It was Owen who had nicknamed their new base the Station. It suited, really, the underground tunnels once a part of Darrow's planned train line but long since abandoned and forgotten about. Roomier than the basement beneath the shop, it was also more isolated, which was a relief to Tosh. No more worrying that if something went wrong they'd blow up half of the city. Of course, that was unlikely here, less so than in Cardiff what with the rift manipulator they'd had at the Hub. It didn't mean Tosh didn't think about it, or plan for it, just like she planned for everything.

Today Owen's said something about running some tests, and it's piqued her curiosity. She's distracted from the police reports she should be reviewing, following him to see if she can help, even if it's likely annoying to him. "What is that?"

She’s not in sight of Owen and Jack when the air raid siren goes off. It’s a familiar sound now, they’ve heard it each night and always decided to stay in the house that they’ve taken over. It’s not safe but there’s less of a chance of being caught out if they don’t spend time in large groups. Especially for Tosh, who recognises the sound from another time in her life as well, that time Jack and she found themselves in wartime Cardiff.

The similarities have been bothering her ever since their arrival. She’s taken to wearing scarves to hide her hair in the hope no one will look too closely at her face. At least Japan hasn’t officially joined the war yet, she has that relief, but there’s not a lot of goodwill about toward people of her race.

It’s early for the sirens to start, she thinks, pulling her notebook close to her chest and trying to head back toward their house. That isn’t the way the crowd is heading, though, and soon enough she’s swept up on the way to an air raid shelter. Down the dozens and dozens of steps to tunnels of the London Underground, Tosh is trapped exactly where she doesn’t want to be.

Things seem fine at first. It’s not the first time a lone person has found themselves out of their neighbourhood and in an unusual shelter. Tosh tries to keep to herself, tries to see if Jack or Owen are here as well, if being out at the market meant they’ve all been swept down here. It’s exactly that behaviour that raises the hackles of some of the women in the shelter. Busybodies, Tosh would call them another time, but today they have the bored and agitated masses at their disposal. It’s not long before they’ve made a wall of people she can’t pass, surrounding her and calling her every epithet they can think of.

“It’s not like that. I’m from London too.” It’s not a lie, she is from London. She wants to mention her grandfather at Bletchley Park but she can’t do that and even if she did they wouldn’t know it. That’s the point of a secret facility. “I’m not a spy, I’m from London.”

She flinches when a woman hefts an empty bottle as if to throw it, wondering how it’s all come down to this and if perhaps down the tracks is her best method of escape.

The time since Jack arrived has been a mess, not only because of him, but due to Darrow being it's usual strange self. The influx of semi-robotic toys that had started to cause low levels of mischief had her curious and working long hours. There hasn't been anything she can find other than some odd coincidences and strange moments surrounding the furbies, and after nearly a week Tosh decides it was time for a night off.

A proper night off, but not at a bar surrounded by people she barely knows, dancing to music she doesn't particularly like. Instead she's asked Owen over, promising beer, pizza and whatever movie he wants to bring. Not exactly posh, and not exactly a date either, but hopefully a good night with just the two of them.

She's in jeans and a fitted tee, puttering around her kitchen with a glass of red to start her night. Bowie is on and it makes her smile, thinking back to New Years. Who knows, maybe if things go well they might end up in bed together again. That would definitely make it a very good night.

"What do you mean you can't pick her up?" Tosh sighs as the woman from Take a Paws explains that one of their handlers is sick that day, and there's no one available to do puppy care. "Of course. No, of course I understand. It happens. But if someone comes in later?"

She says it hopefully, knowing that Mitsuki might be happy and asleep at her feet right now, but that it won't last for long. Once Owen comes in and sees the six month old Akita there, she's sure he'll object. But there's nothing to be done, she agrees as she hangs up the phone. It's her dog and she has to deal with it.

"Please don't come in today," she says to herself, under her breath as she starts matching up all the names of those who've returned from this other Darrow. "Let something go my way."

You've reached Toshiko Sato. Leave a message and I'll return it when I am able.