± fifteen ±

[not_that_lockon]

[This is probably not the Lyle you are looking for. When the sphere switches on, it looks like Lyle's the latest to be hit by the no-holds-barred anomaly extravaganza that's going on at the moment - so, dear Crucible passengers, you currently have a twelve-year-old on your hands who looks about 3 parts lost and uncertain and one part unimpressed.

Oh, and that Ulster accent of his? Is even thicker than it usually is.]

Neil? Amy? Where are you guys? If this is some sort of prank, it's not very funny. And you didn't have to steal my clothes.

[He folds his arms, the sleeves of his oversized top having been rolled up so he can use his hands better. He's also looking a lot more nervous now that he's not getting a response.] Come on, guys, you can come out now!

Comments

[oliverplus]

[oh, you have to be kidding!] Lyle!?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[He looks surprised - because what where is that voice coming from? - and when he sees the sphere and Oliver, he just looks confused and just a little suspicious.]

Who are you?

[oliverplus]

I'm your friend, Oliver! Not that you'll remember me, but I am.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[He's looking at Oliver a little strangely now, more confused than anything else.]

Sorry, but I've never met you before in my life.

[oliverplus]

[this is probably not helped by the fact that Oliver's sphere decides to back away a bit, showing the field of red flowers that seem to be sprouting out of the floor around him]

Well, yeah, 'course you haven't. Not by the time you're...uh...how old are you, anyway?

[bit_impossible]

[stifles a bit of laughter before turning the Sphere on to reply. he remembers those glimpses of Lyle's past, so the name "Amy" rings a bell, but seeing the 'real' younger version of his friend is amusing, and though he wouldn't admit it openly, cute. must be the female side of him talking there.]

Little boy, are you lost? Are you trying to find your brother and sister?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[Lyle nods - and why does everyone have these weird mini-TVs anyway?]

Yeah, I am. Have you seen them? They kind of look like me. [Well, Neil looks a lot like him...]

[bit_impossible]

[lets out a breath] You know, I haven't, but you shouldn't be by yourself, not when things around here are going all barmy.

You can call me the Doctor, by the way, just so we get that whole no talking to strangers thing out of the way because I'm no longer a stranger once you have my name!

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Oliver said something like that, but I didn't really get it.

What sort of Doctor?

[bit_impossible]

[is not surprised by this.] What didn't you understand?

I'm a doctor of practically everything! And I do mean everything, even many things you've never heard of.

[hisoldgirl]

[why so many children, Crucible? the TARDIS doesn't know how to deeeeeeeeal]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[tilts his head and mutters]

Hey.

[hisoldgirl]

Hello, boy.

What are you doing here?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

I don't know.

[hisoldgirl]

I do not recall this many children being on the ship.

[celestial-okami.livejournal.com]

[Ammy whuffs, then leans in to snuffle at her sphere.]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[... Is that a dog of some sort? Curious, he leans closer to the sphere for a better look.]

Hey there. How did you end up somewhere like this?

[celestial-okami.livejournal.com]

[She looks around, then back at him, her tail wagging. Same way everyone else did, of course.]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

It's kinda weird that you're by yourself.... did your family go missing too?

[Yes, he is talking to an animal. He doesn't care - who's around to judge him for it?]

[celestial-okami.livejournal.com]

[Her ears flick back for a moment as she thinks on that. No, her family didn't go missing, she's sure they're right where she left them. Talking to her is a common compulsion people have, so you're in good company, Lyle.]

1/2

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

[brb brain shorting out... what's that funny feeling tugging at his heart though?]

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

[comes back a couple minutes later, a bit more composed now that the surprise is wearing off and the faint strains of Rhapsody in Blue are coming from somewhere unknown and going unnoticed for now]

Need help with anything, Lyle?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[Staring. This guy looks like - no way. That's impossible, right?]

Is that you, Neil?

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it is. [finally smiles at him]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

No way! How did you grow up so fast? [He might just sound a bit put out there.]