[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

[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?

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh - if you don't mind? [She looks seriously concerned that this is an imposition.]

[the_good_doctor]

Of course not. Matter of fact, I fear I may have over-estimated my colleagues appetite for this.

[whatagoodgirl]

Okay, if you're sure... [She props her bottle very carefully between her knees, then grabs a couple of the small sandwiches and the thinnest slice of cake for afterward. She's not a big eater.

Once she's taken a bite and swallowed, she realizes it's probably her turn to make conversation, and she's at sea for a moment. This has never been her strongest suit. But there's an easy enough starting question here:]

Where are you from, Dr. Watson? And, well, when, I guess. That's a question here, too.

[the_good_doctor]

[Watson's occupying himself with a cornish pastie for the moment.]

It is a rum place that such questions are necessary. London, 1891. Yourself?

[whatagoodgirl]

18 - wow. I know there must be people here from further back, but I can't help but think how hard this must all be for you guys. It's way closer to the technology of my time... I'm from Japan, 2003.

[the_good_doctor]

Another from the future? Yes, myself and my colleague are certainly the minority.

It is a lot to get used to, but we're not as behind as you might think.

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh, I didn't mean to say... I just meant that these bracelets are a lot like computers, and I've had to help a lot of people with the kitchen. Especially the microwave.

There's other advantages people can have, though, I guess. Being used to magic, or talking to gods, or all sorts of things. I wasn't expecting any of that, and it took me awhile to figure out my power.

[the_good_doctor]

My counterpart stills ribs me over my first written messages. I assumed they operated as a telegraph. So far, I don't know anyone able to explain the principle by which the bracelet operates but it's not such a great step.

Magic on the other hand ... That takes some getting used to.

[whatagoodgirl]

No, I can't explain it either. I used computers, but I barely knew how they worked, so something like this... it's beyond me. But the basic... what would you call it? Interface? I had an idea of how to use that once I'd figured everything else out.

Well, I guess a doctor is so focussed on science that having people just heal with their hands is a big deal. I saw some bits of - what might've been magic, I don't know. Someone here said it was possible through science. But I saw teleportation in my own world.

[the_good_doctor]

You tell me. I've yet to see a ... computer ... outside of a library book.

Teleportation -- and how did that work?

[whatagoodgirl]

There was just one being - Castiel said he was probably a spirit possessing some kind of doll - who could teleport people in and out of a single place. They could be anywhere, and they could go anywhere, but it had to be through that place. I never had any idea how he did it.

[the_good_doctor]

Castiel said that, did he? I've been meaning to chat with him about the logistics of his world.

[whatagoodgirl]

I don't think I should say anything. [Uneasily, in case he's soliciting information.] He's told me a lot in confidence.

[the_good_doctor]

[Watson smiled encouragingly. He didn't intend you to think he was going to question you, Nakama] That's why I'll take it up with Castiel myself.

[whatagoodgirl]

[She gives him a thankful grin, and tucks into her meal for a moment.]

So how long have you been here, Dr. Watson?

[the_good_doctor]

Me? Oh, I arrived a few days before the faeries did -- the day before that big Ball.