✒ oo1

[waterfield]

( a sob is the first thing that can be heard, rather than spotting her. she always was louder than she was vibrant, but here she is in all her glory, on her knees, acting like a child. soft and quiet, though she remains sobbing. hiccoughing soon follows, sniffles and for a short time, all that can be produced from the girl are the sounds of misery and despair. this is the second time she’s found herself in this strange area, neither one of said two times could she recall really wanting to stay. or, rather, she thought it was — but nothing made sense at the moment, nothing but sobbing seemed to be the right thing to do )

Is someone there…? ( preferably someone she might know? her voice whimpers the words and her palms, finding her eyes, rub the heels against to try and dry the tears that relentlessly fall ) Please, can someone hear me…?

( Victoria is far from being aware of whom she’s trying to talk to. for some reason, she can recall someone from before but can’t see anyone this time. slowly, she inhales a shaky breath, picks herself up from the ground and awkwardly begins to walk )

I remember, from before, there was someone… Please, aren’t you still there? ( another choking sob, as she realizes that she might have just imagined seeing someone. what if she’s imagined this whole situation? it might even be some dream, or rather nightmare, that just feels as though it’s real. but then again, when she had returned home, it hadn’t felt right for some reason. what had that woman’s name been? oh, that’s right )

Meredith? ( another shaky breath ) Meredith… Sault? That was it, wasn’t it? Oh, please… Please, I’m frightened and I— I thought I’d gotten away from all this stuff!

( she proceeds to walk along the Plane, not that she realized that’s what it was called or even began to fathom wherever it was that she might be. the walk was seeming endless, there really didn’t seem as though there was much of a destination for her to find and so realizing that she was extremely lost, and so once more, she falls to her knees in a heap )

Mister Harris! Missus Harris! ( she choked on a sob ) Please, I don’t want to be alone! I don’t understand, what is going on? Where am I…? What happened?

( she whimpers and mutters before burying her head into her hands ) …if I wanted this, I would have stayed on the TARDIS…

Comments

[waterfield]

Same ol— ( seriously? no ) —not at all, you've completely changed! Look at you!

( she calms from her tiny outburst there ) I'm not even really certain what this Plane thing is.

[ninth_doctor]

[He looks at her suddenly, and asks a question without really thinking of the impact it might have upon her.]

Does it get easier? Missing your father?

[He means "did" and well, he needs to know... he had been so sure in his instructions to her.. now that he's lost everyone, he's not sure of anything.]

[waterfield]

( frankly, she's stunned at his question. her father was always on her mind, he gave up himself to protect them. did it get easier? well...

lowering her head, Victoria goes quiet for some time and when she does speak again, it's barely audible. )

I'll always miss him. But coping with the loss, that, gets easier, I suppose...

[ninth_doctor]

[He offers a weak smile. His reply is equally quiet.]

Something to look forward to, then...

[waterfield]

Did you lose someone, Doctor?

( oh no, that's awful. she frowns and looks to him, but then her eyes go wide. for her, the last person her was with was Jamie and unfortunately, she has no idea how long it's been for him compared to herself. but he had mentioned that Time Lords change near death and he certainly looks different.

what if that meant...

choking on her words, Victoria somehow managed to spit out his name: ) J, Jamie—!?

[ninth_doctor]

[He smiles gently.]

Jamie? Oh! No... he's fine. The Time Lords sent him home - a long time ago for me now.

[Nine will just skip the part where the Time Lords took most of Jamie's memories and forced himself to regenerate.]

[waterfield]

He went home? ( she frowns softly. Jamie seemed to just love spending time with the Doctor, it was a shame that he had been sent away. she wondered why, but, didn't ask )

Then...
Are you missing someone, Doctor? ( there had to have been some reason that he was asking her about her feelings concerning her father, after all )

[ninth_doctor]

[His voice is hardly a whisper.]

Everyone.

[But it was more breathed. He recovers quickly.]

No one that you know, Victoria.

[He offers a small smile, trying to be reassuring.]

[waterfield]

Mm, well... Are you going to be alright, Doctor?

[ninth_doctor]

[He thinks about that for a moment. And answers honestly, but in a joking tone as he smiles. No need to worry the poor girl.]

I might never be all right again. Isn't that exciting? Something new t'experience.

[waterfield]

Oh, I... Suppose that's a good outlook to have, yes! ( she smiles cheerfully )

[ninth_doctor]

[Whew the distraction worked.]

'Nough about me. What've you been getting into, Victoria Waterfield?

[waterfield]

Oh, nothing really. At least nothing like I used to with the likes of you and Jamie. ( but that just brings a smile to her face ) Which is precisely what I wanted!

[ninth_doctor]

[That earns her a fond smile. That fades a moment later.]

Well, I think this place might be more what you experienced with me than not...

[Is that a hint of regret in his tone? Maybe sympathy.]

[waterfield]

( oh dear, that turns her smile upside down into a frown. her brows knit together in worry. )

What... What kind of experiences...?

[ninth_doctor]

How did y'get here?

[He has a point, Victoria.]

[waterfield]

( briefly, she's stunned. after regaining her composure, she frowns )

I'm not really sure.

[ninth_doctor]

[He shrugs.]

That's all I mean by it might be more like your time with me than not.

[waterfield]

( she groans softly, lifting her hands to rub at her face ) ... but, why me?

( all her exasperation )

[ninth_doctor]

[The Doctor shrugs.]

Why any of us? I think it's a bit random...

[But he clearly doesn't like giving that answer.]

[waterfield]

You don't know? For certain, I mean?

[ninth_doctor]

[He raises an eyebrow.]

If I knew, I'd tell you.

[He's trying not to get offended.]

[waterfield]

Oh... ( she frowns, lowering her gaze to the ground. completely missing his offense; she hadn't meant any, after all ) Well, you'll work it out. You always do!

[ninth_doctor]

[Oh the faith of his companions. Makes him smile in spite of himself.]

Of course I will. 'Sides got you here t'help, don't I?

[waterfield]

I'm not too terribly certain how I could help, but! Should you need someone to scream, I'm your girl.