Mirrors - AU RP for alainn_aislinn

[thecricketer]

The Doctor is fairly certain he is going to crash.

He is, honestly, more worried about his ship than himself, and desperately tries to steady her as they rip through Time and Space and something else entirely, something he can't quite discern. Her distress pricks his mind like needles, and his fingers are going numb on the controls.

Eventually he realises that he's done all he can, and simply holds on.

When he opens his eyes he's still more or less upright, and those his swiftly beating hearts echo the state of the TARDIS, she is undamaged. With a quiet sight of relief he straightens, and crosses over to the doors.

He isn't sure where he is, and there's really only one way to find out.

Well. One proper way.

Comments

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"...No." His voice was quiet, but his hatred of the fact rang louder than any mere words could.

"But I can offer comfort. Some...some modicum of understanding."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She reached a hand up, brushing her fingers up his neck and along the edges of his hair.

"Comfort?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He stiffened slightly, eyes widening, but didn't pull away. They were getting somewhere, even if he wasn't sure where exactly, and he wouldn't risk ruining it.

"Yes. Any way I can." Almost any way I can, he added silently, almost nervously.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

His reaction was interesting, and didn't fit with the emotions she'd perceived when she'd rampaged through his head. It confused her, made her frown.

"Really?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He frowned as well, though it faded quickly. Of course, that probably wasn't the response she'd expected.

"I want to help," he said softly.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"I'm hungry," she said, dropping her hand, watching him with dark eyes.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His only response was a raise of his eyebrows as his hearts sped, just slightly.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

Her lips curved in a mocking smile. "Don't worry. Apparently you don't want to be on the menu."

She tossed her head. "Your loss. Others won't mind."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The frown returned, and he took another step, his word growing firmer.

"I'm sure they won't. Comfort, Aislinn, is what I offered, not distraction."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"I get cranky when I'm hungry," she said warningly. "That's not very comforting at all."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He smiled, then, soft and bright, even though the proximity unnerved him a bit - and oh, that was strange.

"I imagine it isn't. I'm hardly stopping you."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"No, you're not," she said, irritated, stepping back and shoving her hair back behind her ear in a gesture so very like the other one. "I'm going to go find someone waiting to dive into stardom. That's where I was going before you...appeared."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"The offer stands," he said quietly. "I'll be here, if you wish to come back." He wondered, then, if he could simply watch her walk away.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, giving him another long look before turning away. He was strange. And disconcerting. And she didn't like being disconcerted.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

Right, well, now he knew.

"Aislinn," he said softly, and found himself hoping quite desperately she would respond; he didn't bother to hide it.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She turned, arching an eyebrow cooly. "Yes?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He was silent for a moment, unsure of his next words. The feeling was growing far too familiar lately.

"...Would you like some company?" A faint, hopeful smile, that lit his eyes with tentative sincerity.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She eyed him speculatively. "You're not going to try to stop me, are you? Because if so, then no. But if you just want to come along, I suppose you can, if you want." She tried to sound like she didn't care if he did or not, but it had been a while since she'd had company beyond those she worked with.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His eyes widened, and he looked genuinely bewildered.

"Of course not."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She studied him, then nodded.

"Then you may come."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He beamed as he walked towards her, and it showed none of his worries, his doubts; only relief and gladness.

"Thank you."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She watched him as if distrustful of the beaming, but it was nice, to have someone so happy just to be with her.

She nodded, then headed out of the alley with a quick grace, headed back toward her favorite pub.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor took her wariness in stride, mostly by reminding himself that she didn't actually know him.

He followed her with swift, light steps, the gait of one who had been walking for a long time and knew how to run.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She watched him out of the corner of her eyes as they walked, taking in everything about him.

"Have you been to Dublin before?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Not for a long time," he said quietly, gaze roaming the area as they walked, savouring the images before them.

"Never in this period."