Open post of picnic

[beenthroughhell]

Xanadu has proved a place to take a break from Sunnydale, from time to time, and Tara feels she needs it.  She's uncertain what to do about Willow, she has her own death hanging over her head, and she isn't sure who she can talk to about all that's on her mind anymore

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[passes_out]

Ichabod was out for a walk to clear his mind from what he was about to face back in his time and a little break was in order. He didn't know the person that had set up the picnic but a little conversation never hurt to pass the time.

He slowly approached and his heavy outer wear certainly didn't seem comfortable for the summer weather but he never seemed to show any discomfort. It was what he was used to. "Pardon me, Miss, but is there room for one more?" He said with a smile.

A good conversation and a bit of lighthearted atmosphere may be just the thing he needed in order to make himself right again despite the stress he was hiding, for now.

[beenthroughhell]

Tara smiles. "Of course, if you like. It's nothing fancy - just some sandwiches and carrots. But there's plenty."

[passes_out]

He knelt down just to the opposite side of the blanket before he shift his weight to sit Indian style. His posture appeared a bit stiff to anyone else that wasn't used to the otherwise staunch constable.

"Thank you. How rude of me not to introduce myself prior to my intrusion. I am Ichabod Crane," he said as he picked up a carrot stick and looked at it before taking a bite. "Have you been here long?"

[beenthroughhell]

"No, not very. I discovered it a few weeks ago, but I've only been back a time or two. I'm Tara Maclay," she adds, softly but still smiling. "It's a pleasure, Mr. Crane."

[magicalskeptic]

Still acclimating herself, (Morgana's concerned with the necessities right now) Morgana has been making her way around the city, trying to get a sense of direction.

But a familiar, a kindly familiar face, is a welcome distraction. She approaches with some trepidation, in case the familiarity is not reciprocated. "Miss Maclay?"

[beenthroughhell]

Tara looks up and smiles, warm and true. "Lady Morgana." She gets to her feet. "It's so nice to see you again. How are you?"

[magicalskeptic]

The smile in response is half pleasure, half relief. For the first time, Morgana relaxes a little in this new, strange city.

"I am better to have found your company, if you are willing to share it a while."

[beenthroughhell]

"I would be very pleased. I have a little food, if you're hungry - nothing fancy, but it came from home." She gestures to her small basket and blanket.

[rude_not_ginger]

The Doctor, for his part, is running. He's running from something, which is normal for him, but he doesn't expect to run into something. That something being an old friend.

"Tara!" he calls, short of breath. "Tara Maclay!"

[beenthroughhell]

She lights up, beaming almost, as she hears a familiar voice. "Doctor?" She gets to her feet quickly, looking for him.

[rude_not_ginger]

He waves a hand and starts towards her. Are they gone? He looks back, and the robots chasing him from before seem to have vanished. But whether or not they come back, that's the question.

"Ah! A picnic, lovely," he says, with a grin. In the same breath, he grows serious. "We have to get away from here."

[beenthroughhell]

"O- okay. What's going on? I can get us back to Sunnydale, but it's a little ways a way."

[fuckyouripper]

Xanadu has been- a relief, actually, after those last days in Taxon with Ethan so afraid that his life was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. The nexus appeals to Ethan, to something basic in him, and this- this is a perfect example of why.

"Tara," he says, out of fucking no where, tugging her to her feet by her hands and positively swinging her around with a startled, happy laugh. (Ethan is the kind of person who doesn't bother to check for alternates and won't care if he's made a mistake; it'd hurt, sure, if she turned out to expect a villain...but he'd play it off and not think twice about pulling the same stunt again later.)

[beenthroughhell]

She is glowing as he pulls her up, dispelling any doubt about her recognizing him or the feelings doing so creates. She pulls her hands away just long enough to throw her arms around him in a proper hug. "Ethan! I thought - I'm so glad to see you!"

And she is. If there's one person she misses more than others from her stint in Taxon, he may be it, improbable as her Sunnydale friends might find that state of affairs.

[fuckyouripper]

Unabashed expressions of affection quite like this are, whether Tara knows it or not, actually sort of rare for Ethan- he lets her hug him, holds her tight for a few moments, and then holds her at arm's length to examine her to his satisfaction. "The sentiment is mutual. You look fantastic, fairy-dust-" stop bestowing weird nicknames, Ethan, "-and you have to come to London with me."

Not necessarily right now. Although Ethan gives every impression he'd be willing to just drag her along behind him right now.

[beenthroughhell]

She doesn't seem like she'd protest, just now. Half laughing, she says, "Whenever you like. I've never been before."

Tara had truly feared she'd never see him again, and her joy at being wrong is palpable. "And you're well? Everything's good?"