[Open - Mingle away guys!]

[the_good_doctor]

Who: Watson, Clinic Staff, Interested Parties, Random Passers-by, possibly Holmes.
What: A picnic to celebrate the hard work of the clinic staff/get to know each other.
When: Day 62 - mid-day to mid-afternoon!
Where: Gefion Park.
Rating: ... PG for Holmes.

[It was hard to find anywhere in the lavishly tended gardens of Gefion Park to set up a picnic blanket, but eventually Watson found the perfect spot of green grass -- and was it ever green! Surely grass had never been so vibrant? -- lots of sun, shade provided for those who wanted it in the form of some meticulously sculpted evergreens and even enough space to play cricket, should they want to. I'll bring a bat next time, Watson decided before catching himself -- there wouldn't be a next time.

Still, all the more reason to spend what time they had left together in fun. He'd lost Holmes -- or Holmes had lost interest and wandered off while Watson was making the preparations for the picnic, but Watson had no doubt that his friend would find him again when he was ready -- and hopefully there would be some members of the picnic party around to introduce when he did. Until then --

The day was warm, and there was a cool beer in the hamper with his name written all over it. Hanging jacket on the box-hedge, and discarding his tie with it, Watson rolled up his sleeves before settling back in the sun with his beer, utterly content.]

Comments

[whatagoodgirl]

Dr. Wat... um... [Her brows draws down.] is Watson a common name in other countries?

[Her brow furrowing even deeper.]

...for doctors?

[the_good_doctor]

You've met my counterpart then. How is John?

[whatagoodgirl]

Your counter - I don't get it.

And, uh, it's been a little while since I've seen him. But he really helped me out the first time we met.

[the_good_doctor]

We're the same person, but from different worlds. Or perhaps that should be different realities?

I'm hoping he'll join us today -- you might be able to give him your regards.

this is the only icon that would work, pardon the lapse back to girl (1/2)

[whatagoodgirl]

[So... not only are they fictional... but there's different versions of them?]

2/2

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh. Okay. I - hadn't heard about that kind of thing happening yet. I guess this place never stops surprising, right? [A nervous laugh.]

Anyway, I... the reason I wanted to come is because I was friends with Zen, sort of, and I know the clinic was important to him. So I wanted to thank you for keeping it up now that he's gone. I know he'd appreciate it. [In his own gruff, snarky way.]

[the_good_doctor]

That's one way of putting it, certainly!

[That is -- unexpected, and very sweet, Nakama. Watson is touched.] That's very kind of you to say. Zen is -- very much missed by those of us who worked with him.

I'll introduce you to Tsukiko -- I'm sure she'd be very glad to hear that you think he'd like our work.

[whatagoodgirl]

I've gotten my fair share of surprises here, too. [Wait until she tells you about the current one.]

Yeah, I miss Zen, too. He could be... difficult, sometimes, but he was really nice at times too. And he helped me out a lot when I was hurt.

Oh, I've met Tsukiko! Just over the network, though. She may not recognise me... I... well, you know the surprises I mentioned? One of them happened a few days ago.

I'm... usually a girl.

[the_good_doctor]

[Watson's smile is wry. He and Zen had had a few sharp words about differing medical practices but in the end they'd worked together well.] That sounds like him, indeed.

[Blink.]

Usually ... a girl?

[whatagoodgirl]

Y-Yeah. [All of the blushing. All of it.] The gods can change our appearance at will, apparently. I've seen two other people it's happened to - one of them said it should last about three days, but it's past that already for me. I'm just... [Wringing her hands.] I'm just hoping I change back quick.

[the_good_doctor]

I can imagine that must be very difficult for you. What did you say your name was?

[whatagoodgirl]

It's... awkward, that's all. I can live with it. [Squaring her shoulders, then brushing the fringe out of her eyes. She's developed a bit of a tic about it, which'll be hard to shake when they're short once again.]

Oh - I didn't, I'm sorry. [With a shallow bow.] My name's Mako Nakarai, but you can call me Nakama, if you like. It's my nickname.

[the_good_doctor]

Nakama. It's nice to meet you.

Would you care to join us?

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh - Are you sure you don't mind? It's not just for staff or anything?

[the_good_doctor]

Staff and friends of the clinic -- I certainly think you qualify for that.

[whatagoodgirl]

[She smiles, a little bit flustered. She hadn't been expecting to join them.]

Well, if you don't mind... [She approaches the picnic area and sits on the grass, running her fingers over it, almost awestruck.] I'd started to forget what grass really looked like.

[the_good_doctor]

[Watson passes Nakama a bottle of lemonade -- he's somehow managed to find Victorian style lemonade in the old glass bottles -- before sitting down himself.]

I know what you mean. It's probably merely the shock of seeing colour after so long without but I cannot remember seeing grass so green ever before.

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh - thank you. [Another shy smile. She twists the cap off and takes a sip, wincing a little at the tartness until it settles in her mouth.]

It's been a weird day. I forgot my work bag because I was so distracted, and then when I got to work, none of the people I work with were there. Not even my bosses. Have you noticed that there are a lot less locals here?

[the_good_doctor]

It struck me as I made my way through the streets that there seemed to be less people on the road ... but we had the same problem with our clinic regulars. None of the morning appointments turned up and when I tried contact the afternoons patients, the same problem.

Hence our afternoon off.

[whatagoodgirl]

As pretty as everything looks now, it bothers me... for a lot of reasons. I want to know where they went, and - I can't run the tailor shop myself. I don't understand accounting or anything like that. I guess I don't need the money, but...

... I like working, you know? And what about places like the hospital? If half of their staff have disappeared, the healers here can only take up so much of the slack. It's just -

[She clutches her bottle tightly, staring down at it. She just - doesn't trust this.]

[the_good_doctor]

The hospital should be all right -- though I'll stop by, offer my services on the way home, just to be sure.

As for the others -- well, my usual tobacconist was gone, but there was a man in as a replacement. The same at the bakery. Almost as if they'd been replaced wholesale.

[whatagoodgirl]

So, you mean... the shop might be running tomorrow? Sewing is pretty specialized, but I guess if someone else could take over the business side, I could get all of the sewing done. I'd really like to keep the shop running in case my bosses come back.

[the_good_doctor]

I couldn't begin to make predictions ... still, who knows what might happen? I wouldn't panic just yet.

[whatagoodgirl]

It's hard not to be nervous, with what the gods get up to around here. [She pushes back her bangs self-consciously, but they flop right back into her eyes.]

[the_good_doctor]

Indeed. Dealing with human foibles alone is usually enough to keep us busy, but this takes the cake.

-- speaking of cake, something to eat?