009

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[a woman appears, more openly disheveled than she would ever prefer. She is wrapped up in a floor length dressing gown, warmth against the cooler weather. Her feet are actually bare and her hair is down. Almost as if the process of placing it up has been interrupted. With cheeks flushed and breath quick, she is not particularly, entirely presentable. At least to her mind.

And she might have running]

The attacks have been escalating. It is not uncommon for them to be where the Doctor is not. After all, they were there first, a part of my childhood even before the Angel was. A shadowed figure reaching across the bed, dreams that felt far more real than they should be. But never have they come so fast, and with such frequency. It now seems as if they are there, behind every door, mirror and tapestry.

What has changed?

[she appears decidedly irritated]

Those are my thoughts, if you do not mind. Thoughts I have no desire to share.

Comments

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Approaches, alarmed at her appearance as well as her words]

Reinette?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[immediately gathers herself and turns to the voice]

It occurs to me I did not ask what you would prefer I call you.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Quickly, not really caring about his name at the moment.] I don't know. Whatever you like.

[More focused now, studying Reinette with concern] What happened to you?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[considers this]

It is your name. It should be of some importance.

And nothing happened to me. That is most certainly the point.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Not letting her off that easy.]

Well, not at the moment.

I think the point is something did happen. You look [He pauses not sure how to finish the sentence. Annoyed? Disheveled? Somewhat panicked?] like something happened.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[approaches her quietly, but quickly]

Trouble?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[they have always spoken plainly]

Nothing I have not managed before.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

If that is your way of suggesting I do not look presentable?

[there is a breath]

You are forgiven.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Concerned, he brushes aside the conversational pleasantries.]

What happened?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[it is becoming more and more apparent he will not be dissuaded]

The presence of the Clockwork Men have merely escalated. They were waiting for me in my bedroom when I finished my bath. In any case, it is nothing I cannot handle.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Concern is now at very high]

They were what? [Cannot recall an escalation in the clockwork men happening this early before] Did they say anything?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[tightens the best of her robe, chin lifting]

They were in my bedroom. And I really did not leave them with an opportunity to speak. It is nothing I have not dealt with before.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Oh. Really?

[Feeling very guilty about all the times the Doctor wasn't there to chase the monsters away. What makes the guilt even worse is that He never even knew.]

I'm sorry.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she sighs, for this was not her intent, then takes a step closer for reassurance]


You cannot be there every moment, and you cannot be asked to fight all of my battles. Nor would I wish you too.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[He stays rooted where he is, studying her appearance. He's never seen her look this askew. Not merely her outward appearance, but her demeanor as well.]

How often are you seeing them now?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she is aware of his study, but refuses to acknowledge it]

Once a week now, if not more. Today they came twice.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I don't think that's right. They shouldn't be coming that often. Maybe once every few months, checking to see if you're ready. But not daily visits.

[He tries to make sense of what's happening. Maybe there were visits the Doctor didn't know about, but surely He would've noticed them appearing daily in Reinette's timeline.]

When did this escalation start?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

There is nothing right about them. They are as artificial to my world as you were. But if regretting one means denying the other I find I cannot.

[she is already thinking of returning home, and righting her appearance]

The appearances have become more frequent in the last month.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[He offers a melancholy as he moves a little closer]

Has anything out of the ordinary happened recently?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Other than this place?

Nothing no more extraordinary than the life you already know of.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[slight nod] The clockwork men?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Looks around their surroundings.]

Ridiculous question, considering.

How long have you been coming here?