[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

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

And are you speaking from experience, then?

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Oi! It's only been a few weeks.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[laughs softly] Of course, Doctor. Forgive me; that was uncalled for.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . Nah, 's my fault, I think. Didn't mean to get shirty on you.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[pets his cheek] You are forgiven, of course. You are always forgiven.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

[Grinning.] Oh, you say that now. Wait till a version of me is running about, drawing on the walls with markers.

-- Not that I'm planning on it, mind.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Good. If you did, I would not be responsible for having every hallway lead to the garbage disposal area. Nor would I be responsible if, at such a time, the mechanism to dispose of all waste happened to 'malfunction.'

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . Well, that seems a fair enough punishment. I certainly feel sorry for the bloke that ever attempts it, in that case.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

As do I, Doctor. I've dallied with the idea of just tossing offenders out the air lock, but your other selves have made it abundantly clear they would disapprove of such an action, so I will refrain from hoisting my annoyances into deep space. For you, of course.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Yeah, don't-- don't do that. It'd be a bit harsh, don't you think?

. . . Or, er, I guess you don't, considering you just suggested it. Well, maybe it depends on the circumstances.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

I have swallowed the Master whole into the Eye of Harmony, Doctor. Tossing an unwanted companion into deep space is not so much different. I am certain this incarnation of yours will have companions whom I will dislike. It's only natural, after all.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah, but the Master's a bit like a cockroach, anyway. Can't keep the bloke down. 'Sides, I haven't had many companions since--

Well. I just haven't had many companions recently. And I won't. Not me-me, anyway. Who knows about the other-me.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

No companions? How very strange for you. Though I should like that -- but wait, what do you mean? You always have companions I dislike.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

I'm not with you, where I am. That is, this me, me-me, isn't with you, but someone else is, who's also me.

If that makes sense, which, on second thought, it probably doesn't. Although whether or not you dislike the ones I've already had before, you've been pretty mum about it.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Not ... with me? Then another TARDIS? You have found another in your time? And the other Doctor, the other Ten, he is with me? [furrows her brow] And I have made it clear on several occasions. It is not my fault you never listen.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

I haven't got a TARDIS where I am, but my other self, he's still with you. Slow path, that's where I am right now. Not that it's a bad thing, but, well, you know. No planet hopping for me.

. . . Really? Well, I appreciate you not chucking them out of the airlock, even if you're not their biggest fans.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[looks absolutely horrified, then takes his hands in hers, squeezing gently] I am sorry, Doctor. I can think of no life more terrible than one where I could not move, could not travel. Where there was no freedom. I would that I could save you from it.

[ducks her head] Yes, well ... I did try once, admittedly. But it was only Charlotte so I hardly see any reason to apologise for that.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

[Squeezing back, and finding this sort of strange, but still brilliant, so he'll be giving her a soft sort of smile.] Oh, it's not so bad, really. I'm doing some good where I am, I think. It's doing some good for me, too. Puts things in perspective, you see.

[he frowns at that last part] . . . Ah. I see. You-- d'you really think she was so bad?

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

There is a perspective beyond that of travelling the universe? Beyond the infinite?

[shifts a little uncomfortably] She doted on you, hung off you, and insulted me regularly. She was also horribly untidy and left her clothing strewn about my rooms. She had no business being so familiar with you.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

There's always the domestic approach, yeah!

[Ah, well, isn't this awkward?] Well, that-- seems like reason enough. And the me that's with you hasn't caught on just yet, has he?

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

How horribly dull.

[she's very good at making situations so] Your Eighth? Most certainly not. But then again, he never does -- you never do, I should say. It's any wonder you can function at all sometimes. [there is a certain amount of fondness in her voice! somewhere]

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . Only a bit. But don't tell anyone I said that, yeah?

[Grinning at her, despite the jibe.] Oh, you know me, bit thick at times -- and yet I'm still able to be absolutely brilliant and inspired. It helps that I've got someone looking out for me, eh?

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Mmm, no, I promise not to.

Only a bit? [pets his cheek] I suppose I cannot argue that, no. And you do. You always will, so long as I am with you. [musing] I wonder if you could take a part of me back to your reality...

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

I've got other people looking out for me, now, and I'm doing a fair bit of guarding myself. Can't say it'll ever be the same as when I was with you, though.

[trying to mask his curiosity] . . . But what are you thinking, hn?

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Protecting others or not, it seems ... sad ... that you are without me. [takes his hand in hers again] Perhaps if I were to give you a piece of me, it could still exist within your reality and you could grow a new me in which to travel.