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[captainryan]

The bed's made and Richard's relaxed on it, one hand tucked behind his head as he watches River finish getting dressed. The other hand is hanging off the side of the mattress, scritching Damocles' head.

"So CAL makes a copy of your data every time you return to the Library, and if something happens, she can restore you from that, correct?"

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[hell_in_highheels]

"All right. Here we go."

She puts the book up on the ledge and opens it, stepping back as the portal opens. It's a glorious summer afternoon, twilight perhaps an hour away, and a lovely a warm breeze blowing off the sea.

This time, she takes Richard's hand and leans against him.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

And of course he lets her, standing strong as he supports her and peers through the opening.

Go ahead, Dam, Richard jerks his head at the portal encouraging the pup to go exploring. "Let's," he says to River, taking the few steps forward necessary to step inside.

He stops sharply just through the portal as the old familiar pressure that only recently began building suddenly sky-rockets.

"...the moon's full here, isn't it."

[hell_in_highheels]

"I don't know, is it?" He would know better than she. But it doesn't hurt to verify. "Inquiry: Moon phase, current location?"

The same mechanical voice responds, "Current moon phase is 90% and waxing."

"That answers that. Shall we find another locale then?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He tilts his head sharply at the unseen voice, still not fond of the 'out-of-nowhere' technique.

"I'd prefer it, yes." Damocles! We're leaving!

But we just got here!

NOW.

...yes, sir.

[hell_in_highheels]

"Right."

No question, no hesitation, she simply backs out into her office again and, as soon as they are all back through, she closes the book.

A quick inquiry of the stacks finds them another image of the same beach, this one at the new moon, and she resets the portal.

"Sorry, I should have checked first. This should do us just nicely."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Richard eyes are closed as the pressure falls back to the levels from the bar. He's experienced sudden changes in levels before, but to go from new to full in less then a second...he shakes himself off.

"All right," he says, opening his eyes. We'll stay longer at this one, Dam. The last had a full moon.

Is that bad?

When I'm not expecting it, it is.

[hell_in_highheels]

The new portal opens and she gestures Damocles through. And then she turns back to Richard.

Her hand comes up to rest on his chest.

"You all right, love?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"Yes." He gives her a reassuring smile. He isn't just saving face. He is fine. That was just surprising.

"I should keep that in mind the next time I'm hurt," he says wryly.

[hell_in_highheels]

She slips her hand through his arm and waits for him to advance into the new environment.

"Yes, I suppose that would come in handy." There's more than a bit of concern in her voice at that thought, but she is ever the pragmatist. And that is a very good thing to remember should the eventuality present itself.

"I wonder if you're affected by alien moons as well. The planet with the singing sands has three moons. That could have been exciting."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

She's getting a 'when did you become crazy' look. "Or very very dangerous," he says emphatically as they head in the second time.

We didn't know he had a 'when did you become crazy' look.

[hell_in_highheels]

River gives him her 'I've always been crazy, and it took you this long to notice?' look. She's been giving him this look daily since she met him, we suspect.

"Well, yes. But dangerous can be exciting. Don't try to deny it."

They can hear the seagulls complaining bitterly about the intrusion to their peace and harmony as Damocles races towards them.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"Fair enough, but if we're looking for exciting can we at least find a book that presents equal danger for both of us?"

And not just for her?

[hell_in_highheels]

"Yes, yes we can." That is an idea she can get behind.

"I keep telling myself I'm going to go back and face that bloody T-Rex someday. Perhaps from a safer viewing distance this time."

She hugs his arm tight at the thought.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"Or borrow an RPG from another book."

Pause.

"Can you do that?"

[hell_in_highheels]

Now it's her turn to look at him like he's gone mental.

"Why on earth would I want to do that? It's just a lizard, admittedly a bloody huge lizard, but still, just a lizard, going about it's pathetic lizard life. It's not its fault I happened to look like lunch."

"Besides, it's more sporting with a pit trap. How fast is your hundred yard dash, anyway?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"That depends entirely on whether or not I have an RPG."

He's a guy. Of course he's pro the 'blow stuff up' plan.

(Plan B is 'run like hell'.)

[hell_in_highheels]

"There will be no RPGs, love. Besides, what do you do if you miss? Hard to miss with a pit trap."

"And really, I don't want to blow its head off. I just want to -- face it. And walk away with all my limbs attached."

She's a big proponent of Plan B.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"But how am I supposed to lure it in there without falling in myself? Swing over the thing like Tarzan?"

Let's just chew on that mental image for a while.

[hell_in_highheels]

Oh she is. She most certainly is.

"You could do that. Or you could run across the top, like any ordinary mortal. A good pit trap should hold your weight quite easily, while buckling under the animal's weight like paper."

Beat.

"That is, unless you had your heart set on the little loin cloth, because that could be arranged too, I suppose."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He opens his mouth to protest.

Then he headtilts.

"Do you get a matching outfit?"

[hell_in_highheels]

She's grinning broadly now, her scent rippling with deep amusement.

"You have a deeply perverted sense of humour, love. Spots or stripes, do you think?"

"Or should we even wonder out loud, lest Bar find an excuse to revamp our wardrobe?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Richard grins. "We're not in the bar. She couldn't possibly know."

He gives her a sharp look.

"Unless someone tells her."

[hell_in_highheels]

"My lips are sealed," she swears solemnly.

And then an image strikes her and she's giggling again, pressing her face against his shoulder as they walk.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"What?"

Does he want to know?

[hell_in_highheels]

"Your lily white arse in a leopard spotted loin cloth," she explains fondly, still laughing. "Hell, my lily white arse in a leopard spotted bikini. We'd blind the poor creature. He'd go running off over the hills, little arms flailing."

Management is just not sure how well this plan was thought through.