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

[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."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She nodded a little, still watching him. "What period?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Early eighteenth century." He glanced at her, lips quirking softly.

"Quite a lot has changed. The beauty of Earth, really."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She shot him another look, searching and deep. "That was before my time, but yes. Even in the last century the world itself has been reshaped it seems."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He met her gaze openly, guarding very little.

"Ever evolving, humans," he said softly, a faint smile curving his lips.

"Their societies change more quickly than most I've ever encountered - and it's quite a long, varied list, I assure you."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"It's disconcerting, their lack of appreciation for tradition and the Old Ways," she said, with an irritated look.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I've always found it rather refreshing myself," he admitted.

"There's so much they leave behind, but so much they achieve."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"It's not so refreshing when you're something left behind," she pointed out, pausing on a street lined with pubs, head tilted.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He took another step before stopping, turning to face her.

"No," he said softly. "I never did claim they were entirely sensible about it all."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She held his eyes, then glanced away, shrugging. "That one has promise," she said, nodding toward a pub.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I'll trust your judgement," he said lightly, and started towards it.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She refrained from snorting and followed him, still wary.

The pub was already crowded, a musician on the stage, though he hadn't started performing yet. Everyone was rowdy, trying to get to the bar, calling out across it. She didn't seem to mind, half melting through the crowd with ease, not looking to see if he was still with her.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

The Doctor was used to crowds; he politely but efficiently manoeuvred his way after Aislinn, never falling far enough behind to lose sight of her.

"A more delicate man could feel rather abandoned," he commented when he reached her side, his step light and fluid.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She shot him a look that was at least semi-amused.

"Thank the goddess you aren't more delicate then."