Masquerade {Formerly The Broccoli Gang}

[enragedFingernail]

Don: Pickpocket henchwoman.

[ashdenej]

You are once again the DOCTOR, and are thinking that as all of your rivals have been effectively disabled, you should create some new ones. Life gets dull without competitors, and it's practically inevitable that you shall succeed - you have yet to meet a group that has items comparable to your masks, although a great many have trinkets and gadgets that are, at the very least, respectable.

Thinking back to the first time you came across a comparable enemy, you remember the fellows that were space-oriented, and the chaps that were similarly time-based... but they were relatively pathetic, as they were specialised to fight one another, and not a third party.

Whilst the Doctor ruminates on past victories, the Don struggles with his instinct to thieve from his accomplice. You decide that just a quick search through her pockets wouldn't hurt, and rifle around briefly. What you find shocks you to your very core.

[LinaLove]

Doctor: Reminisce about past enemies, then be determined to find worthy rivals ==>

[ashdenej]

As the Doctor, you recall the greatest of your nemeses, the Grey Ladies. Shroud-like and diaphanous, they flittered in the gap between the worlds, bringing a great variety of skills to the table. Their leader was the most terrible of them all, a seer who brought fear and loathing into the hearts of those she struck at. Eventually she was destroyed, much like her twinned flunkies were, with no small amount of effort. After the fact, the diminutive woman disappeared, escaping even the far-reaching sights of your group.

In parallel to this revelation, the Don finds that the seer of the Grey Ladies is far closer at hand than even the Doctor would suspect.

[enragedFingernail]

Doctor: Be a grey lady.

[ashdenej]

Alas, the Don's discovery is not that the Grey Lady is the Doctor. In fact, his finding is that Big M, his trusted henchman, possesses the fabled garment of the Lady, leading him to the conclusion that she is none other than the woman herself. The wispy grave-cloth falls through his hands like water - it is rumoured that it can turn whoever wears it into a wielder of great and uncanny powers. Principle among these is the skill of going undetected wherever you should be.

An idea forms in the Don's head.

[LinaLove]

Don: Wear cloth as a loincloth ==>

[enragedFingernail]

Don: Wear the cloth.

[ashdenej]

You succumb to your temptation. Stepping from the cell, nobody notices the soft treads that reverberate through the rooms. Clutched in your arms is your companion, who you're taking to the only Doctor you know of. She needs help, no matter her origin. You have an obligation to her, and you intend to fulfill it. Passing by the crew members - those of the Broccoli Gang that have some small ability that is useful in piloting a craft such as this - you ignore them all, save for a fleeting glance at the Baker.

Later.

Entering the flight deck of the blimp, you see that the Doctor remains positioned at his station. He is, however, not alone.

[madMonk]

Don: Ride Doctor like a mechanical bull. Then draw his attention to Big M.

[ashdenej]

Staying cloaked, you creep around to the back of the Doctor, ignoring the startled look of his companion - it seems that the Doctor's friend can see you, mystic artefact or not - and quickly climb on to the physician's back, clinging to his shoulders, having placed Big M on the floor. To the Doctor, it appears that a) a small woman has miraculously manifested herself on the floor and b) there is a large, invisible and angry spider on his back.

While the Don has the time of his life being tossed around like a vessel on a stormy sea, the Doctor's friend kneels down next to Big M, and feels for a pulse. Her heart still beats, but the signs are not good.

[madMonk]

Doctor's Friend: Be introduced. Also, see about getting this woman a pair of eyes. And medical treatment.

[ashdenej]

The Doctor's friend is a tallish, sophisticated woman, who seems torn between getting Big M significant help and supplying the Doctor with assistance. She brushes a strand of hair from her face, and pulls a heavy-duty medicinal kit from a convenient rack on the wall. The difficult process of rejuvenation begins.

The beaked Doctor watches this distractedly, as the larger part of his attention is taken up by the thing clinging to his spine. Drawing his flintlock, he whacks the air behind him violently. You narrowly avoid being clobbered by his blows.

[LinaLove]

Doctor's friend: Whilst reaching for a bottle of medicine, notice an electric razor...resist the urge to be...naughty ==>

[enragedFingernail]

Doctor's friend: Whilst reaching for a bottle of medicine, notice an electric razor...resist the urge to be...naughty ==>

Fail, and shave the dog.

[ashdenej]

You are now GIANNA LAMONT, and you've successfully completely ignored some incredibly weird urges. Your erstwhile friend - who is now known as Big M - is lying on the floor, and this is no time for shenanigans. Your... acquaintance... is in grievous need of assistance, and you intend to provide it, no matter the cost. What the future holds is none of your business, either.

Whispering arcane teachings under your breath, you tend to the worst of her wounds and bruises. If left alone, she would have withered away and died. Plucking the hair of a dog from one of your pouches, you thread it through your bone needle and sew up a nasty gash.

She is looking much healthier, but the Doctor is looking distinctly the worse for wear, as he has hit himself more times than his invisible burden.

[LinaLove]

Gianna: Fix up the doctor using grit, spit, and a whole lot of duct tape ==>

[ashdenej]

Flailing madly, your next charge finally throws the unseen Don away from him. You, of course, can see through the Shroud - where would you be if you couldn't? But you decide to ignore the leader of the Mull Berries for the moment in favour of patching the Doctor. Using your metaphorical spit and polish, he is fighting fit in no time at all, albeit out cold. Hefting the Doctor over your shoulder, you hiss at the Don to pick up "Big M". Dazedly, he does so, bringing her alongside you.

Walking together, he asks what your business on the ship is. You reply that you are here to settle debts and meet old friends - this reply appears to satisfy your travelling companion, for the time being, at least.

[LinaLove]

Gianna: Ask Doctor what he thinks of the Reaper and his plan ==>

[ashdenej]

The Doctor has been knocked out, and is in no state to answer questions - or, indeed, do anything but rest up for a few days! In lieu of the Doctor's thoughts, you seek a second opinion in the Don. He has few thoughts about anything other than the extraordinarily mundane or stupid, apparently, regaling you with tales - surely made up - of riding walruses in the sky, and stabbing large fat things in yellow. On reflection, that second part might explain the staring that the Banker was using on the Don earlier... it failed to accomplish anything, because the Don is impervious to things that do not fit his rosy world view.

You have reached the INFIRMARY.

[LinaLove]

G and Deposit your loads in the infirmary, then have a teaparty ==>

[ashdenej]

Ever the efficient hostess, you place your charges into the resting area, and invite the Don into your makeshift office. The tea - which you prepared earlier - is calmly simmering in a corner. It should be quite strong by now, but you know that your guest has an appreciation of strong drinks, no matter the alcoholic content.

Peering over the rim of his cup, he engages in idle chitchat with you, but you know that his mind is actually razor-sharp. He couldn't possibly be as stupid as he appears, so it must be an act.

The Don thoughtfully takes a bite out of the bone china saucer.

[LinaLove]

G: Politely request that he pay for said saucer, then ask him about his loincloth ==>

[ashdenej]

You would, but he's not wearing a loincloth. He has the shroud draped around his shoulders like any NORMAL person would. And you're not certain how to approach the matter that he's apparently clinically insane. Instead, you take the diplomatic route, and politely offer him another cup of tea. Before he has the chance to accept, there is a stirring from the beds. Big M is awake, and alert.

Stepping to her bedside, you look at your old friend. She used to be called MONICA TAYLOR, and she clearly remembers who you are. Using her arcane senses, she knows that her co-worker has returned, and she does not like this one bit. Her head moves to point towards the Don, and she frowns. Her plan of wreaking destruction cannot progress if her employer would be placed in danger.

[LinaLove]

Don: While your ladyfriends are interfacing, wake up the Doctor with a cup of tea (perhaps your should pour it straight into his mask) ==>