04 - Getting to know you

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[The chaos of the lost languages behind them, it is time to know this place better. There are too many people, possibilities for something like uncertainty. People with their own words are far more likely to be themselves with them, in whatever form that might take. Reinette needs to watch. To see and to know.

It is time she took full stock of this place people called the Astral Plane.

A settee arrives with her, on which Reinette reclines. On a small table nearby there are two glasses, and a fine bottle of bordeaux.

This might take some time.]

Comments

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Of course, my lady. I'm never without motive. Even if that motivation is simply a few hours of pleasure. As for wine, alcohol does very little for a Time Lord. I do enjoy the taste of a good wine, however.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Yes, I recall as much.

The Doctor made a great show of drinking the night of the Yew Tree Ball, and pretending to be intoxicated in turn. Because he believed it was what was expected of him, I suppose. What he did not realize was it was Lent, and the wine might as well be water.

He confessed then that alcohol had little impact.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[he lets out a short laugh - not a snort of laughter, that would be rude in the company, but in the presence of different people it may have been as much]

That is... typical of this regeneration.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[merely sips her own wine in response, observing him from over the rim]

Typical?

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[a smile]

I imagine you've conversed with the three of them enough to understand, my lady.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Only two thus far. I suppose I should not be surprised to hear there is a third. Not considering where we are.

Typical is not a word I usually associate with him. And yet from your tone, it seems you think it quite often.

[thoughtful]

Truthfully I have spoken to you and your -- [how was it said?] -- other self with more frequency.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

It's more 'two and a half.' Two are the Doctor in full, and the third is part Doctor, part Donna Noble.

I'm very used to him, I'm afraid.

[and here his smile is less sly, and more openly boyish] Good! We're much better company.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Donna I have met. Though the two together in my mind...

[there is a picture, laughter, and another sip of wine]

I will not deny you have proven to be enjoyable company, despite warnings to the contrary.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Sadly not that entertaining. A bit annoying, really. Which is odd, because rather like Miss Noble.

[he takes his first drink of the wine, letting it rest on his tongue a moment before swallowing]

The rumours aren't true. Actually, they might be. Depends on the rumours. Let's say they're possibly partially true, but of course coloured by those warning you off me.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I like her as well. I found myself savoring her frankness.

[again, she watches him, noting that he savors the wine]

Possibly, partially true. I could borrow that phrase to describe almost anything, I think.

True or not, I have always been one to form my own opinions. How could I not be, considering my own reputation?

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

You oughtn't let their words disturb you. They don't mean anything. The people and the words.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Do I seem disturbed?

]another sip of her wine, slowly]

I would not say they are meaningless however. Just one reason being because we are discussing them now.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

You don't seem unaffected.

Do you never discuss meaningless things?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I will not deny that I am -- curious.

On occasion, I suppose I indulge in the meaningless. But even that is the trivial play, or a misstep in fashion. And even then, it is because it falls under the dictates of polite, courtly conversation.

[the word polite is obviously not a compliment]

Are we being polite?

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Well I wouldn't want to be rude, but I'm not sure I fancy the alternative.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Shall we settle on reality then? Something decidedly in between?

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

A synthesis. Good! I always like those.

[a sip from his wine]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[accord of this sort suits her]

What else do you like?

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Fine wine, dancing, Jelly Babies, scones, blowing things up, Bollywood, The Clangers, you know. Variety is the spice of life.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I know three of those through personal experience, one through general assumptions and for the rest? I confess to being somewhat lost.

[but it does not seem to bother her -- for the moment]

I enjoy fine wine, dancing, strong coffee, the stage and driving.

Oh yes. And monkeys.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Monkeys?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[is visibly pleased to have reduced him to a lone word]

Monkeys.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[when the shock slips from his face, it's replaced by 'demure']

No wonder you like the Doctor.

[and a sip from his wine to punctuate]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she in no way chokes on the wine she is currently sipping]

[only she does]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[he grins, because he may or may not be proud of this]