Rain on the Mountain

Been told 'no, you can't do that!' today? Go do it. Independent OC. M!A none .

[nomuula]

bowtied:

Mm hmm… mm hmmm… [The Doctor doesn’t quite hear Nomuula’s first sentence, as he focusses on Nomsa’s speech instead—] Thank you, Ms. Bigfoot. [— and he purses his lips thoughtfully before looking at the dirt underneath their feet again.] 

I don’t think oil diggers are what you have to be concerned about, Nomuula. If what your friend here says is true — [he crouches down to scoop up another handful of the dirt, twisting his wrist with the sonic thoughtfully] …which I’m sure it is, as elephants have spectacular memories… then more than just your land could potentially be in danger. 

Who the hell is Ms. Bigfoot?

[Nomuula decides there and then that this man is completely off his rocker, and she was about to pass off all he said as a joke. That is, until he says her land is in danger.  Is he threatening it? Threatening her home? She's not taken too kindly to that, as can be seen by the scowl forming.]

You better not be threatening my land.

[She warns him in a hiss and puts one hand on her hip, resting the other close to her walkie talkie that links her to the authorities. She looks to Nomsa who shifts behind her. Nomuula lets go of her trunk when she lifts it. Fighting with a man is fine, but she'd rather not go against Nomsa. Not that they'd ever fought.]

Start talking, skelm.

[bowtied]

You know, you could just call me Doctor. [The Doctor says idly as he rubs the grains of dirt between his fingers, lips pursed, and he even dares, just for a moment, to lick the tip of his thumb — only to make a face.] Doesn’t look metallic, but definitely tastes metallic. 

[He poises his sonic screwdriver over his hand as he lays his palm out flat.] Watch. If I— oh.

[The Doctor doesn’t notice the elephant until he looks back at Nomuula, but when he does his eyes brighten.] Oh, hello! Aren’t you a beauty? 

[Forgetting the dirt for a moment — he can always get another handful, after all — he lets it drop, and brushes his hand off on his trousers before holding it out.] 

I’m the Doctor. I don’t suppose you’d know anything about the incredibly strange properties in the soil here, would you?

[nomuula]

[Nomuula gets as close to Nomsa as she can, the creature's trunk moving to take the fruit Nomuula had produced from a pouch on her thigh. She praises the elephant with a bright, genuine smile that tells anyone and everyone just how much these animals mean to her.]

[The smile fades, however, when he starts talking to Nomsa as though she can answer. Nomuula's guilty of doing the same, but it's different. He's asking her strange questions and Nomuula doesn't like it one bit. She wraps an arm around Nomsa's trunk when the Elephant rests it over her front.]

You know, she isn't going to answer you?

[Nomuula reminds him as Nomsa makes several noises, causing her human companion to rub the trunk under her hands.]

 Sk-- The Doctor. I still don't trust you. Why are you so interested in soil, eh? You won't find any oil.

[danielaosores76-blog]

[belighter]

[nomuula]

Rest in peace, broer.

An' thank you.

[yuramasayoshi]

You’re breakin’ my heart here. Do I look like a poacher or leechy tourist?

[ He probably did, and if she said as much it was likely he’d laugh—but he’s just grinning at her for now, taking in the sights around him. ]

Got a bit lost, ‘s all. Not too familiar with the territory. Is that such a crime?

[nomuula]

D'you really want me to answer that? Ya look like both mixed into one with a side of creep. 

[Yep. That's what she said.]

You still ignored the 'keep out' signs, mampara. 

[bowtied]

I didn’t say a doctor — I mean, I- I am a doctor, technically speaking, but! [The Doctor waves a hand.] My actual name is the Doctor. Just the Doctor. Capital D. Like, like- just Cher.

And I certainly don’t want to dig up your land. Look, just- [he bends down, scooping up some of the dusty dirt in his hand] -just watch.

[nomuula]

[She thinks this guy is either drunk, or he's lost his marbles. The latter seems more likely right now and she doesn't at all approve. What's he expecting her to see? It's dirt. It's earth. ]

What are you expecting me to see? 

[Nomuula softens a little with the nudge of a trunk to her shoulder. Nomsa has arrived and is a little more curious than usual, so Nomuula settles her hand on the creature's trunk and hums.]

Better be good, Skelm. I'm this close to calling the authorities.

[bowtied]

Ahhh, Nomuula! Good to meet you, Nomuula, I’m the Doctor.

[He sticks out his hand jovially — although thinks better of it as she continues speaking, withdrawing it awkwardly back to his side.]

Oi, rude. [he sniffs, indignant] I was going to ask, do you know what sort of minerals are in the soil here? 

[nomuula]

I already 'ave a Doctor and you look nothing like him. What's your actual name? Y'give me one and I might use it.

[She doesn't view herself as rude and ignores his comment.]

Why do you wanna know? You are not diggin' up my land.

[aplacethatdoesntknowmyname]

You can’t fall for this; you’ll be asking for trouble with the authorities.

[bowtied]

Definitely not a poacher.

Don’t think I’m a tourist, either, although that’s open to some debate. We can discuss it over tea later, if you’d like. Tell me, ah—

Sorry, what’s your name?

[nomuula]

[Yeah, she's pretty sure that's what they all say.  She doesn't comment on it and scoffs instead,eyes narrowing.]

Nomuula Ntabeni. 

[She sounds as agitated as she is.] 

Tell you what, skelm?

[thebackgroundcharacterarchive-d]

Came here? Didn’t wanna come here. [ She mumbles rather than speaking, edging as far from the truck doors as possible and close as she can to the stranger. Stranger danger, but excuse me, there are lions. She keeps her eyes on the lion from a distance. ]

'bout half 'n hour. Hour. Maybe. Where 'm I?

[nomuula]

Y'mind telling me why you're 'ere then?

[She turns the vehicle around, starts them back towards the house she lives in that overlooks the reserve. It's not a big, luxurious manor like Leopard's Den nearby, but it's something and she calls it home.]

Are you serious? You're in Africa.  

[living-in-luxury]

[hunting-paradise]

[yuramasayoshi]

I ain’t seen a keep out sign anywhere, honeypants. What’s the face for? Don’t like strangers?

[ He’d totally seen the sign. ]

[nomuula]

I don't like poachers and leechy tourists.

[She's not exactly going to trust someone in the middle of the reserve. Much less someone who looks like the creepy poacher type.]

What you doing here, eh?

[kenzadalis-blog]

[aplacethatdoesntknowmyname]

[nomuula]

+1

'ey! Mampara, get out the reserve before i 'ave the authorities called.

What is it with you lot and understanding a 'keep out' sign when y'see it?