]

[bottled_drums]

But I want you here.

[His frustration at the moment stems less from her arguments than from his inability to string together a reason for her not to go. He grits his teeth, squeezes his eyes shut, and tightens his grip, as if concentration can get across what he can't say. Of course, what he doesn't realize is that he is fully capable of injuring her if he keeps it up.]

I want you here.

[romana2]

[She gasps in shock as he tightens his grip. It's slightly painful, but she doesn't want Andrew to have a reason for saying "I told you so"...]

You need to loosen your grip, or you'll hurt me. You don't want to hurt me, do you?

[Change the focus, hopefully that'll work.]

[bottled_drums]

[His eyes stay shut and his breathing is heavy, but after a moment his grip loosens slightly, then his hand readjusts to another position on her wrist, without so much pressure this time. He shakes his head again, frustrated.]

No.

[romana2]

[She nods encouragingly.]

I thought not.

[She looks down at her wrist.]

But you're not going to let me go, are you?

[bottled_drums]

You'll leave.

[He's conflated letting go of her wrist with letting her go entirely. He opens his eyes again, a bit calmer now but still torn up about the thought of losing one of the few people who have bothered to get close to him.]

[romana2]

[She sighs.]

Then, I guess you'll have to come with me.

[It's drastic, but she makes to move towards the door.]

[bottled_drums]

[He follows along for a little ways, sort of okay with this solution. There is, however, one problem. He spots his Doctor-thing turning to look at them, curious as to what they're doing, as they near the door. He can't leave the Doctor-thing. Even if that wasn't true in a very literal sense, it would be true in an emotional sense.

He suddenly halts where he is, refusing to take a single step farther, but not letting go, either.]

The Doctor-thing.

[romana2]

[Maybe she can save them after all!]

He can come too. The TARDIS is big enough, remember?

[It's a simple enough solution.]

[bluesuit_handy]

[Andrew's noticed that something is up - far from dancing with him, Romana seems to be leading his meta-meta out the door. Furrowing his brow, he moves over to talk to them.]

What's going on?

[The meta-meta is still giving Romana a doubtful, hurt look, and refusing to move or to let go.]

[romana2]

[She holds up her hand to show the Meta-Meta is holding on to her.]

He doesn't want me to go....

[She'll just skip the details Handy doesn't need to hear. But her tone is as if this is the most normal thing in the universe.]

[bluesuit_handy]

You're not going right this minute, though, are you?

[He reaches out to touch the meta-meta - not to grab his hand and try to pull it off, but just to put his hand on the shorter man's shoulder. The meta-meta flinches under his touch and shakes his head yet again.]

Hey. Hey, it's alright. You don't have to hold onto her.

[romana2]

[She hated goodbyes as much as the Doctor did.]

Not this minute... no.... But...

[She sighs.]

Tonight. I must go tonight...

[Something obviously has her a bit spooked.]

[bluesuit_handy]

Tonight?!

[Andrew's even less pleased at the suddenness of that than the meta-meta is. He really shouldn't shout like that, though - now the meta-meta really has been set off. The blond grips tighter again and lets out a tortured sound at the thought.]

[romana2]

[Romana squeaks as the Meta-meta squeezes her hand. She gives him a pointed looked and speaks directly to him.]

You're hurting my wrist.

[She looks around, she doesn't want to cause a scene.]

Andrew... quietly... and yes...Once everything here is done. Best to slip off.

[bottled_drums]

You can't go. You can't go, you can't go.

[He's a mess. So much for his good behavior tonight - though at least his hand shifts on her wrist again so he's not pressing quite so hard. He's still gripping her too tightly, though.]

[bluesuit_handy]

You need to let go of her arm. [He squeezes the meta-meta's shoulder.] She needs that arm.

Why? Why tonight - why can't it wait?

[romana2]

[She smiles sadly and taps the side of her head.]

Something's not right with the rifts and all. Best to not be here when whatever it is happens.... You could... come with me.

[Oh how she wishes they would. Whatever it is, it can't be good.]

[bluesuit_handy]

They've seemed stable enough.... [But then again, Romana has sensory powers he lacks. He frowns.]

I'm not sure the timeline could take it if we accompanied you to your time. [It's a fiddly question.]

[romana2]

[Romana sees an opportunity.]

Wouldn't have to! I... I could return you to your own. Wee Blue and I, we've been practicing such jumps so they won't rupture the lines anymore.

[Her voice is saying, "If you want to come, I'll find a way to make it work."]