I'm Only Slightly Mental

Robin yelped, tumbling backwards onto her bottom at the explosion. Oh God, what was that?! Immediately looking behind her, she mentally scolded herself for thinking Sonya could have done that. Of course she didn't, she wasn't insane anymore! Well... Nope, close enough. Scrambling to her feet, she looked down at Tyler to make sure he was alright. Nothing seemed to be jutting out in any odd angles, so nothing was broken, hopefully. Good. "Tyler, you alright?" She offered him a hand to help him up, glancing over her shoulder at the explosion before resting her wide eyes on the Time Lord. "Blimey, what the heck was that?" Scolding herself again for the smile slowly growing on her face, she tried to bite it back. But she couldn't help it! Obviously that meant something noteworthy was happening, and if it just so happened to be aliens, then that was fantastic! Well no, not fantastic, but definitely exciting. She knew she shouldn't be hoping Earth was in danger again, but the adventure would be so much fun! Not to mention it was an excuse to keep Sonya around. Hopefully. Glancing down at the boy, she couldn't help but giggle. God, she must look like a nutter.

When the explosion went off, Lucius shielded his head and fell backwards. His eyes were wide when he unfolded himself, watching the rising smoke with a look of horror on his face. Was this just a freak accident or was there someone behind this tragic event? How many people were injured? Dead? How many people would live without their loved ones because they perished in the flames or were psychologically scarred. Why were there people who lacked compassion in this world? Just staring at the burning building caused his heart to thump painfully in his empathy to the people caught in the crossfire.

And Robin was there, offering her hand to him. She looked excited for this like it was the cure to a long lasting boredom. Didn't she even consider the poor blokes who this hurt? He wasn't mad at her but he didn't take her hand. Lucius simply picked himself up and dusted himself off. He nodded his head at Robin's question but didn't say anything further.

Instead, Lucius took off running toward the building. He had to see the casualties, had to see if there was someone he could help or there was something he could do. His age often proved to be a problem since people tried to shoo children away so they wouldn't get hurt. But if there was just one person he could calm it would be worth the trouble.

"Oi!" Sonya yelled, spotting the kid as he took off running towards the commotion before turning to Robin and helping her to her feet while swearing colorfully under her breath in multiple languages. "Come on! We can't let him go running into that!" She snapped, not bothering to cover up her irritation as she darted off after the smaller figure, dodging around traffic and other people before finally catching him, her hand reaching out and gripping his upper arm tightly to bring him to a stop. "Just... No." She hissed under her breath, turning him around so he could face her, eyes blazing.

"You can't do anything to help them. Now get moving." Sonya said in an undertone, her eyes darting round to study their surroundings then back to his face with a sudden pained expression. "They're too far gone to help now, either dead or dying. Now move." Pulling on his arm, she slowly lead him back towards the park, her grip not giving him room to break free as she navigated them around the crowds of people beginning to gather.

Robin yelped as Tyler ran straight for the explosion. What was he thinking?! That he was just magically going to have the strength to drag someone out of the rubble and the medical supplies to fix them?! She was about to take off after him, but Sonya was already on it and she knew better than to get in the Time Lady's way these days. Her heart raced at the thought of him almost getting hurt like that. She'd have to be more careful, teach him why you can't just ram yourself into a collapsed building... If that wasn't common sense already... Upon their return, she seized the boy and pulled him into a hug. "Oh God don't you ever do that again!"

((short but being rushed))

"Ow! Let me go. You're hurting me." Lucius first tried to pull away but realized Sonya would take that as a bad sign so instead grabbed onto her fingers and tugged, trying to release some of the pressure without angering her. When they began to move he followed but with a sulking expression on his face. "I didn't mean the people inside... I just wanted to help the witnesses. Trauma..." He didn't say anything more even when they caught back up to Robin who immediately crushed him into a hug. It caused him to grunt but he returned it anyway.

His silence still prevailed but it was due to the fact he was listening to his surroundings. He wanted to pick up any information he could about this explosion. Wasn't curiosity just comical? But really, what had happened? What building was it? It couldn't just be a little shop, could it? Was it a bank? Was this a robbery? No, it wouldn't be, if they blew up the building they would damage the cash... unless it was in a vault. But why kill so many when you could go in there guns blazing and...

Lucius pulled away and paced, tapping the tips of his fingers together in his fit of anxiety. It just didn't make any sense to him how someone could hurt anyone else.. besides to protect people, that was.

Without bothering to explain anything, Sonya lead them over to a bench and had the both of them sit down. "Stay here. Don't move. I'll be right back." She said sharply, casting a stern look at the two before turning and sprinting back through the crowds, ignoring the irritated looks several sent her way as she shoved them aside in her rush to get to the front and see the damage. Finally, shoving her way to the edge of the circle, she stopped and stared at the small cater set into the ground, half of a store destroyed as well. Peering closer, she spotted a pair of legs sticking out from under a large big of rock and had to look away, a hand over her mouth.

She knew this place all too well. It was a book store, a small girl had gone inside just moments before caring a small box. That meant... Turning and looking through the crowds again, she finally spotted her, black hair, bright-gold eyes and a cold smile directed at a much younger girl. "Bloody hell..."

Robin sighed, rolling her eyes. Of course. When weren't the kids told to stay out of the way? Taking a seat on the bench, she stared blankly across the street at the wreckage. Hm. Something was familiar... Nah. The TARDIS wouldn't have let the Doctor drop her off here if it was a paradox right? Not unless she had to be here fore some reason. Spinning around, she slung her legs over the back of the bench and let herself dangle upside down, hands resting on her stomach. Oh yes, because that made this more interesting. She was tempted to just get up and wander over to the crowd, but Sonya was there. So there was no arguing that. "What's taking so long..." She muttered, 2 minutes not even have passed yet.

"So I'm not allowed to go but she is? That's not fair..." Lucius was pouting but he walked over and plopped heavily down on the bench anyway. Well, as heavily as a very light boy would plop. His arms were crossed over his chest and he wore a grave expression as he stared out at the billowing smoke. It was his hope that whoever caused the bombing would find help. Wouldn't you have to be sick in some way to do something so tragic? Had to be the reason..

He glanced at Robin, watching her with only faint amusement as she turned upside down and displayed her impatience both verbally and on her facial features. "Why'd she go over there?"

Turning tail, Sonya sprinted back to the two of them, she stopped in front of the bench they sat at, panting slightly as she stared at Robin with wide eyes. Shock apparent on her face as she struggled to find the right words to use to explain the situation to her that wouldn't make her fall into hysterics. Clearing her throat, she nodded back at the park. "Come on, get up, we have to get out of here, now. And I mean it. Get moving." She snapped, not really caring if she came off harsh or not, she needed Robin to get out of there and the last thing would be for Sonya herself to be caught up in this too.

"I said get up." She snapped again, reaching down and gripping their hands with hers, pulling them to their feet and pushing them along in front of her as she quickly made her way back to the park and began walking along one of the paths as quickly as she could without causing the two humans with her to trip over their own feet.

Robin's frown of irritation turned to worry as Sonya came sprinting up to them, eyes wide. What was going on? Oh. Alright then... But since when do they run from their problems? Spinning around so she could be right side up again, she shook her head, waiting a moment for the world to stop spinning too. Before she actually got a chance to get her bearings again, she was yanked up off the seat and pushed away down some path. Her feet scrambled to keep her balanced, but eventually they got it right. With that, she turned around and crossed her arms, keeping pace as she walked backwards. "Why? What are we running for, we never run! Well we always run, but not like this! What's going on?" If it was because she thought she couldn't handle the alien, she was going to explode on her. Seriously, she'd know better than to do this after knowing her, so that must have meant there was literally no choice but to leave, and she was going to find out why.

"Ow." Lucius hissed under his breath as his hand was snatched up in another crushing vice. This Sonya lady wasn't very gentle, or so it seemed. She was flustered and bothered and obviously in a great deal of stress. That didn't mean she had to take it out on his hand, did it? He also wondered if Robin's hand was aching as much as his.

He didn't say anything, didn't ask a single one of the multiple questions whizzing through his head. Why were they running? What was there that caused them to flee? Lucius felt frustrated and it caused him to huff rather loudly. It didn't matter what he said, thought, or felt because he got the impression the only thing that these two would care about is getting away, about running.

Without stopping or turning her head to look at Robin, Sonya let out a low, choked laugh at her question. "We're running, not from danger, but the possibility of the universe collapsing in on itself. Simple really, this is where I blew the shop up to get your attention a few years ago, remember that? Later that day, I collared you then branded you. So not a happy day for me, don't really care what either of you say. Robin, you and I can't be here, and I don't know about your little friend here but he's with you, so he gets to come along for the ride. Now come on!" She blurted out in a rush as she continued pulling them along. Pausing beside the road across from the park, she watched the near-stopped traffic before pulling them across into an alleyway where the TARDIS sat. "Into the box, yes, bigger on the inside, get going." She said sharply, pushing the two of them ahead of her as she turned to look over her shoulder with a nervous expression. It would only take one slip-up, one moment where either of their versions saw them, then the Reapers would come out and goodbye London. "Hurry."

Robin nearly stopped in her tracks, managing to trip herself instead. Regaining her footing, she stared wide eyed at the Time Lord. What?! This was WHEN?! No. This was not a day she wanted to relive anytime soon. Face left in its shocked position, she broke into a sprint, actually keeping up with Sonya for once. As soon as they reached the TARDIS, she practically threw herself inside, scrambling to cling to a rail and assure herself this was reality. "H-How?! The TARDIS shouldn't have let either of us here once, let alone twice!" Her eyes landed on Tyler, feeling a tiny bit bad that he had no idea what was going on. Probably. Whatever. She barely cared, though, her mind still racing, trying to push down memories of today as they resurfaced. This was not the time to dwell on that! Stop it, brain!

Lucius just kept running and running and if it wasn't for Sonya's grip on him he would have hesitated at the sight of that blue box. Robin and him was ushered inside as Sonya kept rushing. The hum seemed to instantly flit around him, reverberating in his bones and radiating in his head. "Where's the Doctor? Did you steal his ship...?" He was curious why this woman would have it, why she would even know how to fly it. Something was different about her and it wasn't just those odd yellow eyes.

"Never mind..." He said quietly, claiming his spot on the jumper seat as if he'd done it every day. The odd, magic box was comforting and Lucius couldn't even tell why. It was probably in his DNA or something. "Why're we running? What's going on? Not sure I understand... also I have to be back on main street by 4:00pm. I don't want anyone to worry about me... again."

"Look, the only thing I can think of why she would bring me here, is because there is something I can do. Anything that might help change things, but I know it's a fixed event, so what happened? Where was Mal during all of this?" Sonya demanded sharply, ignoring the young boy's comments for the moment, there were more important questions that needed to be answered before she attempted to focus on him. Turning her bright gold eyes onto Robin, Sonya raised an eyebrow as she leaned against the console. "Come on, answers. Where did Mal go after you went to my TARDIS? Maybe we can do something to help her, because that wasn't the only bomb I planted. There were several, the one was mostly for your attention, the others were..." She paused and grimaced as though sick before spitting out the last word in anger. "Fun."

Robin's eyes widened at this information. She could understand the reason behind planting the bombs - even if she didn't exactly like it - but what was she trying to say? 'What, did you plant one at Mal's house?! W-We gotta get there quick, I don't know how long it was before you took me there, but it wasn't that long.' She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before she did anything stupid because she was panicking. 'She went home. After I told her what was going on - sort of - she went home.' Biting her lip, she moved over and wrapped her arms around Tyler, half trying to apologize for their lack of answers right now, half trying to comfort herself. Seriously, out of all the days she could be forced to relive, did the universe have to pick this one? 'Alright, got any idea what we can actually do about anything?'

Lucius blinked a few times and seemed quite shocked his mother's name was thrown out there in the midst of the busied conversation. Did that mean this stranger knew his mother? He began to ponder what sort of relationship the two of them would have had but at the mention of a bomb he began to prickle. Was it bad, then? Wait.. there was something else about the way they were wording all of it that was making him very... "You're making it sound like that already happened... when did it? You can't mean now, my now, that is. If it was before me obviously Mal is fine other wise I woul-"

Back pedal, back pedalling, and soon Lucius stopped completely, instead just staring at Robin with wide eyes. He suddenly wanted to become very small or perhaps just disappear forever, never having been a part of this particular event in the first place. He chose to remain silent, to not say a single word so he could listen and work things out from the information these two were spewing back and forth to one another. Robin was hugging him and he simply let her, neither rejecting the gesture or giving into it. He was a spectator now, that's all. He would stand, he would listen, he would calculate. What the heck was going on?

"Look! I was crazy alright! I had that... That thing in my head and I couldn't control half of what happened during that time." Sonya snapped, her frustration reaching it's peak as she spun to glare at the two with her, already angry at herself for all of this, she chose to lash out at the only two people that could help her now. "While you were busy trying to attack Mal, I slipped out, planted a device then hid back inside of the TARDIS. It wasn't a bomb, it was a gamma wave device. It would send out several shock waves of gamma radiation and scramble her mind to the point of her being a vegetable in case you didn't manage to succeed."

Wincing at her choice in wording, Sonya continued on, forcing back her mental self-hate for the moment to focus on the problem at hand. "We need to get rid of that thing. That is the only reason I can think of the TARDIS bringing me here."

Robin had to refrain from yelling at the Time Lord, knowing in far too much detail what her mental state was back then. But with Tyler right here, was it really the time to shout this kind of thing? Sighing, she looked down at the poor boy, trying to think of some way to assure him that Mal was their friend, but at the moment, she couldn't. Even she had tried to hurt the woman sometime today, and in no way was she okay with that. 'Okay then, let's go. The sooner we're done with this, the sooner we can leave.' Patting Tyler's shoulder, she let him out of the hug to react however he wanted to, since she assumed it wasn't easy listening to all of this. If only he knew how bad things would actually get, later... 

Shaking her head, she sat down on the floor and crossed her legs, cradling her face in her hands. If someone had told her she was going to come back to this, she'd never believe them. Heck, she barely believed this was actually happening right now. Then again, Sonya must have figured it didn't happen, that they stopped the device, right? How else was Tyler born? He was still in the womb, barely developed, that thing would have probably fried him if it went off, so that meant it didn't, right? She'd point that out, except it probably wouldn't do anything but continue to freak the poor boy out.