[009]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie is in the Town Square again, though this time with a very large shopping bag set on the ground at her feet. while she is standing calmly enough, there are some subtle signs of the anxiety and exhaustion that she's been feeling lately. her hair isn't quite as neat as usual, and her dress looks a tad wrinkled. in fact, it's a new dress--forest green, edged in lace, but a very simple design overall. the skirt of it is very loose, clearly designed with plenty of leeway, for a reason that those looking closely at her might notice. at this point in her pregnancy, Sophie has started to show a small baby bump]

Hello again, everyone. [she clasps her hands in front of her as she talks, that calm expression becoming a bit more nervous. she glances around, as though concerned about being overheard, before she continues] Many of you asked me for charms before, and I've finished them all. If you'd like to meet me in the Town Square, I have them here.

This would also be a good opportunity to discuss other recent...events, as well. In person is best, I think. [she smiles somewhat grimly]

I look forward to talking to all of you. [reaching out to the CAT, she ends the transmission]

[ooc: Feel free to use this post as a mingling post! You can interact with Sophie, or you can interact with each other in the Town Square so that information can freely be shared. Also, feel free to notice the baby bump or not as you prefer~]

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[the Doctor arrives fairly quickly, and isn't pleased to find her alone]

Sophie, is it really the time and place to--[he stops suddenly once he gets near her, a puzzled look on his face]--did you do something to your hair?

[fortune_sought]

[skeptically] What time and place did you have in mind, Doctor?

[stares at him. is he really serious?] No. I do have a new dress.

[bit_impossible]

[ignores her question]

Really? Just a dress? [scratches his chin] No, no...there's something else...

Oh, how have you felt lately? Still feeling a bit of stomach upset?

[fortune_sought]

[okay, this has to be some sort of joke] I'm just fine. And yes, but only what a woman in my condition usually feels.

[bit_impossible]

[blinks] Oh. Oh, that's good, but what condition, exactly?

[fortune_sought]

[he is serious, isn't he? she gapes for a moment more before she resigns herself to it and says:] Doctor, I'm pregnant.

[bit_impossible]

[his eyebrow shoots up as he looks at her, then down--but as he looks back up, his face practically explodes as it lights up with one of the biggest grins he's wanted to make in a very long time.

and then he suddenly embraces her, laughing very merrily]

[fortune_sought]

[the embrace catches Sophie by surprise, although perhaps she should be getting used to it by now. she hugs him back a little awkwardly--really, she's still trying to get accustomed to the new dimensions of her abdomen, in addition to her confusion at his excitement]

[bit_impossible]

[eventually, he does let her go] This is brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Look at you, Sophie Hatter! You're going to be a mum!

[a short pause] Why didn't you say so sooner? It's not as though you had an opportunity to slip away to, you know... [he pulls a face, hoping she gets what he means]

[fortune_sought]

Yes. Yes, I am. [her reply is a bit dazed--but also rather proud. really, she isn't sure whether to be excited or terrified most of the time]

[buuut then she gapes at him. you are very lucky you didn't just get slapped, Ten] Because I only recently realised it, of course! [sharply, glaring] And I do hope you aren't implying anything improper!

[bit_impossible]

[his eyebrows shoot upwards] Improper?! I'm just saying there wasn't any other way for it to happen here, unless--

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie doesn't let him get any further than that. without warning, she reaches up a hand and slaps him across the face] You are absolutely unbelievable!

[bit_impossible]

[he looks at her, aghast and shocked she'd slapped him. been a long a time since he had been, come to think on it.]

Well, I guess that answers that, then! [rubs his cheek] I didn't--well, I guess I did--but I didn't mean anything! [grabs her hands, ignoring his smarting cheek] I'm so, so very happy for you, Sophie.

[softens his voice even more] Really.

[fortune_sought]

Hmph. [she continues to glare at him for a moment, but as his tone softens, her anger fades as well. she lowers her gaze]

Yes, thank you. Howl will be, too. When--[her voice catches a little, but she pushes past the lump in her throat]--he finds out.

[bit_impossible]

[gives her hands a squeeze] And he'll be more than thrilled, Sophie. Might be a bit surprised, yeah, but after that...? [he smiles encouragingly]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie smiles wryly--and perhaps a bit fondly, as well] Oh, he won't be surprised for long. Then he'll start celebrating. And bragging to everyone he knows, of course...

[bit_impossible]

[he hasn't let go of her hands yet] And I gather that might take him a while then? Will he be done bragging by the time you're ready to have the baby?

[fortune_sought]

[she snorts] I doubt it. You don't know Howl. [but she's still smiling, all the same]

[bit_impossible]

[and it's here he lets go of her hands, but it's a gentle release before he tucks his own into his pockets] Maybe one day I will! But for now, I'll just have to go with what you've told me--which isn't all that unusual, actually. You wouldn't believe the things I know about my friends' significant others. I used to have one, ohhh, so long ago now who would talk about his girlfriend constantly. Felt like I knew her all my life by the end.

[fortune_sought]

[wryly] Yes, well, you would probably be glad you haven't known Howl all your life.

But... [she pauses, putting a hand to her abdomen] It will be so good to see him again.

[bit_impossible]

Yeah. [smiles warmly] Will you be all right on your own?

[fortune_sought]

[she nods, realising he means to leave] Yes, of course. But Doctor--do tell me if you learn anything new?

[because as excited as she is about her baby, there's still a situation at hand to worry about]

[bit_impossible]

[making sure she stays safe is exactly why he has to leave. his smile fades, his expression going into serious mode.] I will do. And once you're done, get back to your townhome and don't go alone. [puts a hand on her shoulder] Be careful, and contact me or anyone else you feel comfortable with when you're ready.

[fortune_sought]

[her tone is firm] I'm perfectly fine, Doctor. Of course I'll be careful. You should do the same.

[bit_impossible]

I will do. You know me. [gives her shoulder a squeeze and turns to walk away. he has to continue his investigations, after all, but he throws a smile at her over his shoulder before he's too far away]