018 - Sleep to the Stars Overhead

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[She has overseen the complete moving of her household to her newest estate, so recently completed.

She has seen her rooms completely moved to the ones downstairs, once belonging to a minor duchess. Louis' eldest daughter wanted them as well, and the tension still simmers. The rooms that stand adjacent to the King's own are now occupied by someone far younger, if less adept.

She has seen her staircase, her delicate spiraling staircase, walled up and utterly erased from the architecture of Versailles.

And for all that, Reinette is exhausted. The kind that goes bone deep, past any touch or balm. The sort that is impossible to sooth when surrounded by so much that is new and unknown. Who would have thought, Reinette considers as she brings herself to the Plane, that this would become the most familiar.

Where she would feel as if she might rest. Even sleep.

She is curled up on a settee, doing just that. Sleeping. And she cannot promise what will be said if you wake her]

Comments

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[the Doctor steps ahead, into the Plane, then sees her sleeping on the sette. With a small smile, he moves to sit next to the furniture, but doesn't wake her. Sometimes it's nice to just not be alone]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[And she is so completely and utterly asleep Doctor? For once she does not know you are there]

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[not too loud, but in a quiet, conversational tone--not to wake her, just because sometimes it's nice to talk to someone]

You remember when you looked into my mind and saw how I wasn't domestic. Yeah, I think I've done something domestic. Got myself two companions, both equally non-domestic and somehow we've managed to stick. Like having two brothers. Or, a brother and a platonic male wife. One or the other.

And I think I've hurt him. The latter, the...male wife sort. Funny, I think a few months ago I wouldn't have cared. He hurt me. Took Rose, had the life I wanted. But it's funny, how quickly life can change.

And then there's Mrs. Saxon. Don't get me started on Mrs. Saxon.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she is absolutely most certainly asleep Doctor. Of course she is]

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

You'd think after 900 years I'd learn more quickly about trusting people. Let them in, they hurt you. I let her in. Should've known better. Doesn't matter anymore. She made her choice. [yeah, that's thinly veiled bitterness there] Not that I blame her. Well, I do. Hardly the point. The way he can be, I'm surprised I've managed to ignore him as long as I have.

Just have to make sure my companion doesn't make the same one.

Oh, but it must've been easier in France. Intrigue and scandal was the commonplace. Everyone's so out of practice, here. Especially me!

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[She has turned over so that her face sits closer towards your own, almost like a something green making its way towards light. As if she might better sense you this way. All, still, in her sleep.Of course]

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

How do I make things better without disturbing what I have? How do I fix...things.

Uuuugh, give me a few monsters to battle and it's as easy as pie. Or Pi. But this sort of thing, Reinette. I can't.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[her eyes are still closed]

But you can do anything.

[her voice is soft and contained]

Or so I believed, once.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

You're awake.

[small smile]

Pity all our heroes can't stay on their pedestals.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I was never fully asleep.

[she sits up then, but only slightly]

Pedestals are rather ridiculous I think. Those placed on them rarely wish to be there. And those that place them there are too often placing the objects of their affects out of reach. It is a gap rarely breached.

[she smiles]

But in any case, you did not place yourself on any pedestal I know of. It is our abilities that are in questions, not my or any other's perception of them.

Do you believe you are capable of repairing the damage that is done?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[a little restless and he will settle on the edge of the settee, far enough away that he can claim he wasn't trying to disturb her, but close enough that he knows he very likely will. he lets out a sigh, hoping to wake her, but nonchalant enough that he can claim he didn't mean to. he is mature this way]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[and his efforts are most certainly effective. She is awake, smiling slightly even if her eyes are still closed. She will certainly not make it easy. She is know to be difficult that way]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[yeah, he's totally trying to play this like he's not trying to wake her, so he isn't looking closely enough to see that smile. so he will just sigh a little louder and readjust himself on the seat so he's a bit closer and maybe a bit more disruptive. he's still restraining himself enough that he may claim he didn't mean to wake her, despite the fact it's obvious that is what he is trying to do]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[oh but she is teasing you now, it might be suggested. There is a sigh, almost a mirror of his own.It is remarkable what she manages while sleeping. Her smile, however, is dangerously close to giving her away]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[he totally hears that sigh, and notices that smile, and he totally knows you're awake, and he will sigh again]

Well, I suppose I should just enjoy the peace and quiet. It's not as if there's anyone about who would be entertaining or anything of the sort.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[an eyebrow arches at that sigh, even with her eyes closed]

I am speaking because I wish to, not because of your clumsy attempt to bait me into doing so. I am quite certain of my ability to entertain. I do not need your affirmation on the matter.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[since her eyes are shut, he can grin as much as he likes]

Oh, I'm absolutely certain that is true.


[also, that icon! soooo pretty]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she would suggest he should smile, it suits him -- if she were to open her eyes of course]

Though if it is peace and quiet you desire, I could stop.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you could, but I wouldn't think you'd want to.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she finally opens her eyes, meeting his gaze. Whatever she has learned today, it is not evident there]

And why is that?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, because I'm brilliant company, and you can't resist talking to me, of course.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she would never go so far as to say that he is right, but her broad smile suggests it all the same]

Perhaps.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[his very smug grin says he knows exactly what that smile suggests, and he will now move on without another word, because grins seem to speak loudly enough]

So what has you sleeping out here?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[only that is quite a smug expression you are wearing sir, and she is aware of it]

It seemed to be the one place I might.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[and smugness gets replaced with concern]

What? Why? Everything is all right for you in France, isn't it?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[at his expression she realizes how her words might be misinterpreted, and amends them]

The Clockwork Men have been almost abnormally quiet of late. There is no need for concern.

[a smile]

No, life just seems rather determined to be exhausting of late. My rooms were finally finished downstairs, so I have been removing myself from my others.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[his expression lightens, relieved that it isn't anything sinister]

Do you like them, then? These new rooms?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

They are --

[and this word is the most carefully chosen of the day]

Different.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[and that is one tricky word with a million definitions]

Different?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[It is, is it not?]

Different.

[she would never use the word lonely]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[studies her]

A change of pace can be a good thing too, yeah? New beginnings and all that sort of nonsense?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she surprises even herself with her lack of hesitation]

It will be, yes. Eventually. The worst of it is over, I think.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[grins]

That's brilliant, then. From this point on things can only get better if you're over the worst.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[and then she sits up fully, finally]

Yes.


What of you?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Me?

Oh, nothing terribly exciting. Just finished dealing with some nasty wormholes.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she arches an eyebrow]

And yet am quite certain that you thoroughly enjoyed yourself.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, I do always try, at the very least.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she laughs lightly]

But you do not always succeed?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, you have to fail once or twice to truly appreciate it when you do succeed, I suppose. Having it ideal all the time would have to get boring.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[the tilt of her chin suggests while she accepts the reality of his words, she will battle them all the same]

I still find that I disagree with the notion of failure.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[UNLIKE THE TWO BOYS ABOVE, the TARDIS really is just watching Reinette sleep. because she's a creeper like that. seriously]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[THANK YOU TARDIS. It is not creepy at all because she truly is exhausted. Look! There! At the little shadows under her eyes!]

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[BUT SHADOWS ARE BAD. they make the TARDIS concerned for the welfare of her Reinette, and so she will continue to be a creeper and just gently rest her hand on Reinette's head or something]

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[Here's Dorothy, sneaking up and drawing a little moustache and goatee on Sleepy!Reinette with an eyebrow pencil, OH SO VERY DELICATELY so as not to wake her up, and then skedaddling off.

This is why you don't sleep on the plane.]

[quickcleanpure.livejournal.com]

[Graverobber happens to be wandering by! He may stop and watch her sleep for a bit, but no longer than a few minutes unless she wakes up or otherwise does something interesting. Short attention span, what.]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[She is hardly fully asleep any longer. Far too many visitors through the course of the evening. She opens her eyes to watch him through shadowed lashes]

[quickcleanpure.livejournal.com]

Interesting place to catch a nap.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

It seemed the most promising at the time.