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[doctorly]

[oh, is it the thirty-first already? the feed clicks and it looks like john is somewhere having himself a drink.]

You know, can't say I really expected to be spending a birthday here. It happens with war, obviously this time we didn't exactly all volunteer.

[sigh, oh well, he rubs at his neck a little]

So, anyone care to join me for a pint? Or company, I don't mind, I could use some talk that isn't about all of.. well, this.

[ slight gesture to around. he doesn't know what to comment on the people going to their world for resources. feel free to action it up. ]

Comments

[doctorly]

It usually is. For most blokes I wouldn't doubt it. [he goes a little quiet, just letting the silence fill in with the pregnant pause before he goes on.] I wasn't aware until a bit later after I got back that I couldn't settle because I missed being on the battlefield. The civilian life just seemed.. empty after.

[John quirks another smile because wow, he must seem really odd. some bloke that loves the adrenaline and being in battle than safe at home in a house with a family and life.] I had managed to fill that gap though.

[stonefaith]

[ Bariyan smiles a little and finishes his drink off, setting the empty glass down and folding his hands together over the counter. ]

I knew someone a little like that, once-- [ The smile vanishes. Though it seemed like he'd meant to say more, he leaves it at that and switches the focus back on to John. ] What'd you fill it with?

[doctorly]

[curiously flickers over in his eyes briefly, but since Bariyan switches back to John he doesn't push to ask. not yet at least.]

Found a flatmate who turned out to be a consulting detective, next thing I knew I started to help him out with cases.

[stonefaith]

Just the two of you? Huh. [ He's got a vague idea of what a detective does, at least. Bariyan pushes his empty glass back and forth across the table, idly, not paying attention to what his hands are doing. ] Anything interesting ever come up?

[doctorly]

Plenty of interesting things, some just strange.. But from chasing down bad guys, solving cases to saving people, well, it wasn't so bad.

[but it was when one thing lead to another.]

[stonefaith]

Sounds like good work you did, then. I'm sorry you had to leave it.

[doctorly]

Well I had to leave it before I was even brought here so. [he trails off, knowing that alone says enough.]

What was the last thing you were doing? Back in your own time.

[stonefaith]

[ Bariyan looked puzzled. He didn't quite understand the implications of that -- but Martin asked his question before Bariyan could even ponder it any further.

He freezes for a moment. Then laughs. It's not a pleasant sound. ]

Something unpleasant. It's not worth talking about.

...I wouldn't go back even if the Initiative tried to return me.

[doctorly]

[and a sorta wince because yeah john way to go]

That bad then? Sorry, didn't mean to pry.

omfg ICON /SCREECHES AND LAUGHS

[stonefaith]

No, that's all right. Curiosity's not a crime. It's just that... nah. [ Bariyan shakes his head, then waves the bartender down to refill his glass. When that's done, he raises it and swirls the glass, watching the liquid slosh with the movement. ]

Though, you know. If the Initiative ever lets us out of here... I wouldn't mind going to someone else's world. [ He smiles, wistfully. ] It'd be a nice chance at a new start.

HAVE I MENTIONED IT'S MY MOST FAVORITE THING EVER?? CAUSE IT IS

[doctorly]

[..huh, John looks interested in this kind of idea.]

You know, I never gave much thought to something like that. I mean, I can see them bringing us here and sending us back. Shouldn't be impossible to send us to someone else's world. [quirks a smile] Guess it depends on what kind of place you want to have a new start in.

omfg I'M FLATTERED AND GLAD HEHEHEHehehheh

[stonefaith]

Yeah. [ Bariyan's smile fades. ] I don't know. I've spoken to a few others and... there's some worlds that are just as unpleasant as this one. Maybe even worse.

[ He stops tinkering with his glass to stare at it. ] But I'm sure there's something better out there.

but i feel the most lucky tho omg IM GLAD OK?? hehedfghj

[doctorly]

[there's a short silence from John before he speaks] Well, I can't really compare my world with others so I can't say for sure whether it's better or not.. But it's better than here, that's for sure. The technology isn't so updated as the ones here.. but there's some similarities. Like the computer.

[let's see..] You can live your life, a normal one with whatever you want to do. So far as it's in the law [that gets a small chuckle]

[stonefaith]

That must be nice. [ Bariyan looks and sounds wistful. He can vaguely recall when life was like that.... a very long time ago, now, but he remembers. And he'd always wanted it back. ] Maybe one day I'll be able to visit.

[ He turns silent, contemplative. What a strange concept. 'One day' -- a future. Possibilities. Strange. ]

[doctorly]

Sure, I'll show you all the sights and places.

[despite everyone being from different worlds, it's nice to still make friends with some. sometimes it feels like this is only as far as it'll go. once this is done they'll be sent back and that will be the end of it.

but a lot of these things.. don't just happen without consequences. the things they'll do here, it won't go unforgotten. ..will it?] I can promise it's a better England than this.