"Hey, love, it's all over now," I say as soothingly as I can from where I'm being held by the purple guy who keeps leering at me. Poor kid. I know how murderous I'd feel if she were my daughter. John's comforting her as best he can, and she obviously loves him, but I bet she wishes she had her mum here too.

"What kind of people are you, that would do something like that to innocent kids?" I say sharply. "If you have to feel someone up, do it to me!"

...that REALLY didn't come out right.

Why do I get the feeling I'm making Mickey's head spin?

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Ishmael watched the girl go to her father with that same disquieted unhappy feeling, all the more so as she was not evil and he had laid hands on her.

And now he had to do the same again.

He turned to the woman talking...barracking...Lord Sinbad from where she was held by Rhett, who was taking entirely too much advantage of the situation in his mind.

And with his duty still to do, stepped in front of her.

"You will arrange yourself as modesty dictates to allow me to examine you." he tried not to notice her distinctly larger attributes, more nervous than ever.

"Oh God," Mickey groaned from behind him, "You and your big mouth Jackie."

Edited at 2008-07-19 09:11 am (UTC)

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"You shut up, Mickey," I hiss over my shoulder. I glare at the one in front of me. "You're too young," I say haughtily. "I want this one to do it." I jerk my head at the one who's practically groping me anyway.

I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm going to mess with their heads ANY WAY I CAN. They're only boobs, and I'm NOT impressed with what they did to young Heather over there. Poor kid. She deserves better.

I unbutton the top of my penguin pyjamas, glaring furiously at them all. This one holding me thinks it's all such a big joke. He's about ready to touch me, until I hit him with the big whammy. "You get to feel me, I get to feel you, m'lad. We're terribly worried about people with three bum cheeks. They're a menace in our society," I say, improvising wildly. "So I'm not going anywhere with you until I know for a fact how many you have!"

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Mickey blinked as Jackie discarded the nice safe obviously nervous boy who would touch her for all the time it took to figure out her heartbeats, for the big bruiser holding her who would probably start his hands somewhere around her arse and work his way up.

What the hell was she doing?!

The Bruiser releases her to let her prepare, and others move, poised to take hold of her in case she tries anything, and in all the shifting of positions he can see her opening her top. Oh God Jackie Tyler is opening her top. Rose's Mum is opening her top in front of you. Look away! LOOK AWAY!!

But the Bruiser is all poised to grope her and he's angry about that and straining at the hands holding him and he can't look away because it's like a horrible horrible car crash in slow motion. And then she speaks again.

Three Bum Cheeks? THREE BUM CHEEKS!!

His shoulders sagged a little. He might have known it...she was going to cop a feel while she was at it. Shaking his head he can't help the grin that tugs at his lips as she strikes back in her own unique Jackie Tyler way. She's mad as a brush, but absolutely brilliant and he kinda loves her.

"Yeah!" He pitches in. In for a penny in for a pound. "All those with three bum cheeks are like busted evil ...she's got to investigate you all!"

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Rhett, the big bruiser poised...paused. As did just about everyone else in the area at her claim. One that he was just about to grin at and show her his arse to have a good grope of happily, before the dark man with the gun piped up.

As one everyone's eyes went to Lord Sinbad. Who actually seem nonplussed for a moment.

Before his eyes narrowed.

Storming over to her he pushed Rhett aside, not overly pleased with his man's attitude either.

"OI!" Mickey straightened as he bore down on Jackie, "Leave her be!!!"

Sinbad ignored him, "You treat this as some kind of falderall, a jape to which you must answer in kind!" he loomed over her angrily, "Well madam, know that it is not. That danger of the most venomous sort lurks coiled within the breast of those who have travelled here. Our soothsayers have told us this and we do this for our and YOUR protection both. We must examine friend and foe alike and discomfort must be borne by us all. You will submit to the boys examinations or I will take it upon myself!"

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The big guy holding me is about ready to let me feel his bum, which suits me just fine. It's quite a NICE bum. But then Lord Crankypants sweeps forward and shoves my guy aside.

...when did he become 'my guy'?!

Mickey shouts something. I'm quivering, but I draw myself up straight. Whatever he's going to do to me, he's going to damn well meet with some Tyler backchat. He rants at me, making me roll my eyes. I force myself through a perception shift; if he's truly that powerful then he can do what he wants to me no matter what, which means that it doesn't matter what I say to him, so I'm damn well going to say what I feel like saying. He needs to know we're not going down without a fight.

"I'll submit to anyone's examination," I say coolly. "I never said I wouldn't." I wave invitingly at my chest, then fold my arms again and glare at him. "All I'm saying, mate, is that I want some rights too. A little tat for tit, as it were."

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Sinbad raised an eyebrow as the thought occurred to him that this woman was actually serious. Not about the evil anatomy. But that this was her serious way of establishing some control over the situation. And he was getting tired of all this. It would've been easier to attack them, render them unconscious and do the examinations that way. But the Council had insisted they be unharmed as much as possible while establishing they were friendly.

He grunted in irritation then looked from Ishmael back to Rhett.

"Rhett, are you willing to submit your...body...to her..." examination was clearly not the right word, "to her?"

A corner of Rhett's mouth turned up slowly as he glanced over at Jackie again and let his eyes wander down to where her arms were folded, "For the protection and well being of our people I will humbly submit, my Lord Sinbad." he murmured his voice carrying all the humility of your average chest thumping silver back gorilla.

Sinbad harrumphed again, planning to have words with the man later, but looking back at Jackie, "You will submit yourself to the examination of Rhett first...we must know you are safe before we can let you...have your rights." he cleared his throat. "You have my word you will receive them. Agreed?"

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I face down Lord High Grumpybritches, not blinking. The same face I used on Rose when she was thirteen and trying to tell me that everyone else in her class was allowed to stay out till midnight. "Agreed."

He looks away for a moment, and I let myself sag. I- I think I just won. Well, sort of. I'm about to let a complete stranger feel me up, but then again he's quite handsome, and I'm going to cop a feel off him afterwards.

I shrug. Could be worse.

"Rhett, huh? Just call me Scarlet," I tell him, wandering over to him and grabbing his hands. I grin at him mischievously and plant them on my chest in the right spots. He goes to withdrawn them again, but I hold on for just a moment.

He's cute, and messing with him is amusing me. Can't hurt to keep these people off balance. I've seen the Doctor do it, though with him it's probably more because he's mental than because he's trying to keep people off balance.

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Rhett blinked in surprise when the lusciously curvaceous woman took matters into her own hands. Slightly peeved at first that his plans for an accidental brush on the way had been thwarted, the irked sensation flowed away when she kept his hands on her for longer than necessary.

"I think not," he replied the deep huskiness in his voice making it sound like a soft growl every time he spoke, "For Scarlet is the given name of my sister..." his eyes dipped to the valley of her breasts below his hands, "and you sweet madam are definitely not my sister."

Slipping his hands from under hers he allowed his fingers to curl slightly and brush curved full flesh on their way past, before turning to announce to Lord Sinbad, "She is Traveller only. Not Pylit and therefore safe."

Pushing his long black hair off his shoulders he looked back at her, and took a step back, offering her his black leather covered ass, "Your rights madam..." he smiled back at her, "Unless you would rather them unclad?"

Edited at 2008-07-19 12:04 pm (UTC)

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John is this close to laughing until he chokes. But he's reasonably sure that giving in to that urge will only get them all in further trouble, and he's had quite enough of that, thank you very much. Besides, one of the men holding him has let go his arm in astonishment at Jackie's antics. John, naturally, put it around Heather, and she seems to be happier for the thin shelter it gives her.

Jackie's got the situation firmly under control, anyway. So he can wonder.

First of all, why are they all named after book characters? Moby Dick, The Thousand and One Nights (he can't help but wonder whether or not their translation had the raunchy bits left in; it would explain the groping), Gone With the Wind, and God knows what else. It's something to keep in mind, anyway.

Thing Two is considerably more confusing, anyway.

Two hearts? They're looking for someone with two hearts. That's just plain weird. Believable, though. Aliens are weird. They're making distinctions, too. Two hearts is Pylit, which sounds like nothing so much as a corrupted version of "pilot," though why they'd be talking about pilots or why pilots would be so goddamned dangerous he has no idea. One heart is a Traveller. So he, Heather, Jackie, Mickey, and Smilie are all Travellers, and that must mean something or they'd all have been killed by now.

And someone has escaped from their hall already. So that means two important things: that escape is possible, which they didn't know before, and that there are other people here. Other people who might be sympathetic to their predicament? John resolves quietly to get to Mickey and see if they can't get the girls out of here somehow. Heather and Smilie, and Jackie to look after them, Jackie who reminds him of his mother in her fearlessness and flat refusal to be daunted; oh, yeah, they'd be fine.

More importantly, they'd be safe. Well, safer. Whatever "safer" means in this place. Wherever this place is.

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Mickey watched, stifling a groan, as he realised that while yes Jackie was doing this in part to piss off Lord Sinbad...what a bleeding ridiculous bloody name that was...she also flipping fancied the great big gorilla groping her!

Course she did! This was Jackie. Jackie who loved her blokes. Her many many MANY blokes. And who loved her blokes to take a hands on approach. Big tall guy with raven hair, a growly voice and wandering hands? Check boxes on her come and get me list. A leer to her was like poetry to some other women.

He could hardly watch as Rhett...again with the daft name, what were these people's parents, pop stars?...cheerfully lined up his ass to be groped. They could be here all year if Jackie had her way. Looking away he noticed John looking at him, and could make out that John has something on his mind.

He doesn't know the guy that well, but given his tendency to act out, he reckons that priority number one is to get to him. That is after these goons finally figure out that the remaining Smilie too is not one of these Pylit blokes, and get their oversized mitts off them all!

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He looks at me, and says, "I think not. For Scarlet is the given name of my sister... and you sweet madam are definitely not my sister."

I try to keep a haughty expression on my face, but it's hard. I break into a grin.

He tells Lord Grumpy that I'm safe, does a shampoo advert hair toss thing, then presents his bum to me, smiling.

"Your rights madam... Unless you would rather them unclad?"

I look at his surprisingly pert bum and suck my lower lip between my teeth. "Ooh. Difficult decision, Rhett. And I have to say, if Rhett Butler'd had a arse like yours, no way I would've let him go out that door no matter how many times he said 'damn'."

I move forward reluctantly, aware that Mickey'll probably kill me with a glare OR die laughing if I insist on Rhett removing his pants, then I put out both hands and gently cup his bum. "Hmm," I say knowledgeably, swapping hands. "One -- two. I think he's only got two."

I take a step back, then shrug, and step forward again. "However! You can't be too careful in this day and age, yeah?" I trace the outline of both full bum cheeks. "Oh, all right, just two." I turn imperiously to Lord High GrouchyBroomstickUpHisBum. "I find this acceptable."

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As did Rhett, who seemed to take great pleasure in her coming back for seconds.

Lord Sinbad however was not amused, finding her light treatment of what was to him a life and death situation entirely unacceptable. However there was little he could do about it, under orders as he was and underpressure for time.

After shooting a freezing glance at the grinning Rhett who was, if it were possible, both leering at and flirting with Jackie, the tall man turned his attention back to Ishmael.

Nodding at Smilie, he sourly indicated for the boy to examine the final female in the group.

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Smilie looks angry. This is not new. She always looks somewhat angry. She hopes they don't find her lock pick.

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Caught between the sour face of his leader and the angry one of the dark haired girl Ishmael steps forward nervously, not even bothering to ask the question for her to 'arrange' herself.

This one, he thinks, is better done with as soon as possible. Especially as the look on her face would make her the most likely of the females to turn out to be the threat they are so afraid of.

Reaching out with both hands at the same time. Ishmael laid them hastily on her chest hoping desperately he could feel her heartbeat or beats through her clothing without having to do more. And definitely hoping she didn't want to check his buttocks like the older female did Rhett's.

The sigh of relief he breathes on feeling just the one heartbeat is so audible it embarrasses him in front of his tribesmen a moment after it leaves his lips. Stepping away he turned, drawing himself up in front of Lord Sinbad.

"My lord, the young female is also a Traveller, none, it would appear are Pylit," he inclined his head gravely on delivering his report.

"Very well," Sinbad snapped to all gathered, "Then we must bring them to safety in our village. Ishmael attend to the frightened girl. Rhett the older female. I will watch the surly child," he eyed Smilie, "And the men will remain guarded until we are returned and we can safely explain all. This remains for your own protection," he said to the newcomers in a less than gentle tone, "For now...no more talk, we have wasted enough time, let us move quickly homewards before the new cycle begins in earnest."

Taking hold of Smilie, his sword again in his other hand he drew her after him, the others, their 'guests' under various forms of guard escorted after them through the darkened winding corridors, leading them through a labyrinthine structure until they were aware of more movement in the shadows.

Gradually these shadows became more evident as more darkly clad and painted men and women stepped from the shadows to watch them passing. The decor changing, with symbols painted on the walls, and the stark bareness of the halls replaced by increased artwork and offshoot rooms that were lit by ornately worked braziers, furs and blankets lining the floors, here and there reconstituted pieces of furniture. The living quarters of the tribes, turned from the rooms of a space dwelling people into the interior equivalent of yurts or native american lodges.

People, families watched them from their doorways, children peeking out from behind their parents legs as they were taken on past them and through the wide double doors that led them into the remains of a vast library.

Five stories of book shelves, many half empty, towered above them, topped by a great dome of uninterupted glass which gave the illusion of the vastness of space itself as their natural ceiling.

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Smilie hardly walks, she does not mind the rough the handling in her travels with the Doctor she's had worse. She wonders what they want with the Doctor? She studies the faces of the people they walk by in the doorway. She pulls a face at a child, the child runs back into the darkness of the house screaming. She looks at the library, she almost smiles, she likes books. She wonders if they will be allowed to read.

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I absentmindedly walk closer to Rhett as we pass all the people staring at us. This is one strange place.

Smilie makes a face at a kid, sending the kid shrieking away. I give her a sharp glance. I understand her being scared, but this doesn't seem like the behaviour of a child who's scared out of her mind and acting out. This seems like the behaviour of a child who's bored.

I'm not her mum, but I'm the closest thing she's got right now, and if she needs looking after, I'll look after her. I resolve to keep a closer eye on Smilie.

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Smilie rolls her eyes at Jackie. She is a bit scared but she doesn't want to show it. At least not to someone who looks like one of her lunch ladies.

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On bringing them into the heart of the library, to where once the lending desk and librarians must have operated from, but which was now a great open circular space with cracked marble and the faded remains of a logo, Sinbad left them.

As he disappeared behind one large stack the men holding them released and melted back from them, leaving all of them to stand free, only wary of Mickey and John in case of some sort of reprisal. Only Rhett remained reasonably close by, eyeing Jackie still.

But even his eyes turned as Sinbad reappeared, joined by two others a man and a woman of middle age like himself, with long flowing hair but though also adorned in black and purple, unarmoured.

As they reached them, they bowed and curtseyed respectively.

"You are welcome esteemed Travellers, welcome to the beating heart and soul of the territory of the Rec. Our Temple of Knowledge."

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Heather refuses any and all of Ishmael's attempts to "attend" her, preferring instead to stay as close to her father as she can get. John, in turn, ignores any attempts to take back the arm he's got round his daughter. He can hardly be a threat while he's occupied with her, he rationalizes, even if the tribesmen don't see it that way. But he's not going to make a move, not yet, not until he can talk to Mickey and see what the other man thinks of his idea. Better safe than knocked unconscious.

He's rather astonished by the size of the library they enter. It's as big as--no, bigger than the British Museum's Reading Room! How many books, how much knowledge in this place? He tips his head back, tries to estimate the number of books, can't. The tribesmen push him forward again, and he perforce goes, carrying Heather with him.

She's still trembling, still refusing to go any further from him than she must, and that evidence of her fear makes him dully angry again. He has to get her out of here, for her sake if nothing else. John tightens his arm around her shoulders, and murmurs something reassuring.

Yet more purple people approach. He looks up, glares half-heartedly, and very pointedly tucks Heather just a little closer against his side. He has had quite enough of this "let's grope people's chests" game.

"You are welcome esteemed Travellers, welcome to the beating heart and soul of the territory of the Rec. Our Temple of Knowledge."

Oh. So maybe they're done with that game, then. Good. John relaxes his expression marginally to simple confusion.

"Right," he says, and realizes he's just elected himself spokesman. Shit. Oh well. "Uh, thank you, it's very lovely. Very... very big. Can I ask why you've brought us here?" Careful, polite, the picture of a lost, confused tourist. Albiet a shirtless one.

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The man and woman frowned at him and looked at one another before looking back at him, "Did Lord Sinbad not explain to you that you were brought here for your safety?" the woman asked.

The man continued "That our warriors, few as they are, seek out those that move through our territory in order that the great and malign influence which threatens our existence here may not inadvertantly be brought into our midst. And that those who Travel here as you have done may not be waylaid by the darkness."

"I explained this." Lord Sinbad said gruffly, "But some did not wish to hear." He eyed John and Mickey.

The woman smiled a little, understanding in her eyes, "Ahh...we beg your forgiveness if our men were hasty with you. It is not an easy thing to waylay someone and offer protection too. Trust on both sides is a little frayed..."

"Indeed," the man agreed, "An earlier attempt to check the identity of some of your number and bring them here to safety, led to the unfortunate injury of one in a struggle and his subsequent...disappearance...from the heart of our Temple and territory left many of our warriors upon edge."

"Please, good gentles," the woman took a step closer to them, "You must believe us when we say there is a great darkness seeking it's way into our world. Our prophet has foretold it's imminent arrival..." she looked at them almost apologetically, "among one of your number. We cannot promise you are safe here only that you will have our protection, brave Travellers all." She lay a hand upon her chest, "I am Hero and this is my brother Leander...we lead here among those know as the Rec. You are welcome, and we are eager to talk with you."

Leander nodded, "But come you must be tired and confused valiant voyagers, would you sit and rest and eat what meagre food we can offer such as you?"

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John bites back a nasty remark about being too angry and afraid for his baby girl to listen, and instead says, in the politest of tones, "Oh, I can understand that. One can't help but worry about one's family. I must admit, though, that I'm still a little confused. Safety from what?"

Somebody with two hearts, evidently. To his Earth-bred ears, it sounds nearly impossible. To his Chesterton-family ears, it sounds unusual, but hardly a qualifier for sheer, undiluted evil.

"An earlier attempt to check the identity of some of your number and bring them here to safety, led to the unfortunate injury of one in a struggle and his subsequent...disappearance...from the heart of our Temple and territory left many of our warriors upon edge."

Heather lifts her head and blinks, and John just knows she's about to say something stupid, but can't stop her in time. "Somebody else?" she asks. "There's other people here? But we were alone."

"Other people like us, she means," John interjects hastily. "And thank you kindly, but Heather and I have had our tea." A lie, but he doesn't trust these people at all. He squeezes Heather's shoulder to intercept her puzzled glance before she can make it, and bless her, she understands.

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"Can anyone read the books?" Smilie asks boldly.

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As her brother issued the invitation for them to seat, eat and talk, Hero looked to the dark haired sullen girl, and smiled again.

"All may read, knowledge of The Lives is forbidden to none. It is in their myriad paths through existence that we find our own way."

(O.O.C: Hi! If Smilie does go to the stacks to read she will discover that every single book there is a work of fiction. There are no text books, manuals, references, or encyclopedias save those dealing with works of fiction. :) )

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"Cool." Smilie says, and walks over picks up a book Charolette Bronte's Wuthering heights. And begins to read.

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