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]

It had been so long since he'd done this manually; usually it was an automatic shift, in tandem with the TARDIS. The concentration was evident in his eyes, though it did not curb the faint, determined smile.

The letters would not change before her eyes, but she would come to realise the this meant this, and that meant that, as he moved her fingers along the words.

Theta Sigma, she would read.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She followed, learning, eyes sharp and attention focused with shrewd intelligence few ever looked close enough to see.

"Theta Sigma," she said, softly, just under the noise of the crowd. "You are called this?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"I was once," he replied, and though his voice was softer still, it carried easily.

"At the Academy, before I left home."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She tilted her head, studying him. "Names have power."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

He nodded once.

"Yes."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"Yet you would trust me with this?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

Gaze level, voice quiet, both utterly certain.

"Yes."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"Why?" Her tone indicated she thought him a fool for it.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His lips quirked at that; there was no indication of offense.

"As I said, I have you at a bit of a disadvantage. I'm only trying to level the field, so to speak." There was more to it, of course, but that was all he spoke of.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She nodded a little bit, tracing her fingers over the symbols again, her eyes thoughtful.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His hand fell from hers, resting on the bar. For a while he was silent, simply gazing at her.

"It was mocking in the beginning, if I recall," he said, gently breaking the silence.

"I think I embraced it for that very reason."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

Her lips quirked a bit at that in something nearer a smile.

"To take something meant to hurt and make it your own?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His own smile returned, light and warm again.

"Very inconsiderate of me, I'm sure, ruining their fun..."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

"But very wise, at the same time," she said softly.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His smile widened, and he inclined his head slightly.

"I am that, on occasion."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She arched an eyebrow. "Modest, too."

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"On occasion," he reiterated, eyes glinting.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She smiled a little, ducking her head.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

His own smile widened, and he pulled his glass back, taking a sip. His fingers never touched the words, the name, never tried to rub it away.

"You should do that more often," he suggested lightly.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

That got him a sharp look.

"Do what?"

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

"Smile," he said softly. The glass hardly made a sound as he sat it down.

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

She just arched an eyebrow in response.

[thecricketer.livejournal.com]

A slight shrug.

"It's a rather lovely smile, if you don't mind my saying."

[alainn-aislinn.livejournal.com]

Compliments at least were things she was used to, and she watched him for a moment, then smiled again.


ooc: ok. Her prompt yesterday creeped me out. *curls up on you*