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]

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."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His lips quirked slightly. "Quite, you would have broken my hearts several times over."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She gave him an arrested glance at that. "Oh?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Hmm." He nodded towards the stage.

"He seems about ready."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She scowled at him before glancing at the stage, eyes taking on a different intensity of a look.

"Yes."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He didn't react to the scowl, outwardly; his gaze shifted between the two of them, steady and curious.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She decided to ignore him, focusing on the musician as he started to play. He was good. She closed her eyes, reaching out to brush over his mind, change the tune just enough from good to something else. Something better, but darker, inspiration playing into him, as she delicately pulled back out what she needed.

He had promise for long term, but she was pickier about those choices.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He noticed the difference, though no one else seemed to; or, if they did, didn't think much of it.

He remained silent, not wanting to interrupt. It was fascinating, really, this process; he'd never witnessed it before.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

It was more than with an artist of her own. Less, too, in a different way. With only one night to worry for, she could take less. Without a bargain struck, she didn't have to give as much.

But it was less satisfying. Still, less attachment. She faltered a little, then closed her eyes, drawing with a vengeance that made the young man on stage react, eyes falling closed as well, head back in some sort of sensual delight.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His eyes widened as he watched, filled with something rather more than surprise, and he glanced back at Aislinn.

"That's, ah, that's normal, then?" he murmured.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She opened her eyes, half-drunk on power for a moment, almost dizzy from pulling so much so quickly.

"What?"