Quiet is Never an Option [Open]

[castalia]

It was another slow day at her shop. Honestly, she should start thinking about serving coffee so perhaps the hipsters would stay longer than five minutes. She guess that was the reason why only three-quarters of her shop were filled with antique books. The shelves lined the front of the store, and the only indication that there was more than meets the eye was a medium sized poster in the window stating you could get your fortune read for a reasonable price. In the left hand corner, a section was put aside, divided by rice paper room dividers. Small paper lanterns hung from the ceiling to illuminate the ornate table that sat in the middle, along with two rather comfortable looking chairs. On the table laid her tarot cards. Yet, even the corner was empty that day. It seemed no tourists were stupid enough to buy a potentially fake fortune.

The only shadow moving within the shop was a rather petite one, that was currently perched upon a not-so-stable ladder, a mound of books cradling against her hip, held on by her right hand. Her name was Castalia, even though for people she didn't know, that wasn't the name she used. A lot of the tourists knew her as "Psychic Beth" which she had taken from her middle name, Elisabeth. She really didn't need a catchy name, but it felt like she was superman, and loved how she had a 'secret' identity. Cas's hair was once again a wavy mess, pulled together by a single number two pencil. Her glasses slid down her nose as she looked at the titles to sort the books alphetbetically.

She was up to the letter 'T' when Castalia heard the shop door ding. "One moment." She called out, a little annoyed that she didn't get a chance to finish her tasks. She hastily put the books down on the shelf and jumped down off of the ladder, her bright blue heels clacking on the floor as she did. Turning around the corner her dark eyes caught ahold of a rather giggly couple that instantly wanted to make her heave.

"Hey, we uh, saw your sign in the window about getting your fortune told. Can we do that?" The boy managed to get out, a cheesy smile playing on his lips. Castalia had to force a smile. "Of course, right this way please." She replied leading them to the back room.

Ten minutes later, the giggling couple walked out of the shop, still smiling as Castalia stayed in the back. With a roll of her eyes, she stuck the money that they had given her into the register. If only they knew that their fortune wasn't really what she had told them. When looking at the cards, it was evident that the man wasn going no where financially, and their love wouldn't last a month. Yet Castalia knew that they wouldn't give up the cash with a horrible fortune. So she told them they were going to get married in vegas and have three beautiful kids. Barf.

And once again the shop drew quiet once more. It seemed to always be quiet these days, the chance of adventure growing dimmer by the minute. With a small sigh, Cas went back to her books, after all they were not going to sort themselves.

[scooterbug8515]

Getting back was harder than Mickey anticipated. There was no guarantee on things. When Rose left the readings were... Micky never much liked remembering that day. There was a question of where or not she even made it. If it weren't for others holding him back Mickey would have gone in right after her. The thought of Rose being forever in the other dimension was bad enough but to even think that she was forever gone to every dimension was almost too much to bear. Research and studies were done while Mickey was forced to wait. He needed to go after her make sure she was okay! Of course that argument wouldn't fly and so Mickey pushed the issue from the angle of needing to send a second over to get the warning through to the other dimension. He pushed his candidacy forward simply by the fact that he didn't exactly have anything left there in "Pete's World". His gran had died peacefully a few months back so there would be none to count on him. Jackie tried to argue otherwise till he told her that he needed to see that Rose was safe. It was hard saying goodbye to her and Pete but her particularly. During the time of Rose's travels they had grown close.

It seemed like the research was going to take for ever too long for Mickey's taste till things got worse. It was not good was all Mickey had to say about it and really it was now or never in getting a message through. In a way he was the last hope and last messenger to go through. It was doubtful any more after him would be able to go.

The trip was not like normal dimension shifts, at least as he remembered them. Instead of feeling a squeezing pull of sorts he felt like his body was being torn apart to some degree. It was painful and not pleasant and there was a moment when Mickey thought for sure he was going to die, and was convinced the same had happened to Rose, but just when it seemed too much Mickey arrived in one piece with no more pain, particularly seeing as he did collapse right where he stood. He came too fairly quickly and made for Cardiff. It was the only lead he had seeing as the rift was the problem. He hoped to find Rose there. It was where she would have went.

Mickey of course made it to Cardiff alright but from there he was a little lost he knew the water tower was where he needed to be but despite it's height was proving difficult for him to get to. Geography was not a strong suit for Mickey and honestly he had gotten lost when he had to bring Rose her passport that time so long ago. It seemed like ages ago and in a way it was. He never admitted to being lost then and he found his way well enough but his head was buzzing a bit and he didn't feel he had the time to just logic things out. So he picked a shop at random and entered in.

"Hello?" he called out looking around the quite book shop not seeing anyone right off. Just his luck he'd enter an abandoned empty book shop.

[castalia]

Just one more book... A final book that needed to be put back in place. And yet, as she tried to look for the location, there door chimed once again. Castalia let out a huff of air, blowing pieces of her bangs as she did so. However, instead of a group tourists, she only heard a lone pair of shoe marks against the floor of her shop. So was he or she here for their fortune, or did some actually appreciate books as much as she did? Hardly. Setting the book down on the nearby table, she moved to speak to the potential customer.

"Afternoon, how can I--" Her greeting was cut off quite short. Just like any sort of vision she had, it was like her mind was ripped from her body and transported into the images, as if she was the one reliving them. Random images flooded her mind, not really making too much coherent sense. However, it seemed the images that she was seeing were centered around two particular people, A man aptly named the Doctor, and a girl named Rose Tyler. And just like the images came, she blinked a bit, and she was back in her shop. Any sort of vision she had took something out of her, and as if gravity hit her, she stumbled a bit, steading herself by placing her hand on the bookshelf nearest to her.

"You are a long way from home." Castalia finally spoke to the man, sporting a small half smile. She took off her black rimmed plastic glasses, and looked at him for a moment. He was looking for something, or rather a someone. Perhaps this Rose, it didn't take a genius to figure out the lingering feelings for the poor girl. Of course he did, she was blonde after all. All guys seemed to fall head over heels for gals with blonde hair, even though it was obvious that Rose's was fake. Cas, in fact was brunette. It's not like she didn't have her share of guys, or girls for that matter. She just didn't like blondes.

With a small sigh, she decided that she could at least tell the poor guy where he should be heading. Also, she was kind of curious to figure out more about him and this doctor. He just didn't seem.. human. "Come on, then.. I'll read you your fortune." Cas replied, smiling for turning on her blue heels and marching to the corner sitting in her chair, waiting to see if the man, Mickey, would join her.

[scooterbug8515]

So maybe this book store wasn't the best place to come to to ask for directions, It wasn't so much the fact that he didn't see anyone at first but this girl was odd to say the least. Not to say Mickey wasn't used to odd but he didn't really want to deal with it when he just wanted to find Rose and the Doctor. She just cut off mid sentence and seemed to get sick or something. He did not want to be held responsible if she crashed to the ground or anything. A detour to the hospital which he didn't know where it was was not in his agenda.

When the girl finally remarked that he was a long way from home Mickey felt quite defensive and wondered what she meant by that. He frowned and was ready to demand what she meant when he realized at the last minute that she might have meant the fact that this was Cardiff and he was from England, Though Mickey didn't consider that too far not as far as he had actually come.

"Yep from good ole London that's me!" answered Mickey with a fake smile. He didn't know what was with this girl but he wasn't liable to trust her in a real hurry. He kept his personal guard up as he eyed her. And she insisted he get a reading done.

"Ah, no thanks. Didn't really come here for a readin'. Just a bit lost is all and looking for the water tower. Rubbish at finding places and all that sort." answered Mickey not budging from his location. He didn't know what would happen if he got this 'reading' he was offered. She could be some loony looking for a bit of cash or the real deal and if she was the latter Mickey didn't exactly want her poking around in his head. There were things best left unknown, safer that way.

[futuredoctor]

Quiet is never an option in the Doctor's life. If given a chance to have a quiet life, he really wouldn't mind taking it without any hesitation, unless the universe was going to go ka-boom if he does so. Suffice to say, him being 'stranded' in his former incarnation's timeline gives him more downtime than the usual one he enjoyed. It's either that or the war in his timeline kept him really busy and all.

He heard from one of his customers that there was a funny little antique bookstore around these parts. One that looked quite an old fashioned one and offered fortune reading services. Being a bibliophile of some sort, the Doctor certainly wanted to check out the bookstore right away, even though his personal library contained almost everything written in the entirety of creation itself. Granted that he might have stolen a couple of things from a book-filled planet, but he had valid reasons for doing so.

What piqued his interest, however, was the fact that the store offered its customers to peek into their futures. Even if he was a time-sensitive individual, the Doctor rarely had much talent in the prophecy making and whatsoever. The Visionary failed him outright in that certain category. But, a fortune teller in a seemingly old coffee shop intrigued him. The Doctor had his share of psychics in the entirety of his life, but one of the 'special' ones he met was the ancestors of Gwen Cooper of Torchwood Three. If there are energies within the Rift which time-sensitive and all, then there might be a good chance that there the fortune teller might be an honest to goodness precog.

Upon locating the shop, the Doctor fixed his fedora on his head and entered the shop. In entering the shop, he subconsciously blocked his mind in order to protect the so-called psychic from being overwhelmed by the images on his mind. The Doctor was slightly amused at the 'design' of the said bookstore and suddenly heard a familiar voice. There was only one bloke who spoke with an accent like that. Judging by Rose's appearance around here, it was obvious that Mickey Smith wouldn't be far off. Grinning at how 'lucky' he was, he casually remarked as he took a book off a shelf and browsed it, "Well isn't that just normal for you Mickey."

Within seconds, the Doctor placed the book back at the shelf and had a frown on his face, "Sad ending. Fitzpatrick would've made me cry if only its ending wasn't really all that predictable."

"So how're things back with Pete?" the Doctor said as he adjusted his fedora a bit. He then smirked and said, "Ricky the Idiot. Oh I missed saying that!"

[castalia]

Castalia had the immediate urge to chuckle and his defensiveness. It wasn't exactly her fault that she was in his mind. In complete honesty, she couldn't control the psychic powers. She didn't even know where she had got them from. Were they genetic? Well it was a bloody brillant thing that she couldn't remember anything about her parents. Even her aunt didn't tell her about them. Needless to say, she wasn't like a comic book superhero. She didn't have a mysterious teacher to teach her the ways of the mind. She didn't attend a school for gifted people. The only sort of training she had was the books she had on it. Needless to say, the psychic powers controlled her more than the other way around. Therefore, she was not to blame.

A smile crept on her lips as she turned, stopping herself from going back to the corner of the shop. "You know exactly what I am talking about. Forgive me for being rude, but what I meant, was you weren't from her. Beyond the stars, isn't that.... fascinating." She said. Cas was a particular fan of not only literature but things that were beyond the earth. Call her a science fiction nerd if you must, but she solely believed that was something besides human residing in this universe. Perhaps it was the nightmares that she had been having lately. She knew whatever it was, wasn't earth oriented. And here this guy was, from somewhere else, but she couldn't really place it. It looked like London in the images in her mind, but something was different about it. Was it some sort of alternate reality? She wasn't about to ask, after all, he seemed angered at her to begin with.

When he began talking about getting lost and something about a water tower, she drew in a breath and left a moment, coming back with a map in her hand. "Well I could show you where the water tower is, or I can tell you where you can find her. It's she that you are looking for, no? That Rose girl..." She muttered, tapping her head slightly, before putting down the map. "I apologize, just came to me a guess. You mind practically screamed at me to find a girl named Rose and someone called the doc-" Cas cut herself off when her eyes caught sight of the newcomer in the room. "-tor."

Well, it seemed that Castalia finally got what she had wished for. Her bookshop was always quiet, with the occasional tourist, but today, well today had the makings of an adventure. She put the map down, it was apparent that the so called 'Mickey' wasn't going to be needing it now. Pulling down on her mustard yellow peacoat, she busied herself with picking up books that were next to the couches. It was obvious that she didn't belong in the conversation, but she couldn't help but overhearing, and frankly, watching.

The newcomer had browsed the book, and within seconds, it seemed like he had read the whole entire thing. Was it some kind of parlor trick, or was he in fact like her? That was another part of the psychic powers she had been gifted with was psychometry. It was interesting if she wanted to read something in a quick minute. Placing her hand on a book, not only tells about the book itself's past and future, but what it was about. It was as if she were watching it in her mind. Frankly, Castalia liked reading the old fashion way, but it came in hand when people asked about specific things she didn't bother reading, because they were a waste of time. I mean come on, Twilight? She got tourists asking for that all the time. Cas refused to carry it, they could find it somewhere else for all she cared. Anyway, back at the subject at hand, with a slight tilt of her head, she pursed her lips watching the duo. After all, it wasn't her place to cut in. It seemed to be an interesting reunion.

[scooterbug8515]

To be quite honest Mickey did not like the girl poking around in his head. Sure he'd met his fair few of psychics back on Pete's world but he wasn't overly fond of them then. He just didn't like people knowing things about him that he didn't want known. Besides it wasn't exactly fair for a person to know all about him and he nothing about them.

"Alright so you have me there," reluctantly admitted Mickey keeping a careful eye on this girl she didn't really seem to be a threat but one never knew and could never be too careful. Really how good was she at reading people? Of course Mickey got his answer when she mentioned Rose and the Doctor. Now that was... Mickey wasn't quite sure how to classify it.

Parts of him wanted to just leave before she read more off of him and the other part of him wanted to get his answer to his question not the one about the water tower but the one about Rose. At least is seemed like she was alive by the way this psychic was talking about her.

Before Mickey had to make a decision on exactly what to do another bloke entered the shop. He was not about to reveal anything to some random stranger. Then the guy called him by name. This was just too messed up! Another one? And better than the girl? He didn't come across as one.

Had this reality already gone out the widow... then he was asked about Pete's world. "How did y..." started Mickey feeling a bit cross he did not like being the only one not in the know. But once the man called him Ricky the Idiot, everything turned around for Mickey and he smiled.

"It's you! It's really you!" he exclaimed with joy. "And haven't you changed! Bet Rose was shocked! Where is she? Tell me she all right!" Mickey was searching the Doctor for answers he would not receive until the Doctor spoke seeing as he was one man Mickey could never read not that he really read people, though there were times when he could guess what Rose was thinking. All this talk of Rose and seeing the Doctor again threw the presence of the psychic girl from his mind.

[futuredoctor]

"Not really no," the Doctor sarcastically said to Mickey with a smile on his face. Regarding Rose, well that was quite a shock for him and all. Still, Mickey had to know what's happening because he's bound to make a ruckus out of it later on. Plus having Rose in a special place in Mickey's heart, he'd probably go nuts at him if he didn't tell him what's happened to her. "She's fine Mickey. She isn't quite as shocked as you are I'm afraid. Very Torchwood-ish of her to do such. She's probably with 'your' Doctor right now. Before you ask why there's two of us, lets not forget the lovely lady whom you left hanging earlier."

The Doctor approached the woman and placed the last book on the floor onto its appropriate shelf. She looked beautiful from the looks of her. Remove those spectacles and she could've been dazzling. The Doctor took off his hat and bowed a bit, "Name's the Doctor. I believe you are Castalia Segdwick, are you not? My clients tell me you are a practitioner of the art of fortune telling. Care to have that tested?

"Mickey!" the Doctor said as he ran to Mickey and pulled his friend over to where the psychic was standing. The Doctor smiled at the young woman and he said, "I want you to use whatever mojo you have inside your head and find out what animal did I adopt when Mickey, Rose and I had a 'misadventure' with a certain ship and in the country of France itself. If you can tell me its name, then that would be better."

If the woman could divine the answer through her talents, then the Doctor's suspicions of time-bleeding out of the Rift was starting. It wasn't much of a danger, YET considering with what's been happening the Doctor needed to know. If she her mind could reach that far into the future, then things are bound to get worse. Worse comes to worse, the Master's resurrection could have been accelerated and could be happening right now. If that happens, it wouldn't be long before IT returns. If IT returns, the Doctor and his other self might not be able to stop it at all. After taking a couple of seconds in formulating various theories on what might happen, the Doctor sighed and waited for her respose

[castalia]

Castalia didn't really like the thought of eavesdropping. She wasn't the type of girl who thrived in gossip. Perhaps it was because she would rather just be left alone with her books. With books, you can remove yourself from reality. Don't get her wrong though, she can be socialable. When Cas feels like it, she would usually get dressed up and head out to the club. It often lead to going to someone else's home during the night, but that's all it was. After all, she had problems with relationships. She couldn't even keep a mate, let alone a lover. But that story was for another day. The lesson learned was, she wasn't a typical woman. But in this case, she felt the need to listen in.

The doctor's answer was short and to the point, but she looked up when he mentioned her. "It's quite alright, I have things to attend to.." She muttered, looking around and pushing her hair out of her face. Honestly, it was being quite unmanageable today. But then again, she never really did bother with it. She had fashion, but her beauty care well, it was non-existant. Cas was simply a diamond in the rough. Well, she didn't have things to attend to, but it seemed like an appropriate answer at the time. Besides, she had an odd feeling about the man called simply, The Doctor. She couldn't put a finger on it, but something was there. It was though as it was being blocked, and it was frustrating her that she couldn't figure it out.

With a slight tilt of her head, Castalia simply watched him as he got a bit closer to her, putting the last book she was wanting to put away. He spoke about people saying that she was a fortune teller, but the strange thing was, he knew her name. Well, for most people they would get confused by that statement. But just hear her out. With her business, she put up an alias, mainly because she didn't want angry tourists who hated their fortune being told. But The Doctor.. he knew her real name. "How do you know my name? I mean.. my real name. See I've only told people my Alias, Beth. But you.. know my real name." Now that was a puzzle.

Castalia only remained confused for a moment until he want to test her psychic ability. "Doctor, are you suggesting that my psychic abilities are fake? Well, I can admit stretching the truth to tourists but if they knew the real truth, they would demand a refund. I accept your challenge." She replied, a small smile playing on her lips as she removed her glasses and placed them on the table next to her. She really didn't need them, but they felt like home to her.

He told her the perimeters of the challenge and she silently nodded. However, she couldn't really switch that type of power on and off. However, perhaps she could coax it out in the other part of her psychic abilities. She needed to touch one of them to get the answer that he sought. "If I may.." Cas said, holding her hand out lightly before placing it on the side of Mickey's arm. "Don't worry, I will not look into your whole life.. just the answer that he seeks." She replied, as she closed her eyes searching.

As if she was witnessing it, Castalia was instantly set into what the Doctor called a misadventure. It wasn't a ship, it was a spaceship. It was somehow connected to France centered around a woman with the nickname Madame De Pompadour. Like someone played fast forward, she witnessed what was happening. Clockwork drones, the man called The Doctor but he had a different face, the blonde girl again, something about a banana daquiri. Then it hit her. Immediately she opened her eyes and smiled, an expression of pure joy and suprise. "So it is true then, all the stuff beyond the stars. Blimey, clockwork robots? Really? How did you look like that, and now look different? Oh, and the answer for you is, a horse named Arthur." Cas said, smiling and briefly brushed her hand against The doctor when withdrawing from Mickey.

It was then that it hit her like a truck. Cas stumbled backward into one of her shelves, the books slightly digging into her back. "You.." She muttered, grabbing her head. The nightmares, the darkness. Why was he apart of it? It overwhelmed her mind, it made it hurt. "I would appreciate it if you both would leave.." Castalia finally replied, which part of her made her sad. She finally found her adventure, and then he had to go and do this. Shadows, evil, the oncoming storm. Cas couldn't handle it. She tried to gain her balance once more, which didn't really work out because it just made the shelf she was leaning on, lean too much and began to collapse, the books falling with it. She mainly just stood there, a moment of silence, and just laughed. Looking at the two, she smiled, picking up her glasses. "I think I fancy a cup of tea..Care to join?" She mumbled, moving to the back area, and leaving the mess to fix up the pot. Now, odd and strange was an understandment at this point.

[scooterbug8515]

The Doctor's next response certainly had Mickey confused. At first he was a little affronted by the insinuation that he wasn't acting Torchwood-ish he was a member of Torchwood. But really having been through what he had been through anyone would be glad to see the Doctor. Then he was told that Rose was with 'his' doctor. What did that mean? "There are two of you?" asked Mickey in shock. He wasn't even onto the why, he was still wrapping his head around the fact that there were two of them and how that could be not a why that is so though that was an interesting question too. Mickey wasn't so sure about this Doctor any more.

Just as Mickey was going to break into the conversation asking what the devil was going on the Doctor (well the other Doctor) called him over and pushed him into getting his mind probed. He did not agreed to this. "Oi!" he exclaimed in protest as the girl assured him that she wasn't going to probe his whole life, and just for the answers. As she did so Mickey relived some of the memories of the event.

"Arthur?"

"Good name for a horse."

"No you're not keeping the horse!"

"I let you keep Mickey!"

Mickey had hated that insinuation but at the time but there were more important things to deal with at the time fighting the clockwork robots and saving Madame De Pompadour. It was a whirlwind of memories that played through his mind and to be honest Mickey was glad to see it end. In a way he began to wonder why he was glad to see the Doctor again, seeing as he was reminded of the many reasons he was not overly fond of the man. It was rather quite confusing and frustrating that. Really the Doctor was great and did great things but sometimes he was just rude and didn't seem to care about other people. It was always something else.

The girl then seemed to have a bit of a fit when she let go of him and he was not comforted by it, not that he hadn't seen something like that and worse, but it didn't mean he had to like it. When the girl said that they should both leave Mickey had no problem agreeing. "Fine by me!" answered Mickey stepping back, ready to go find Rose and the 'real' Doctor.

When the girl changed her opinion on matters and stated that she needed some tea and offered for them to join Mickey made his excuses. "No I think I'll pass, got to go find Rose you know." Mickey backed away more playing casual but all to eager to get out and get on with his original goal.