RP for renegadeinexile

[thecricketer]

The Doctor waited outside his TARDIS, leaning nonchalantly against the door and turning his hat in his hands. Only in them was his anxious excitement evident.

It had been good seeing Ushas after so long. He'd almost felt young again, talking with her. Remembering that there were times on Gallifrey that he could still remember fondly.

He knew this might not have been the best of ideas. He couldn't simply disregard his future incarnation's suspicion, his enmity, even if he didn't understand it – couldn't understand it, if they were to preserve his future.

He couldn't, however, turn his back on someone who had been his friend for what she might have done. Perhaps she came from both their futures – perhaps things had changed.

Even if he was wrong, he decided it was worth it. They could enjoy their stolen time, for as long as it lasted.

Comments

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani's eyebrow went up a bit further, and then she favoured him with a smile. "Yes. I'd like that. Thank you."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

Relief gleamed in his eyes as he nodded, turning back and pushing the doors open with a flourish.

"After you," he said, stepping back and gesturing inside.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani nodded her thanks, and stepped through the doors. She paused just inside, looking around. "It's very... bright, isn't it?" She glanced over at the Doctor. "I mean... all this white. Rather the opposite of mine. This is a type 40, yes?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He nodded, gently pulling the doors shut behind him.

"I like a cheerful environment. What does yours look like?"

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"I really did mean the opposite of this," the Rani replied, waving at arm at their surroundings. "It's black, and metal. Dark. Imposing. Rather comfortable."

She glanced around the room again. "This is the very same one you left Gallifrey in, yes?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor raised his eyebrows, walking over to the hatstand to rest his hat on it.

"Doesn't sound very homey." His expression soon softened into a warm smile.

"Yes, she is. We've been together for centuries."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Well. To each his or her own, yes?"

She clasped her hands behind her back again, watching him as he crossed the room. "I remember hearing you'd stolen this TARDIS, and left. I thought you mad. But then I realised it was what I wanted to do as well."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Of course."

He went to the console as he spoke, resting his hand on the edge.

"I imagine everyone did. What...happened, after we had gone? For you, I mean."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Oh... you know..." A vague wave of the hand. "This and that. Mostly scientific research. Though I did rule a planet briefly."

She rested a hip against the edge of the console, crossing her arms loosely in front of her body. "I wasn't home again for a long time."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His eyes widened at first - "Did you?" and he couldn't quite keep the laughter from his voice. It faded soon enough, leaving it soft and worn.

"Why did you come back?"

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The hint of a smile slid across the Rani's lips, just for a moment. "Yes. I really did, honest." His laughter should have annoyed her, but she realised he meant no harm--he was a bit surprised and delighted, she thought, not poking fun or passing judgement. His amusement in turn amused her, which was a mildly alarming prospect for someone who worked so hard to remain so detached from everything.

But then he asked that latter question, and the Rani's spine stiffened ever so slightly. He was genuinely curious, and had no idea how loaded a question he was asking. She considered her response carefully, knowing that she couldn't tell him his own future--that their planet was dead, burnt from the sky by the Daleks in the last great Time War, and she was, to her knowledge, the only one of their people who escaped death.

"I was... invited home," she said noncomittally. Her gaze fell from his face to the console, and she idly traced the outline of a dial as she spoke. "There was some work I needed to do. Didn't quite go as planned, though, so I... couldn't stay long."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He stepped forward upon seeing her reaction his hand reaching out before falling back to his side as he listened.

"...I see." There was obviously a great deal she wasn't saying, and concern furrowed his brow as dangerous curiosity burned in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." He wouldn't ask, he knew better, but he could at least offer some sort of comfort, whatever had happened.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani's eyes widened slightly. She'd noticed his hand starting to reach before he pulled it back. "You didn't... it's all right," she stammered. "You haven't upset me. It's fine."

But seeing the ease with which he wanted to offer comfort, the eagerness with which he wanted to learn what had become of her since the Academy, to catch up... it saddened her. What had become of them? They'd been friends, once. How far had they drifted, to be such bitter enemies in her past, his future?

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"But I have," the Doctor said quietly.

"And now I seem to have made you uncomfortable. I'm really rather bad at this."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"No, Doctor... it's... you haven't..."

The Rani sighed. "Perhaps we should start over? More neutral ground? Do you fancy a drink? Or a walk?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He smiled faintly.

"That may be a good idea. Have you gone anywhere, since you've been here?"

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani shook her head. "No. I've only just arrived. Haven't had much opportunity to do any exploring, sort things out. Perhaps you could show me around?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I've not been here long either, to be honest," he said, running a hand through his hair sheepishly.

"I do seem to have a knack for finding interesting places, though?"

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani smiled, just a faint little smile, and she nodded. "All right, then. I suppose I shall just leave myself in your very able hands."

A moment's pause, and then she cleared her throat. "I mean. As my tour guide. Of course."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Well, of course, that's...ah. Yes." He turned away before she could see him flush, moving to open the doors.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani kept her expression measured and neutral as she moved toward the doors, though she was kicking herself mentally. "...leave myself in your hands." Bloody hell. What are you, a hundred fifty? Pull yourself together.

She stopped just inside the doors, and turned to face the Doctor again, offering him a polite smile.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor smiled back, and it held hardly a trace of his discomposure. It widened as he pull the door open.

"Lovely day."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani nodded. "It is, isn't it?" she agreed.

She hesitated a moment, trying to work out what to do next. Social situations were never her strong point... what did one do to be polite? Wasn't it an arm or something? Yes?

That sounded reasonable enough, so the Rani gently--and a bit awkwardly--linked her arm through the Doctor's. "Right. Where to?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor glanced down at their joined arms, eyes widening slightly, and then grinned at her brightly.

"This way, I think," he said, striking out in a quite random direction. His stride was light, soft - that of someone used to relishing a nice walk.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani fell into step beside him easily, a faint smile still lingering on her lips. "How long have you been here?" she asked. "What brought you here? Have you met anyone else?"