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

[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?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

A warm smile curved his lips, voice bright with unfamiliar joy.

"Several companions I never thought I'd see again. A couple I've yet to meet. I've only been here for a few days, I've been running rather useless scans on the area." He paused, brow furrowing slightly.

"I...wasn't going anywhere in particular, and ended up here. I think my TARDIS was interested."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani stole a sidelong glance at his face, her own smile widening just slightly at the sight of his. "You think your TARDIS was interested," she repeated. "Hmm. I think I wound up here in a similar fashion. I was... just sort of wandering, no particular destination, random travel. And I found myself here."

She paused briefly, walking beside him. "I'd only just arrived when we met. I've barely been here a day."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I hope this is a decent first impression of the place," the Doctor said lightly.

"We'll have to explore together, then, and hope we don't stumble across any peril. I do hope we haven't been pulled here for nefarious purposes."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani frowned, considering his statement. "So you haven't been able to gather enough data to determine if there is any peril. Fair enough. And if anyone's pulled me here for nefarious purposes, well... I pity him. He doesn't realise what he's got himself into."

She stole another glance at him, and murmured, "I've quite a decent first impression, thanks." She smiled very faintly and held a bit tighter to his arm.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I generally don't until I'm in the thick of it. Much more exciting that way." His smile was chased by a very slight blush, and he rather sorry that he had no had to tip.

"...I'm glad." Then his smile widened into a grin, any incidental heat fading from his features.

"I daresay between the two of us we'll have peril running off with its tail between its legs."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani laughed softly--when had she ever laughed so much?--and said, "Well, it's comforting to know I'm such reliable company."

They walked together for a ways in companionable silence, and then she asked, "Have you heard much of our other friends from the Academy?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Not very recently, as such," he said - and though his demanour was still light, the words merely thoughtful, there was a certain tightness to his features, a cautious edge to the words.

"Drax was on Atrios, the last I saw of him - I was in my Fourth incarnation at the time, he's probably moved on. Have you?"

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Ahh, Drax. I remember him."

There was a few more moments' silence, perhaps not quite as companionable as before, and then the Rani spoke again. "I haven't seen anyone recently either. Last I had any contact with any of our old friends was with Koschei. The Master. But that was... oh, two incarnations ago, now."

She sighed. "I can't say I've missed him."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His look was quick, sharp, and then he was staring rather determinedly at the ground.

"You didn't get on?" His voice was conversational, still, but firmly distant, and he still wasn't looking at her.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"No," she replied firmly. "His... goals were not the same as mine. I found I couldn't agree with them. I further found them pointless, the things he did."

She glanced over at him, and noted the distance, noted she no longer had his attention. She stopped walking, causing him to come to a halt as well since she still had her arm linked through his. "I've said something wrong, clearly," she observed. "I'm sorry. I meant no offence. Shall we change the subject? We were... getting on rather well, I thought, I hate to cause you any discomfort."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

Echoes of a raw voice drag him into the past, to a place he never wants to visit.

Doctor, help me! I'll give you anything in creation! Would you show no mercy...

The sudden stop pierced his thoughts, and her words caused him to swiftly meet her eyes again. His own are wide, reassurance thin over remorse.

"No! We were, it...it isn't your fault. Just...just memories." Did she know? Could she know what he'd done?

"Yes, that...might be a good idea."