Bump On The Head

[River Song]

River groaned. Her head hurt and her butt was sore. She opened her eyes only to find that it was just as dark as when they were closed. Had night fallen? She wasn't sure. Last thing she remembered was a temple and a cold chill. River blinked several times and felt around for her torch. She was sure it was somewhere. Her fingers grazed the handle and grabbed hold of it. It no longer worked, why she didn't know. River had only just replaced the batteries.

Shivering, River stood. Her entire body ached and her head throbbed. She wasn't sure what she was going to do. She had no idea which way was out and was afraid to touch anything. River was normally very brave on the expoditions, but in such an old temple, and with the disturbing chill, she didn't want to take anymore chances, or fall again. That would hurt.

River slowly walked in the darkness, her arms were outstretched in front of her and to her sides. She slid her feet across the stone floor. After several minutes she found the door, door that she couldn't remember having had to open to get into the cavernous room. She pushed on it but it didn't budge. She pushed again. Nothing. After several pushes and fails, River put her entire body into it and rammed the door with her side. She groad in pain in her shoulder that made contact with the heavy door.

She had to blink several times from the light that peered in after the door. Her eyes took a while to adjust but soon the light haze cleared and she could see again. River's eyes were wide in amazement and intrigue, but she didn't understand it. That was not the India she was in moments before entering the temple, rather, there was no other rooms to the temple she had enetered into. River stood on the edge looking out over a flat stone walkway. She didn't understand it, but she was sure she hadn't hit her head hard enough to be halucinating time-travel.

[River Song]

River shook her head. It was her small attempt at clearing her head of the thought of time travel. But when she looked around and spotted the few monks walking around in their robes, and flowering trees around the stone walkway, she couldn't clear the idea away. What the bloody hell happened? Her mind raced around trying to make sense of the strangeness of it all. One minute she is in 51st century India, now she was... India yes, but when? Definitely not 51st century.

River walked out of the temple. The monks took no notice of her, but a small boy did. He wore the same red robes that the monks wore, only in miniature. He didn't say anything, just smiled and went back about his business. Based on the clothing; color, style, material. And the lack of overgrowth and plant life. Plus the lack of air filtration towers and solar power lights. Even the gross smell. Her mind ran through what she knew of India and the era's she had learned about. I'd say I'm somewhere before the 24th century, at least. But after the 20th. Hmm

The young student watched in fascination as the monks and boys went about their prayers, in and out of the temple as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. None of them spoke to her. None of them even blinked in her direction. River got the feeling that temporal disterbances weren't out of the ordinary for them and their temple. As though random out-of-time university students just popped up all the time in their "futuristic" archeology gear; which included a mini electron scope, a lasor flash torch (now broken), sonar whistle (incase of cave in), and hermal coated water bottle (full of coffee rather then water).

River shivered looking back at the temple. She knew she needed to get back to her time, but she didn't know if it was a one way door or not. She knew she should do the responsible things and check, but her deep desire to explore this nearly unknown time was too great for her to overcome. River gave a mischeivious grin towards the temple. She looked back down the pathway and headed away from the temple, excited to see where things landed her. She just had to remember which temple was the one she came through once she decided to return.

[Uriah Beckford]

Uriah Beckford was running late and he hated running late. His hurried up the walkway to the temple positive he'd missed it again. The monks paid him no heed and he flushed guiltily under their lack of suspicion. As he hurried past the men of all ages in a dazzling array of brightly colored robes he noticed a new face among the monks. It was a woman; she appeared to be in her early twenties and she was certainly not a native. Riah waved and stepped forward into her path with a friendly grin.

"Hello, I'm Doctor Uriah Beckford, welcome to India!"

[River Song]

River wrinkled her nose at the acrid air. She wasn't use to smell of polution. She had read about it from her books, but never experienced it. Until now at least. There was a soft under-toe to the air though. It was soft, like jasmine or lavandar. And maybe a hint of sandlewood from the temples, but she wasn't sure. River walked on, watching the monks around her. She was started when a man walked in front of her and greeted her so plannely.

"Er. 'Ello."

He looked a bit older then herself, but not by much, not even ten years she was sure. Scruffy looking and unkempt came to mind. Kind of like that man she kept seeing on her expiditions, though this man wasn't nearly as tall or thin, nor did he carry that whistling metal toy.

River smiled politely. She didn't know what to make of this, nor what exactly she should do. She had a her theories on time and how it worked, but she wasn't exact on it. River bit her tongue as she shifted her weight from foot to foot. She figured she would just have to wing it and hope she does't change to much, if anything.

"India did you say? Yes I see that. When--where exactly in India might I ask?"

[Uriah Beckford]

"I did say India. You alright? Hit your head or something? I'm not that kind of doctor but perhaps I could help." Uriah looked at the young woman worriedly.

All around the pair monks bustled busy as bees and the warm wind carried a spicy undertone that made Riah's stomach rumble rudely. He searched the crowd for help but saw only monks and the odd tourist.

"Right then, come with me. This is Akshardham in Delhi, of course, all twelve million of them, hence the tourists, and me, but I'm here for research. Mind telling me why it is you're here?"

He was certain he sounded rude, although it was the furthest thing from his mind. He was just curious as to the circumstances he was getting himself involved in.

[River Song]

River eyed the man carefully. She had to make sure she didn't say the wrong thing, but she didn't want to bring on any more suspicion then was already in place. She shifted her feet again and crossed her arms loosely over her chest.

"I did actually, bump my head. But not bad. Thanks for asking."

She looked back at the temples, teaming with life. The monks busied themselves about the stone walkways and temples. A few look as though they were preparing for a ritual or public ceremony. River couldn't be sure on which.

"Akshardham? Really? I've read so much about this place, never thought I'd actually get to see it in this day and age."

River was careful as to how she answered his last question. Her mind ran through various possibilities and proper answers, ones that didn't lead on to anything bizarre, like time-traveling, if that was infact what had happened to her.

"Research. Just research as well. On a personal level."