( Sorry River, but some things never change. She's not going anywhere by herself, that's for sure. But she is pulling free her sonic screwdriver ( spoondriver, who knows ) and zapping it at the man. )
Oh, come on!
( Because those are some very distinct readings. )
A billion years later and you're still around trying to get your hands on anything Gallifreyan? ( He reacts to that, taking his eyes off River. ) There's no one around to hear your crowing. They're all gone, and really, even back then nobody cared if you had Rassilon's mouldy underpants, you weirdo!
( This has been a very trying day. She is tired. So she's stepping out from her cover and waving her arms around as she does so. )
You're not going to shoot me! I only just got these clothes. And you're not going to shoot my friend here either, because she has amazing hair and is an awesome kisser. ( A glance behind. A wink. ) You're going to let us go. Otherwise I will be very, very cross.
( even with everything going on river doesn't put the gun away. this woman might not like them but she did not feel reassured to put it away, even with the fact that this man's attention had shifted, even if he didn't seem to be shooting at them for the moment.
but--
things were starting to click in place. a screwdriver, gallifreyan, rassilon-- a blue box. god, how many clues did she need? but it also seemed that this woman didn't quite know who she was despite definitely being from river's future. but river knew what regeneration brain was like. this was new for her and river had to do everything she could to help her-- wife )
Sweetie--
( it's warning a little. even though river is happy to let her keep talking, brilliant things always happened when the doctor was allowed to keep talking for extended periods, this man couldn't be trusted, not if he knew what the box was.
especially not if the doctor also seemed to know who he was.
river's taking a step forward, gun still steady on him. whilst she expected this to go badly, when didn't it, she hoped that the doctor knew what she was doing )
( There it is again. That little niggle in the back of her head, the twist in her hearts. She does know this woman. And better than she knows this man. Or this kind of man.
There's too many things happening at once, too many spiralling emotions and when he makes a movement she does too, boots skidding across the floor to stay in front of him and before River. ) Ah ah ah! I told you. You're not getting the box. What do you want it for anyway? It's a child's thing. You collectors. You could try stamps. Or bottle caps. Or trading cards, but no. Just someone else who thinks the Time Lords were the be all and end all. Spoilers! ( Wait. ) We weren't. Actually, most of us were pretty boring.
( That might have been the wrong thing to say because he definitely seems to react to her being one. The Doctor, in all her infinite wisdom, swears blindly and colourfully for a moment before she's reaching for whatever she can get her hands on - a vase, this time - and flinging it at his head.
Hopefully River actually runs when she's grabbed this time. ) Come on!
( oh, she's a beautiful idiot. it's one thing to let on that she knows what the box is but another to say she knows because of the fact that she's a time lord. which he definitely reacts to.
though river does run as she's pulled she doesn't leave without firing a shot. it's to the ground, a warning in case he's thinking of following them.
but she runs, no one quite able to stop them in time before they're gone. they're moving through the corridors, down the stairs, not stopping until they make it to that incredible, impossible blue box.
though river had had it click in her mind a moment before seeing the box confirms it, making her smile, feeling a little relieved as she sees it. and she can't help but notice the repaint )
( The Doctor lets go only to open the TARDIS, the thrum of noise more welcoming than anything else. The engines give a low whine as River joins her, a bullet ricocheting off the forcefields just in time. With a cheery wave at the block still pursuing them, she shuts the door and sprints to the console.
Soothingly, she runs a hand over the coral and metal, talking to the ship again. )
I know, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get shot but the paintwork's fine.
( A pull of a lever and she spins to lean back, glance at River. )
( safe inside the tardis river stows her gun. she takes a brief look around, admiring the new look. she'll take a proper look later once they're out of this situation.
instead, not quite caring what the doctor is doing, river strides over to her. she nudges her hands away from the lever that she'd been about to pull, working on controlling the tardis to get them out of there. it might be a new layout but she had that special connection )
Not the time for that button, honey.
( they didn't need to empty the swimming pool at this moment in time )
( River moves her out of the way and the Doctor lets her. A step back and the knowledge hits like a locomotive. Pulling in a breath, she sweeps to the side so she can lean against the console and beam at the other woman as she works. )
River.
( Oh but that's perfect, that's wonderful. She's bouncing a little on her toes in excitement. )
( river's still working on getting them out, sending them into the time vortex rather than with any specific destination in mind. she just wanted them somewhere safe and quiet so that they could--
she wasn't even certain. talk? they clearly had a lot to talk about now that there were a few revelations in the air but oh, god, river didn't even know where to begin.
she waits until the tardis is settled, giving a little thankful rub on the console before (finally) turning towards her wife )
An auction? What were you doing there?
( because to start with it hadn't seemed like she'd known )
The box. ( She pulls a face, wrinkles her nose as she does so. ) It's silly, but I heard a rumour and I just wanted to see it. I mean I almost didn't go but then the TARDIS gave me a little shove and --.
She must have known you'd be there!
( Whatever, her ship is in love with her wife. It's fine. She likes it. )
She's been trying to help me get my head around -- well, all of this.
( you bet the tardis loves her child. the whole babbling just makes river smile, happily listening to her wife.
god, her wife. it's words that she's said before but that had never been a true marriage. but calling the doctor her wife... it might take a little getting used to (she loved it).
she's pulling the box out from her purse, holding it out to her )
I was. A lost Gallifreyan "artifact". ( even if it was only a child's toy ) It doesn't have any meaning to me but... it's something of your history. Besides, I couldn't let it fall into some idiot collector's hands.
( especially the kind of idiot that they'd run into tonight, someone chasing myths and legends and having no idea what it truly was. which was nothing.
river had been there for sentiment -- she'd had no idea where the doctor was in time or when she'd see her again but she could at least chase some connection. river had never known gallifrey, not in the same way. it would never be home, never be somewhere she felt that fond a connection to (she doubted that they'd accept her existence) but it made her feel a little closer to her love just having something like that around. it was small, it was silly, but it was good )
( There's a softer note in her voice when she takes the box from River, cradling it between her palms. It's mostly wood, with brass hinges at the corner. The Doctor is careful as she lays it on the console, glancing at River through the sweep of blonde hair. )
You're always looking out for me.
( She owes River so much and knows she can never really give it to her. But for now her eyes are warm and her mouth is smiling as she leans in to unlatch and open the box. A light spills from it, catching the coral of the TARDIS in blues and purples like a night's sky. )
I never had one of my own. My best friend did, and he let me play with it. Look.
( Inside, little wooden figures move around with whatever way the Doctor nudges the box. )
( river steps towards her, resting a hand on her arm as she leans in, curls brushing at her cheek )
What is it?
( the light coming from it looked beautiful and though river might have some guesses as to what it could be, or what it represented, she wasn't certain that she'd accurately guess. besides things relating to gallifrey were always things that she preferred hearing from the doctor )
no subject
( Sorry River, but some things never change. She's not going anywhere by herself, that's for sure. But she is pulling free her sonic screwdriver ( spoondriver, who knows ) and zapping it at the man. )
Oh, come on!
( Because those are some very distinct readings. )
A billion years later and you're still around trying to get your hands on anything Gallifreyan? ( He reacts to that, taking his eyes off River. ) There's no one around to hear your crowing. They're all gone, and really, even back then nobody cared if you had Rassilon's mouldy underpants, you weirdo!
( This has been a very trying day. She is tired. So she's stepping out from her cover and waving her arms around as she does so. )
You're not going to shoot me! I only just got these clothes. And you're not going to shoot my friend here either, because she has amazing hair and is an awesome kisser. ( A glance behind. A wink. ) You're going to let us go. Otherwise I will be very, very cross.
no subject
but--
things were starting to click in place. a screwdriver, gallifreyan, rassilon-- a blue box. god, how many clues did she need? but it also seemed that this woman didn't quite know who she was despite definitely being from river's future. but river knew what regeneration brain was like. this was new for her and river had to do everything she could to help her-- wife )
Sweetie--
( it's warning a little. even though river is happy to let her keep talking, brilliant things always happened when the doctor was allowed to keep talking for extended periods, this man couldn't be trusted, not if he knew what the box was.
especially not if the doctor also seemed to know who he was.
river's taking a step forward, gun still steady on him. whilst she expected this to go badly, when didn't it, she hoped that the doctor knew what she was doing )
no subject
( There it is again. That little niggle in the back of her head, the twist in her hearts. She does know this woman. And better than she knows this man. Or this kind of man.
There's too many things happening at once, too many spiralling emotions and when he makes a movement she does too, boots skidding across the floor to stay in front of him and before River. ) Ah ah ah! I told you. You're not getting the box. What do you want it for anyway? It's a child's thing. You collectors. You could try stamps. Or bottle caps. Or trading cards, but no. Just someone else who thinks the Time Lords were the be all and end all. Spoilers! ( Wait. ) We weren't. Actually, most of us were pretty boring.
( That might have been the wrong thing to say because he definitely seems to react to her being one. The Doctor, in all her infinite wisdom, swears blindly and colourfully for a moment before she's reaching for whatever she can get her hands on - a vase, this time - and flinging it at his head.
Hopefully River actually runs when she's grabbed this time. ) Come on!
no subject
though river does run as she's pulled she doesn't leave without firing a shot. it's to the ground, a warning in case he's thinking of following them.
but she runs, no one quite able to stop them in time before they're gone. they're moving through the corridors, down the stairs, not stopping until they make it to that incredible, impossible blue box.
though river had had it click in her mind a moment before seeing the box confirms it, making her smile, feeling a little relieved as she sees it. and she can't help but notice the repaint )
Oh, she's beautiful.
no subject
( The Doctor lets go only to open the TARDIS, the thrum of noise more welcoming than anything else. The engines give a low whine as River joins her, a bullet ricocheting off the forcefields just in time. With a cheery wave at the block still pursuing them, she shuts the door and sprints to the console.
Soothingly, she runs a hand over the coral and metal, talking to the ship again. )
I know, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get shot but the paintwork's fine.
( A pull of a lever and she spins to lean back, glance at River. )
Sorry about that.
no subject
instead, not quite caring what the doctor is doing, river strides over to her. she nudges her hands away from the lever that she'd been about to pull, working on controlling the tardis to get them out of there. it might be a new layout but she had that special connection )
Not the time for that button, honey.
( they didn't need to empty the swimming pool at this moment in time )
no subject
River.
( Oh but that's perfect, that's wonderful. She's bouncing a little on her toes in excitement. )
Hello again!
no subject
she wasn't even certain. talk? they clearly had a lot to talk about now that there were a few revelations in the air but oh, god, river didn't even know where to begin.
she waits until the tardis is settled, giving a little thankful rub on the console before (finally) turning towards her wife )
An auction? What were you doing there?
( because to start with it hadn't seemed like she'd known )
no subject
She must have known you'd be there!
( Whatever, her ship is in love with her wife. It's fine. She likes it. )
She's been trying to help me get my head around -- well, all of this.
( Dying. You know. )
Where you there for it too?
no subject
god, her wife. it's words that she's said before but that had never been a true marriage. but calling the doctor her wife... it might take a little getting used to (she loved it).
she's pulling the box out from her purse, holding it out to her )
I was. A lost Gallifreyan "artifact". ( even if it was only a child's toy ) It doesn't have any meaning to me but... it's something of your history. Besides, I couldn't let it fall into some idiot collector's hands.
( especially the kind of idiot that they'd run into tonight, someone chasing myths and legends and having no idea what it truly was. which was nothing.
river had been there for sentiment -- she'd had no idea where the doctor was in time or when she'd see her again but she could at least chase some connection. river had never known gallifrey, not in the same way. it would never be home, never be somewhere she felt that fond a connection to (she doubted that they'd accept her existence) but it made her feel a little closer to her love just having something like that around. it was small, it was silly, but it was good )
no subject
( There's a softer note in her voice when she takes the box from River, cradling it between her palms. It's mostly wood, with brass hinges at the corner. The Doctor is careful as she lays it on the console, glancing at River through the sweep of blonde hair. )
You're always looking out for me.
( She owes River so much and knows she can never really give it to her. But for now her eyes are warm and her mouth is smiling as she leans in to unlatch and open the box. A light spills from it, catching the coral of the TARDIS in blues and purples like a night's sky. )
I never had one of my own. My best friend did, and he let me play with it. Look.
( Inside, little wooden figures move around with whatever way the Doctor nudges the box. )
no subject
What is it?
( the light coming from it looked beautiful and though river might have some guesses as to what it could be, or what it represented, she wasn't certain that she'd accurately guess. besides things relating to gallifrey were always things that she preferred hearing from the doctor )