realityshifted

[night has long since settled over Gallifrey and yet he doesn't retire. instead, he leaves his rooms and makes his way to gardens in his section of the residential quarters. there, amongst several other Gallifreyan flora planted there, are several silver-leafed cadenwood trees, their leaves glittering and reflecting a warm burnt orange and red, offset by the few lights still left on in nearby quarters. by his watch, he has an hour before the first sun starts to rise up over the Mountain of Solace. he settles himself against the base of the tree, deciding not to have a seat on one of the nearby sofas. no doubt he'll be joined by others wishing to watch the sunrise, but most Time Lords wait for the second sun to rise. he, selfishly, prefers to watch both.

while he waits, his thoughts return to the Plane and he mulls over his previous explorations and encounters there. too many things--too many new things--for this stuffy Time Lord.

and then there's that forest. what would his beloved cadenwood trees look like there without the magnificence of Kasterboran suns? no doubt they'd still overshadow the ones there in their silvery brilliance, but would some of their magic be lost?

to test this, he enters the Plane, bringing the one tree with him. unfortunately, he isn't anywhere near the forest, though he can see it in the distance--but still... he glances up at the silver leaves now twinkling in the light of the millions upon millions of stars in that place and grins. smugly, of course.]

Better than that forest any day! Just as I thought it would be.

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No, of course not. A leaf is a leaf, and I doubt one will be missed.

[The Doctor nods, and approaches the tree cautiously. He plucks off one of the leaves gently, as if he's afraid the tree will burst into flames just by touching it. He holds it in the palm of his hand for several long moments, simply remembering how it feels to hold one, before slipping it into his pocket carefully.] ...Thank you.

My, Doctor, I never knew a simple leaf could hold such...reverence for you.

[he grumbles, but there's no animosity there] Shut up.

Fine, fine, have it your way.

[smiles] Someone's feeling generous today.

Yes, well...it's only a leaf.

[amused] Not what I meant. But I am grateful for the leaf. [and he actually sits down under the tree, closing his eyes as he leans against it] Mind if I just...sit here, for a bit?

I don't mind at all. [though that was his spot...oh well. he has a seat on the other side.]

What did you mean?

[a soft chuckle] Nothing, nothing at all.

[frowns, not that the Doctor can see it, but he does anyway. he doesn't buy that line for a second.] I'm sure.

Edited 2009-09-08 03:54 (UTC)

[the Doctor is simply quiet for a few long moments, reminiscing as he slides the leaf back out of his pocket] What have you been up to these days, Straxus? Aside from exploring the Plane.

Besides sitting around my quarters? I have an evaluation to attend soon. Standard procedure, of course.

Of course. ...Still haven't told them about this place, have you?

No, it wouldn't...look good for me if I began talking about a place such as this. They haven't returned me to active duty yet. Instead, they relegate me to "safer" duties.

[he is rolling his eyes over here] 'Course they did. Good thing you've got the Plane for a bit of excitement, then.

There is that, yes. Besides, once my evaluation goes through and I'm returned to my duties under Coordinator Bulek, everything will finally be normal again.

[thoughtfully] You enjoy that, don't you? Normalcy, I mean.

It's what I know best, Doctor. Why shouldn't I?

[shrugs] Oh, I dunno. Doesn't it ever get a bit dull?

[he starts to answer "No", but he hesitates.] With the position I'm in as representative of the High Council, I can leave some of that behind. But the normalcy and the dull...they're comfortable, like a pair of worn gloves. They're always going to fit no matter what you do.

To each their own. ...'Course, I suppose travelling is "normal" for me. Just a different sort of normal.

And you never get bored with that sort of routine?

[laughs] No, never. There's so much to see out there, Straxus. So much history, in so many places. Don't think I could ever get bored of that.

No...I can imagine not.

But you don't miss it? Never feel some longing to return? I never feel more relieved than when I arrive back on Gallifrey after a long assignment. That's why I like the normalcy and why I like it here. Even if I leave, nothing will have changed when on the inside, I have.