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Tweak says, "Apu friend me good"

The Doctor (fromgallifrey) wrote in vas_captio_rpg,
@ 2009-04-28 00:18:00

Current location:	The Carnival
Entry tags:	!complete, day 05, jack harkness, location: carnival, the doctor (ten)

Day 5: Mid Afternoon
Who: The Doctor and Captain Jack
What: Well, a bit of bumbling, perhaps?
Where: The Carnival, in one of the abandoned game stands
When: Day 5: Mid afternoon
Rating: We'll start with PG-13 for the sake of Torchwood
Status: Active

The blaring alarm kept blaring over and over and over again. The Doctor had caught himself a couple of times and realized that the entire purpose of the silly alarm was to keep him up. Each time his head started to feel a bit heavy the alarm would sound and up would pop his head. It felt like an endless, pointless cycle. The Doctor, of course, wasn't too used to being kept awake against his will. When he needed to rest he shut the TARDIS door, retired to the Cloisters and took a very restorative nap.

Naps, it appeared, were not an option at the moment. Squaring up with the game table turned work bench, the Doctor carefully laid out his makeshift tools and his bits and pieces of this and that. He had an assignment. Well, more like a mission. Or maybe a quest? Whatever it was, it was an all consuming need to make something that could be capable of shattering the glass. In his hearts, the Doctor knew that a sonic pulse could do it - if he could manufacture one and if he could remember the frequency.

Taking up an emptied can he filled it with scraps of paper and then set them all ablaze with a lighter he'd taken from the petrol station - it would be his little smelting station - he had a bunch of wires to affix and only one battery. The Time Lord knew that he'd better make it count. "Not like there's any pressure," he muttered to himself as he carefully set to work.

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capt_harkness
2009-04-27 11:46 pm UTC (link)

If Jack had the means to disable the damned alarm, he would have in a heart beat. Like the Doctor, he quickly had come to realise that it was intended for the express purpose of keeping everyone here awake. Jack needed very little sleep to survive and so the sirens were nothing more than a loud annoyance as opposed to keeping him awake.

The one good thing about this place was that the Doctor was here. Jack had yet to stop grinning. Yes, he knew he looked like a damned fool but the truth of the matter was that he was thrilled to know there was an ally here. That in and of itself was the most important thing. Besides, if the TARDIS was around, this wouldn't be so bad after all. And maybe, just maybe, the Doctor would have means to get out of here or things that Jack could use to arm people against Weevils. He still couldn't believe the damned things had shown up here. What was next, Daleks?

Exploring the place, Jack happened along the abandoned carnival and was about to pass by when he thought he heard something. Jack paused, his hand going for his Webley once more and cursing when he came up empty handed. One didn't realise how often they relied on certaintools when they were no longer around to be used. Cautiously Jack walked through the arcade, moving towards the sound and the scent of burning paper. Then, he grinned.

He'd know that hair anywhere.

"Doctor."

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fromgallifrey
2009-04-27 11:58 pm UTC (link)

The Doctor hadn't given himself time to think. If he had managed a moment to let that brain of his work beyond his current focus he'd be far, far too worried about Martha. It had been a day and a half since he'd last seen or heard from her. Sure, Shannon had written and said that she had turned up with some fellow - but, still the Doctor worried. What if she wound up like Dean and didn't remember anything at all?

Perhaps it was exhaustion creeping up on the Timelord - or just complacency, whatever it was the Doctor didn't hear Jack as he approached. In fact, he about jumped when he heard his name come wafting into his ears like a thunderclap. The Doctor squinted and then rubbed at his eyes. Jack really was here, wasn't he?

"Captain Jack Harkness!" The Doctor exclaimed, not quite able to set down his task just yet. He'd only now just managed to get the little can hot enough - and it'd take a bit more focus to get the coals to gather at the bottom. Only then could he even think he'd be able to solder wires together.

"Ehhh, ooohhmp-mppph," The Doctor carefully blew on the fire, keeping the tiny bit burning quite nicely. "Get yourself into much trouble yet?" He couldn't help but tease Jack a touch, he was a bit sleep deprived after all.

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capt_harkness
2009-04-28 12:20 am UTC (link)

It was hard to put into words the utter relief Jack felt when the Doctor looked up and knew him. If it was possible for Jack's face to split into a wider grin, it would have as he increased his pace, now almost running. Strange, it seemed like he was destined to be running towards this man rather than walking forward like any normal human being.

But then again, Jack was far from the category of 'normal human being'. Rose had seen to that, had she not?

Jack stopped in front of the Doctor, watching him create a small fire in a can, eyes flicking over the assortment of wires and everything else the man had assembled. "I'd take it from the 'normal' methods over here, someone's without his screwdriver." Jack still wondered why a screwdriver and not something a bit more, well, masculine. A sonic drill, now that was something to be afraid of. "Nah, not too much. Just arrived here yesterday. Though I may have offended a woman wearing a spandex outfit. Hard to say on that account. Otherwise, I've been a perfect saint."

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fromgallifrey
2009-04-28 12:35 am UTC (link)

The Doctor watched in a state of rather blatant joy and amusement as the Captain, flowing coat and all, came up with all the enthusiasm he'd come to expect. Enthusiasm and barbs. It didn't much matter, he like jabs.

"Whomever is running this place has everything, Jack," The Gallifreyan replied rather sternly. They had at the very least his TARDIS key, if not the TARDIS herself. The only reason that the Doctor was able to keep his composure thus far was that they needed to keep him very much alive in order for the big blue box to function.

"They must have an entire warehouse filled to the brim with all the things I had in my pockets. I was actually quite fond of most of it," he rattled, wincing as he managed to scorch his fingertip on the edge of the can. "Spandex? A woman in spandex?" The Doctor tried to think if he'd happened upon anyone else in Spandex, but came up a bit short. Even the Doctor thought it a bit odd to run about in a suit of Spandex.

It was a regular reunion of the year that never was - Jack, Martha and him. It kind of hurt a bit when it occurred to him that was the last time he'd seen Jack. "You don't know the frequency to shatter titanium bound glass, would you? At least, I'm fairly certain it's titanium, could be silicon. Though, who makes the silicon stuff anymore, haven't seen that since I last..." Taking a breath the Doctor actually stopped short and managed to catch himself mid-ramble.

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capt_harkness
2009-04-30 01:09 am UTC (link)

Everything? Jack's eyes widened, unable to stop the look of shock from settling on his features. "So that means... the TARDIS..." Jack trailed off, shaking his head. This was absolutely fantastic, though, really, about as far from fantastic as he could get. So he and the Doctor were here with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Jack would admit it was far from a comforting position to be in.

"I'll bet,"Jack muttered, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "I may not have had much, but what I had doesn't belong in the hands of god knows what. Yours either for the matter." Lord only knew what their captors would do with the Sonic Screwdriver or the Psychic Paper. "Yes, a woman in spandex. She called herself some sort of a superhero. Made me think of the magazines I had as a child to be honest." Yes, Jack had been a child once upon a time, surprising as it may sound.

Approaching and peering into the can, Jack wrinkled his nose at the smell. "What the hell are you burning?" Jack asked before the question took him completely by surprise."Frequency of shattering titanium bound glass? Higher frequency than silicon that's for sure. Somewhere in the vicinity 5800 hertz but it depends on the complete makeup of the titanium and a few other factors besides." Jack lifted a brow and grinned. "And I think that's the first time I've ever heard you cut yourself off before. Dare I ask what you're trying to make with tin cans? You'll need more string if it's supposed to be a phone."

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fromgallifrey
2009-04-30 07:35 pm UTC (link)

"Yes," The Doctor replied, trying to let the gravity of the situation settle in all on it's own - and it seemed to be doing just fine without any dramatic aid on his part. "Good news is that it can't function once I'm dead, so, at least they're probably not trying to kill us."

"A superhero?" The Doctor couldn't help but sound mildly amused. He liked when people tried to do good for one another. Though, he couldn't help but hope she wasn't the sort of superhero who was mental - whomever she was. "You read comic serials?" The Doctor sort of wanted to laugh a little, though, the thought of Jack as a child curled up safe in a bed on Boshane Peninsula reading a comic book sort of made the Doctor smile. He liked thinking of Jack that way.

"Bits of paper and wood, trying to get the rubber to catch as it burns at such a high temperature, but so far no luck," Pulling out his work so far on the sonic modulator he set it on the game table for Jack to see. "I'm hoping to be able to solder a few more wires, soon," he said holding up an iron spike he'd found that tapered to a relatively fine point.

"Sonic modulator - about half way done, actually."

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capt_harkness
2009-05-01 09:50 pm UTC (link)

No, the gravity of the situation was doing just fine without the Doctor helping things along. Enough that the usually ever-present smile on Jack's face had faded giving way to concern. And when Jack looked worried, it was never a good sign. At all. "Good thing that," Jack muttered. "But between my little 'gift' and your regeneration abilities, I'd say we'll be a force to be reckoned with." As, like always, Jack put himself in line with the Doctor. There was no place he'd rather be to be honest.

"Yes, a superhero. Apparently those exist. Though not sure why spandex is part of the operation. A man can save the world in a greatcoat just as well." As, yes, Jack thought himself a superhero, but he was allowed his delusions. "And yes, I read them," Jack replied defensively. He crossed his arms in front of himself looking as petulant as he could manage.

Jack shook his head and sighed softly. "Nothing is going to hit that temperature particularly bits of paper. Close but not what we need." He peered at the spike, lifting an eyebrow, then looked at the Doctor full-on. "It's possible to re-create it? The screwdriver I mean." Jack said, wheels already in motion. "What are you missing?"

In other words, 'how can I help?'

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fromgallifrey
2009-05-02 02:27 pm UTC (link)

The Doctor's expression fell a little as he realized Jack was completely correct that he wouldn't hit nearly the temperature he needed. He'd be able to solder on the small wires, sure, but the larger ones? Well, that would require something with a much higher heat concentration than his little spike that could would muster.

The doctor offered a cheeky grin to Jack's rendition of petulance. There was no question, having the Captain here was doing much to lift the Doctor's exhausted spirits.

"The screwdriver?" The Doctor thought of the components. He'd be able to find similar items - but, nothing quite the right size to be able to recreate his precious screwdriver. "Not exactly," he set down the spike and leaned against his palms on the would-be workbench's edge.

"I haven't been able to find a suitable speaker for generating the pulse. There was nothing suitable in the thrift shop, and so far nothing to be found here, either."

The Doctor's eyes were tired, which was saying something for the man who'd never stopped running about the Universe. Another siren went off, blaring for a few moments and making the Doctor squint. Taking off his glasses he took them off and set them aside, rubbing his eyes a moment. "Martha had said she planned on going about snooping, actually," he said with a grin. It was nice to think that was what she was off doing, snooping, and not part of one of this place's experiments.

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capt_harkness
2009-05-07 09:36 pm UTC (link)

Somehow, seeing the Doctor's face fall that little bit was more worrisome than if there had been a stronger reaction. Now Jack truly know how the team could be so scared when Jack showed those signs of worry or not knowing what was going on. Even if it was over something as simple as this Modulator, it still scared the hell out of him. First something like this, god only knew what came next.

Still, the grin came and Jack did his best to return it. He did, though, wonder what the Doctor knew of things. And how to ask without getting in trouble for alerting a man to knowing more than he had any right to know. "Not exactly? Guess none of us will be able to hang any shelves then, will we? Whatever will we do?" And Jack's first line of defence? Cracking badly placed jokes.

"Not even one of those prepaid cell phones they tend to sell at convenience stores?" Jack asked. "Granted, not like I really know what all is around here either. But it's a thought." Which begged the question if he could recreate anything similar as well.

Jack jumped ever so slightly when the siren went off again, looking at the Doctor with concern. "When was the last time you slept?" He asked softly, a hint of genuine concern entering his voice. "So Miss Jones is here," Jack said with a grin. Now that was fabulous news, wasn't it? "And what exactly is she snooping for?"

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fromgallifrey
2009-05-08 11:19 pm UTC (link)

"Well, a sonic screwdriver the size of a caravan isn't much good, is it?" He didn't mean to sound as snarky as he did and immediately managed a sincerely guilty look. "Sorry, Jack. I suppose the lack of sleep is starting to catch up."

Listening to the Captain's ideas as to places to find speakers it was all that the Gallifreyan could do to shake his head. "Haven't wandered around much yet, have you? Appears we've been dropped into a town last updated in 1950."

Pinching his brow between his thumb and forefinger the Doctor again jolted awake with a siren. "Well, last night there was quite a raucous outside the Museum - something snapping trees and things. So, I'd say I haven't really rested since the day before last..." He offered a weary shrug. "Who'd have thought running around would catch up with me so quickly."

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capt_harkness
2009-05-13 11:31 pm UTC (link)

"Depends on who's using it," Jack replied, ignoring the Doctor's snark. "In some cases, size really does matter in addition to how you use it." Jack waved a hand, dismissing the apology. "I'd think something was wrong if you weren't giving me at least a little bit of cheek."

Not updated since the 1950s? It was a town, then, that he was going to do quite well in. The others had always chided him that his knowledge of pop culture didn't extend much past 1950 in many regards. Just because he didn't know the words to anything by Lady Haha meant absolutely nothing. Or was that Lady Gaga? "There still were speakers back then," Jack protested. "Larger ones, but still speakers. Remember, I actually lived through that time and space."

He tactfully left off the part about the Doctor abandoning him. "I never would have expected you to tire of running," Jack replied with a grin. "However, if that siren goes off one more time, I'm going to be far from a happy camper." He brushed his hands together, peering at the modulator. "What else do you need? And maybe you should let me do some of the work if you're that tired. Would hate to see this get fouled up because of your exhaustion."

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fromgallifrey
2009-05-15 07:42 pm UTC (link)

The Doctor rolled his eyes, not at all surprise by Jack's response to the potential size of the sonic screwdriver. "Somethings become impractical," he quipped, punctuating with a nod to Jack's understanding response.

"I know that, you think this is my first time 'round the block?" The Doctor canted his head letting his smile become infectious across his features. "I've been there quite a few times... Though, I can't say it's my favorite time to visit - much prefer some of the later milenia."

His hands were shoved deep into his empty pockets. "We just need to be certain they're strong enough to withstand the sonic rate - none of that poorly constructed Japanese bits," he wrinkled his nose mostly because of how terribly Japanese craftsmanship had started. Though, they had figured it all out in the end.

"Oh, I'm certain they'll be going off fairly constantly the later in the day it gets. The whole idea is to keep people awake after all," the Doctor punctuated his thought with a yawn. "As would I," he replied to the mere notion of junking up his effort because he couldn't keep his hands steady. "If you're up for it there are plenty of wires that need landed..."

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capt_harkness
2009-05-17 09:02 pm UTC (link)

Jack wouldn't have been Jack if he didn't make some sort of comment about size in regards to the sonic screwdriver. Besides, quips like these were what made him him. Anything else would have been, well, a tip-off that he wasn't really him.

"Well, hard to say," Jack replied, buffing his nails against his chest. "You can flit around. Some of us had to live through the decades one by one, you know." Got to meet a few fantastic people along the way, but Jack would have preferred to skip around rather than add a few hundred years to his life. Not that it mattered, save where his vanity was concerned.

"Not all Japanese bits are bad," Jack countered. "Though, I don't think it'd withstand the sonic. Hard to say if anything f rom this time would for that matter, however it's a safe bet that some things are better manufactured at this time. More for quality as opposed to mass-marketing iPods."

Jack wasn't looking forward to more sirens and raised his head, glaring at the sound of the alarm from above. Speaking of going off again. If only they could find the speaker the alarm was coming from, maybe that would be a strong enough speaker. "I'll work with the wires," he said, taking control of the modulator from the Doctor. He peered at the work that had been done before setting out to continue the Doctor's progress. "Have you found out where the sound's coming from? What about that speaker?"

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fromgallifrey
2009-05-18 02:03 pm UTC (link)

The Doctor always knew what to expect from Jck; but, he wouldn't be the Doctor if he didn't react in a subtle (ok, sometimes not so subtle) manner. It's not that he didn't understand where Jack had come from and why it was that he thought the way that he did; it was more that he thought time on Earth might have refined him a little. Sometimes, the Doctor thought it might have had an opposite effect.

"I've lived through decades," the Doctor retorted. "I've lived through a lot of decades sequentially. I ha--d grandchildren, you know." He knew that it should make him feel old, thinking of Susan; but, more than anything it made him sad.

"Oh, of course not; just the lot produced in the 1950's," snark.

"Still in search for the speaker. I'm sure something will turn up - both of the Winchesters are off on the hunt now and something tells me anyone who reads the journals will be looking around for one soon enough."

The Time Lord was cycling between rubbing his eyes and rubbing his hair. It was a strange cycle with each repeated motion causing his hair to flair out in even more unlikely directions.

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capt_harkness
2009-05-22 09:15 am UTC (link)

Truth be told, perhaps the time on Earth had changed Jack -- though it was hard to say if it was for better or for worse. Perhaps at one time, Jack might have been a bit more refined, but as time passed, Jack had relaxed back to the old ways, particularly when societal mores relaxed. Jack was just Jack and that was all there was to it.

Jack's head perked up at that, snapping towards the Doctor with a surprised expression. "Grandchildren?" he asked with a laugh, both eyebrows raising towards his hair line. "You? Had grandchildren?" It wasn't so much the past tense that shocked him -- more that there was a tense at all in relation to children of any sort. Biting his lower lip and grinning, Jack turned full on to face the Doctor. "Come now, you don't get to leave it there."

Watching the Doctor in his same cycle of rubbing that bespoke just how tired he was was a bit disconcerting. And, of course, the moment the Doctor's eyes slipped closed that damned alarm would go off again. "Should find you some ear plugs," Jack muttered. "Wonder if that would cut out the sound." He blew gently on the fire, trying once more to get it going without blowing it out. Flames high enough, Jack worked towards soldering two of the wires in place, checking his craftsmanship once they'd cooled. "For working with subpar heat, they should be holding," Jack remarked, moving on to the next set of wires.

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fromgallifrey
2009-05-22 10:00 am UTC (link)

The Doctor knew he shouldn't be surprised at Jack's reaction to his mention of grandchildren. Everyone always seemed to think that what they saw in front of them was the first 'him,' even if they didn't realize it. There had been 9 other versions of him before - the first having the grandchildren of course.

"Oh, I'm sure you know how grandchildren work, Captain," The Doctor remarked, preferring to actually leave it at that. No need to go on recounting his entire life story to Jack - they might be there for quite some time.

"Actually it's on quite a few frequencies," the Doctor winced, "So, unless those earplugs are made of quite dense polymers, I don't think it'll manage to keep the sound out." The sirens were multitonal to the Doctor, making him want to stick his fingers in his ears - fat lot of good that might do him.

He considered shifting to take a peek at Jack's work; however, he was in all honesty just feeling too lazy for such things. What he really wanted was his bunk in the TARDIS. He'd take TARDIS without bunk at this point, actually.

"We've only so many tries with it anyway. The batteries from the bumper cars only managed a residual charge." Yes, that was bleak news.

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capt_harkness
2009-05-23 09:57 am UTC (link)

Jack was well aware that there had been other incarnations, he just always assumed that the previous incarnations had been as, well, asexual as Nine and Ten had been. Disappointing, really. But grandchildren? That was something to file away -- the lives they both had lived through.

"I know quite well how grandchildren work," Jack replied. "You think I don't have a few of my own wandering about the galaxies?" He lifted an eyebrow and gave the Doctor a bit of a smirk. Jack may not have known how many, but he knew there were at least a few roaming about. There had to be. "One day I might ask you about it, though," Jack murmured under his breath. While they both may have had long life histories (Jack had a feeling he won in the 'elder' category), Jack still wanted to know about the enigmatic man.

Jack sighed, stiffening when an alarm went off again. Damn it to hell. "You know, even if it cut out one frequency--" Which was impossible, whishfull thinking and it showed on Jack's face. It wasn't exactly hopeless, but not knowing what was going on was beginning to take its toll on Jack.

There was no need to take a look at his work, Jack knew exactly what he was doing. Still, he'd let the Doctor satisfy his curiosity in that regard. Jack understood the anal retentive need to make sure everything was indeed perfect. They did only haveso many shots where this was concerned.

"Are they tied together?" Jack asked, lifting his head up from his work. "Or are you relying on one at a time? Use a couple of the wires and you could get a bit more of a charge." Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "To that end, what about some of the rides? Don't expect a motor to be much good, but could be taken apart to generate a bit more power." Jack looked up at the Doctor and grinned. "If it's not going to be pocket-sized, does the eventual size really matter?'

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