delcattys | open post.

( river tips her head to the side, her tone one of mock offense )

I am very gentle.

( except they both know that, under most circumstances, that those words relating to river are absolutely crap. though when it comes to the doctor she can be incredibly tender. if she's feeling merciful )

Though maybe not yet. I'm-- ( she waves a hand, trying to find some words that might be accurate ) --does this count as a new body?

Only when you want to be. I still remember things, you know.

( the doctor smiles, looking river over. )

I suppose. Or more like... restored? Back to how you were before you - ( died. ) - left.

( her smile begins to fade a little )

That should be impossible -- more so than being-- ( pause ) --alive.

( impossible may usually be something that she excels in but she'd died and it seemed, felt like she'd been dead a long time. she wasn't certain that she wanted confirmation with what year it was.

she'd figure it out later, get medical scans, make sure everything was in the right place and working properly )

It doesnt matter.

( it did, just one of the things currently niggling at her but she didn't want to dwell. it felt like she should be celebrating )

River.

( all of it's impossible, or should be, and she's dying to know what happened, how it happened, why. because there shouldn't have been a way out of this, but river is standing in front of her, flesh and blood, and with that comes so many questions.

questions that she won't ask, not now, and instead takes river's hand again. )

We'll work this out. You and me. If you want to. ( she squeezes her hand. ) Whatever you want to do now, it's your call.

( oh, the doctor is good. she knows the right things to say to lift river's thoughts just enough, tugging that smile back )

I'd like to see somewhere. ( not expecting to have this chance again river doesn't actually know what she wants to do ) Somewhere quiet.

( she's not ready to fully throw herself into things but it would be nice to think, to see something beautiful and to spend precious moments with her wife )

( her eyes light up at that and the doctor hops over the mess on the floor to the console. )

Professor Song, how do you feel about Greek mythology?

( she flips switches, turns dials while she talks, spins the hourglass. )

Khione. Daughter of a water nymph. Same as many Greek tales, she was taken advantage of by a man and the gods punished her for it. ( a frown. ) Turned her into a cloud, of all things.

( the tardis wheezes briefly, then comes to a stop. )

So she made it snow. Right there in the desert. Not the happiest or best known tales, but she did get a small planet named after her.

( flashing river another smile, the doctor jogs over to the doors and pushes them open.

and it really is a very small planet. the only signs of life nearby are several barren trees, covered in frost. and while it isn't actually snowing - the dark sky is clear, lit up with stars - the ground is covered with white powder, untouched.

she did say quiet.)

( she doesn't get a chance to respond before the doctor jumps in with her excited spiel and river would have it no other way. she lets her talk, pilot, taking a cautionary step towards the railing just in case her piloting is anything like what she remembers--

and she smiles. this is familiar, beautifully so and listening to her, getting to see somewhere that is most certainly new... it reminds her why she loves adventures, loving that excitement and feeling it start to creep back in to her chest.

when they land river moves towards the door, taking a few steps outside and is awed )

It's beautiful.

( quiet, calm. the light shines beautifully off the frost and you can absolutely feel the peace )

Should be just ours, for now.

( she follows river outside, stops just behind her. )

People visit sometimes, just to see. But there are no resources, no reason for people to try and move in. Just the snow and the ice.

( there's a cracking sound nearby, and an icicle falls from one of the trees and lands in the snow. Then, it wriggles and burrows into the ground. )

Some of which is mildly sentient. But harmless.

I'm glad no one has tried to move in.

( because, like she said, even if they wanted to there's nothing here for them. and it leaves a beautiful place like this for people like them to just look at.

river had seen a lot of beautiful sights in her time, had made a point to go and look at amazing things, but there was still so much to be discovered )

How far do you think we can walk?

( though maybe not how river is currently dressed in her light white dress )

How far do you fancy? Although -

( it's possible that she hadn't really taken river's current clothes into consideration when picking a planet. Fortunately, when you're in your thousands and have had over a dozen different bodies (and plenty of friends), you tend to pick up a few things. )

We should probably find you something a bit warmer. I'm sure I've got a coat or two.

I might need directions.

( she'd always been able to find exactly what she'd needed any other time and river had a feeling that, sentimental idiots that they are, that both the doctor and the tardis would still have had anything that she'd left behind. finding it with this new face... help, sweetie )

Come on, then. ( she grabs river's hand. ) What're you waiting for?

( as it turns out, the doctor may have also needed directions. but in her defense, she hasn't had the chance to properly explore yet, and she's pretty sure the tardis is messing with them, and she only gets them lost once.

but the point is, they get there, the room that could be called a wardrobe if it didn't look more like an over-stocked charity shop these days. )

I really need to get rid of some of this.

You do and one day you'll need it.

( even now all of the men's clothes -- for a friend or future regeneration.

river takes a good look around before grabbing a few things and then a couple of other items (a nice jumper) that she helpfully slides the doctor's way.

she says nothing about them, waiting until she's gotten herself changed (jumper, jeans and boots) before speaking )

Now this is better.

( and that is exactly why she never does get rid of anything. never know when you'll need a leather jacket or a 20 foot long scarf.

or a jumper, which she takes gratefully and starts to put on. when it's over her head she pauses to pull her braces from her shoulders, finishes putting the jumper on, then puts the braces back on again. perfect. )

Much. What do you say? Shall we go explore an icy desert?

Sounds like a date.

( words that river never thought that she'd get to say again. she'd had her team with her in the data core, and charlotte, but she wasn't dating them )

What made you think of this place?

It's quiet, like you asked. And the chances of anything trying to kill us here are quite low.

( and maybe she'd stumbled on it a while ago and couldn't think of anyone else she'd like to show it to more. maybe. )

Which I know isn't how our dates usually seem to go, but there's a first time for everything.

There is.

( and while once that would have been a notion that would have made river sad she's now looking forward to her firsts -- their firsts. they're both at the same point in time on their relationship, both travelling in the same direction for the first time. for now, that probably wouldn't last but she'd relish it whilst she had the chance )

Let's go see what there is.

( she gives an enthusiastic tug, taking the doctor's hand in her own as she leads back through to the console room and back outside )

You know, you're stealing my job.

( not that she minds. she follows willingly, gladly, even, as river leads her back outside. once they're out, she tugs back on river's hand to get her to face her. )

Ready to see if I'm right? If this place really is as peaceful as it looks?

((ooc: i meant to say, go for your life with this planet. my inner mythology nerd went wild.))

( ooc: but i love it! i'm terrible at creating these sorts of things )

( river almost spins into her (purposefully) at the tug, giving a nod at the question )

I might not even mind if it wasn't.

( because, as much as she wanted peace and to think anything and everything felt alright when she was with the doctor. it was the one place that felt home and safe -- something that she'd spent so long craving in her youth and had been so pleased to find.

river's first few steps are tentative and whilst the snow isn't deep enough to get a real crunch it's enough to see their footprints behind them, a light dusting starting to cover river's boots.

looking out it's almost as if they could walk for miles, nothing but the occasional tree around them. had there ever been buildings or were they covered, hidden against the light shining off the ice and snow )

It's almost strange to hear so little.

( but at least it wasn't silent. not like the library had been. there were still some sounds, ones of their footsteps, the trees gently moving in the wind. no wildlife just nature )

Some things never change.

( it's said with an immense amount of fondness. it's also mostly true. )

As long as there aren't snowmen. Had enough snowmen for another dozen lifetimes.

( as is that. not that she expects to find any here.

she follows river closely, keen to enjoy this with her. the doctor rarely gets to actually enjoy any peace and quiet, because there's usually something lurking beneath it. this, though... )

Good strange, I hope?

( river doesn't ask. it doesn't sound like it's going to be one of those good fun stories and if she ever feels that curious later she can always look it up -- there's bound to be some information on it written somewhere.

there's a small hum at the question, river taking a moment to think how best to describe it )

It is. I suppose I'm just not used to it.

( their lives were very rarely quiet and the only times lately that river had retreated to such a thing was in moments of frustration )

But I've always tried new things.

You have. And this might be the only time you can't get into some kind of trouble doing so.

( she stops for a second, frowning. realising that she's a few steps behind, she hurries to catch up. )

Maybe don't take that as a challenge. I know you.

Not today.

( it's the only time river will make such a promise, only because she'd like this date to be as it is. any other time you know she would have wickedly smiled, promising nothing except a good time )

Come on, I think there's a building ahead.

( or the remains of one, perhaps from before this world was changed )

Ah, good.

( not that she was worried there might not be anything here. but the tardis dropped them off somewhere different to the last time she was here, somewhere she hadn't gotten to. )

Bit of shelter wouldn't hurt right now, have to say.

You're not bored already I hope.

( though, for her tease, river has to admit that she's also starting to feel the chill of the temperatures -- jumpers and coats only provided so much of a barrier. hopefully this shelter would do just enough even if they couldn't properly warm up )

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