realityshifted | Turning and Returning

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doctor who (d1) reinette

Turning and Returning

[There is a table.

Wood where there would be satin, tea where there would be coffee.

Strangers over enemies and clothes she does not recognize.

Life, where there should be --

Reinette takes all this in stride because, ultimately, it is what she does. After visitors in fireplaces and Clockwork Men there is little left to phase her. Just what this is, she will eventually discover? And until she does? There is little to be gained by a lack of control.

One palm presses flat against her stomach, to the whisper of a scar. A scar that is just as healed as the ones that criss-cross her wrists. Yet to Reinette is new and unexplored. Now draped in a loose fitting gown of midnight blue silk it is both the unknown, and the undeniable. A robe is placed across her shoulders, even though she is oddly warm.

She finds herself on the Plane, questions her companion.]

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Fifteen days.

[she looks at him for a moment, concerned, before continuing to process the information]

I can only hope that the precedent set before has managed to hold, and that time remained still in France. I will have to return home soon, and see.

[stares at his shoes for a second, before looking back up at Reinette]

Right. Of course. Back home. Nothing to worry about. You'll go back and it will be like it never even happened, I'm sure. [pauses] Be careful.

[she is slightly disturbed when he breaks eye contact, and it is visible in her features]

Eventually, I must return home. I cannot stay here.

I know that!

[notices her expression]

Don't look at me like that. I - [pauses] I'm allowed to be worried. Just promise me you'll be careful. If they start coming like that again, tell someone. The Proper Doctor, Louis, I don't care. You can't just -

[looks around, and back at Reinette, needing to change the subject.]

So, what are you planning on doing when you get back?

[one corner of her mouth tilts higher than the other for the briefest of seconds]

I cannot look at you now? This might prove problematic if we are to meet again.

[her expression grows more serious]

I cannot flee my life at every moment danger presents itself. The Doctor is not always there. Louis has a country to see to.

[he has touched something, irritation at her own inability to successfully managed her own life -- he has seen her at her weakest, in a moment of failure and Reinette is only now realizing how this upsets her]

Truthfully? If no time has passed?

I must immediately see to it that any remaining blood is dealt with before Louis might see it.

[he rolls his eyes, although he might have the tiniest of smiles for a split second]

You know what I meant.

[His eyes travel down for a moment, before settling back on Reinette.]

I'm not asking you to do that. Just don't be too stubborn to ask for help when you need it. No one can handle everything on their own, even you.

[sharp inhale]

Right. Obviously. Can't have anyone see something like that.

[she enjoys that, those rare flashes of himself -- when he is not concerned with the being or not being and simply is -- who she is demands that she not address his comments to the effect of her seeking help]

You witnessed it.

[her blood]

You are someone.

[He wants to smile at what she says. Wants to enjoy that he could be someone, but his concern over her pushes that urge aside]

I did. And there was nothing I could do about it. There are people back in your world that can help, you need to let them know, too.

[he remembers her blood]

I'm someone that couldn't do anything. I don't think that counts.

Edited 2008-11-17 03:45 (UTC)

The people in my world cannot fathom the things that I have seen, and in some ways I do not wish them to.

[it is her turn to become aggressor, to take a step closer]

Why must you always do that? Discount yourself?

The Doctor is there. Louis, he has people who could protect you. There are people who could help you.

[defensive]

I'm not discounting anything. You needed someone who could do something, and I couldn't. That's a fact.

No. No, you fail to understand.

[she is, perhaps, slightly angry now -- and it might be at herself]

Louis, there are times he can hardly protect himself. Just weeks ago, a local baker wandered into Versailles, and then made his way to Louis' bedroom. His bedroom, do you understand? What might have happened? And he laughed at me when I pointed out the dangers.

The Doctor? It has been nearly six years since I have seen him in France. And before that another ten years before. He is not always there. He is an amazing, fascinating man. But he he not everything. I cannot allow him to be.

Can you understand that?

[she finds her breath]

You were there. [she watches him] You were there.

I'm sorry.

[He tries to find the right words to say. Instead he blurts out the wrong ones before he can even stop himself.]

Don't go back.

[As soon as he says it, he wishes he hadn't]

What?

And remain here, while everyone goes about the business of their lives?

No.

[beat]

I don't know. I didn't mean to say that. I just...did. Of course you have to go back. I know that. [pause] I'm allowed to worry though, aren't I?

[she watches him carefully]

Only on one condition.

[curious]

What?

That you cease insisting that you did nothing. That you, somehow, less in comparison.

[He opens his mouth to protest, then shuts it again]

All right. If it means I get to worry, I can do that.

[an eyebrow arches, one that seems connected to her mouth. It shifts as well]

Can you?

[smiles a little with her]

How do I go about proving something like that?

If I wish for you to appreciate the individual that you are, surely we cannot begin that journey with me informing you what you are to do?

If we're being honest, you can't really expect that to happen overnight, can you? Can I just say I'll try my best?

[she is her smile]

I look forward to bearing witness to how your best presents itself.

So much pressure.

[smiles]

You know, I think I'm looking forward to it, too.

[the eyebrow has returned]

You only think? I believe I might be insulted.

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