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 Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:33 am
When they got to the TARDIS control room the sound of the engines was beginning to die off. The Doctor headed for the door but Sephy stopped him.
"Don't you want to see what's out there first on the scanner?"
He shrugged, smiling that strange, unhappy smile.
"Do you think it'll make much difference? I spent years - centuries - checking everything out with that damned scanner. Did it stop the monsters trying to eat me? Did it stop the soldiers chucking me in jail and shooting at my companions? No. It didn't. The least I can get out of this endless tour across the universe is a little surprise. Perhaps even some excitement. Is that ok with you?"
"It was only a suggestion..."
He turned away from her.
"Rika, I'm guessing you've never been to an alien planet before?"
The young woman shook her head.
"I still don't have a clue what's going on Mr... um... Doctor. I'm pretty sure I'm going to wake up soon though."
"Well then, no harm in having a little stroll round is there? Grab my walking stick would you?"
He disappeared through the door. Grabbing the walking stick, Rika followed.
Sephy threw up her hands in exasperation.
"How can he be so... so random!"
Sabbalom - who had followed them up from the library - gave her the caat equivalent of a shrug.
"You expect me to keep tabs on someone who doesn't even check for a breathable atmosphere before he leaps out the door? He'll be dead within the week! You'd think he wanted to die..."
"Miaow..."
"This isn't the Timelord I read about. This is an idiot."
____________________________
"The purple sky is caused by a chemical in their atmosphere called Jabblin - literally meaning 'purple dust'. They're a very straight-forward people here on Layton 5..."
The Doctor was pointing up at the stunning violet horizon with his swordstick as two greyish-white suns sank behind far off hills. It was dusk and the air smelt of pollen and grass. A field of honey-coloured flowers stretched out ahead of them, a small dirt path winding through the middle towards the city in the distance. Lights were appearing, casting a white glow over the spiral-shaped buildings.
"There are 4 other purple planets then?" said Rika, eyes wide, face alight with curiousity.
"Only two now. One went supernova along with it's sun, the other was destroyed by pollution and abandoned."
"Oh..."
"The Laytonians are somewhat like your own species... only after they got through their first planet they realised they had to change their thinking a little. We're lucky, landing on number 5. It's their best planet!"
"No monsters then?" said Sephy, glancing disinterestedly at the purple sunset - she'd seen a hundred like it.
"No," said the Doctor, taking a deep breath, "But I have a feeling we might get a little excitement out of it yet! We've landed in the Summer Harvest season. That there..." he pointed at the city ahead, "...is our ticket to a whole month of partying, if you like that sort of thing."
"Not really."
"Good!" He lifted his foot in an exaggerated marching motion, "Let's go!"
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:27 am
When they reached the city they found it alight with music and dancing. Everyone seemed to have left their houses to join in the festivities as they wound their way along the streets and in and out of public - and private - buildings.
The city itself was beautiful. As it had appeared from a distance, it's buildings really were built into magnificent spiral shapes like shells. Some were short and squat and round with stubby spikes protruding from their rooftops - the ends of which glowed like colourful lightbulbs. Many of the buildings were tall, however, elegant and delicate and they flowed into one another, the base of one merging into it's neighbour so that it could rise higher and join with the next and so on. All were covered in lights; some from windows, some from spikes and some just from the walls themselves that glowed in the evening gloom, brightening it until it was almost as if the suns hadn't set. Rika touched her hand to one of the walls as they passed and found it as smooth and cool as the inside of a seashell.
"Mother of pearl?" she asked the Doctor, pointing at the shimmering walls. He shook his head.
"It's organic but it's not from the sea. It's a substance that grows all around here, pretty much as you see it, so the residents simply hollow it out and live there."
"It's beautiful..."
She rummaged in her bag until she found her little pocket camera. She lifted it up and took a shot of the full length of the street in all it's glowing, shimmering glory. When she looked up again she noticed that the Doctor and Sephy were hurrying ahead without her, so she ran to catch up.
She stopped alongside them as they came to the main stairway of a gigantic building situated in the very center of the city. It had more lights and more spirals than all the others put together. It seemed to go up higher than was possible... Rika stared. It was impossible! Entire segments at the tip of the castle were completely detached from the main complex and were actually floating in the air, gently rotating round as she watched. Before she could open her mouth to ask the Doctor was already answering her question.
"Anti-gravity technology. Don't worry, you humans will catch up eventually. This is, afterall, far into your own future..."
He caught her eye and then with a cheeky half-grin in Sephy's direction suddenly ran up the stairs ahead of them, shouting like a little kid. Rika and Sephy exchanged a look.
"I hate to point this out to you," Sephy said, raising her eyebrows, "But that Timelord is your ticket home. If you lose him you're pretty much stuck here..."
A flash of concern shot across Rika's face and suddenly she was running up the gigantic staircase after him, Sephy by her side as the Doctor took the stairs three at a time, laughing.
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:17 am
Sabbalom shot a reproachful look at Sephy and Rika's backs before taking a running leap and bounding up the stairs after them. At one point, he wound through Rika's legs, almost causing her to trip over the next step. Sephy just dodged the caat and held out a hand to Rika so she wouldn't fall. They stood for a moment, gasping for breath, before turning and continueing their ascent. The sounds of laughter were now high overhead.
"We...have..to..catch..him." Sephy said between steps.
"But..he's so far up..how can he run that fast?" Rika asked, taking the steps two at a time now.
Sephy shrugged, saving her breath for climbing.
By now, Sabbalom had almost caught up to the Doctor, for despite his size, the caat had four paws to run on instead of two feet. Besides, it was easier to climb when you were less heavy. Sabbalom was a highly intelligent caat see, and he was rather fit too. After a few minutes, the Doctor came into sight. Sabbalom waited for the right moment...and pounced, jumping high enough to land neatly on the Doctor's shoulder.
"Ahh!" the Doctor said in shock. 'Who? What? Oh, it's just you Sabbalom. Where are th others?"
He had stopped climbing the stairs when Sabbalom had jumped and now sat down on the step.
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:32 am
"You must be... getting... fitter...." Sephy gasped as they finally made it up the last few stairs, "You couldn't manage half a street a couple of hours ago..."
"It all depends on mood," he said, stroking Sabbalom as he got to his feet, "Now, shall we go inside for a royal welcome?"
Sephy glanced at the heavy-set guards that flanked either side of the main doors and gave him a quizzical look.
"You think they'll just let us wander in without an invitation?"
"Of course!" The Doctor grinned, "It's the Summer Harvest festival, it's bad luck to turn away guests.
Sure enough, through the open doors they could hear the sound of music and laughter - a great party was going on.
"Do they have a king and queen?" asked Rika, taking the opportunity to snap a few more shots off on her camera.
"Yes, though they're quite different from your old Earth ones. They can be voted out if they offend the people. Though of course, that hasn't happened in a long time. And they carry out many other helpful roles. Other than being royal, I mean. Come on..."
He grasped a hand of each companion and marched them straight past the guards and into the main complex. Inside was like a honeycomb; Rika had expected a vast, open room inside the grand building but in fact, after the main reception area, they were faced with a series of pale, shimmering tunnels leading outwards and upwards and splitting off in a thousand different directions. The Doctor glanced at the nearest and shook his head.
"Don't worry, we don't have to walk through all those. We'll take the elevator."
The elevator was even stranger than the hallways. It was like a huge glass bubble set into a tube in one wall. It's surface was dark and almost blood-red, like a semi-transparent organ. It contrasted with the otherwise pale surroundings but once inside it was quite comfortable, with padded seats at the back. The Doctor tapped something into the control panel and the doors slid closed behind them. As he took a seat, the lift began to move upwards.
"Who is it we're coming to see?" asked Sephy, eyeing the walls nervously. As they had begun to rise up through the shaft the bubble had gone dark before a ring of purple lights around the ceiling had gently lit up, bathing them in shades of violet.
"Who says we're here to see anyone?" asked the Doctor, stroking Sabbalom, his eyes to the ground. His voice held a hint of mischief and Rika noticed, even through the purple light, that there was a lot more colour to his face than there had been back in Manchester. His eyes were also brighter, keener.
"Really Doctor," she said, "Who are we going to see? Will we meet the Royal Family?"
"You think I'm that important?" he looked up, grinning, "I'm afraid you'll just have to wait and see. In all honesty, I don't know where we'll end up. But this is a very beautiful place to get lost."
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:00 pm
They rose up into blinding white light. Rika, Sephy and the Doctor shielded their eyes with their hands as they adjusted to the bright surroundings. Shapes began to form and they stepped forwards into a huge ball-room full of dancing figures. This really was the palace as Rika had imagined it from the outside - glorious. Before she knew what she was doing she found her feet tugging her forwards towards the dance.
"Whoah there!" snapped the Doctor, grabbing her shoulder, "No wandering off, there are over 500 rooms in this place! Anyway, I thought you wanted to meet the Royals?"
"I thought you said..."
The Doctor pointed his finger along the hall to where two huge thrones had been positioned on a long, elaborately decorated platform. On one throne a slender figure with silky red hair lounged, smiling as guests came up to offer him greetings and gifts. The other throne was empty, though several musicians had taken up position beside it, playing the tantalizing music that filled the air.
"The King..." muttered the Doctor, taking off his hat and placing it neatly under his arm along with his swordstick, "Please be polite. Sephy, that means you too."
The girl shrugged but did go as far as to brush the dust off her jacket. Sabbalom seemed to have sensed the presence of Royalty because he was suddenly looking much more elegant than when they had found him, his tail held high and his fur shiny and well-groomed.
As they approached the short set of stairs that led up to the thrones the King glanced up and seemed to notice the strangers. Perhaps it was their clothes or the way they moved but he suddenly sat a lot straighter in his seat and when the well-wishers had moved away he stood up and gave a bow.
"Strangers..." he said, a charming smile spreading across his face, "Welcome to my court and best wishes on this most wonderful occasion."
"Laytonian manners are as legendary as ever," The Doctor said, bowing back and nudging the other two until they did the same, "And the legends are well deserved. Good day King Ramius and a most happy Summer Harvest!"
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:12 am
Suddenly, a strange pyramid-shaped object materialised in the room. Everyone stared. It was familliar to sephy. in fact, she had been a stowaway on it for some years. A woman emerged from it. She looked odd. That was all sephy could think of. Her mind had numbed. The woman had shoulder-length black hair, and was wearing a grey dress that came to her knees.
'You!' She shouted, pointing at sephy. She jumped.
'Who, me?'
'I checked my TARDIS's security records. You... You're the GIRL!'
'Excuse me, but can someone please tell me what's going on?' demanded the King. But he was ignored also.
'Sephy, what did you do?'
'I was... a stowaway?'
Sabbalom looked amused and bounded between sephy's legs, up her arm and onto her shoulder.
'I've been looking for you.' continued the woman.
'I'm going to KILL you.'
'You'll have to wait in line then, madam.' said the Doctor with a curt nod.
'I'm first.'
'And who might YOU be?'
'That is of no consequence.'
((it's the rani by the way. and screw it if she's dead - she found a way to survive. if she IS dead, that is.))
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:19 pm
((I'm afraid I don't know much about the Rani - I never saw her episode(s). Though I did see one of the Doctor Who anniversary episodes with her in, where the Doctors were all on the set of Eastenders... or possibly Coronation Street, I can never tell the difference. I'm guessing that probably didn't do her justice... so correct me if I say anything silly here. Also, I'm guessing she won't recognise this incarnation of the Doctor.))
"Though of course..." said the Doctor, with a sudden charming smile, "If you are who I think you are, I would be most grateful of an introduction, my dear lady..."
The woman did not seem overly impressed, though her expression softened a little.
"That depends entirely on who you think I am..."
"You are the most gifted genius in the galaxy are you not? Of course I have only heard of you through legend, but I'd wager you are the magnificent Rani... am I right?"
"Yes, I just so happen to be her. Though I certainly haven't heard of you..."
The Doctor bowed a little.
"My dear Rani..."
Sephy caught his eyes. She looked totally confused.
"Look, what are you playing at Do..."
He clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Forgive my servant, she's proving very difficult to train. My name is Douglas Swann and I am, humbly, at your service."
The Rani's eyes narrowed, her gun hand looking twitchy.
"This girl is your servant? In that case, you can explain to me what she was doing on my ship!"
"Ah, I must offer my most sincere apologies. I asked only that she inform me of your presence if our paths ever crossed. Of course, encouraged by my enthusiastic stories of your great deeds she got the notion to hitch a lift. It has taken me a long while to find her again - if I had known sooner that she was causing you so much trouble, I would have made more of an effort to contact you myself."
"Who are you?"
"A lowly Timelord who shares your views about certain aspects of time."
The Rani smiled at last, putting away her gun.
"Now all becomes clear. I was wondering how anyone but a Timelord would know about my travels. So you've come to join me, is that it?"
"Not at all my lady, only seek some long and varied discussion. As I think you'll agree, this is a most equisite place in which to hold a conversation..."
He turned to the others.
"If you two could find some activity with which to amuse yourselves, I shall require some privacy..."
As he shooed them off Sephy looked up at him and mouthed the words 'What's going on?" He caught her eye and lowered his voice to a whisper.
"I'll tell you later..."
With that he turned and walked to the Rani, holding out his arm in the usual gentlemanly fashion. Considering his usual attitude, this seemed very strange to his companions. As they walked off the music struck up again and the pair disappeared into the crowds.
"Timelords..." said the King with a weary sigh, "That explains a lot you know. We've had them visit before."
Rika looked up at him, surprised as she suddenly realised how quiet he'd been.
"Timelords?" she asked, confused, "Are there many of them here?"
"Not this year but in previous years. Always so baffling and they have no idea of social niceities. Of course, they always turn up at the Summer Harvest..."
He sounded amused and Rika noticed that he was quite a bit younger than he'd first appeared. About her own age perhaps, if the Laytonians aged in the same manner as humans. He had a strange appearance up close; his skin was not simply pale as she'd first imagined it, but a very light shade of lilac, and his large eyes held amber pupils. He lifted a hand up and grinned.
"Would you two like a place to spend the night? It is getting awfully late. And you don't look equipped for a night of dancing."
Rika and Sephy both glanced at their clothes. Sephy shrugged.
"I'm fine thanks."
"I insist," said the King, "I shall give you a tour of the palace whilst your friend makes charming conversation with our new guest..."
"Trust me," said Sephy, "She will make a very troublesome guest..."
"Don't they all?" he glanced back at her TARDIS, "Ah... though she does seemed to have picked a rather... inconvenient parking space. The dancers shall have to be a little more imaginative from now on... Now, may I show you the floating gardens first? The view from out there is simply spectacular..."
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Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:30 am
Sephy bowed.
'I'd love to, but right now, I have some eavesdropping to do.' SHe winked mischeiviously at the king, and bowed out of the room.
As she retraced the Doctor's steps, finding the marks in the floor that his cane had made, she found that Rika was following her. Silently, she put a finger to her lips. Rika tried. But she tripped and landed with a thump.
'Oh, you people are so noisy... Oh, look, if you can shut up and stay upright, then come with me. and if i hear another peep from you, I swear I'll run you through with my sword. And no one will ever hear a thing.'
SHe ended up at a door, that was firmly locked.
'Ah, they're through there.' she smiled. Sabalom leapt lightly onto her head and mewed.
'I love you too.' she whispered. Looking around for a way in, she mumbled to herself.
'Always a secret passage. There has to be, kings have so many...' Rika leaned against a statue, which reached out and grabbed her, and began to run away with her over its shoulder.
'Secrets.'
Sephy set off after it. The statue appeared to be of white stone, and was of a woman, that was picking flowers. Or throwing them away. with one.
Sephy launched harself thorough a corridor, and found the statue dart behind a tapestry. She herself ran behind it, only to find herself situated in what appeared to be either a very large storeroom, or a very large treasury.
The statue had assumed its old position, and Rika was left holding onto it, struggling against nothing.
'Idiot!' Hissed sephy, as two guards ran in.
'Theif!' SHouted one.
'Yes, you theiving theif!' echoed the other.
'You wanted to steal from us!'
'Yes, you wanted to steal from us! That is what you wanted and you would have it no other way!'
'Shut up.'
'Yes, shut up, you people that do not shut up!'
the first guared socked him hard in the mouth.
'Out of the sorner of her mouth, Sephy was muttering to Sabbalom.
'Go find the doctor... Tell him what's happened... Beware of the woman, she's evil.'
((The rani: scientist, exiled time lady, finds all races as specimens, hates and wants to kill the doctor, no ethics.
I hate geography.))
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Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:46 am
Sabbalom gave the faintest of mews and a nod before jumpin gdown and escaping the room as quietly as he could. He wove his way back to the room he had last seen the Doctor in and started searching. A few couples were startled as he squeezed between and through them but he mainly ignored them. He could have been just another guest at the Summer Harvest trying to make their way through. And indeed, a few couples apologised for making it difficult for him to move. When he finally found the Doctor, walked behind Rani, who was conveniently standing in front of a table set with delicacies, on of which was a huge tower of some sweet or another. Sabbalom climbed this.
Once he was on an eye level with the Doctor, he quietly told him what had occured and the danger Rika and Sephy were now in. It would have been rather amusing to watch really, a caat communicating to a Doctor over the shoulder of the Rani, whist standing on a leanng tower of..marzipan? that was wobbling to and for slightly. Not to mention the Doctor listening to two conversations at once, his eyes darting from the Rani to the caat on the tower.
Rani seemed to notice this. "Is there something wrong?" she asked and turned around. Sabbalom froze in an artistic position he had just assumed to explain something, gratefull for the glaze that had gotten into his fur - it mad ehim look like part of the great tower."
"Oh no, nothing. Just noticed that great tower..and the lovely artisically positioned cat-piece on top. One paw raised, one down in such a playful position. It's a wonder, really."
Rani turned back to face the Doctor.
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Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:21 pm
Rika and Sephy were thrown into the prettiest jail either of them had ever seen. Just like the rest of the palace, it had been carved from the strange, shell-like substance that shimmered with light and was cold and smooth to the touch. However, a few well-aimed kicks to the bars from Sephy proved that it was nowhere near as delicate as it looked.
"Trapped!" said Sephy, furious, "And we didn't even do anything!"
Rika was sat down, stroking the floor.
"It's so lovely and smooth... And so clean..."
"What a ridiculous jail! All these in and out bits... spikes and glowing things... what are they? It's like a children's playpark. And I'm stuck in it!"
"Don't worry... I'm sure they'll let us out soon when they realise it was all a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?" Sephy snapped, rounding on her, "What are they going to misunderstand? We were caught in their treasury! Red-handed! I don't think they'll be particularly understanding when we tell them that our only excuse happens to be that a statue came to life and kidnapped you!"
"Maybe that happens a lot round here..."
"You really are pretty dense aren't you?"
She regretted the words almost as soon as they had come out of her mouth. The girl visibly shrank, her face going pale and then red.
"Sorry..." Sephy began, making to apologise.
"I... It's... just a... sleeping disorder..." The girl mumbled.
"What?"
Rika shook her head and turned away. Sephy didn't know what to do. She'd never had to worry about offending people before...
She turned away instead and found herself stumbling over one of the raised curves in the floor. Cursing, she staggered to the back wall where she tripped over another hillock and landed on something soft.
"Oi!" snapped a voice from beneath the blanket she had landed on, "D'you mind?"
She leapt to her feet and whipped off the blanket. There was a middle-aged man underneath wearing an ill-fitting business suit. His jacket appeared to be missing and his shirt buttons were done up in the wrong holes. In his hands he was clutching a bottle of something that smelt like rum. It was very nearly empty.
"Go. A-way." He said, mouthing the words slowly and deliberately.
"Gladly," said Sephy, taking a step back and wrinkling her nose, "What you in for then? Or should I guess?"
The man rolled his eyes.
"It was causing a disturbance, I believe... Hardly worth the effort of dragging me here really..."
He was not quite as drunk as she had first expected - or if he was then he was well-practised at it.
"I see," she said, "I'll leave you to it then..."
She was about to walk back to Rika - to try for a second time to apologise - when she heard the sounds of the cell doors being opened and a familiar voice entered the room.
"You always find a way to ruin my fun, don't you?" said the Doctor, "And what, pray tell, were you doing in the treasury anyway?"
"Doctor!" Sephy couldn't tell if she was glad or annoyed to see him. She'd be glad to be out of the cell, at least.
"You can get us out, right?"
He waved his hands dismissively.
"A genius like me can do anything... if I want to. And I'm not sure I do. You may well have spoilt the biggest prank I was set to pull this century - and on a woman who well deserves it."
"Why were you flirting with the Rani? She hates you, you know."
"Flirting? I don't know what you mean. And don't ask so many damned questions!" He turned to Rika, "Are you alright there? You look ill."
Rika shook her head and got to her feet.
"I'm fine..." she wandered past him and out of the cell door.
He gave Sephy a 'look'.
"This cell must be more terrible than it appears. She seems to have lost her mirth..." he was going to say more when he suddenly spotted the figure hunched up in the corner.
"You there!" he said, pointing his cane, "What's your name?"
"Marcus..." The man snapped, glaring at the Doctor, "Not that it's any of your concern..."
"No, only mild interest. Guard!" The guard appeared, "Would it be alright if I took Mr Marcus with me also?"
The guard gave him a curious look.
"What do you want him for? All he does is get drunk and miserable."
"I'm sure we can find some use for him, possibly as a doorstop. Can we take him? I promise to keep him out of trouble."
"I s'ppose. He's only in here to keep him from getting murdered in the street..."
"On these lovely streets? Impossible! Now you..." he pointed at Marcus again, "...come for a little walk. Please. Fresh air will do you good."
The man swigged down the last dregs of his bottle and got unsteadily to his feet.
"I doubt that. I'll probably just get a cold."
Despite his complaints he walked to the door and shuffled past, looking strangely dejected.
"Charming..." said the Doctor, watching the man walk off down the corridor.
"Maybe he liked being locked up Doctor. I bet you've ruined his whole day."
"Do you really think so? Well I do try. Come on!" He clipped her ankles with his stick before marching off after Rika and Marcus.
"We've got interesting things to do!"
As he marched off Sephy looked down and noticed Glitz sat there, waiting for his praise.
"Thank you..." she said, picking him up, "Even though I'd rather be released from jail by someone who wasn't quite so stuck up..."
She hurried off after the others, Glitz purring in her arms.
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Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:49 am
((is rika narcoleptic?))
Sabbalom ran up sephy's arm onto her hear, and went to sleep.
Sephy hurried up to Rika.
'Um...' she began
'Go away.' mumbled Rika
'Hey!'
'I said, go away.' growled Rika, quickening her pace. Sephy ran in front of her and stopped there.
'no.'
Rika tried to push past her. Inside, sephy smiled.
'thanks for the lessons in bracing from crash-tackles, cathryn' she thought.
Sephy didn't move.
'Hey, get out of the way!'
'I'm sorry.'
Awkward silence.
'What?'
'I'm sorry.'
'What?'
'I'm sorry.'
'What?'
'I'M SORRY!' shouted sephy. Then she realised the Doctor and wino man were looking at her strangely.
'Oops.'
'Erm... that's ok.' whispered Rika. 'I think.'
The Doctor looked confused.
'Sephy, what are you...'
'Piss off.'
_________________________________________________________
Marcus-de-la-wino (sephy was enjoying making up these nicknames for the newcomer) was grumbling as they walked out of the dungeons.
'The light, it burns.'
'shut up.' muttered the Doctor.
'I'm allergic.'
'no, you're not.'
'I'm photogenic.'
'Do you even know what that means?'
'I'll die of cancer.'
'no you bloody well won't.'
'I'll yell.'
The Doctor rounded on el Winoman
'Shut...'
'Up.' finished Sephy. Sabbalom, who had woken up, mewed in agreement.
'Fine.' and like a spoiled child, Mwmaricmunmosq (Marcus and wino together in one word with four M's and a silent 'Q') stamped his foot and crossed his arms. He rolled his eyes.
'Puh-LEESE mummy.'
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Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:16 am
((I haven't got a clue. I just realised that she appeared a little dim so I thought I'd invent an excuse that was a little unusual. So maybe, yes. Or she's an insomniac, either way is good.)) They were up in the highest segment of the castle now. It was late and the sounds of partying had died away. People were heading for their rooms or leaving the castle and going back to town. The Doctor had found them a room. It had a balcony overlooking the magnificant floating gardens - the detached platforms they'd seen from below that orbited the castle in slow circles - and the Doctor was now leant on the railing looking over them, seemingly deep in thought. Marcus, who had protested all the way from the cells to the comfortable room they now inhabited, was sat hunched up over a game of chess with Rika. At least Sephy thought it was chess... he'd managed to dig the pieces out of one of the cupboards. They were old and dusty and made of glass. He shifted one sideways across their makeshift board and Rika gasped. "You can't do that! That's cheating!" He raised an eyebrow. "Depends which rules you're playing by..." He seemed to have softened as the effects of the alcohol wore off, which was strange. Perhaps it was the game. It was the only thing he'd really paid attention to since they'd found him. Sephy sidled over to the Doctor. She was trying not to disturb him, but it was hard to be subtle with a caat on your head. "Doctor?" "Hmm...?" He was staring out at the gardens, a curious expression on his face. She ploughed on. "Won't the King be a little upset that you freed three criminals from the cells?" "The King?" he gave a quiet chuckle, "The King doesn't enforce the laws here. He only acts as judge when there's no other choice. He's mostly here to make visitors feel welcome." "Oh..." "Don't get me wrong," said the Doctor, suddenly turning to her, "He's a powerful figure in the right circles. As a matter of fact, he did give me a bit of a helping hand... not that I really needed it. The guards are always willing to be a bit more lenient on festival nights... though I must admit, they weren't entirely happy. Just what were you doing in the Treasury anyway?" "This'll sound a little strange," she looked at him expecting some sort of response but he just stared back at her, "Um... one of the statues in the hall sprang to life and carried Rika into the Treasury." "Yes..." he said, after a moment's pause, "That is a little strange..." He turned back to the gardens. He didn't say anything else. Sephy felt a flush of frustration. She'd been hoping that he would explain the strange phenomenon. Or at least seem a little more interested... "Do statues normally do that Doctor?" she snapped. He shrugged. "Stranger things have happened." She glared at him. Obviously he wasn't going to discuss it further. She changed tact. "What did you talk about with the Rani?" He grinned, glancing sideways at her. "That really bugs you doesn't it, not knowing? Are you worried I'm plotting the demise of the universe with her? There's me thinking you might at least hold me in some sort of gratitude, if not respect, for stopping her tearing you limb from limb for trespassing..." He feigned a hurt look and she kicked him in the ankle. "Thanks," she said, "Now stop messing around and tell me what you're planning." "I'm planning to embarrass my old nemesis." She looked at him blankly. "Embarrass?" she said at last, "Not... capture? Or defeat in combat? Or... or something a little more meaningful?" "I've spent 9 incarnations being meaningful. Now I'm going to have a little fun." "You mean you've given up saving the universe to... to what, pull pranks?" "Very sophisticated pranks." "I don't believe it..." she leant against the balcony railings, her arms crossed in a slightly disappointed manner, "Well are you going to tell me what it is then? That is the least you could do..." He straightened up, rummaging in his pockets. He brought out something shiny on the end of a chain. "My spare key..." he said, holding it out to her, "In case you need it..." She took it. Why was he suddenly trusting her with this? "Where are you going?" "To have a look at your statue. You stay here and guard the others." "Doctor..." "No arguments!" he snapped, suddenly his usual ratty self, "I'll be back soon." She watched him disappear out the door. When he was gone she bundled the key and chain into her pocket and sighed a frustrated sigh.
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Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:06 pm
It was hours later and the Doctor still hadn't returned. Sephy had suggested that she go out looking for him. The others hadn't argued but she'd got halfway down the hallway outside and realised that she didn't have any idea where she was going. There was no-one to ask - it was far too late. They were all asleep. She slunk back to the room feeling defeated.
Marcus had curled up in the corner under his blanket, which he'd felt the need to drag all the way up from the cells. He was snoring gently. He'd refused the offer of the spare bed. Rika was curled up in the bed nearest the glass doors, the ones that opened out onto the balcony. The wind had picked up and was blowing through them, sending the curtains billowing into the air, casting shadows up the walls. Sephy walked over and shut them, clicking the latch shut to hold them. She stared out through the glass. The silhouettes of the floating gardens below reminded her of huge, black creatures, swimming gently through the night air. She watched as they passed by. Spaced as they were they surrounded the castle... This thought made her feel a little trapped so she quickly pulled the curtains shut and turned round.
Rika was asleep but it was a fitful, disturbing sort of sleep. Her face was scrunched up tight and she kept turning back and forth, muscles taut. She might have been saying something... but Sephy couldn't hear what. Rika's words in the cell came back to her. Was this what she'd meant? She considered waking the girl... but would it help? She didn't want to make things worse. After a moment or two her movements seemed to calm down. Sephy took this as a good sign and flopped onto her own bed. Within minutes she was fast asleep.
Hours later Rika awoke with a yell. She could feel her pulse racing, her arms shaking. She clutched at her hair. Dreaming... she thought, then looked around. Was this... real? She'd had dreams like this before. Ones where she thought she'd woken up. Sometimes she'd spend hours walking around... until she found the clue that she was still asleep. Something, some little thing... She tugged at her hair until she felt pain. It seemed real. She relaxed.
There was a slight breeze coming in between the glass doors. She could feel it on the side of her face. She turned. Through a gap in the curtains she could see the stars. Different stars. Alien stars. She smiled. Why was that comforting? In the corner nearby she could see the edge of Marcus' tattered blanket. He was bathed in shadows but she could hear him snoring. That was good too. She was about to lie back down, try and salvage the rest of her night's sleep, when she heard a click from the window. She turned back. There was something protruding out from between the glass doors. Someone was slipping the blade of a knife through and lifting the catch...
Rika remained still. She couldn't think what to do. She started to lean over towards Sephy's bed, to wake her, when the doors suddenly swung open and a figure was silhouetted in the moonlight. They were tall and slender and at first Rika thought it was the Doctor. She started to stand up when the figure suddenly lunged forwards and grabbed her by the throat. They swung Rika round and slammed her to the wall. She felt a knife being held to her chin.
"Where is he?" hissed a woman's voice as the blade was pressed closer, "Where is that scumbag? The one working for her! Your friend in the ridiculous hat!"
"Doc...tor?" Rika asked, half-choked.
"Yes! That slime ball, that traitor! Where is he?"
"Drop the knife..." The intruder felt a blade placed firmly to her temple and another digging into her stomach. Despite her height, Sephy had managed to get her face right up next to Rika's attacker. She had a grim smile on her face.
"Drop it now or I will remove several vital organs. Your organs, I might point out. I can assure you it won't be pleasant. I'm very well practised at this sort of thing."
The intruder had frozen. Rika could feel the tension through the blade. For a moment she thought the woman would slit her throat. Then the tension dissipated and the blade was lowered.
"Better..." hissed Sephy, "Now..."
The attack came suddenly and swiftly. The intruder's blade swung round in a flash. As Sephy dodged backwards to avoid the blow the woman turned and flew to the window. She leapt onto the balcony railing and then out...
Sephy reached the railing just in time to see the woman land nimbly on the next balcony down, then the next. Sephy considered following her but then thought better of it. Whoever it was obviously knew the castle better than her. Cursing, she stalked back into the room. Rika had shuffled over to the lamp and turned it on, nursing the cut on her neck.
"You alright?" said Sephy.
Rika nodded.
"Yeah... thank you."
There was shuffling noise from the corner.
"Glad that's over..." said Marcus. His eyes appeared over the edge of his blanket, wide with relief.
"You were right there, awake, and you didn't do anything?" snapped Sephy.
He shrank back a little under her glare but he didn't look particularly wracked with guilt.
"She had a knife."
"Coward..."
The door to the hallway opened suddenly, making Sephy jump and raise her throwing knives instinctively. The Doctor staggered in. He looked dishevelled and exhuasted. He'd obviously been running and he leant on his stick for support as he kicked the door shut behind him. Sephy lowered her blades.
"Doctor?"
"Miss Sephraelia..."
"Are you alright?"
He straightened up, looking at each of them in turn before replying.
"Quite. Have I missed anything?"
"Not much..." Sephy slipped the blades back into her belt, "Some strange woman broke into our room and attacked Rika. We chased her off."
"Strange woman?" asked the Doctor, looking at Rika, "Anyone we know?"
"I don't know," Rika replied, "She was all dressed in black, with a mask."
"The Rani?" he said, sounding suddenly worried.
Sephy shook her head.
"No, it wasn't the Rani. Different voice and she was taller."
"Is the Rani that woman you were talking to before?" Rika asked, raising her head, "Only this might have something to do with her. The woman was looking for you. Said that you'd... erm... betrayed her? You'd betrayed someone anyway, because you were working for 'her'. A different her, I mean. Could have been the Rani lady. The other lady, the one who got in, she really didn't like you."
"Oh?" The Doctor raised an eyebrow.
"She called you a scumbag..."
"Hmph. I've been called worse."
"She also called you a slimeball..."
"Ok, I think I get the picture."
"And a traitor. And she said that your hat is ridiculous..."
The Doctor glared at her.
"Quite!" he whipped off the offending accessory and spun it across the room where it landed on the corner of the spare bed, "Well I'm afraid she shall just have to wait her turn... right now I need some sleep..."
He loosened his shirt collar and followed his hat over to the spare bed.
"Doctor," said Sephy, "Did you find anything interesting in the Treasury?"
"The answer to that question will have to wait until tomorrow..." he said, falling gratefully forwards onto the bed, "I'm going to get some well-earned rest..."
"Wait, you're not just going straight to sleep are you? What if that assassin comes back!"
"Send an assassin to catch an assassin. I'm sure you can deal with any further intrusions, if she is that desperate to return..."
He began to snore loudly. Sephy was sure it was fake but she also knew that it didn't matter because whatever she said he'd ignore it. Angrily, she switched off the lamp and closed the glass doors, this time jamming a chair up beneath the lock. Her and the others all went back to their beds for an uncomfortable night's sleep.
((I meant to ask: what does Sephy usually wear? And is there any other important stuff to know about her height/species/hair - anything like that?))
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Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:23 pm
Sephy had woken up almost as soon as the sunlight broke through the window. The air was sweet and warm, the scent of flowers wafting up from the gardens. She pulled back her blanket and leapt to her feet - only to find that she was not the first one up.
Rika and Marcus were in the middle of a particulary vicious game of psuedo-chess. The Doctor was hovering behind them, occasionally spurting out random tit-bits of advice - accompanied by black looks from the players. Sabbalom was balanced precariously on his head, also engrossed in the competition. It must have been a pretty exciting game, each player was down to their last three pieces and the Doctor actually looked worried.
"Nonono!" he muttered, as Marcus made to move a piece sideways, "Not that way! Not that way!"
Glaring back, Marcus slammed the piece down. Rika's face lit up.
"Checkmate!"
She made her winning move and Marcus's face fell.
"Damn it!" he said, slapping a hand to his forehead, "After all that preparation! I was one move away... one move!"
The Doctor clapped his hands together and gave a little leap before he noticed Sephy, staring at them.
"You're up!" he said, pulling something out of his pocket, "We've been waiting for you. Catch!"
He threw her something wrapped in paper. She began to unwrap it.
"What's this?"
He grabbed his hat and swordstick and made for the door, the others following him.
"Breakfast. Come on, I've got something to show you!"
_________
She ate as they walked the depressingly long route back to the treasury. The Doctor seemed to be in an incredibly cheery mood, which only made Sephy feel even more tired than she already felt. Surely he must know that they'd hardly had more than a few hours sleep the previous night?
Rika didn't look too good either, though she hid it well. Not to mention she was still glowing over her victory against Marcus. Ah yes, Marcus. The strange, rather ruffled looking man had decided to join them on their expedition... even after they'd explained to him that they were going nowhere near a pub of any kind. Despite his loss in the game he too was looking brighter. Possibly it was just simply the human contact. Well, sort of human.
When they reached the Treasury the Doctor said something to the guards and slipped them a note. They nodded and let them pass. Inside, it was just as Sephy remembered. A big room with the run-away statue in the corner. Of course she hadn't been looking particularly hard on her previous visit, not with the chase and then being dragged away. Now she could see that it really was a treasury, a large treasury, though the treasure was not so much gold and jewels as artifacts. Old maps, scrolls rolled up neatly in glass cases, strange devices - some a bit like compasses, others more like weapons. She nudged the Doctor and asked him what they were.
"Treasure maps mostly," said the Doctor, "And all the tools you need to use them."
She paused for a moment, thinking.
"Then... why isn't there more actual treasure in here? I mean, if they have the maps and all..."
He shrugged.
"I'm not sure the treasures are what you think they are. I think it's a bit more... religious."
He wouldn't say anymore. They had reached the statue.
"That's the one!" Rika said, she tapped it's arm nervously then jumped back. It didn't move.
"Yes," said the Doctor, running a finger down it's arm, "I asked the guards about it. They said it's not normally in here - but it does get moved a lot. I can't be sure, but I'd guess from the looks on their faces that they meant it moves itself a lot... only no-one's actually caught it at it yet."
Sephy gave him a curious look.
"They know that a statue's wandering around on it's own and they don't do anything about it? Investigate it or something?"
"Look around you Miss Sephraelia, there are all sorts of weird things in here. Just possibly, this is what someone brought back after using them..." He grabbed the statue's arm and nodded towards the other, "You lot get the other side, let's see what's behind it..."
After a slight hesitation the others nodded and they dragged the statue slowly to one side. Behind it was a wall.
"Hmm..." said the Doctor, frowning.
"Expecting something more exciting?" said Marcus.
"Only slightly...." he ran his finger along a row of stones set at head-height in the wall until he came to one he seemed to recognise, "Ah ha!"
He pressed the stone. It slid back and there was a noise like pulleys spinning before a section of the wall swung slowly inwards.
"A secret passage..." said the Doctor, lowering his head a little and looking into the dark tunnel, "Now that is interesting..."
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Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 2:55 am
((Sephy... I always imagined her dressed as van helsing... looks: like my avatar, except the clothes. erm... Uses styric magic occasionally, but seeing as shes not styric, she doesnt use it too much as its too tiring.
Shes not very old, either. i'd say in her mid-teens.))
Sephy looked at him curiously. regenerations earlier, finding something like this would have him smiling like an excited child. What had happened to him?
She put that question away to ask him later, as they entered the passageway. Marcus bumped his head on the ceiling, and Rika laughed. She seemed in good spirits.
They entered a room.
'Miss Sephraelia...' began the Doctor.
'Don't call me that!'
'I beg your pardon?'
'Don't call me that! I hate that name. Just... Just Sephy will do.'
'As you wish. Sephy. I trust someone in your profession has been in a dungeon before?'
Sephy nodded.
'You know the way it echoes, the eerie silence that follows every sound?'
She nodded again.
'Does this remind you of anything?' He gestured around him.
She nodded.
'Oh, for goodness sakes, girl, what has happened to your tongue?'
Sephy was silent for a moment. She gripped the handle of a dagger. She almost didn't trust herself to speak.
'I don't like dungeons.' She said quietly.
'Nobody does.' He sniffed.
'Heh heh.' Chuckled Marcus. 'Theres a picture of a giagantic doughnut on the wall.
They all turned to look at what Marcus was talking about. And indeed, there was a gigantic doughnut painted on the wall.
'Curious that aliens eat doughnuts.' Said Rika thoughtfully.
Sephy swore. 'Those aren't for eating.'
'What do you mean?' Questioned the Doctor.
'Get out!' She yelled.
They were more than happy to oblige. everyone ran out quickly, into a different passageway.
'Keep running!'
They ran down the passageway that twisted and turned. They heard a loud sploshing sound, and a blue liquid seeped along the floor.
'What the...' Began Rika, and then she screamed as she stepped on a creature that surprisingly resembled a rat.
'Come on!' Panted the Doctor, grabbing her arm.
'Don't step in the blue stuff!' Shouted Sephy.
'Why?' asked Rika
'Do you want to spend the rest of you life without your legs?'
'I'll regenerate and regrow them.' laughed the Doctor.
'Shut up!'
Either the liquid was speeding up, or they were slowing down.
'Faster!' Gasped the Doctor.
'I can't!' Retorted Marcus. 'My legs aren't what they used to be.'
'Oh Bollocks, you're not that old.' Yelled Sephy, as they rounded a corner. At the end of the passageway, there was a door.
'Where are we going?'
'Through that window!'
'What?'
'There!' Said Sephy. Indeed, there was a window. A lovely stained glass window. Sephy braced herself and smashed through it. The others followed. As Rika Gingerly stepping in over the broken glass, it sealed itself again.
Rika slumped against the wall, gasping. The Doctor was bent double, with his hands planted on his knees, fighting to get his breath back.
'What... Was that?' He panted
'Hold...' Sephy leaned against the wall to rest for a moment.
'It was... Well, for the sake of it, we called them the 'giagantic doughnuts of doom.' Anyhow, they are filled with this... stuff. Sort of a booby-trap. And there was always a false door at the end of the passageway. and some other strange way out.'
The Doctor nodded, then took out a pocket handkerchief, wiping his brow.
'lovely. Now, how to get out of this predicament.'
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