[001]

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . Oh, this. This. Is. Gorgeous.

No, really, I mean it. I've seen a lot of things -- more things that you'd think I ever would, given my youthful and altogether handsome appearance, -- but this place. Brilliant! So flash! So shiny! Well, they're stars, how could they not be shiny? Although, strictly speaking, stars are more luminous than shiny. But you can't use luminous in an interjection. Too many syllables. Can't be spouting off exclamations of surprise if it takes more than a second. Wouldn't really be surprised, then -- it'd sound too premeditated to be genuine.

So! The shop's the gateway, yeah? Never seen it before today, and I'd figured I'd gotten used to this version of London by now. Still, always did like a little shop, but it feels a bit wrong that it'd be used for sinister purposes like this -- after all, I can't really see this as being positive, the whole kidnapping and displacing thing. I guess you really can't ever trust a salesman. Or a saleswoman. Or a salestwin, as the case might be.

But right, anyway! Sinister little shop leading to a mysterious planetarium taken to an extreme scale? I might be new to this universe, still, but I'm reasonably sure this wouldn't be considered normal.

Now, who wants to offer an explanation before I call for back-up? And you might want to be quick about it -- I like calling for back-up.

Comments

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

Actually, there are three now, I think. Plus your Fifth, and the one in the leather....

What am I doing here? Taking a break from work. No clue what you're doing here, though.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . What, d'you mean five of me? That can't be right.

-- I was sort of doing field work. Ran in here to avoid being seen.

Well, I say "here," I really mean a little shop that, for some reason or another, I didn't really imagine would act as a spacio-temporal link to-- whever this is.

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

It is, though. Just a bit overwhelming, too, sometimes, all things considering.

Field work? Who are you working for, then?

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Well, if there's five of me, like you said, then I can imagine where things could get complicated.

. . . You're joshin', right?

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

Just a bit, yeah.

...er, no. And of all the things I've heard come out of your mouth before, that isn't one of them.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

[Humany-Time Lord sense tingling--]

. . . Rose, when's the last time you saw me, back home?

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

...home? You mean my old flat, with mum? That was ages ago, before, well....

--or you're an alternate you. [Headtilt, now in curious!Rose mode] Always possible.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . You really don't know me, do you?

-- What were you doing back at Pete's World, then?

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

Maybe not this version? [Sigh] It's confusing enough with the regeneration thing, but now there's multiple you yous, and it's all gone to pants.

Er, work? Torchwood? Counting down the days until I can get back to doing field work, anyway.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

[. . . well this seems awkward.]

. . . Right, no, doesn't seem much like you're my Rose, then.

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

[Sighs and sits]

You sure? It's all a little confusing.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Well, you could be, but you don't remember me, in which case I can only assume you're not.

See?

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

Makes sense, yeah.

Did you say you're in parallel London with me, though?

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I am. Working with Torchwood. Like you. Sort of.

. . . Only I'm not usually doing all that paperwork.

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

Sounds just like something you'd do, too.

...I've taken to hiding from the paperwork. Then again, that just makes the stack bigger.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Oh, procrastination is a terrible habit, Rose Tyler. Should never pick that up.

Or, well, should put it off. No pun intended.

-- No, it sort of was intended.

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

[Snrks in that "oh, Doctor" way] Good one, Doctor.

It's not really procrastination, is it, if I have a lot of better things to do, like stop alien invasions?

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . No, I suppose it isn't.

'S my excuse, at least, if it helps at all.

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

If it works, it works!

Losing it is always a good one, too.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Nah, doesn't work. They just print you out a new copy. No concern for trees, you lot.

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

That's why I don't try the losing thing too often.

My favorite, though, is running out on meetings because I have invasions to stop. I hate meetings.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

-- Haven't been to a staff meeting yet. Probably with good reason. Don't want to offend the board, after all, do I? Not unless it's important.

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

Oh, well, if you're working with me, I'm definitely keeping you out of there for a reason.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Afraid I'll win them over with my good looks and effervescent charm?

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

Exactly. For the most part.