Advice
"Out of the way," Missy said, pushing Romana away from the console.
"Where are we going?" Romana said, watching Missy enter coordinates into the console.
"To talk to someone about your pet's problem," Missy said. She threw a couple switches and pushed a red button hard.
"My problem?" Joyce said, puzzled, feeling the TARDIS move.
"Those kids in Riverton and their monster problem," Missy said. "You want to help them, don't you?"
"Yes," Joyce said. "We are helping them."
"You are in need of information if you don't want those monsters to make you a permanent resident of that cemetery," Missy said. "The last time I was in London in this era I ran into someone who should be able to help. Him and his scruffy young friends seem to be aware of monsters. They also practice, though badly, that psychic manipulation humans like to call magic."
"So you're taking us to London to talk with a couple of so called magicians?" Joyce said. "I'll be right back."
"Was it something I said?" Missy said, smirking.
"She's gone to change into something more appropriate for a meeting," Romana said. "Right, K-9?"
"Yes, Mistress," K-9 said.
"Won't matter," Missy said. "They won't notice her. They spend their time playing with magic and experimenting with local mind altering drugs."
"Is that how you met them?" Romana said. "Looking for those drugs?"
"I was curious to see if there was a local source for one of the off planet drugs I find useful," Missy said, humming. "No, not for myself. It has curious effects on certain physiologies."
"You aren't drugging Joyce, or anyone else traveling in the TARDIS," Romana said. "That is not acceptable."
"You say that now," Missy said, smirking. "But whatever you say."
"I do," Romana said. "We are not lab subjects for you to experiment on."
"All set," Joyce said, rushing back into the console room.
"Not seeing any difference, pet," Missy said.
"You wouldn't," Joyce said, sticking out her tongue. "Needed sturdier boots and something warmer if we're going to be out running around London."
"I'll be right back," Missy said, heading for the outer doors.
"Why can't we come with you?" Joyce said. "Do you really have a source?"
"They won't be here," Missy said, waving at the fog covered street visible through the console room view screen. "Too early in the day. I'll find out where they are now and we'll go there." She disappeared into the fog.
"Why didn't we just come at the right time?" Joyce asked. "Idris never gets us lost."
"I'm sure she had a reason," Romana said. She looked at the console. "We appear to have moved backward several years from Riverton."
"Keeping secrets again?" Joyce said.
"Affirmative. The Master does not divulge secrets, Miss," K-9 said.
Missy came strolling in at that point. "All set," she said. "Meeting arranged."
"Where are we going?" Joyce asked, watching Missy at the console again. "I'm surprised Idris is allowing that."
"She must have reasons," Romana said. "This must be a pivotal point."
"Your TARDIS and I have an understanding," Missy said. She pushed a button, the TARDIS moved briefly, and then she waved at the view screen. "We're here. Now wasn't that fun?"
"Looks like Stonehenge," Joyce said. "Except not as much grass or moss."
"We were last here several hundred years ago," Romana said. "I'm sure someone mows the grass more often now."
"Come along," Missy said. "While they're still mostly sober."
"That doesn't sounds like they'd be helpful," Joyce said.
There were three people huddled against one of the flattened saracen stones sleeping, and two sitting on it.
"Interesting transport," one of them said, looking at the TARDIS. "Gonna show us around luv?"
"No," Romana said.
"Cheeky," the other mumbled.
"You seem to be missing someone, Ethan," Missy said, addressing the first one to speak.
"Randall's run off," Ethan said dismissively. "You wanted some information, so ask. We have places to be."
"We have sod all to do," the other man said.
"Speak for yourself mate," Ethan said. "Ripper is a bit delicate," he said in a loud whisper.
"I'll show you delicate," Ripper said, pushing him off the stone and onto the others briefly, waking them up.
"Get up, Phil, Thomas," the one woman said, kicking the others. "While these two get their jollies talking to the fancy birds, you are getting me breakfast."
"Lay off, Diedre," one of them said. He struggled to his feet, and ignoring Joyce, Missy, and Romana, stumbled off into the fog. The other two followed him.
"Do you have it?" Ethan said.
Missy took a small packet out of a pocket. "Here you are," she said, handing it to him. "Now talk."
"You gave him drugs?" Joyce said, aghast.
"An innocent one, isn't she," Ripper said. "Don't see one of the fae around very often anymore."
"I'm not fae, whatever that is," Joyce said, folding her arms across her chest.
"Fae ears," Ripper said, ripping her hat off her head. "You'd fetch a pretty penny in some markets."
Joyce nervously stepped behind Romana. "Not for sale," Joyce said.
"None of that Ripper," Ethan said. "The Lady has some questions."
"The Pet is off limits," Missy said. "What do you know about large creatures with many arms, who turn into puddles of plasma if you behead them."
"Not much of a description," Ethan said.
"What color, and how many arms," Ripper said, suddenly serious, straightening up.
"Six arms, one eye, with a jewel above it. And I think she said it was blueish green," Joyce said. "And it smelled like pepper."
"Possibly a Tels'ch. This she was lucky," Ripper said. "They travel in packs of seven, and like human hearts. Even Slayers try to avoid them."
"A slayer?" Joyce said. "What's that?"
"A royal pain," Ethan said. "Works for the Watcher's Council. Hunts monsters, and dies young."
"The current Slayer was in New York City," Ripper said. "Last I heard."
"Think they would help us with these things?" Joyce asked. "They've already killed a couple people and there are still five left, if you're right about seven."
"Someone killed two of them?" Ripper said. "Impressive."
"She's really strong," Joyce said. "But about my height."
"Can't be a slayer," Rupert said. "Only one at a time."
"And you don't believe that twaddle," Ethan said, poking him. "They just want us to think there's only one out there."
"Where can we find information on this slayer?" Romana said. "And how do we tell if this person is one."
"Won't be," Ripper said. He laid back down, and closed his eyes seemingly ignoring the rest of their conversation.
"The old bastards who control the slayer are the only ones who know how to tell," Ethan said. "But I wouldn't go near them. None of you are really human, are you, and they kill first, write books after."
"So, people to avoid," Missy said. "Helpful to know."
"If you know where to look, there are other sources of information," Ethan said. "Bring me more of this and I'll see what I can do." He held up the packet she'd just given him.
"Always a pleasure doing business with you, Ethan," Missy said.
Ripper sat back up, shielding his eyes against the rising sun. "It's always a girl. They have dreams that tell them things. Visions. And they are really strong, and heal faster than normal."
"Anything else to watch out for?" Romana said, taking advantage of his sudden input.
"Demons like that Tels'ch, and especially vampires, know when a slayer is around. Whoever this is, especially if she is a lost slayer, will need training," Ripper said. "I'm not offering," he added. "Fastest way to get killed by a demon is to work with a slayer."
"I'll be back," Missy said.
"Drop a note at the usual place," Ethan said. He pulled Ripper off of the rock and grabbed his jacket. "Come on mate, this is the good stuff."
They watched the two men stumble away in the same direction as the others had gone earlier.
"Do you think Daphne is one of these slayers?" Joyce said.
"If they're real, possibly," Romana said. "Every pest has some kind of predator. And these Tels'ch seem like large pests. We'll have to find a library with information on slayers and these demons."
"I think I'll hang out here for a while," Missy said, pulling out a small bottle of clear fluid. "I'll be back in a bit." She waved her arm, revealing her vortex manipulator.
Romana sighed, but nodded. "Let's get back to Riverton," she said to Joyce, giving Missy one last look before turning and heading towards the TARDIS.
"Do you think these are biblical demons or aliens?" Joyce asked, her voice trailing away as she stepped into the TARDIS behind her.
Missy watched the TARDIS disappear before taking a sip from her bottle. "Ignorance of reality can be fatal," she said to herself. "Too many plans need that one to survive this."