If I could attack with a more sensible approach, obviously that's what I'd be doing...

[shealone_stands]

In the training room at the Main Gauche, there's a Slayer with her Christmas present, going through a few sword exercises she remembers from before. It's been a while since she's had a sword in her hands, but now that she does... It's easier to fall back into than she would have thought. Muscle memory comes easily to Slayers

Comments

[girlorgun]

April's been thinking, about a lot of things. She blames it on her personality, and the fact that she's had the pictures on her new datapad to make her homesick for various people and places. But it got her to thinking about people she cared about before she left, that she hadn't exactly spoken to since returning.

So, despite the cold weather, she falls into step next to the Doctor with two ice cream cones - both chocolate fudge brownie, because it's a chocolate kind of day. She holds one out to him without a word, and hopes he'll even recognise her.

Oh, he will. She knows that. She just worries sometimes.

[thatsortofaman]

The Doctor starts a little when someone suddenly appears at his side, and... oh. She may look a decade older than she did the last time he saw her, but he recognizes her. Of course he does. For a second, he just stares at her. And then he takes the ice cream with a smile, eying it speculatively for a second before licking it. Brownie. He likes brownies.

"People keep giving me ice cream," he remarks, as if nothing ever happened between them, as if years haven't passed - for her, anyway. "Just... out on the street. I'm wondering if it's becoming a trend. Not that I'd mind... Not bad, as trends go."

[girlorgun]

"Clearly there's something about you that just begs to be given fatty foods," she comments, looking him over. "Maybe because you're so skinny."

Like she's one to talk.

If they have anything to work out, they can do it later. April's surprisingly glad to be speaking to the Doctor again.

Though she won't touch him just yet. Some things... linger.

[thatsortofaman]

The Doctor scoffs, shooting her an affronted look. "I am not skinny. Just a bit... wiry. There's nothing wrong with looking like this." Because that's totally the word. That doesn't stop him from licking the ice cream, though. Like he's going to turn down sweets.

He'll live with the fact that she's not touching him now. He missed her enough that her presence is welcome on its own.

[girlorgun]

April licks her ice cream thoughtfully for a moment, then declares, "I've forgiven you, by the way." Om nom brownies. "It's been a long time, and while I don't agree with what you did morally, I will forgive you for doing it."

[thatsortofaman]

The Doctor pauses a moment. It rankles, being forgiven. While it's preferable to the alternative, usually things go the other way, with him. But he nods, finally, without exactly looking at her. "Thank you." It's really all he can say to that, and the less he has to think about that period of time, the better.

Oh, look, ice cream. He's going to pretend to be distracted by that now.

[girlorgun]

She won't let you get away with that forever, Doctor. One day, she will force you to tell her why in the WORLD you thought it was a good idea to abuse the fact that you could tap into her powers, but for now... ice cream.

She ponders for a moment, and decides... well, she's wearing gloves (helps keep her hands from aching in the cold, from all the scars and times she's broken bones there). So she slips her free hand into the Doctor's, with a hint of obvious hesitancy.

She's making a big step here for you, Doctor, even if there's no skin contact. Please to at least notice.

[thatsortofaman]

The Doctor looks down at her hand in his, blinking in surprise, and then twines his fingers through hers, tightening them just a little. Oh, he notices, and he appreciates it.

"I went to Oklahoma," he remarks after a minute. This is totally a logical conversation shift.

[girlorgun]

((ooc: So it's a month and a half late. :P I fail. I acknowledge this. Carry on.))

They probably look odd to anyone watching them. He's too young to be her father, even if she's as young as she looks (which she's not). But the age difference appears to be enough that lovers isn't very likely. Yet they're walking along holding hands.

Of course, they're eating ice cream, so they might just be crazy.

"What was in Oklahoma?" she asks. She could find out, probably, if she wanted to. The Doctor's a crap psychic. But she likes talking.

[thatsortofaman]

"Nephilim," he says decisively, grinning. "A whole camp of 'em. Never had a normal life, grew up thinking they weren't even people, but oh, they're brilliant little things. Martha and Des and Donna have three - well, four of them - at the house. You should come by some time. They'd like you." And no, the Doctor is not subtly endeavouring to get more April in his life. Why would you ever think that?

[girlorgun]

April lights up a little, excitedly. "Children? Sharp as tacks and special to boot, yeah? I love kids."

Yes, Doctor, at some point, you're totally getting an April over at your house to poke at the kidlets. She likes kidlets. "How come there's three-then-four?"

[thatsortofaman]

"There was one first. Name's Emily - Donna went and adopted her. She was being sold over the journals, and... well." The Doctor had to go and stick his nose into other people's business. Like he does. "She's how we found out about the camp, and the other three, they're from there. Have you ever tried having a sixteen-hour bus ride with eleven-year-olds and Des? I wouldn't recommend it."

[girlorgun]

April looks up at him very seriously, with no hint of humour on her face. "Did the big kids not let you play with them?" she asks, and solemnly licks her ice cream.

Yes, she's a brat sometimes. So is the Doctor. It works.