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 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."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

Her dark blue eyes met his lighter ones. Neither of them could truly know how alike those two sets of eyes were--a thin veneer of gentility and conjured calm hiding things that were much darker and deeper.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, frowning at the Doctor. "For whatever it is you're remembering that's distressed you so."

And then, as agreed, she changed the subject. "Your TARDIS... those old Type 40s were very nearly obsolete when you fled in it. How have you managed to keep it going all this time? Spare parts must be difficult to come by."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said softly, and offered a faint smile.

"She's very determined, my TARDIS. I'm often doing repairs, making replacements when I can, but she can and has work on the bare minimum." There was a proud gleam in his eyes, a light in the dark.

"She doesn't always take me to where I want to go, but always, it seems, where I am needed. Travel can be rough at times but we manage. There are
some, ah, reclusive shops that deal in TARDIS parts, and I've managed to make certain newer systems more or less compatible."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani smirked. "Clearly you were paying attention in some of our courses after all. I'm suitably impressed. I've had to struggle a bit here and there just to keep my Type 80 together. It's been difficult to--"

keep powered up since the Eye of Harmony was destroyed.

The Rani caught herself before speaking the words aloud. She gazed at the Doctor, studying his youthful face, the light in his eyes. Somehow, though she'd never really been one for regarding rules, especially Time Lord rules, she was glad to be doing so now.

She had the feeling even she couldn't bear telling this one of him what his future held.

"It's been a challenge," she finished. "I applaud your efforts."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His eyes narrowed slightly - once again, she held something back. He knew why, of couse, so he didn't press.

That wasn't to say he didn't wonder, regard her curiously as she gazed at him.

"Thank you. I did pay attention to the important things, on occasion."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani saw the Doctor's eyes narrow, and she misread the reason why. She thought she'd offended him greatly, and considering he was her only ally at the moment--honestly, the only person she'd even actually spoken to at length--she felt that perhaps that was a grievous error.

She frowned apologetically, and put her hand briefly on his forearm. "See. There I go again, causing offence. I'm sorry. You were rather brilliant back at the Academy, even if I'd never have said so."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His eyes widened slightly and he shook his head, his hand covering hers before he realised, and then fell back to his side.

"Thank you," he said softly, and realised it meant to him more than he might have thought.

"I'm...simply frustrated. There are things you can't tell me, and of course it's not your fault, but I'm dreadfully curious by nature." He offered a bright smile, despite the distant dread gnawing at him; he had a feeling it was something he'd regret knowing.

"That trait has remained constant, I'm afraid."

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani nearly jumped at the touch of his hand on hers. The brief contact only served to remind her of how completely alone she'd been. She'd seen their world destroyed, and been convinced she was the last of their people. And now, here he was, living and breathing before her, touching her hand.

The Rani faltered, a bit lost for a moment, before pulling herself together. She managed to muster what she hoped was a wry smile. "I suppose that's good, you keeping that trait. It's not a bad one, in the long run."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"It gets me into trouble sometimes," he admitted, tilting his head slightly and regarding her with a different, gentler sort of curiosity.

Again, he didn't press.

"What about you? What have you kept through your lives, through the centuries?"

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Determination," she answered at once. "Strength. Ambition. Intelligence. And my independence. I've never needed anyone in order to do anything."

She frowned slightly, and in an unguarded moment, added, "Though that last one seems less and less appealing the older I get."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"All admirable." His voice softened, then.

"There's no shame in wanting companionship." Yet there was conflict in his eyes, and for once he didn't bother hiding it.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

The Rani's eyes rose at that, meeting his gaze squarely. She saw the conflict there, and her frown deepened sympathetically. "It must be... rather a lonely sort of life you lead at times, yes? I know you've picked up human and other companions along the way... but being apart from the rest of your people..."

Her voice trailed off. She shrugged a bit, and her gaze fell. "Well. Even I have had times where I haven't been entirely fond of that."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I don't tend to get on with the rest of my people," the Doctor pointed out, voice dry and light, and shrugged.

"It's enough. My friends are...well, I could scarcely imagine travelling without any." He was, though, wasn't he? Just for a while, to get his head sorted out.

[thisway-comes.livejournal.com]

"Neither did I," The Rani shot back, smirking. "But..."

But now, where I come from, they're all gone. I never thought I'd see the day when that came to pass, that the Time Lords were no more.

Was that what made her accept him reaching out to her in the first place? Was that what kept her here?

It had to be, she told herself as she linked her arm back through his. "That's good, then. That you have your friends. That you aren't alone."