RP for renegadeinexile

[thecricketer]

The Doctor had his head beneath the console, a tool kit at his side, and his hands plunged in very delicate wiring.

He didn't need to make this repair, not strictly; the TARDIS ran well enough without it. But it would make reactions just a bit smoother, just a bit swifter - and besides, he felt he owed her some tender caring to anyway.

It certainly wasn't because he needed something to distract him while he waited.

He wasn't impatient, he decided as he pulled a thin silver rod from the ancient box; he'd given her as much time as she needed and he'd meant it. He just...well, he never was good at standing still, really, especially when there were nagging thoughts to run from.

So he worked, and was content, and sometimes he smiled. He already knew what their first real trip should be - he'd promised already, after all.

Comments

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"I see..."

Another glance backward over her shoulder, and she dropped his hand, backing even further away, half-turning as she kept moving.

Oh, come on. Regenerated or not, more serene or not, nicer or not, having just confessed dark secrets or not, the Rani is still the Rani, and playing a game one hundred percent fair is a vaguely alien concept, and oh, look, is that a head start she's gained through a bit of distraction?

She turned on her heel and began to run.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His eyes widened, and at first he didn't know whether to be outraged or amused or impressed. Eventually he settled for all three and gave chase.

He knew he shouldn't talk while running, really, but he did shout, "If you thought you needed a head start you should have told me!"

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"I didn't need one!" she called breathlessly over her shoulder.

It wasn't that she was out of shape, far from it. She looked after herself, and was reasonably fit and healthy. She just hadn't led the sort of life that was given over to many opportunities for scaling rock faces or running full-tilt. Short bursts of intense exertion were not the sort of thing a serious scientist routinely engaged in.

Still, she ignored how quickly she was becoming breathless, and ignored the return of that nagging stitch in her side, and pushed herself to run faster, glancing back at him.

"I just thought you'd enjoy the challenge!"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I always do!"

It didn't take very long to catch up - he was quite used to running, after all, in every terrain imaginable though he didn't tend to do it with such a grin on his face.

Of course, he'd used quite a lot of energy and it would be a bit more trouble to pass her for long...

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"I'm pleased to hear that!"

He passed her, and even though she'd burned up all the energy she could muster in that initial burst of fleeing, she forced herself to run harder, to edge past him, only skidding to a halt when she crossed into the plaza, mere steps ahead of him.

"Ha!" She turned to face him, chin up triumphantly, her hand going to her burning side as nonchalantly as she could manage, her face flushed from the exertion, her chest heaving as she gulped down huge breaths, but her eyes bright even as discomfort pinched their edges. An equally bright grin curved her mouth.

"Not bad... considering my head start..."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He was breathing quite heavily by the time he reached the plaza - seconds after Ushas, which certainly wasn't expected. Perhaps his ego deserved that bit of battering.

All the same his gaze was rather petulant - it might be called a pout, if he pouted, which he certainly didn't.

"Yes, you're a horrible cheater," he said breathlessly, but he was smiling as well.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Now you're just... hurting my pride," she huffed, still trying to catch her breath, still smiling at him.

At least until she bent double, clutching her side. "How in Rassilon's name do you... run without... injuring yourself?" she asked. "Clearly I need... more practice or something..."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Only returning the favour." Moments later his good humour faded into concern, and he stepped forward.

"It's...mostly practice, yes."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"That's good to know. I think."

She straightened up, her face just a bit pale, and offered him a reassuring, if wan smile. "Primary serratus anterior trigger point. If memory serves. I'm sure I'll be all right."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Certainly! It means you can achieve the same thing." He was smiling again, faintly, but he regarded her intently as he spoke, one hand rising to her shoulder.

"If you're certain." A pause.

"I'm hovering, aren't I."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

((That is very sweet of you. I...haven't been checking OS lately at all, negligence on my part, but I think I would?

...We should probable exchange SNs. :p))

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Oh. In that case..."

The panting subsided a bit, and she grinned wryly, her hand reaching up to cover his as she spoke. "You are. Just a bit. It's fortunate I don't mind..."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

A slight widening of his eyes, and then a grin.

"No? Well. That's good, then."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

She had perhaps been expecting him to jump, or to pull away; when he did not, she couldn't help but return the grin.

"I think it is, yes," she replied. Then she cast an eye at the setting sun and darkening sky.

"It will be nightfall soon. I could arrange someplace for us to spend the night, if you wish to continue exploring?"

A few beats, and then a flush coloured her cheeks.

"...I meant of the city. You know. Tomorrow."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He was already nodding, when his eyes widened; for a moment he said nothing, and then he shook his head, chuckling softly.

"I thought nothing of the sort..."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Of course you didn't. Neither did I. Not in the least. I was just concerned..."

She sighed, took a breath, pressed her lips together in a thin line, took a moment to compose herself, and then tried again.

"...are we remaining here in the city tonight, or heading back to your TARDIS? I leave it entirely up to you."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He lowered his head slightly, just for a moment, hiding the hidden laughter with his hand.

"I think I'd like to stay here. Have the entire experience, and all." A pause, as he looked around.

"We may need to promise we won't run about the halls, though..."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

She raised an eyebrow, and then raised a hand, feigning solemnity (even though the corners of her mouth were upturned).

"I promise I will not run about in the halls. There, does that make you feel better about staying?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He struggled not to start chuckling again as he raised his hand as well, nodding sombrely.

"It does indeed."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Then we'll be all set. Assuming no one starts chasing us around or gives us cause to run for our lives."

She grinned, and outstretched her hand, reaching for his. It struck her, just for a moment, how instinctive that had become, taking his hand whenever they were setting off.

"Come on. There was a decent rooming-house on the far end of the square... hopefully it isn't gone."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Us? Never."

He accepted it with nary a thought. It felt very strange, and very nice, which he supposed summed up most of their relationship, really.

"I shall follow your lead."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Then we'll be sure to avoid trouble," she announced, though her eyes were lit with amusement. "This way."

She led him back through the square, and down a side street, pausing before a four-story building whose back would overlook the square. She glanced up and read the sign above the door, and smiled. "Brilliant. Still offering lodgings. Come on."

They stepped inside, and approached the front desk. "Good evening," she said to the young woman behind it. "We need lodgings for the evening."

"We've one room left."

The Rani paused for a second, then shrugged. "Fine. How much?" she asked, digging around in her pockets and coming up with brightly-coloured currency.

The room was settled, and she took the key. "Top floor, end of the hall, on the left," she repeated after the clerk. "Thanks."

Once more her hand found the Doctor's, and she led him to the stairs.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He stepped back slightly once they reached the front desk; Ushas knew this world far more than he did, after all - and besides, he thought it best not to interrupt her. He'd learned that centuries ago, not that he'd heeded it at the time...

The words 'one room left' pulled him from his reverie, and she was already agreeing, and she had his hand so all he could do really was follow along.

"...Yes, thank you," he said turning his head with a bright smile. No unease there at all. Not in the least.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

They were on the second floor, headed for the third, before she spoke again.

"So... sleeping accomodations. The custom here might be a bit different to what you're accustomed to. There aren't... beds, as such."

They reached their floor, and headed down the corridor, and she let them into the room, pausing inside the door to turn on a lamp. The room was large, airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows along the far wall, offering clear and breathtaking views of the square below and the palace beyond.

The central feature of the room, however, was a shallow pit set into the floor, piled with pillows and cushions of all shapes and sizes, in rich colours reminiscent of the marketplace out in the square.

"We can, of course, divide things," the Rani said, gesturing at the pit. "I daresay we could build a wall to separate, if needs be..."