Fandom Into the fire (1x1 MzHyde/Gallifrog)

[_gallifrog_]

In Chas's mind the whole linking the names back to fire made sense, like the way Jay explained how pilot's call signs said something about them. Her's was a reference to her birth name and her hair colour, the same with her brothers. So it seemed logical that it would work along the same principle for pheonix names. "And my Celtic mythology obsession menas that in the Fiannaíocht stories, there's a race of mythological warriors called the Fianna. The word Fianna also means deers, with fia being the singular form in both modern Irish and older forms of Gaelic. Told you this stuff would be useful outside of Ireland itself." He added with a smirk. "I'll give you that one mate."

"But as nicknames go, it's truly bizarre. It's long for a start, which makes me wonder what was....is Rinaa's." Chas knew that there was a story in there somewhere, that would tell a lot about the dynamic between the two. "You said that Rinaa said it was an ironic one. Yeah?" John directed that part at Kay, not sure if she'd told him thta or he'd just pulled it out of his arse.

 

[MzHyde]

Kay let John go into more detail about the name, as well as using it as a good excuse to boast to Chas. Though the more he spoke about them being mythological warriors, it did make her wonder about the kind of person Fia grows up to be. Which made her just think even more, their kid was gonna keep them on their toes. She looked at Chas when he said about it being a long nickname, which made her nod. It was one thing she noted from the start when Rinaa told her it.

"I thought the same when Rinaa told me, by saying "yes I know the Celtic deer" when I asked if she knew Fia." She began, aiming the first bit to Chas, before continuing to answer what John asked, "I think I did yeah, but you're right, she did say it was ironic one, along with how competitive they were with each other" She replied, not even remembering herself if she told him that or not.

 

[_gallifrog_]

"The nickname is probably something worth finding out" Chas mused, wondering why Rinaa's nickname would be an ironic one, and what the back story to it was. He was not in any way telling them how to use their five questions, but if he had the opportunity, that would be one of the things he'd be highly considering asking. "Along with literally every detail about either of them we can get." Rinaa and Chas were the only two information sources they had, and both had to be asked the right questions to get any workable knowledge. "That too" Chas agreed with a nod.

"She didn't didn't offer you three questions?" John realised. "As of now, no, she didn't, maybe she will at some point, maybe she won't" He shrugged "but that's kind of besides the point. Is there anything else you guys know, I'm really hoping it will trigger something in me." The cabbie explained.

 

[MzHyde]

Kay took on board what Chas suggested. She knew he wouldn't try and influence what they asked, especially when it came to so few questions available for them to ask Rinaa. The whole backstory was something she was intrigued in herself, so the fact Chas was also intrigued, meant there was validity in her own curiosity. John also had a valid point in his reply. She hated the fact they had to really tread carefully when it came to what questions they asked, but she knew the importance in it as well.

Kay was surprised to hear Rinaa didnt offer Chas three questions, though it was clear to her he didn't mind at the moment and his priorities was elsewhere. She thought over what she knew, sifting through to see what to tell him. "Let's see...our daughter telepathically spoke to both of us on the ship, which is how we knew this was inevitable, the entire downworld will want our girl when I'm back on earth and they won't care if she's born yet or not...yet the fact Rinaa knows her, it's a sign they don't get her.." she started rattling off what they knew, finding it easier to go from the beginning. "We only gotta get through six months instead of the human 9months...but other than that, I don't know much. I don't even know what to expect when I go into labor at this stage" she said, finally opening up about one thought she had on her mind. "Which is really playing on my mind. I don't know if it's a normal human birth or what"

 

[_gallifrog_]

Chas took it all in, seeing npw why the message of 'The House is always safe' had been such an immense relief for both of them. And like Elliott had been, he was disgusted at the idea that the whole Downworld would want the child. John elaborated on the whole 'they'll kill Kay as the child is more valuable' shebang. He thought for a few moments, hoping something new would trigger in his mind before sighing "Nope I got nothin' new, sorry guys." "Worth a shot mate, we'll figure this out...somehow." There was only one other way John could think of to get the answer to the question praying on Kay's mind. "Then I guess labour is something to add to the list of questions for your other half."

"Along with the whole telepathy thing, will she be telepathic or is it some weirdo voodoo magic involving using her own fetus ads a channel of some sort?" "Not the foggiest mate, not the foggiest. I really wish magic obeyed the laws of space and time sometimes." "Sometimes being the operative word."

 

[MzHyde]

Kay let John elaborate on the downworld issue and that she would be killed if they got to her, and hoped it would trigger something in Chas' mind, but sadly it triggered nothing. In her mind, Chas really didn't need to apologise, this wasn't his fault after all. She looked at John when he said about asking Fee for labor information. "I guess so" she replied, making a mental note to ask Fee later on.

She listened to what Chas had to say and suggest when it came to the telepathy situation. In her eyes it could be literally anything. From using the fetus of her baby self by using some kind of magic or just naturally being telepathic or the other idea that ran through her mind was whether or not their kid had a bond sigil on her, like they did. "Guess we won't know until she's in the world. It could be anything, hell, for all we know she has a bond sigil burned into her like we do and she's using that." She said, gesturing between her and John. "Or she learnt something from John in her timeline" she added, then tried to think of anything else that might trigger Chas' mind into remembering answers, but she couldn't really think of anything.

"I just keep trying to focus on getting through six months of possibly being cooped up so I don't die. Morbid thinking, but I'm still scared something will change and no more me" she admitted.

 

[_gallifrog_]

"The sigil theory does sound likely, they can do all kinds of weird crap, and space and time aren't exactly dependent factors." Chas mused, trying to strike off something in his mind. But he was beginning to think the more he forced it, the less likely it would be to get answers. Maybe he had to be caught unaware for this whole thing to work. That if he was caught by surprise it would juts slip out, or maybe there was a visual trigger and what he really needed to do was look through as many books in The House as possible. "Whenever we get back, I'm gonna he to spend a few days in The House's library looking for anything that could trigger something."

That was something John was also planning to do. "I'm with you on that mate." Then came Kay's fear of being cooped up for months on end, it was totally justifiable in both their minds. "It's not morbid at all, we're all thinking the same thing, or at least I am." Though he didn't say it the words 'I don't want to lose you' we're heavily implied. "Though it'll probabaly more of five months than six considering it doesn't look like we're leaving Attil for a while." " with John on this, you have every right to be feeling like that. And time is different in The House to the outside world. A week in the real wold sometimes passes as two days in The House, and vice-versa, so it could end up not being as long as either of you think."

 

[MzHyde]

Kay nodded at Chas' words. So he thought it was viable too, Kay thought. Which was a reassurance to her knowing that she wasn't thinking way out of the box with this. She knew John was planning on it, from their earlier chats as they sort of discussed about how to occupy themselves in there.

She looked at John when he replied to her fear of dying for good and losing her baby. The way he worded his reply, hit her hard, as she got his implication. Deep down she had accepted he quite possibly wouldn't ever openly say he how he felt to her, even if she had told him she loved him. Yet hearing the implication of not wanting to lose her meant a lot to her. She also took on board the rest of what he had to say, if that was the case, then it meant when they headed back she would no doubt look like she was two months gone instead of a month. She'd start showing by the time they headed back. That was a mindfuck to her.

When Chas said about the time difference in The House, it reminded her when John explained that the last time they were in there. "That is both helpful and not helpful at the same time..because it's made me realise I'll be seeing our kid growing what will feel like twice as quick than she actually is. Complete and utter mind fuck" she replied, with a sigh as she flopped back into the couch, slouching. It had dawned on her as a stupid thing that when she starts getting bigger, she won't fit in any of the few clothes she owns, which means she'll have to either do alot of internet shopping or send Chas on clothes shopping duty for her. It was a stupid insignificant thought, but she seemed to having a lot of those lately.

 

[_gallifrog_]

There was nothing anybody could really say, it was a mind fuck for all of them,and something that they had no experience dealing with whatsoever. It would be a steep learning curve, and the two felt that as the pregnancy progressed it one only show up more differences when compared to a human pregnancy. Chas had dealt with most things gene his wife was pregnant, and John knew he could trust Chas to keep a level head through out the whole thing and pretend he knew what he was doing, even when he didn't. They all fell backwards into their respective seats and places on the couch, trying to wrap their head around the many, many thoughts spinning around inside their heads.

They lapsed into their thoughts for a while, the only sound being those of Jay working on her rig, which seemed to involve soldering, cutting various wires and generally trying to minimise the amount of cable needed. There was an expression of triumph on her face when she switched it on, and one- it didn't blow up, and two- it began to load up data.

 

[MzHyde]

It was obvious to Kay when she pointed out that realisation that it wasn't just her that it was a mind fuck to. She was getting lost in her own thoughts, just like the two of them were, only just really being aware of Jay working behind them. She wasn't really aware of how much time was going by as Jay worked.

A while later, she was desperate for a drink, and she figured Cal and Cliff wouldn't mind if she helped herself, so she stood up, "either of you want a drink?" She asked John and Chas as she headed to the kitchen, noting how far Jay had gotten with her work and that whatever data she needed was uploading. She opened the fridge to find something, but ended up resorting to making a hot drink that wasn't coffee. She actually found what she recognised as ginger, and decided to go with that by grounding it up in hot water.

 

[_gallifrog_]

"Nah, I'm good." John sighed from his spot on the couch. "Just water for me, thanks." Chas answered. Jay looked up as Kay passed, pushing the headphones down around her neck. She'd gotten rid of almost all the unnecessary cables, and the kitchen was once again accessible. Accompanying the five screens was the holographic projector which she had bought from a ship spare parts shop. The screens were showing various maps, and numbers. In her messages was an unopened images folder which she had to sift through and match up. The most recent messages had all come from encrypted accounts, some from A. J's gang on Earth, but the majority came from her old gang, the one previous to A.J's.

The most recent message simply said two words in English (which in itself was unusual) - Look up. It was accompanied by a timer, which was already in it's last few minutes. On instinct she glanced at the ceiling, before realising what it meant. She vaulted the table, climbed out onto the balcony and waited.

 

[MzHyde]

Kay nodded, noting Chas' request. She got him just a glass of water as she made her own hot drink. As grabbed them both, she noticed Jay acknowledge her presence before looking up at the ceiling and the disappearing out and up onto the roof. She raised an eyebrow at the action and wondered what she was up to. As she walked back, she spotted the "look up" message.

"Jay just got a message saying look up and went on the roof.. so I wonder what that's about, though I'm not moving now" she commented, handing Chas his water, before sitting down and hugging the mug practically in her hands. The smell of ginger pretty strong as it brewed inside the hot water, something she liked, even if others used to wrinkle their nose at the smell coming from it. She sipped at her drink as the steam bellowed out of the mug, proving that with being a phoenix, heat really wasn't an issue for her.

 

[_gallifrog_]

"It could be anything. Alien invasion? Bombs being dropped? Sign from god?" Chas smirked, prompting eye rolling from John at the complete (and deliberate) factual inaccuracy of his remark. "And I'm the bleedin' Pope" John scoffed, a long running joke. John was quite possibly the furthest thing from a leader of a major world religion as possible. Chas leant back in the chair angling himself to see out the windows, at the inky blue-black sky.

At first there was nothing, then, suddenly a blazing bright white trail appeared across the sky. "What the......?" . It was quickly followed by another, and another, all flying upwards, vanishing from view of Chas. He made his way to the balcony for a better angle, he looked upwards and his eyes widened. "You need to see this" The trails were the product of a series of fast, light, fighter spaceships that seated single or doubles, no more. The trials were arranged in an intricate patterns to form a drawing, a giant bird that spread across the sky. A blue Jay.

Spoiler: The art

 

[MzHyde]

Kay laughed at Chas rattling off things that made John roll his eyes. Though she laughed more when John said he was the pope. Even she knew he was the furthest from anyone like that. She watched as Chas leant over his chair to try and see what made Jay outside, before minding her own business. She was pretty sure if it was something they'd all need to know, Jay would said something.

She only focused on it again when Chas reacted the way he did. She had to admit, if he escaped that way, then it must be worthwhile seeing. Her suspicions getting confirmed when he called back that they needed to see whatever it was. She was comfortable on the couch, but she got up anyway, taking her drink with her. Walking out onto the balcony, she looked up and went wide eyed. "Dayum!" She reacted, not sure what else to possibly say. It was incredible, and beautiful. "That's beautiful!" She gasped.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John followed them over, his eyes widening at the sight. There was no doubt at all who it was aimed at and why. "Bloody bollocks, that's impressive." He said, slightly awe-struck that a such art could be created by flying at ridiculous sppeds. Sure he'd seen stunts on Earth with planes drawing in the sky, but it was nowhere near as complex or as large as the drawing before them. The ships themselves little more than bright dots, came together, there was maybe twenty five or so, then shot off into the night, leaving no noticeable trail behind them. The lines of the drawing began to fade away as the pigment dispersed and the glow died away, the bird disappearing into the night sky as if it had been nothing more than a figment of their collective imaginations.

"Friends in idiotic places" came Jay's voice from above. She'd captured the whole process on camera. In the gloom her smile couldn't be made out, but her silver eyes had brightened a few shades and had the very slightest of a sparkle at the edge. "Who are they? The team that created the blue Jay art, I mean." "My old gang colloquially known as The Rats, cos we were all outcasts in some way or another. Illegal activities, formation flying, high speed racing and dangerous stunts were our trademarks. But I've never seen them do something this large or complex before."

 

[MzHyde]

Kay nodded, as an artist she was incredibly impressed. "That's an understatement" she replied to John's comment. Like John, and most people on earth, she had seen air art from formation flying, yet there was nothing like this. She wished she brought her phone out with her to have taken a photo, but it was in her jacket pocket on the couch. She watched as it faded from view, along with the ships.

She glanced up when Jay spoke up, her words making her smile slightly. They were sure some unique friends she had, Kay thought. Listening to her explanation after Chas asked, she nodded. "They're damn impressive people Jay" she remarked, sipping her drink, the spice of the ginger burning her throat but in a good manner, whilst the cool evening air felt refreshing. "That was seriously amazing" she continued.

 

[_gallifrog_]

"Yeah, they really are, I owe them a lot." She replied with a smile. "So what does it mean? A giant bird in the sky can't just be for artistic purposes." John questioned. "It means they're on our side in the Elliott debacle, no matter what, and that I'll have access to all their resources for whatever gets thrown at us. It's a public declaration of where they stand really, along with scaring the living shite out of people in power. They have a reputation and so do I." She explained.

"No matter the reasons, or the time it seems, the Rats are solidly in the dangerous badasses with serious style category." All heads turned towards Rinaa's voice. The teenager, and in turn Elliott were on the roof of the opposite building, evidently heading back to the apartment when they got waylaid and distracted by Jay's friends. "Damn right kiddo, they are." Jay called over glad to hear that the gang were still awesome in the future an sthat Rinaa knew them. She was also glad to see her and Elliott again, and that they seemed to be getting on well. "You really weren't shitting around when you told me about them."

 

[MzHyde]

Kay thought how nice it must be to still have contact with friends. As per always, she listened to what Jay said, explaining the meaning of the blue jay bird. Hearing what it meant, she could imagine just how much of a relief it must feel to her to have her team on their side, when it came to Elliott. When Rinaa's voice came out of nowhere, she turned her head to see her with Elliott and it made her smile.

She was glad that they were heading back and were okay. She didn't doubt their safety, but she still did wonder how they were when they were gone. She just hoped it went as well as they both were hoping for. In all this time, she had managed to finish the drink she had, and was just holding the empty mug, which she figured she may as well bring in. Not only that, the cool air was now chilling her down, so she headed back inside and sat back on the couch, putting the mug on the table. Despite being inside, she did sit on it so she could see everyone out on the balcony.

 

[_gallifrog_]

They quickly realised that yelling across rooftops wasn't the best way to communicate with each other. So Rinaa and Elliott jumped across to the roof of Cal's place. The burning question on everyone's mind was how it went between the two of them, and judging by the smiles on Elliott's face, and the relaxedness of Rinaa's posture, as she leaned against the railing it had gone well. None of the others really noticed the cold, they were driven inside by different motivations. Rinaa's was the typical teenager one of food. She was the first to enter, and headed straight for the fridge, pulling out the take-away and peering inside then deciding that they were free game.

Elliott drifted in after seeing that his daughter had acquired food, also heading for the food, but stopping with the exclamation of "Are you trying to out compete GCHQ on my sister's kitchen table or what Jay?" "Yeah, basically. A.J. finally got the array up and running, by using Kane's father's money to send the crew around the world to expand the array size." She entered in, and sat herself down to upload the footage from earlier, Elliott leaning over her shoulder to watch, while eating. The others drifted in shortly after.

 

[MzHyde]

Kay just chuckled to herself under her breath when they all realised that yelling to each other across the rooftops wasn't the best idea to do. Especially if Elliott was meant to be in a cell. Even from where she was, she could see how relaxed and happy both Rinaa and Elliott seemed, so she could only think it went well. As they all filtered in, she turned roun to sit on the couch properly. Unlike the rest of them, she was always more sensitive to the cool air. She loved it when she had her jumpers, but as her entire being was all about fire and heat, it meant she has a weakness to the cold.

Which wasn't anything new really, as she spent a lot of time at John's (it was her home too but she still even now, considered it John's and her, merely a guest) apartment wrapped up in his blanket that lived on the couch. This was one reason she didnt say anything when she went inside, as she figured at least two of them would know the reason. She didn't pay too much attention to what Elliott and Jay were doing, that was their business.

 

[_gallifrog_]

The rest sat themselves down. John on the couch next to Kay (in what was becoming his normal and correct place in everybody's mind, not juts his own). Chas fell back in the armchair, which was becoming his spot in Cal's apartment even though they hadn't been there very long. Rinaa flopped herself down on the oversized beanbag chair, balancing the take away on her legs. For once she sat with the group, not excluding herself to lurk alone on the balcony or the roof. Even though she spoke as much as usual (which was very little, she preferred to listen, as was still finding her feet with the group) Rinaa was clearly more confident around them. She possesed the barbed, clever humour of both her parents.

She also appeared happier and more relaxed, the mental weight of the anticipation and fear about the meeting now gone. She listened as she ate, with an amused half smile flicking in and out of view in response to what was being said. Footage uploaded, Jay and Elliott made their way to the group, and it somehow ended up that Elliott was seated between Jay and Rinaa.

 

[MzHyde]

Kay saw how everyone sat themselves, it was like it had mirrored itself against how their group sat at John's place. She also by this point, had shuffled herself to lean on John. He wasn't the only one who knew it was the right place to be when they were chilling out somewhere. Glancing around she knew in her heart it felt right, like they were a famtourage as previously dubbed. She pulled John's arm over her shoulder, and linked their fingers in the process.

She also saw the choice of sitting for Jay and Elliott when they eventually joined them and pulled themselves away from the frabkensteined computer Jay made. They really looked like a family to her, despite how young they all were, and it warmed her heart. Though she was also convinced her pregnancy was making her feel emotions ten times more than if she wasn't. One of the things she was not looking forward to... The possible mood swings.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John and Chas both took notice of how right it looked to see Elliott, Jay and Rinaa altogether. At some point Elliott had wrapped arm around the teenager, whose head dropped slightly against his shoulder as she pulled up her feet and curled up to make the most of this moment. Jay had also slumped ever so slightly against Elliott. Neither had had the opportunity to tell the other how they felt yet, so she resiietd the urge to curl up against him. The three looked like the family they never had been, and it seemed, never would be. It saddened John that these brief days on Attil could be the only time the three were ever together like that properly. To have the knowledge that one was dying, and one would die before this could happen was heartbreaking.

The three were having this experience in stolen time. They all knew it, and time was cruel, it would catch up with them slowly but surely. And the family group would be broken. John dreaded to think how this loss would affect the two of them. But for that moment he pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the fact that it was happening, and was precious. Cal arrived back, and had no such qualms about waking Cliff up to join in the conversation. Even after a few hours sleep, she looked considerably better, and sat with Cal on two chairs they pulled up, hands interlocked together.

 

[MzHyde]

Kay smiled to herself when Rinaa dropped onto Elliott's shoulder and his arm went round her. John and Chas weren't the only ones thinking what a precious moment this was to them, and what a perfect family picture it was in front of them. Yet they also were t alone in thinking how heartbreaking it was to see. Which made her think how they literally were two opposite ends of the circle of life. Kay and John- expecting new life and having an entire lifetime to spend with their kid, and Jay and Elliott- the parents having their kid but losing her, and then finally just Jay...the girl who is losing her daughter and her love sometime after.

In some way it made her feel guilty for being pregnant. Which in reality was stupid and she had no reason to feel guilty, but it was there. She wondered if those thoughts went through John's mind as well. Her thoughts were only wiped when Cal arrived back home and joined the group with a now awoken Cliff.

 

[_gallifrog_]

Cliff possessed a spectacular bed head that really couldn't have been messier, even if she had stuck her head into live electrical wiring. The individual purple hairs seemed insistant on sticking up in every direction except the ones they were supposed to be in. She was used to the comments and muffled snorts of laughter that accompanied her appearance, but she didn't it. She was among friends, and soon to be family (when she and Cal actually managed to finish planning the wedding). She wasn't annoyed at Elliott for arriving when he did, but it didn't mean she wasn't slightly pissed off at the fact that her and Cal's plans had to be postponed. Though it looked like they had acquired five or six more guests for said wedding. There weren't going to may there anyway, just Cliff's family, and the pilot squad, and a few other family and friends.

Rinaa fell asleep in Elliott's arms at some point during their conversations. None of them had seen her asleep before, except for Jay. There was a vulnerability that showed in her sleeping form, one that was always present in her waking life, but one that she had learned to mask. She looked young, too young to be dealing (or at least trying to deal) with everything her life had thrown at her. Looking at the two of them, with Jay watching on, Cal knew there was no way she was letting him go back to the cell tonight. This was far more important, so she called in a favour from Deke and his shape shifting abilities.