Jenny's Log - OOM: Edward needs to learn how to have fun.

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22 August 2008 @ 02:44 pm

OOM: Edward needs to learn how to have fun.

"I think we'll start with Dagobah," Jenny told him as she walked towards the cockpit of her small shuttle. "According to my computer, it's a small swamp planet discovered a thousand years ago by a sect of Jedi who had broken away from the Second Great and Bountiful Human Empire after a deceleration decreeing all religions founded upon fictional works were null and void. There's not much there now. It's been abandoned... um, well, for a while."

She stopped by her chair, turning around to make sure that Edward had indeed followed her from Milliways.

Her shuttle wasn't much, Jenny knew, but she considered it her life. It was the only home she had (unless you counted the room in Milliways) and her only means of actually doing anything. Well, anything remotely interesting. Random knickknacks from various planets were scattered about the room, mostly concentrated away from the cockpit and in the back of the shuttle. A couple of photographs of herself and Bart were taped on to various walls. Her prized piece of psychic paper was lying underneath a stack of books.

It felt more like a home now than when she commandeered it from Messaline.

"Well?" Jenny slid into the pilot's seat and looked at him. "Whatcha think, Edward?"

Tags: edward cullen, milliways, oom

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 07:39 am (UTC)

Jenny hardly knew what she asked or who it was of. Yet her thoughts were peerlessly, faithfully hopeful, without fault, still.

She wouldn't live as long as him of that he was mostly certain. Longer than humans, but not as long. Regardless of if she figured out space and time in the way her thought shivered around her home, and especially her father, time still caught up eventually to her and her twelve chances.

While it would run forever from him.

Her question while a comfort to her long time made him innate aware of her still shorter time.

Edward's expression was quietly composed, as he rose from his chair after turning the shuttle off, and said quietly, headed for the door. "You do seem rather determined to have it so."

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 25th, 2008 03:21 pm (UTC)

"Because you understand," Jenny whispered as she followed Edward from the chair. "You get time and eternity like only Dad might. And I don't have anyone else to learn it from. Or know anyone else that'll be alive two thousand years down the line."

She never did find those Time Ladies in Milliways, even though she met the husband of one. But that one was human and Jenny had no idea if regenerations and centuries of not really aging affected her. Or all those other strange things she had read about in concerns to Gallifreyan biology in the Book of Rassilon and yet not witnessed.

But Edward seemed to understand. At the very least, he got what it meant to be immune to the affects of time.

It was a comfort and a part of the reason, she thought, that she was drawn to him. He was different like she was, if for an entirely different reason.

Edited 2008-08-25 05:13 pm (UTC)

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 05:14 pm (UTC)

Friend, brother, teacher; her ante continued to rise and Edward contemplated the particles specks of dust in the air between himself and the door while he reached out to open it. His voice was still quiet, but irony twisted it, "This is a strangely serious conversation to have at an amusement park."

She was two months old.

How would she feel in forty years?

When she was the person right over a hundred?

Would her naive, cheerful force be present still? Would it have gathered the jade of lives passing through her fingers like ants and sands? Would he want to see the holes it would leave in her, no matter what stayed and what didn't?

Edward steered them both out of the ship and in the direction of where the most noise--both of people and machines--was coming from beyond their spot in the garage.

Edited 2008-08-25 05:15 pm (UTC)

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 25th, 2008 05:34 pm (UTC)

Never having been to an amusement park before, Jenny felt no reason to counter. Perhaps it was a strangely serious conversation. To her, she felt it simply normal. The natural flow of the conversation that they had been having.

Jenny closed and locked the shuttle door behind her and looked up at Edward with a smile. As long as she had a choice, she wanted to stick by him. Whether he liked it or not. During the course of the trip, Jenny felt as if his opinion was changing from the latter to the former. It made her feel content.

"It just makes sense," she told him firmly, gripping his hand tightly and pulling him in the direction of the monorail that led from one dome to another. "You like me, whether you'll admit it a lot. And we're going on the hovercoaster first, okay?"

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 05:48 pm (UTC)

Edward moved after her, nearly shaking his head as he considered standing still when she tugged. That might cause her injury and that wasn't something he wanted whether he agreed with her thoughts or not.

"Lead the way."

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 25th, 2008 07:36 pm (UTC)

"Yes, sir!" Jenny replied, walking backwards for a moment to give him a mock salute with her free hand.

It disappeared a moment later into her pocket as she straightened around. Jenny grinned when she pulled out a blank piece of paper in a black wallet. Less than a second later, her image and the words 'park inspector' appeared on the sheet in a very convincing ID type manner.

"It's psychic paper," she explained in a hushed tone. "Found it in a side market on Hyspero. I don't think the anthropod selling it knew what he had. It wouldn't work for him. Kind of illegal, but so very useful."

As if to prove her point, Jenny began to lead him through the crowd. She shoved their way to the ticket booth, showing the paper when necessary. At the booth, Jenny the male Cheem (that very much resembled a tree) a dazzling smile.

"Jenny Cullen," she told him, using the first surname to pop into her mind as she showed the ID to the man. "My brother, Edward, and I are currently writing a review of Astroland. Would you have any recommendations as to where we ought to begin?"

It was only seconds later that the nervous Cheem ushered them towards a monorail and wished them luck.

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 07:49 pm (UTC)

"Thank you," Edward said to the Cheem, following up on her casualness as they departed his company.

Edward looked impressed and amused (with some awe showing around the edges) as they were ushered away from the confused tree, which he looked through all the eyes of the people passing near them (and Jenny) rather than stare himself. It gave him far more vantage points.

"Is psychic paper hard to acquire where you're from?" he asked, calmly but with a twinkle in his golden eyes, while they joined the short line of people scrambling into the monorail.

Edited 2008-08-25 08:09 pm (UTC)

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 25th, 2008 09:03 pm (UTC)

Jenny tilted her head, looking closely at Edward as she considered his question. She wasn't honestly sure. This specific piece had been sitting in a shelf in some hole-in-the-wall shop in a dark alley out of the way. She had gone in due to interest and hadn't expected to really find anything worthwhile.

"Maybe? I did some research and it does seemed to be band in most parts of the galaxy. You have to have really strong psychic barriers to be able to see it as blank.*"

She shrugged again as they entered the monorail. Immediately, she pulled him close to a window in the corner, away from the rest of the crowd. That wasn't just for Edward; a part of her preferred the peace, too.

"I plan on it, someday," she added in as an afterthought. "Just got into the chapter on Time Lord telepathic ability. I'd read faster, but it's boring. Rassilon might've been a genius, but he's as bad as any English professor. I think."

*which is to say, the mun ought not to rp at school when she cannot properly look things up and there is a chance Edward only saw a blank piece of paper

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 09:12 pm (UTC)

He followed, half ignoring the milling people only to glance at them when something new and different and decidedly not Earthern would catch him eye or weave through his thoughts, listening to Jenny until she mentioned the end. Then he looked casually toward her.

There was a stress inside him on making sure it was casually easy.

"What type of telepathic abilities?"

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 25th, 2008 10:00 pm (UTC)

"I just started the chapter," Jenny reminded him with a snort.

Any indignation in her tone was completely towards herself. She knew she could read quickly (much quicker than humans, anyway), but Rassilon's book was just so thick and dull. It made for near impossible reading.

"But so far, it looks like all Time Lords - and Ladies - have some sort of innate psychic ability that only needs to be properly developed. Like we have this innate sensitivity to time and each other, I think. If I could find someone to teach me, I could possibly learn how to read minds and communicate and have my own psychic shields and even erase memories."

Jenny looked up to him in awe. It still impressed her what her people were capable of. The war that must have wiped them all out had to have been a big one, indeed.

"I am going to become a Time Lady someday, somehow, and that is a part of it. But I still haven't found the proper teachers."

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 10:16 pm (UTC)

She was going to be like him, he thought before he could stop himself.

No, she would be more, if that was all true. He could not communicate with others (at least not back home) and he'd never erased a memory. Not that they were things he tried. No one on Earth that he'd met was like him in that way, except Aro, but that was more different than the same, too.

Wasn't it?

"Do you know where to find teachers?"

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 25th, 2008 10:23 pm (UTC)

Jenny glanced up from the window, breaking her gaze with the passing scenery: barren grey land mixed with splashes of bright colours, gasses rising from vents and other cracks in the surface. Astroland's huge dome was coming up and that in itself was beautiful too.

It had made for a transfixing image for those few short momens that passed.

"There are two Time Ladies that come to Milliways, but I've never met either. One of them isn't even Gallifreyan," she answered thoughtfully, albeit with a touch of scorn at the idea of a non-Gallifreyan Time Lord. "And there's Dad. All the other Time Lords are dead, Edward. We're the only ones left, me and him. Which is why I have to become one."

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 10:34 pm (UTC)

It was insane.

He wasn't thinking about it. He wasn't. He wouldn't know how.

She would have to fend for herself and figure out her own physiology.

He couldn't, at the barest he shouldn't. She knew too much already.

He hoped she figured it out, not sure why or where it came from, letting his eyes follow the scenery, without seeing it. It kept him from looking down at her and focusing on the softer expression the expiration of her race brought on her.

"If anyone could through a sheer force of will, it would be you."

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 25th, 2008 10:41 pm (UTC)

Her eyes shone with hope and love, echoing the fervent smile on her face at his words. He meant them and that in itself meant a lot to Jenny.

The arrival into Astroland was completely overlooked as she giggled. "It would still be easier with a teacher. Books can only help so much, I think."

Honestly, Jenny had no idea where to even start in exploring her potential. Travelling and saving planets and rescuing civilisations was one thing. Learning about herself and her capabilities was entirely different.

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 10:49 pm (UTC)

"Here we are."

Edward stood as the monorail stopped and other began to file out. He waited on her since there were so many people between himself and the door. It was easiest without having one of them brush his cold hard skin.

But even if his words were in another place, his thoughts hadn't left the first.

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 25th, 2008 11:20 pm (UTC)

His words broke Jenny out of the ponder she had found herself slipping in to again. She glanced out the window, and sure enough, they were there. All sorts of buildings and signs and rides presented themselves to them. She noticed a stuffed koala bear like animal wearing an Astroland shirt at the nearest stand.

Jenny made a mental note to purchase one for Edward later as a remembrance for his first (hopefully of many) trips to another planet. Bart would get a t-shirt.

After all the others emptied the monorail, Jenny led him to the door. They stepped onto the rubber turf of the amusement park and she took a deep breath of the artificial air.

"Brilliant, isn't it, Edward?"

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themidnightson on August 25th, 2008 11:57 pm (UTC)

Edward gave into a small smirk. She could have been a guide to new with her mind alone. He looked around at the people, carting children and friends, in whatever guise they wore. Shrieks of joy and excitement mingled into thoughts and conversations, show times and ride lines.

"It is bright."

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 26th, 2008 12:47 am (UTC)

"But no sun," she answered smugly. See? her mind seemed to say, I remembered.

Jenny eyed the stuffed koala as they passed the shop, smiling a little more at the site. It was rather adorable, she had to admit. Maybe she ought to get one for herself aside from Edward.

"I think my psychic paper should get us past the line for that really brilliant hovercoaster." And it wasn't that difficult to spot the sign guiding them towards it. "Up to it, Edward? Might even let you give it a shot this time."

Edited 2008-08-26 12:47 am (UTC)

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themidnightson on August 26th, 2008 01:03 am (UTC)

"Engaging me in your devious schemes now?"

That was quite uncharitable to the people who'd waited forever, Jenny. For shame. But Edward's patience and conscience cared not so he simply followed her as they wove down a complicated path. Then walked around the back of the line toward the control about thirty feet off still.

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 26th, 2008 01:10 am (UTC)

Devious schemes? Jenny didn't know the meaning of such. Her idea had simply been the result of wanting very much to actually ride this hover coaster she had heard so much about. Although not nearly as fast as travelling via spaceship, with the loops and turns and all of that, it was supposed to be spectacular.

Really!

It was just as clear as that innocent smile on her face as she held out the wallet towards Edward. "Well?"

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themidnightson on August 26th, 2008 01:22 am (UTC)

Edward took the small wallet with careful gentleness, focusing on how not to make it simply fall apart between his fingers. He stopped focusing on the thoughts of the people who watched them through a filter of confusion, suspicion, longing, impatience.

The blue and purple girl (he assigned the term as such because her mind identified herself that way) taking tickets was definitely alien, but he found the look of bored teenage workers didn't change worlds away. She was down to two seats and the next to groups had four each.

"Excuse me," Edward said, choosing to let his voice drop to a gentle non-scary tone he usually used for getting his way. He opened the wallet, focusing the way Jenny had. Specifically as he spoke, but didn't leave it open long either. "My partner and I are here on behalf of park inspection doing reviews on the safety of your rides."

The three fins on her head shivered as she glanced from him to the line and back, before he added, stepping closer, voice toned smoothly, "We were hoping to do this as speedily as possible so there won't be any hold ups here."

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 26th, 2008 01:37 am (UTC)

It was hard to keep the pride off her face when Edward took the paper from her and proceeded to walk over to the alien (even Jenny couldn't identify this species) at the booth. Somehow, though, she managed. As she walked up behind Edward, every bit of her excitement was masked. She could play the part of a serene park inspector easily enough.

The alien girl blinked the film around her eyes as she looked at the pair and then back to the line. Jenny turned her head to follow her gaze briefly and then shrugged, pretending to understand.

"The review does cover employees as well," she explained, reading off the unpronounceable name on the girl's tag with perfect ease and accent. "I'm sure those behind us will understand."

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themidnightson on August 26th, 2008 01:48 am (UTC)

The name pronunciation was impressive. The girl felt a wave of thankful awe even through her boredom turned nervousness. That in turn amused Edward since Jenny didn't know her or the name.

"Of course. I'm sorry. I'm new," she said finally finding words, which like her thoughts, sounded like they echoed waves. "There are two seats left there."

Edward gave her a subdued smile of gratitude and walked through as she started explaining to the family behind them.

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bitunlikely.livejournal.com on August 26th, 2008 02:10 am (UTC)

Jenny smiled back in a similar subdued manner, copying Edward's demeanor. It was easier than make one up of her own. Clearly whenever she needed to pretend to be subdued, she just needed to think of Edward's typical persona.

As soon as they were far away enough, Jenny beamed up at Edward. She slipped the psychic paper back in her pocket and wrapped her arm around his waist. "You were brilliant, Edward."

Less than even half a minute later, she had to let go of him to slip into her seat. She pulled the safety harness over her head. "Brilliant."

Edited 2008-08-26 02:19 am (UTC)

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themidnightson on August 26th, 2008 02:19 am (UTC)

Edward was half rolling his eyes and shaking his head when the hugging began again. He was beginning to feel this was a particularly Jenny habit. He took his seat and pulled down the harness with the smallest force, like it were a kitten. It didn't distract him enough that he missed the image of his face in Jenny's view smiling just slightly.

Maybe that had been slightly fun.

Another worker in an Astroland uniform came out and began lecturing them on the safety of their arms, legs and any belongings which might fall out going at the speeds and directions they would find themselves at. After being warned, while people behind shuffled things more securely away, the guideline for the ride shivered and they began to move forward.