/psl nine

[bringslife]

[regarding this meme]

---

[there's something about dressing up when they end up places and this time, rose has chosen another dress that flatters. it's a boat neck to highlight her slim lines, bright red, and has a hem that shows off her legs. there are shoes that match, as well a lipstick that goes with, and with her hair on top of her head, she's done as he asked: dress for dinner.

he'd given her precious other hints, just that their location would glitter, so she'd wanted to match. now she steps into the console room of the tardis and into his field of vision with a hesitant smile, performing a slow turn before turning just a bit bashful.

she remembers the last time she'd dressed up for him and the way he'd reacted. she's carried that look in his eyes with her ever since.]

It's okay?

Comments

[timeslastsoldier]

[he is, naturally, busy. There is a distress call coming in from somewhere he can't pinpoint. Somewhere in the ring cluster of colonies they have parked in. That he and Rose just happened to be heading here anyway is a coincidence--but he didn't want to worry her as tonight was supposed to be about entertainment; no screaming, no running, no ghosts, aliens or otherwise, to ruin their fun. Just a nice dinner and then maybe he could distract her somehow while he did some low key investigating.

He just had to find that bloody signal first. Where was all this interference coming from? Could it be the ring cluster had drifted somewhat to the right? That would make sense as the magnetic pull of the nearby planetoid would have shifted over time and it had been--he checked his watch-- about three thousand years since he'd been here last.

Where did the time go.

The blot of red in the corner of his eye told him that he had company. The Doctor quickly set about downloading the data to a memory disc for later]

It's perfect.

Hang on. Checking to see if the area is clear. Do you mind flipping that little toggle over there on the other side?

[he assumes she knows which one. There are only half a dozen to choose from]

[bringslife]

[it's not quite the reaction she's going for but hides the disappointment in a quick:] Yeah, okay.

[steps hurry to do just as he asked and she picks a switch to toggle, then another, just in case. she's usually pretty good at knowing because he's terrible about actual directions.]

That one?

[timeslastsoldier]

Yup.

[and then his brain catches up with his pheriphary]

No! [but it's too late and the TARDiS judders. He sweeps around the console to flip that switch back, plus a few dozen others. Then points at one that's helpfully labeled as 'Piedmont'.]

That... one... [he stares for a moment at the smooth curve of her shoulder, hidden a bit under the net of lace to the line of her collarbone and the side of her neck where he can just see the warm flutter of her pulse. As the nature of glitter goes, there is some flecked in hidden places on her skin, winking now and again unexpectedly in the shadow and the perfume...

He swallows. Puts his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels like it's perfectly fine.]

Not bad. You'll turn a few heads. Snap some clean off but that's fine. Of course you'll have to remember the rules. Not bad if you break them. No one's going to come after your head or anything. But it's considered a bit rude given the holiday.

[he was fairly sure he'd told her what those were. And then, an idea.]

You don't have a necklace, do you?

[bringslife]

[this time, she's focused on piedmont and the console and misses the reaction - until she turns at his question and notices that his hands are in his pockets and he's looking a mite closed off for someone who told her to pick something festive. red's festive!

her hand comes up to her throat, spreading over the expanse of bare skin above her breast before she shakes her head.]

No, I didn't see one with the dress-- [she turns back to make sure the switches are fine and then:] What you mean, snap 'em clean off?

[timeslastsoldier]

[he does notice that movement yes, but he pretends not to notice of it, not the contrast of red against the paleness of her skin or the soft way her chest rises and falls with her breathing.] \

Hm? What? Probably.

Hang on. I need to pop into the greening room and tart myself up a bit too. [he points at the console]

In a few seconds there should be a ding and a little disc will pop out. Grab it will you?

[and with that he strides off, but he'll be back. There shouldn't be anything unusual to notice except some garbled script that seem to be lyrics to some holiday tune.]

[bringslife]

[before she can ask if he's okay - suddenly, he's distracted and that's not like him, though now she wonders if he's finally taken a good look at her dress and she feels a flush teasing over her skin - he's moving off to do his own freshening up and she's left in the console room alone. she doesn't mind.

she loves the tardis. she loves everything about it. it feels more like home than the powell estates ever have and more than jimmy stone's van. this is where she belongs and she swings her hips a little as she hums a quiet tune, reaching over when the 'ding!' sounds.

holding the disc carefully in her hands, she'll still be swaying in place, humming 'have yourself a merry little christmas' to herself by the time he comes back.]

[timeslastsoldier]

[She makes it very difficult not to have emotions as her voice fills the console, seeming somewhat magnified by the impossible acoustics. He has no doubt she has some help from someone that wants to keep her hand in-- they're going to have a talk about that later.

For the moment he watches her from behind, unobserved, seeing the line of her neck continuing that line down her spine over other curves he has no business looking at. After a second he snaps out of it, not wanting to get caught and having to explain that, and closes the distance to set the necklace about her neck. The red of the rubies are offset by the white fire of the diamonds, and more importantly there's a tracker in the clasp so when she invariably hies off to where she's not supposed to he can at least find out where she is.

To call the ring colonies a maze was like calling the taj mahal a building.]

There. What d'you think?

[as for himself, well, he's added a sprig of holly pinned to his lapel unobtrusively]

[bringslife]

[bringing a hand up to feel the necklace, rose is able to get a good glance in the nearest reflective surface and her breath catches. it's far more opulent than she's ever imagined wearing and it matches her dress perfectly. her eyes go to his in her reflection, then she turns to see that sprig of holly and she smiles.]

Perfect. It's beautiful, Doctor.

[reaching out, she touches it carefully, then smooths down the front of her dress again, suddenly self conscious.]

Shall we?

[timeslastsoldier]

[well, there goes one of his hearts. Difficult for it not to stop dead in its paces when she touches the spot just above it. It's metaphorical, but he does tell it to stop being so melodramatic, noting her nerves and her strange shyness and deciding not to notice it.]

Right.

[he offers his arm and after she takes it, steers them towards the door]

Now remember this is an understated holiday for them, so keep your voice low, don't look anyone in the eye and if anyone offers you a sherry-- Was it drink it or avoid it? Can't remember. Mind like a sieve. Just, pretend. Make a good show of it.

[he takes a breath and tries to watch her expression out of the corner of his eye as he pushes out of the TARDiS and--

--into chaos.

Of a sort.

They are in some kind of employee passage, which means he's on target, and it should have been bare bones looking, utilitarian and quiet. Instead there is Christmas bursting from every panel it seems, garlanded along the edge of the ceiling, dripping in lights, some young woman on the lcd panel is advertising MooLaa Cola with too shiny teeth.

The woman is a fine example of the people here, looking just as human as you like save for the third eye, two rows of sharp teeth and a long coiled tongue which she wraps around the MooLaa can and pulls into her mouth with the sound of crunching aluminum.]

Just like home, isn't it? [he begins to navigate them down the side passage where they'll eventually meet the main thoroughfaire and to the restaurant he'd been wanting to take her to to begin with.

Dinner was going to happen come hell or high water]

[bringslife]

[ absolute chaos, which is par for the course for them and what he'll see is absolute delight on her face. it may be years and miles from home, but it's still christmas and that's all that matters. lights and garland and sparkles and rose learned long ago not to stare. it's practically normal for her to press against him as they squeeze through the path of people on their way to what dinner is.

joy abounds in her expression and her tone when she speaks, the flecks of glitter from her makeup and dress shining just as brightly as the lights and she uses her other arm to hold his, too. he gets the most brilliant smile, eyes alight with happiness as they come out the other side of the hallway, rose giggling suddenly.]

The whole can, Doctor.

[but she's not focusing on that as her gaze travels around the decorations with a happy sound. understated indeed. the main thoroughfare is gorgeous, too.]

If I forget to say it later, thank you.

[timeslastsoldier]

[that much joy is dangerous to behold and he finds himself lifted. He is not entirely certain his feet touch the ground. He hardly notices the crowd. He can't even tell if the music in the air is coming from the inside or the outside.

On some level he realizes that he's a fool and that this will only lead to bad things but seeing her joy at everything around her, he can't help but feel the same. He makes a face at the gratitude though]

None of that. Don't make it weird. I mean, yeah, I am taking you to see the universe, but that's just something mates do. I get to show off and you get to get into trouble. Nothing to thank me about.

[he stops and watches an alien with a fishbowl (and live fish) for a head gliding by]

What do you make of that?

[bringslife]

Mates. Yeah.

[she's not completely able to disguise the way it hurts a little on the inside when he says it because he's not wrong. they're mates and she knows better, but it's in moments like this - when things are light and she's feeling touched and beautiful and wearing a necklace he's loaned her - that she feels like they're just a little bit more than mates. wants to believe that they are.

then he reminds her they're not and she has to do a mental shake to let it settle in. mates.]

Looks like if it rains, he might overflow.

[a mild observation as her heart mends itself back together.]

[timeslastsoldier]

[he sees it a little bit but it's better this way so he doesn't feel too terrible. After all between Mickey and Adam, Rose seems to have a tendency to pick people that are terrible for her and he doesn't want to be one of them.

Her words make him laugh unexpectedly and he turns it into a cough when several of the fish turn to glare at them. He powers them on over a bridge that connects two of the ring satellites. The bridge is set up so that transparent panels on the floor make the universe seem like a river that runs under it. Stars are shining in their billions as well as the gauzy red and pink of a nebulae much further away than it seemed.]

Anyway, I wanted to show you this place, not because of the sights, but because of the food. If you thought you had plum pudding before? This will make your tongue do the salsa. I had some here with-- [no, he's not going to go down that road] It was fantastic.

[across the bridge and onto the other colony, going through the airlock and the restaurant opens up in front of them, well the face of it anyway. Le Méchant Loup is spelled out in red glittery cursive that pulses with an inner light and the restaurant beyond is decorated to the nines, tens and quite probably elevens.

Even from here it's obvious that aside from tables there is a dance floor and a chandelier filled with thousands of crystals. .

'Ding Dong Merrily on High' Is playing happily from thef the restaurant and swirling in the air.

As they approach the restaurant, Rose might also feel the disc she took warm slightly, though nothing that can't be dismissed by saying it's body heat.

The maiter'd is obviously a colony native and peers at him down the length of his long long nose.]

I assume you have the reservations

Yup, sure do.

[he flashes the psychic paper]

Sir Doctor and Wife

Er...

This way, please

[the matier'd starts trotting off at a brisk pace and the Doctor follows, hoping beyond hope that Rose didn't hear that part]

[bringslife]

[and wife?

unfortunately for the doctor, rose does hear it. it's what startles her from her awe of the visions around her. if the doctor thinks she was dressed to match the wonders of the universe before, it's nothing compared to witnessing her view what he's brought her to see now as they cross the bridges across the skies. with her hold on him, she's in now danger of falling, but she's very close to not paying attention to what's happening in front of her.

until the maitre'd says and wife and rose's gaze is pulled forward first, then up at the doctor. she's not going to contradict the man in front of them, but she knows the psychic paper shows what the holder wants the viewer to see, so how--]

It's gorgeous.

[she breathes it, caught up once more as they move briskly to keep up.]

You've been here before with who?

[suddenly she's his wife but he's been here with someone else? she's not jealous, despite how it might sound. and it does sound slightly like jealousy.]

[timeslastsoldier]

[It was a slip of the psyche. He's over 900 years old, these things happen sometimes. He notes the tone and is annoyed and worried by it. He knows she would be jealous if she knew. And maybe he should have her be jealous. That it would be better before she finds out. But he's with her now and until she finds out maybe just now is all that matters. She doesn't need to know about all that happened Before and all that will happen After. ]

Does it matter? [he won't indulge it either] They're not here now.

[he absently puts a hand on the small of her back as they ascend a short staircase. The table is well situated, overloking the dance floor and the orchestra with glittering instruments. He is even a gentleman and pulls her chair out for her to sit]

Now get anything you like. Anything at all. I have a tab here that's probably still good. [a grin] But if not we may have to make a dash for it.

[bringslife]

[the answer puts her in her place, even if she's a little disgruntled about it. yes, she knows he's nine hundred years old, so of course there are people before her, but still.

she eases into her chair and tosses a smile up at him before furrowing her brow.]

Didn't wear shoes for running, Doctor. [he'd told her to dress up. she's dressed up. do they take necklaces in trade? but she lifts the menu and lets her eyes run over the different offerings, most of which she's totally unfamiliar with. she doesn't want to accidentally order the fish-head people they'd seen.

first, though, drinks.] You'd said something about the sherry?

[timeslastsoldier]

You'll manage. [he rested his cheek against the heel of his hand, watching her.] You always do. [and then, fondly] Rose Tyler... What am I going to do with you?

[other than feel too much and act like a fool.

He was glad she changed the subject]

Right. I can't remember if it's a good idea or a bad one. Odds are fifty-fifty. [a grin] Want to risk it?

[bringslife]

Dinner and Christmas?

[she so rarely sees him look at her like that that it takes her a moment to process it and, when she does, she feels herself pink up just a little. but the challenge... oh, that's met with a twinkle in her eye and a sly grin.]

With you? Always.

[it's so true. when he's there, she's ready to risk it all.]

[timeslastsoldier]

You're on. [two sherries ordered then and whatever it was that Rose wanted to start with. The Doctor is not of a mind to eat, but then he rarely is]

Dinner and Christmas? [he huffs a breath] This is just a pitstop. I'm speaking time and space and everything in it, the great unknown at your fingertips. [and beautiful ones at that.]

I could take you to see Elvis if you like. In any incarnation. Except when he turned into an arachnid. That wasn't fun for anyone. Or maybe Bach in his heyday. Or the library of Alexandria... Old or New, or the slice of it that ended up on Pluto for some reason. [is he lying? probably. But then again, probably not]

[bringslife]

All of it. Anywhere with you. [she's grinning at him now, caught up in what he's said.] You're never getting rid of me, I told you that.

[the sherries are delivered and she lifts the glass, admiring the sparkling liquid in it - is that some form of glitter? - and then watches him carefully.]

The libraries, Pluto, Elvis without the spiders... [she tips the rim of her glass toward him in a toast.] Here's to risk and reward.

[timeslastsoldier]

Oh, everything ends. Us. This. You. Me. Even the universe is only finite. A single point of time on the edge of an abyss. When it's gone, only darkness is left.

[he realizes he's getting too bleak and smiles]

But for now. Sherry. To risk and reward. [he clinks the glass against hers and downs it. Before the rush of liquid hits his throat he does spot something odd, a cluster of Hanalii merchants in the wrong color cloak for Henalii merchants to have. It pings something in him that he can't quite put a finger on. But then warmth is flooding his system and it hardly matters. The aftertaste is deep and almost musky but in a pleasant way.]

Not bad for alcohol.

[bringslife]

[she goes from enthralled to offended in half a heartbeat.]

Doctor..

[by then he's realized his own mistake in going bleak and she tips her own glass back, marveling at the taste she gathers from the liquid. it's not quite like the sherry she's had in the past, and she takes another look at it in the glass before setting the rest of it down on the table, impressed.]

It's good. [her tongue comes out to trace the edges of her lips, sampling the drops left there.] Sometimes, I think you like to be picky.

[she's back to teasing him with a soft smile.]

[timeslastsoldier]

I have more tastebuds than you do, and more receptors. I can afford to be picky. Not that it works on me.

[he reaches out without thinking and brushes his thumb over a sample she missed, touching the corner of her mouth and lingering without meaning to. He pulls his hand back and takes a breath]

Not sure if much is happening. Might need to try another.

[bringslife]

[he takes a breath and she holds hers, the intimacy of his touch startling her and sending her heart pounding rapidly in her chest. her lips part as he pulls back and she finally manages to take a breath, something soft and light as she tries to keep up with what he's saying.]

Might.

[it's a quiet agreement, her eyes still on his face, before she blinks and nods, another brilliant smile taking over.] Risk and reward.

[carefully, she brings her own (beautiful) fingertips up to brush at her lips, even as she looks for the server to bring another round.]

[timeslastsoldier]

[That smile is both risk and reward. He barely registers that there is another round being asked for.]

Did you ever have your palm read?

[it's a non-sequitur and completely transparent, he's sure, but there's something alluring about her hands and he wants to feel the heat of them even in the semi-platonic way. Maybe it's due to the heat that seems to rise from his collar along his neck and burn at the back of his ears.

Surely this one thing wouldn't be too much.

He holds out his hand for her to take. An offer. A suggestion. A hope]