± 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

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

Oliver's already come here, but okay.

[Aaaand his jaw drops.] Whoa.

[bit_impossible]

[doesn't catch that first part; is noticing the red flowers on the ground wherever he goes and even onto the transportation pad! interesting.]

[but he does catch that reaction.] That was simple; I could do that when I was three.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

No way!

[bit_impossible]

[ah if he were a little Lyle, where would he be? the transporter stops on Level 20 and he continues on his merry way, strolling straight past his own suite until he reaches Lyle and Anew's.]

Yes way. I'm a genius, like I said, and this genius is at the door. [knocks on it.]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[By now he knows how the doors work and opens it when he hears the Doctor knocking.]

Hi.

[bit_impossible]

Aww, you're adorable! [scoops Lyle up into a bear hug! and sets him down a moment later.]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

H-hey! [surprised and unimpressed Lyle is surprised and unimpressed. Mostly surprised, though.]

[bit_impossible]

Oh, a little hug won't hurt anybody. Come on, shall I make you some tea? [starts entering the suite.]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

Uh, sure, if you want.

[He's a little nonplussed by the way the Doctor acts so larger-than-life. But then she's kind of already proved she's a genius, so maybe it's just part of how she acts. Geniuses tend to act weirder than normal people, right?]

[bit_impossible]

[pats his head and makes for the kitchen!] Ahh, you do have a kettle, yes?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

I think so.

[bit_impossible]

[rummages and--ah ha!] Brilliant, you do! [starts boiling the water.]

So, tell me about your family. What are your brother and sister like?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[sits himself down on a seat at the table]

Well, my sister's younger than me. She's a little annoying sometimes, but Mum says that she's just going through a phase. [He shrugs] And everyone likes Neil.

[bit_impossible]

[absently while he gets out a couple cups] They do? Hmm, always got along with you better.

What does your sister do to annoy you?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

What?

All sorts of things.

[bit_impossible]

[just smiles] You'll see when you're older.

Like what? I never had a sister, so I don't know.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[frowns] I hate it when people say things like that.

She thinks that just 'cause she's a girl she's allowed to tell me off for things.

[bit_impossible]

All right then, that wasn't fair of me. I meant that there are people who like you for who you are. You're a good kid, Lyle.

[laughs] Well, I've known plenty of other women like that, but I don't think it was ever simply because of their gender.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[He says nothing to this, but looks thoughtful for a few seconds. What the Doctor says doesn't really make sense to him. Neil's the likeable one, not him.]

[To her second question, though...] What do you mean?

[bit_impossible]

[takes that time to pour the tea and sets down a cup in front of him before taking a seat.] What do I mean? I mean that you don't have to be a girl to tell someone off. All depends on the kind of personality you have. Like, I've been told off for some things, but in turn, I've told others off for doing completely stupid things that would have harmed people in the end.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

But you are a girl.

[bit_impossible]

[sighs, and really doesn't see the point in confusing the poor kid with his current gender issues.]

That doesn't matter. I'm giving you--[he'll never live these words down]--a woman's perspective.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[When he's older, Lyle won't let him forget that. But for now, he brightens.]

Oh. Okay then.

[bit_impossible]

[smiles] Go on, drink up.

What do you like to do, Lyle? Do you and your siblings do anything together?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[takes a sip, then, decisively:] I think I prefer hot chocolate.

[blinks. what an odd question.] Just normal stuff, really. I used to go to marksmanship lessons but I quit a while ago. [stirs his tea moodily]