westwhere | every life is a pile of good things & bad things

[ For anyone who knows the Doctor at all, it's almost entirely expected that he was bound to be locked out of the Inn after curfew at least once. He has multiple watches on his person, it should be an easy enough thing, but working against him is his tendency to get distracted and fascinated by one thing or another. They've been here for days and yet he's still finding so much to explore. He'll never tire of that.

Unfortunately, it means that he's ended up locked out of the Inn. Not the ideal situation, but it won't incite any ire on his part; it was his fault, after all. ]

Okay! Fine! Fair enough, that one's on me. Do lose track a bit sometimes...

[ He glances at his wristwatch, more out of habit than anything else. It's quite a bit later than he even realized. The Doctor's unique physiology means that he can tolerate more extreme temperatures much easier than a human body, so he doesn't feel the chill quite as much. More than anything, he's just worried about being bored through the night.

So it's with absolute delight that he reacts upon seeing a member of their group there with him when he turns around. ]

A turn of good fortune, I'd say, the pair of us out here together! Excellent. Not to worry, I know just how to pass the time.

[ There are, perhaps, many things to worry about when one is trapped outside in the cold and the dark at night, but this hasn't crossed his mind at the moment. ]

[For Xie Lian, it's just his usual bad luck, plain and simple, that saw him locked out. He's been doing chores all day, so he would have liked some hot food and rest, but honestly, in the realm of things that have happened to him in his long life, one night locked out in the cold with no food barely even registers. It's happened before, it might happen again, who knows.

He too does not really register the cold. Not that he doesn't feel it, but given that it will not kill him, it's one of the many aches and pains that just barely registers for him these days.

He's still only wearing his thin white robes - although layered - and his bamboo hat, but with two notable additions : the ribbon holding the hat is now red, and he is also carrying a sword.

And he gives a small, embarrassed laugh.]

It was just a matter of time before it would happen to me, really.

... And I don't think you need to be worried about passing the time. We're not alone.

[ The Doctor levels a glance and a small smile in the direction of his companion. It's good to see him again, after everything that's happened. He does, at least, notice that Xie Lan is a bit under-dressed by the standards of most in their group, but then again, neither one of them are quite like many of the others in their group, either. ]

Quite right! It was only a matter of time for me, too. No great bother, really, being out here, though perhaps not as comfortable as our accommodations.

Have you been alright?

Oh, I'm making do as always. I did a bit of actual exorcism back in Serthica. It had been a while, but it was sorely needed.

[Ghosts, at least, are familiar and people he enjoys speaking to. Which is good, because there's many of them here.]

The people here are also used to having spirit around. No wonder they do all these things with the salts to keep them outside, or it would be difficult.

An exorcism! Oh, I'll need to hear all about that.

[ His delight over something like an exorcism might be a tad bit strange, but he can't help himself. It's something new, something he's unfamiliar with, even if he's aware of the terminology. ]

Oh, it's not really much. Really, most of the time, you can leave ghosts alone if they're not bothering people. Most of them stay back because of unresolved things and most of them end up resolving these on their own after a while. But sometimes, things start festering and either ghosts start making trouble, or they turn into something else more dangerous, and you might need to... give them a nudge to move on, or actually eliminate them.

There was a lot of festering in Serthica.

[There was, after all a lot of unacknowledged death there.]

The ones here aren't so bad. A bit mischievous, but not annoying. The salt should keep most of them outside anyway.

Being here, I've learned far more about ghosts than I've ever known previously. Always thought of them as just a story in fact! Bit incredible when you consider how much I've traveled and how much I've seen, but there's generally always been a more scientific explanation for ghosts where I've traveled. Delighted to meet some of the ones here.

[ He says that with genuine and pure delight in his voice. ]

So, I'd wager you're far more the expert than me. Have you done that sort of thing often where you're from? Exorcisms?

Oh, yes. There was a time where the Heavens kept sending me left and right to do just that, actually, since I didn't really have an area of my own to take care of and I needed to earn some merits anyway.

Not for ghosts like these though. Those ones, any human cultivator with a bit of skill would be fine dealing with those, you don't need someone like me for that

[Honestly, it's actually refreshing to just see some ghosts after their last foray into that weird no-soul-land.]

I guess we'll be keeping them company tonight.

[ All of it fascinates him, and the casual way that it's explained. Of course, there's no other way to explain it, really. That's the only life that Xie Lian has ever known. For the Doctor, it's just sensational. ]

Suppose they get lonely like anyone else. Perhaps they'll be glad for the company! If not, well, things could get interesting.

The cold doesn't bother you?

I've had worse.

[It's barely a concern, really. It's not going to kill him.]

Things usually get a bit rowdier at night. They might try to touch you, if you can't see them. Make stuff move next to you, these sort of things.

[ With what he knows of Xie Lian, he supposes that makes perfect sense of course. What do either of them have to fear of the cold? ]

Well, I wouldn't blame them entirely. If I was a ghost, I'd constantly be looking for things to do, to pass the time. They've had a hard go of it, it feels like the least they deserve.

Passing the time wasn't really the first thing that came to mind.

( she'd been out too late still continuing her search for the missing hunter, though it was just as likely that he'd been found by now and eve just hadn't heard about it. she was used to things like this running late, getting caught up in them and not giving up, she always had even before the library had become her life.

except usually when she found herself stuck places it wasn't in the snow nor cold. sure, eve wasn't as affected by the cold as she likely should be (which was weird but she was new at being immortal) but she still realised that it was cold and being out here all night wasn't a good thing )

Maybe we should find somewhere to shelter first.

Well, I was going to suggest a rousing game of blind man's buff, but I suppose shelter wouldn't hurt. Probably a good idea! I'm sure we can come up with a decent enough game once we've found a spot to hunker down.

[ As if playing a game of any sort is really the most important thing at the moment. His priorities are, perhaps, a bit skewed. ]

Left, right, forward, back? I'm a big fan of left lately, shall we try and see what we find?

Do you even know where you're going?

( that won't stop eve from following him if only to make sure that he isn't going to walk into some wild danger but she is going to be concerned )

Of course, I do! I always know where I'm going.

[ This is, of course, not true, but when has that ever stopped the Doctor? ]

Left, we're going left!

[ Not because he's absolutely sure it's the correct way, but because left sounds good. Besides, it won't hurt to explore a bit. He does glance over at his new companion, though, with at least some sense that perhaps she might be...cold? Potentially? So he starts to shrug out of his coat. ]

I won't need this, I don't get cold the way humans do.

[It's easy to lose track of time out in the forest. Caitlyn hadn't realized how much she'd been missing running through the trees, rifle in hand, until she'd gotten away from the inn and just allowed herself free reign. She didn't go too far, of course - these woods are unfamiliar, and she knows how easy it is to get lost.

It's probably because she doesn't know these woods well and didn't venture far beyond the inn's grounds that she's failed to catch a single animal. She'd thought hunting could be useful, a way to earn her keep by providing food for the inn, but here she is, rifle slung over her shoulder, trudging back empty-handed.

And... Locked out.

That's a bit disconcerting, given that she's never spent a night outdoors and hasn't the faintest idea how to keep warm overnight.

Her breath steams in the increasingly frosty air.]

You don't suppose there's a way to break in, do you?

Oh, there is, absolutely. There's always a way in!

[ He's glad to see his friend again (friend, because of course she is), though despite his nonchalance, he would posit that perhaps the circumstances are less than ideal. Still, it's a vast improvement over being chased by assorted and fairly horrifying creatures in the Tower.

It only belatedly occurs to him that his answer wasn't really a full answer and that it might be a good idea to actually offer a suggestion of how to break in. Pulling out his sonic-less screwdriver from his pocket, he grins brightly and holds it up. ]

I've had luck with this in the past, though I suppose it depends on how well secured their hinges are. If this doesn't work, we'll discuss plan B! Or C or D, if it comes to it.

[The device he holds up looks like it could be something Jayce and Viktor fabricated in their lab, albeit smaller. Though of course it's not hextech. It can't be.]

What does it do? [she asks, peering at it curiously.

If she has to be stuck outdoors overnight, the Doctor's someone she'd be glad to be stuck with. But if they can find a way inside, she'd certainly prefer warmth and comfort over trying to learn the basics of wilderness survival on very short notice and with rather high stakes.]

[ Unfortunately, it's far less remarkable here than it usually is, much to the Doctor's dismay. He's had to adapt to many things and he's done well enough, he'd like to think, but the loss of his sonic screwdriver has been a source of frequent consternation. He is still going to call it sonic, though. ]

Lovely thing, this sonic screwdriver!

[ Said with far more enthusiasm than the tool really deserves. ]

It does nearly everything - well, when I'm not here. Here it's been...useful as a door opener and a hand tool. I've been able to craft toys for the children as well.

[ As if that's the most important thing right now. But it finally does occur to him that he has at least something more useful to offer Caitlyn for the moment, until they get this all sorted out, and so he carefully starts to shrug out of his coat. ]

Take this for now, I don't need it. Time Lord physiology. I don't feel the cold the way you do.

[Caitlyn follows along earnestly, still not entirely sure what the device is or how it works after his explanation, and still very curious about it. It doesn't look a thing like a screwdriver, and 'nearly everything' is so vague as to convey almost no information, but for now, the important thing is that it can open doors.

When he offers his coat, she sets her rifle down, propped up against the nearest wall, and gives him a soft smile.]

If you're sure. Thank you. [She takes the coat and drapes it over her own. Hers doesn't quite fit right - Vi 'acquired' it in rather a hurry and without Caitlyn there to provide her measurements - but despite it being a bit loose she can still fit the Doctor's coat over it well enough.]

Have you met my friend Viktor? He's an inventor, he'd find your screwdriver quite fascinating.

[ He's definitely sure, and glad he can be of some use, at least, particularly if he's not able to get them inside anytime soon. Though, he's not one to give up easily, not at all, and he knows Caitlyn isn't, either.

Leading her towards a door he's almost sure they'll be able to break into, the Doctor smiles at her reassuringly. ]

I haven't had the pleasure yet, regrettably. From the sound of him, I'm sure we'd get along. What has he invented?

[Caitlyn follows the Doctor to the door, carefully observing whatever it is he's going to do with the screwdriver.]

Magic, in a sense. It's forbidden in Piltover. Where we're from. But he and his partner found a way to harness it through technology. They call it hextech. It can launch entire airships, crew and all, clear across continents in only seconds. [There's a slight wistful tone in her voice as she remembers the first time Jayce had told her what the hexgates could do, and the fantasy she'd had about sneaking aboard one of those airships and flying off to see the world outside Piltover.]

Magic. [ The Doctor smirks and laughs a bit under his breath. ] I used to think of magic as superstitious rubbish. Oh, that was hundreds of years ago now, though. Times change, I change. I have changed often—my face, my clothes...

[ He trails off because Caitlyn is saying far more interesting things, in his mind, and he'd rather focus on that. While attempting to break in. Kneeling down just slightly, he examines the lock, picking at it with the nail of his thumb, then pulling back and beginning to try and use his screwdriver on it. As he works, he glances to Caitlyn. ]

I do love a ship, all sorts of ships! It's why I have one of my own. They sound like quite the clever sort, the pair of them, your friend and his partner. I'll have to have a chat with Viktor when there's an opportunity. Have you been on one of the ships then?

Your... face?

[How can someone change their face? Even more baffling that he'd equate changing his face with changing his clothes. There's still so much that Caitlyn feels like she doesn't understand, not just about the Doctor, but about the world and its endless possibilities. Who's to say there aren't people who can shed their face as easily as the shirt on their back?

But her confusion is quickly put aside, as the next thing he says is much more exciting to her.] You have a ship? An airship? I've never been on one, no, but I always wanted to see the world. Have you traveled much?

Oh, my ship. My glorious old girl, the TARDIS. Time and Relative Dimension in Space! Not an airship, well, not like what you're familiar with. So much bigger and better.

[ Unfortunately, speaking about the TARDIS means that he's distracted again, his eyes lighting up at the mere thought of his beautiful blue box, and all the adventures they've ever shared together. His screwdriver is still held at the lock, but his attempts to break in are briefly paused. ]

Have I traveled? Oh, Caitlyn, the wonders out there, you can't even begin to imagine. Well, you probably can. A bit. But it's so much more beautiful and extraordinary than anything you've ever dreamed. Worlds where the rivers tell stories to the trees and where the seas are made of cotton candy. People made of music and cities made of ice. It's all out there, and so much more, always so much more. I'll take you on a trip, when we've left here.

[ He's less sure his TARDIS will find him here, exactly, but they'll eventually be reunited. And when they are, Caitlyn is just the clever sort he'd bring along. Of course, he's planning to take everyone here along with him, to see them home safely.

He bypassed any further explanation of his changing faces and regeneration, but that's all a bit boring compared to all of time and space. ]

every life is a pile of good things & bad things

( open ) the grounds - trapped outside after curfew

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