+10!

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[Oh hey, look! Dorothy's back on the plane and heading towards the kitchen, her blue jeans and henley smudged in dirt and grass stains, a pair of gardening gloves still on her hands. Her cheeks are pink and warmth sort of radiates of her skin like she's just come inside after spending a long time in the sun.

In the kitchen, she rummages for a glass and fills it with tap water, drinks the entire thing in one long draw, and then refills the glass and sips at it some more. After taking a long breath, she leans back against the counter, tilts her head back, closes her eyes, and lets that breath out.

Apparently it's been a long day for Dorothy Gale!]

Comments

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[the Doctor had noticed her when she appeared, and silently followed, because he is still at heart a nosy sort, and can afford to follow whims in a place without Time

he watches with a customary slight smile, curious and concerned; when he speaks his voice is soft, so as not to startle]

Tough day?

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[he doesn't startle her-- footsteps still echo, even on the plane. She opens one eye a crack, and seeing him, smiles a little. Letting her head fall forward again, she smiles and takes off her gloves.]

Just long. Spent all day on my knees up to my elbows in dirt... so pretty much the usual, I guess.

[she rubs the back of her neck, as if to massage out a crick] Had to get the garden all set for springtime. It'll be worth it in a few months, when the flowers are all in bloom.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[gives a little wave] Oh? I haven't gardened for ages. The TARDIS usually takes care of it.

I imagine hard work always makes the result sweeter.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm sure she's great at it, being who she is, an' all. Seems a capable sorta person, I mean. And not to say she isn't wonderful at what she does, but sometimes it's best to... [waggles her fingers] ...get your hands dirty.

[picking up the water glass she had set on the counter, she raises it to him] Although, I s'pose it does take a certain kind of patience. Not everybody's got the kind of time you need to watch something grow. Then again, when you're a Time Lord...

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[chuckles; this causes a slight wince, which he ignores] Perhaps. [his gaze turns pensive, for a moment] Theoretically, I've all the Time in the world, but...

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[oh, but she notices that wince. Other than a slightly narrow-eyed look, though, she does not comment.]

But you're too busy? Mentally, I mean. Can't take time out to let your brain relax.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[slight nod] Yes. Too much to do.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

You don't take any time out for yourself? That's not healthy. All work and no play, y'know.

[She illustrates this point by making "cuckoo" motions at her temple. Yes, very subtle, Dorothy, thank you.]

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[well, the Doctor is amused; he is not often called cuckoo] Well, there's a whole universe to save. It feels a bit - selfish, not to spend time doing it.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[better amused than offended! Anyway, she nods grimly, rubs the back of her neck]

I know the feeling, believe me. But you can't lose track of yourself. You're a person, not a means to an end.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[is not often offended; and he smiles, sadly] Do you? I'm glad you remember that, then. You're a rather lovely person, all told.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[...well she was GONNA launch into an empowering speech about the importance of remaining connected with the Self and all that jazz but then he had to go and compliment her, which catches her off guard enough that her eyes widen and her mouth makes a little "o" of surprise]

But you barely know me. I could be awful.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

Perhaps, but I consider myself a very good judge of character. Exceptionally good, in fact.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Is that so?

[she leans back a little, her elbows braced on the counter, and watches him curiously]

Tell me about me, then. In your exceptionally good judgement, what am I like?

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[playfully pensive, tapping his lips]

Well. You like cocoa, which at least speaks to good taste.

[then, more serious]

You're wilful and independent, though you know when to reign yourself in. You know the value of hard work, and don't resent it. You're compassionate, but not to the point of meekness. You are loyal, but not blindly so.

How am I doing?

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[She smiles at the first part, because of course he's absolutely correct about the cocoa. And then at the rest she's just sort of examining him]

...Scarily accurate. You're not having me followed, are you?

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[faint smirk] Somehow, I think you'd notice... [shakes his head] I'm simply very old and very perceptive. I need to be.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Ahh, you're not as old as many of the people around here. Not that I'm calling you a spring chicken, or anything, but... y'know. We're all older than we look, these days.

[she sips from her glass again, peering at him over its rim]

Most people around here could do with being a little more perceptive, if you catch my drift.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

Ah, but I've spent those centuries doing quite a lot. Experience ages more than years, I think.

[leans slightly against the counter] Frankly, I think that applies to the universe in general.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

I'll drink to that.

[and she does, although it's just a sip of water, so take that as you will]

Well, it's always good advice, being aware of your surroundings, and all, but it's more along the lines of... keeping your eyes open and not getting too comfortable, that seems to be the problem with most people.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[mimes raising his own glass, eyes glinting]

Hmm. It's easier to relax, to forget - for most, anyway.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Mm, maybe. But that's why those of us that do our jobs do them in the first place, right? So that everyone else can relax. So nobody else has to do what we do.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[earnest nod] Yes. So they don't have to live in fear, or violence, or oppression. So they can be content.

The problem, of course, is when people think they're safe and aren't.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Well, that's where we come in.

[she's rather nonchalant about that, isn't she?]

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[notices this :|; soft murmur] Yes.

[wry smile] In theory, anyway.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't know about you, but Saving The Day is pretty much my job.

[as if it's so simple for people who aren't you, Dorothy, geez]

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

I'm self-employed, myself.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

So you'll save the day, as long as it's your day, is that it?

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[raises eyebrows] Not precisely. I will save the day, but I will do it however I like.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I see. You answer to nobody. I'm jealous! Still, it helps to have someone watching my back sometimes. Reminds me I'm not the end-all be-all of law & order in Oz.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[grin] It's very nice.

[a slight nod] I can see the benefits of such an arrangement. Had I a competent superior...

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[grinning]

And I'm sure you're an excellent judge of that, too, right?

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[smirk] I gave them over two centuries before I swanned off. I think that's very fair.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

They had their chance and blew it. Well, their loss is our gain.

[and she raises her glass once again, with a smile]

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[ducks his head slightly, smirk softening into a smile] I like to think so.

[raises his head again, looking curious] Tell me about the people you work for. A far better bunch, apparently

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Well, mostly I answer to Ozma. She's the Empress of Oz, so she's in charge of everything. Being a princess, she's responsible for my actions, so she basically tells me where to go, what problems to fix, who I'm not allowed to hit, the usual. And most of the time I do it, because I like helping, and I'm good at it, and mostly it's stuff other people can't do. Or shouldn't have to do. So I will, 'cuz I can, and it's no skin off my nose.

[pause] 'Course, sometimes I have to run off and do my thing on my own. Glinda understands, even if Ozma doesn't. Wanderlust, y'know.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[a slow nod, as he listens] That sounds like a nice arrangement - particularly if Ozma is good at her job.

[oh, grin] I know it well.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

[shrugs] She was born for it. It's a peaceful country, but it's big, so there's a lot to manage. She runs it like a champ. I sure couldn't do her job.

[grinning] That so?

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear it. It would be a horrible shame if she were misusing such an asset.

That was the other reason I left.

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Oh, she'd never. Oz is too important.

[for some reason, this information apparently makes her very, very happy] Y'see? I knew there was a reason I liked you.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

The universe is a magnificent place, in many ways. Why else strive so hard to save it?

[galeforcehero.livejournal.com]

Well, even if it wasn't wonderful, it's what we've got. People gotta fight for what they have.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

And to make it better.