thoughtformed | [Audio]

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[It's pretty immediately obvious that, where ever this is, there are a lot of birds nearby, twittering and squawking at each other. But much closer to the audio receiver, something is beeping the beep of the battery-deficient. Aisling's lilting accent comes through clearly.]

I think it's dying. But it doesn't breathe, and it doesn't eat! My friends don't know how to help it, either.

[Given the odd Doppler effect on some of the bird voices, it's probable that she's shaking the poor device. It clicks off.]

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[Aisling nodded slowly, absorbing the information, and draped a slightly pinker handkerchief over Captain's wrist.]

How often would I need to go? Should I go to the... ah-part-mint?

You only need to go when the battery looks more like yours, or it starts making that noise. When the little picture is empty or it turns red. The red means that the battery is low, and empty means that it's about to turn off completely until it's charged.

[Jack smiled and tucked the handkerchief away.] It might be easier to go to your flat, er.. apartment, if you still have that key. You should have your own designated room, so that you can charge it without being disturbed.

I think... they said I would have a room mate. Does that mean two rooms? Or that one room is lifemates with the other?

[The thought strikes Jack in just the right way to pull out a cheerful laugh. Sh shakes his head and covers his smile with his hand.]

Sorry..No, no. Although, maybe yes. They're just rooms in the same place. Just like you and your roommate. You don't have to be together, but you live together. Or, that's the idea, anyway.

[Aisling wasn't sure why he laughed, but she didn't mind. He had a nice laugh. And it was one of those laughs that meant he was amused, rather than irritated, she thought.]

So they aren't trying to tell us who we should marry. Good. Do you have to watch the rock to make sure it is recharging?

No. They can't really tell you who to marry here. Although they did once. But it was a clerical mistake. If you want to watch it, you can, but it will charge no matter what. You may want to watch it for a little bit to make sure that it starts.

[Jack pulled his knapsack off his shoulder and opened it, pulling out a container of butter, half a loaf of bread and a small jar of honey.]

Here. I brought you something. It isn't much, but I thought it would be nice for a snack.

[Oooo... That looked delicious, and she was not about to refuse such a gift. Aisling hefted her leaf packet.]

I thought we were going to eat at the docks...

[Jack thought a moment and shrugged.]

We still can if you'd like. I just thought that since I told you how to charge your rock, you wouldn't want to go into the city after all. But if you do, I can certainly take you there and show you the sea. It's really nice here.

[The next words are pulled from her reluctantly, as though she is afraid of showing any sort of weakness or lack of knowledge.]

I didn't know that the sea was so near. I can smell it, of course, but I didn't know how to get there. The city is so large and complex.

Don't worry, Aisling, I've been to bigger cities. After living in Cardiff and New York, New Moore is like a village.

[Jack laughed softly and put away his PDA and the food before extending his hand.]

If you'd like I can carry you on my shoulders.

[Aisling's eyes widened briefly at the flash of memory. She hadn't thought about it in decades - riding on Mother's shoulders, laughing and grabbing at the oak leaves overhead, Father smiling indulgently and waving as Mother "pony" galloped about the veranda - the echoes of sensations washed over her quickly, but forcefully, and left her a little shell-shocked. She realized that she was staring at Captain and shook her head, letting the sing of her hair swing across and let her refresh her smile. It was a little strained, but still a smile.]

No, I'm all right. You said you would show me where you work, too.

[Jack frowned a little as her silence and her stare grew. Had he said something wrong? Her smile was a little reassuring, but it was apparent that he had touched on something. Truth be told, he was a little disappointed that she had refused, but he couldn't help but respect her decision. It had been a long time since he'd been able to do fatherly things. Honestly, he missed it. He nodded and rose to his feet, throwing the bag back over his shoulder.]

If that's still something that interests you. It's a little dirty, so please excuse the mess. And I'll be honest, it's only a mere shadow of what it will be someday. Where I came from, I had the best of everything, and the best people working the equipment, too. I've managed to come across some pretty good stuff, and some good people as well, but if you'll keep a secret, the best part is that I found one of the people I used to work with here. He was the one I missed most of all.

[Despite her nonchalant demeanor, Aisling still didn't really relish the thought of going to town. She stuck close to Captain, steps flowing in complicated paths around him. She was genuinely interested in what he was talking about, a little starved for the talk of people and friends, even if they weren't hers.]

Do you spend a lot of time together? It's always nice to have friends come and visit.

We do. I care about him very much... Probably more than anyone I've ever cared about before in my entire life. Which is.. saying a lot, actually. I've lived a long time.

[Jack smiled at Aisling, watching her path weaving here and there as he continued on in his straight line toward the city.]

I love him a lot. And I would like you to meet him. I think that you two would get on really well. He's very kind, and extremely gentle.

[That seemed to fit. Captain deserved someone like that. She would be mad if this man turned out to be less than what Captain claimed. Captain needed a good person. Especially if they were going to be shield brothers.]

Will he come to lunch? Or be at your workshop?

[He considered a moment, wondering what Ianto would say if he asked. He'd never really seen Ianto interact with kids before, or child-like creatures, and wondered briefly how such a scene would work. He determined very quickly that Ianto would make an awkward, but all around good father, and his smile grew.]

Maybe. I'll see if I can't find him and introduce you at the very least. He's kind of stuffy sometimes, but he's still very sweet. I think you could break him out of his neatly-kept shell.

[Aisling's eyes turned up to Captain, interest bright in them.]

Does he carry his things about on his back like a snail? I haven't met a snail person before. Is he very slow? I would like to meet him!

A snail-person? oh no. It's a human expression. It means to help someone overcome his shyness. But... he's slow where it counts. [A little smirk appeared briefly on his lips.]

I carry things on my back. Does that make me a snail-person?

[Aisling pauses, struck by his question. She hadn't really thought about it. But he wasn't one of the People. She shakes her head.]

No... You don't carry all your things on your back. Just some of them. If that counted, I'd be a snail person.

[Aisling laughs merrily at the thought. She, a lowly snail. Not likely!

They were approaching the edge of the city now, and she kept closer to him, letting him lead.]

[As they neared the familiar territory of the city, Jack led the way with confidence. It wasn't too long until they found themselves in the shipping district and to one of the many large warehouses. There was a keypad on the outside of one door, which he quickly pushed the buttons of, his passcode unlocking the door. He opened it and swept an arm into the building as he bowed graciously.]

After you, my lady.

[The deeper into the frighteningly twisty place they'd gotten, the more Aisling could feel the pressure of all the forbidden places leaning on her. Her steps had gotten less winding, and at some point, she had slipped her tiny hand into Captain's, practically hugging his hip. Now that they were at his work - it couldn't be the docks, after all - she gently disengaged her fingers and gave him a brief, mute bow of thanks for his invitation, stepped in, and hovered, wide-eyed just inside the door. This was not a place she wanted to explore by herself. Any of these things could have wards or protections on them!]

[Jack would be lying if he said he didn't feel responsible for Aisling's uneasiness. She had every right to be nervous, after all. This was a strange place with strange people and strange buildings, but Jack felt flattered that she trusted him enough to come with him this far. Now that they were inside Torchwood, Jack smiled proudly and swept his hand over the area.]

Welcome to my work. It's nothing special at the moment, but trust me, it's going to be amazing someday. Now... Where's that plug...

[Jack smiled as he spotted a small outlet a few feet away, and hurried over to kneel next to it.]

Over here. These are 'outlets'. This is where you charge your rock.

[Ianto had been working on organizing one of the new filing cabinets he had found for Jack's 'office' area when he heard the familiar sound of the door unlocking.

He had been working on tidying up that 'bit of a mess' Jack had been talking about. The familiar face of the Captain drew a tiny smile from Ianto as he watched the two of them. The sight of the strange, young looking girl was unexpected, but the way Jack was acting, he doubted she was any sort of threat.]

Jack, welcome back.

[Aisling looked nervous and skittish. Ianto made no move to approach them, just watching the two of them interact. Seeing Jack with kids always made his heart feel funny.]

And with company. Shall I make some drinks?

[Aisling had spotted the movement of the new man and eyed him warily. But he was in Captain's place, so that probably meant he was ok. Maybe he was that friend that was so special? She straightened a bit and looked him over with more interest. He did have a nice face, she decided. A little rounder than Captain's, but sometimes that was good. Too many angles and people just started to look painfully sharp. She ventured a quick grin at the newcomer, but wasn't sure how to talk to him yet.

She slipped over next to the wall to have a look at the plug. Outlet. Thing. So this was the magical recharging spot, hm? There was some sort of power there, all right, but it didn't feel like magic.]

It feels like... like lightning, but tamed.

[Jack smiled warmly at Ianto and nodded at him.]

Yes, Ianto. That would be lovely, thank you. And when you return, I'll introduce you to our guest. I invited her to have lunch with me on the docks. You're welcome along too, of course.

[As if Jack could ever deny Ianto. He then turned back to Aisling, pointing to the outlet.]

That's because it is, Aisling. Lightning is electricity, and we've managed to be able to create our own electricity and use it to power our city and our devices. Most of the things in this building run on electricity, actually. The city, too.

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