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]

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..."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His gaze roamed as she spoke; he was listening perfectly well, of course, but he did like to take everything in.

"I've slept in all manner of ways," he said lightly, smiling wryly as they ascended to the third floor.

His eyes still widened, however, when he saw the room, and not simply for the beauty. No, this was certainly new.

Slowly, he turned his head, with a rather nervous smile.

"I...think we can manage without a wall."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Can we? Oh, good."

...That wasn't at all eager or hopeful, nope, not one whit...

"Because. A wall would have used up pillows that would otherwise serve to separate one from the floor beneath, and that would have been a waste, and I think," she said, momentarily pinching the bridge of her nose, "that I'll just stop speaking for a few moments, and go see if I can figure out where they've stored the blankets. Be right back."

She strode across the room, skirting the pit in the floor, and knelt before the washbasin, pulling open the cabinet beneath. No blankets there, but at least it gave her a moment to get over her... whatever it was. Nerves? Nerves.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He nodded fervently. That was sensible; what were they, if not sensible?

"Right. I'll just..." He ended up leaning against the wall, feeling very awkward and not quite knowing why. After all, he'd slept in the same room as companions before...

He realised he was staring. At her. That happened, when your thoughts got away from you.

"I think I'll fluff the pillows."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Found them!" she called out triumphantly. She'd moved on from the basin cabinet to one standing near the window; she pulled out a couple of thin, woven blankets, and hung them over her arm.

"Fluffing pillows. That sounds rather brilliant."

She turned to face him, and stopped short, catching him staring. "I... erm." She coloured a bit, and stepped toward the sleeping pit. "I'll just leave these here. I could... help? If you wanted? With the fluffing?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

Oh. Oh, dear, that wasn't supposed to happen. Was he blushing again? Simply because she was, well that was hardly...

No matter. He smiled brightly and strode forward to begin.

"Of course! One can never have too much...fluffing."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Right! Of course not."

She sat down on the edge of the pit, pausing to unlace and slip off her boots, setting them neatly on the floor behind herself. Then she bent, and plucked the nearest cushion up, settling it across her lap, her legs dangling as she began punching at its sides.

She was possibly giving it far more of her attention than the chore really required, and the flush from moments before, while a bit faded, was certainly still there. After a few moments, she dared stealing a glance in his direction, looking at him through her eyelashes, her chin still down.

"It will be dark for about five hours, this time of year. The buildings tend to hold heat well, though, so the temperature won't drop too far."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He settled down moments after, going about the task rather more gently but no less intently. It was important, after all, they wanted to be comfortable, never knew when excitement would pop up.

"That's good to know. How long do the people sleep, generally?" He felt her gaze, and looked up to meet it, hands stilling on his meticulously fluffed cushion.

((I'm so sorry for the dreadfully long wait; so much of RP had slipped my mind, during a certain period, got lost, and then I didn't want to be a bother, and - well, if you still want to continue, I'd love to.))

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]