paradisalost | [THREAD] Out on the town.

Entry tags:

[THREAD] Out on the town.

Who: Tenth Doctor (

not_from_mars) and Rose Tyler (

traveling_rose)
What: Going into the town for some much-needed Doctor-Companion fun. ~~And getting Ten drunk.~~
When: June 21
Where: The castle, the town.
Rating: PG.

He straightened his tie as he headed towards the lift, having closed his door behind him. He didn't lock it. It wasn't like he had anything important in there, anyway; all of his things - important things, anyway - were in the TARDIS.

The Doctor was in and out of the lift within a few seconds, striding out on the 26th floor while whistling some unknown tune almost inaudibly. He and Rose had planned to go out to the town together, actually have some fun outside of the castle. Maybe run into something strange. But he, of course, still reeling from their last encounter, was feeling quite iffy about the whole thing. Not about the idea, of course; he quite loved the thought of going out and exploring with Rose. But it was more that, well, he was going out and exploring with Rose. Who had promised to get him drunk. How that was going to end up, he didn't really want to think about.

He arrived at the same familiar door, leaning against the doorframe and taking a moment before knocking.

"Come on, then, enough preening," he called through the door, hint of a grin on his face.

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True to what she had said, all Rose needed to do was get some shoes on. Sneakers to be exact as they were going to be doing more walking than she had in awhile. Jeans, a t-shirt and a sort of half-jacket rounded out the look. No need to fuss with anything more as the weather was always nice. She also had her TARDIS key and mobile on her, out of habit.

While she waited she made sure Queenie had enough food and water, and that the bathroom door was opened with enough mats laid out in it for Queenie to do her business on. She was just checking that all of Queenie's toys were scattered about and that her bed was in an easy-to-find place when she heard the knock on the door.

Queenie started her usual yipping (hear the door knock - start yipping) but Rose still caught what had been said. Come on, then, enough preening. Oh honestly now.

She rolled her eyes as she walked to the door, Queenie hot on her trail.

"Very funny you," she said as she opened the door. Anything else she would have said was forgotten as Queenie happily greeted the Doctor. All right then. First part of the town day - get Queenie back inside.

His small grin grew as she opened the door, showing that he was clearly teasing. Before he could say anything else, however, his legs were assaulted by a tiny dalmatian puppy who was yipping her little head off.

"Hello!" He knelt down in the doorway and scratched Queenie's head, which she seemed to like. "Not giving mummy trouble, are you?" He glanced up at Rose and picked Queenie up gently, standing to pass the little dog to his friend. But not before he got his face licked. "Aah! Here, have a puppy." He held Queenie out for her, carefully keeping his face at a good distance.

"All ready to go?" Well, aside from getting the puppy inside and staying inside, anyway.

Rose bit her lip trying to hold back laughter as Queenie licked his face and he held the happy dog out to her. She scooped Queenie up in her arms and turned back into the room. Her new play was to distract said puppy with a toy and just make a break for the door.

A squeaky toy should do the trick, so she grabbed one and gave it a few squeezes. Sure enough that got Queenie's attention. "Queenie, get the toy!" She tossed it to the far end of the room and ran for the door, closing it fast behind her.

"Now I'm all ready," she said, leaning against the door. "And no she's not giving me any trouble aside from the usual." She counted the list off on her fingers while heading to the lift. "Wanting to chew on shoes, begging to go outside at bloody five in the morning, eating more food than I thought was possible." She pressed the button to call the lift, but the doors opened right away so she went right inside, waited for him and pressed the button for the first floor.

"I swear it's like she's bigger on the inside with the way she eats. Either that or those stumpy legs of hers are hollow." She laughed.

He watched the little dog run after the squeaky toy as Rose dashed to the door, shutting it. But not before he thought he saw Queenie look up and regard them with surprise and indignation. He smiled and turned away from the door.

"Well, means you're not bored anymore," He shrugged, walking alongside her to the lift. "Got an attack dog to look after." At this he wiped his face with his sleeve, short look of contempt gracing his features. He walked into the open doors of the elevator and gestured for Rose to enter. When she did, the doors slid shut again.

"Oh, don't be fooled. Canines are bottomless pits." He crossed his arms and looked around, soon grinning at her reference. "TARDIS dog, then?"

"Oh right, an amazing attack dog that can go shoo people away with her ferocious yip and slobbery kisses." She laughed. Maybe when Queenie had a bit of a growth spurt she'd be more attack dog and less bundle of cute fur.

"If you don't like it you shouldn't go feeding her so many treats. You're only one of her favorite people here now," she said, seeing him wipe his face on his sleeve.

Wonderful thing about taking the lift - they were on the first floor in relatively no time.

"Definite TARDIS dog." She grinned back at him. "Good thing I don't have to pay for dog food here. She'd clear out my account! Out the door and straight to the town then?" she asked.

He waved a hand dismissively at this. Yes, of course it was his fault the dog loved him so much. "I know, I know." But then the lift reached the first floor and he stepped out, waiting for Rose to do the same.

"Sounds like a plan," he announced, hands going into his pockets. He sauntered away from the lift, making sure not to go too far away from Rose. Then he turned to face her, started walking backwards. "You haven't been over there yet, have you?" He looked thoughtful. "'Cause I haven't. Which, I s'pose, makes the trip all the more interesting." He smiled at her. "Off to the quaint, countryside recesses of the township of Paradisa," he said, and it sounded more like he was reciting something theatrical. "Where, to the height of our hopes, dogs are not solely dogs and strange villagers aren't such because of social deficiency. Where -- wow, where we're probably going to get bowed to the moment we step inside the gates. Don't think I'll enjoy that -- and there's a door behind me, isn't there?"

He turned round, having almost walked right into it.

Rose thought for a moment. "No I haven't. Sort of got sidetracked anytime I wanted to go. No matter, wouldn't be half as fun if we'd been there already." She just grinned at his telling of their plans and nearly doubled over laughing when he almost smacked right into the door.

"Yes. Bit of a big door, just right there." She pointed to it before going forward to open one of said doors.

"Can't forget the food. We expect there to be brilliant food or at the very least decent chips. So glad we don't need money. Although ... don't suppose shopping's on the list is it?"

He helped push the door open - not that he really needed to - and stepped outside behind her. It was a nice day. Again. That was the thing about Paradisa, you never really had to worry about it being not-nice. Sometimes he longed for rain.

"Of course! The food. Always forgetting the food. Don't worry, we'll search high and low for decent chips. Judging by the quality of everything else around here, I don't doubt they're the best chips you'll ever have," he added in an undertone. But then he glanced at Rose, a slightly indescribable look on his face. He was trying to remember something.

"Think they have a nice shop?" He said finally, throwing a grin over his shoulder at Rose. "But really, what're you hoping to get? Nothing you can't get inside the castle, probably. And it's free. Can you call that shopping?"

"Decent chips, a good solid meal or two .... we're searching for it all," she said, huge grin on her face. Of course 'it all' included alcoholic drinks. Stepping outside she noticed it was another fine day in the crazy land of Paradisa. Did the weather ever change here? Strange.

Rose looked at him, slight questioning look on her face. What was it with this regeneration and shops. Good thing there wasn't a full-blown hospital in Paradisa or else she'd probably have to hear about it not having a shop. Wait ... well that was familiar.

"I'm sure they have several nice shops, maybe even a quaint little village-themed gift shop just to be strange," she said. "And of course it's shopping. Shopping is the whole experience, not just the whole handing over money bit. Plus we can ask shop owners if they know anything."

She looked around at the scenery as they made their way toward the town. "Don't you think it's strange the weather never changes here?" she asked. "I mean, it's gorgeous weather and all but it ... it sort of seems like we're on some controlled set or something. I dunno. It's just ... strange."

"Quite the laundry list, innit?" He was gazing off across the grounds, over the rolling hills covered in lush green grass and the trees gently swaying in the breeze. The sun was shining overhead, casting a shadow from the castle over part of the grounds. The village was down below, small and seemingly bustling.

"Always first instinct: the shopkeeper will know something. Probably because they usually do." The Doctor shrugged. But then he grinned, on the verge of laughing. "Gift shop! 'Hope you enjoyed your time in Paradisa, have a snow globe!'" Oh, that thought amused him. If they had those, he would seriously consider getting one, if only to throw it at something later on. Or to just remind him of days like --

He was pulled out of his thoughts when Rose spoke again. "Very good," he muttered. "Well," he continued at normal volume, "you're right, I do find it strange. But, seems to me, this place is an embodiment of paradise. Utopia. I mean, look at the name: Paradisa. All the food you can eat, not having to pay, ghosts complying to your every whim, gorgeous room laid out for you -- weather just comes along with it, I suppose. A person could stay here forever," he finished darkly. He didn't give her the rest of his thoughts. He wouldn't be able to; but she knew that, what with their game of charades a few weeks back.

He looked out over the grass again. Indeed, it was almost too perfect.

"Yes it really is. Should be enough to keep busy all day. Better that then being bored and sitting doing nothing." Sitting was nice and all, especially to rest sore feet, but this was ridiculous. No adventure, aside from dealing with the latest castle influences, not that much to explore aside from the first floor and the village they were heading to.

It really did look quaint.

"Shopkeepers, hair dressers and nail salon ladies always know the latest gossip." Probably because they asked the right questions to get people started to the point of them just spilling everything. She laughed at the idea of a Paradisa snow globe. "Well it's either tacky snow globes or shirts. 'I survived Paradisa and all I got is this shirt.'" And a splitting headache. Though not everything was bad about Paradisa.

"It may be called Paradisa, and have all the comforts, but not everything is that of a paradise here," she said, a bit put out. The whole memory issue for one. What was the purpose behind that? If people discovered what they lost then it didn't matter if the place was called Paradisa - it was more equivalent to hell. "A person could stay here forever but I think only if they have nothing to go back for. No reason to leave. Doesn't seem like there's too many of that lot in the castle."

At least they were getting closer to the town. Questioning the residents would be a fine distraction from pondering how the grass was so perfect in a world that didn't see rain.

They drew nearer to the village, the Doctor contemplating Rose's words. It really wasn't a real paradise, just a mask that didn't quite fit the face; it looked beautiful and welcoming, but if you squinted - well, figuratively - you could see the outline of a sinister undertone. This place took from its inhabitants. What it used their belongings for, he wasn't entirely sure, but he was sure it wasn't for anything good.

"Maybe over time it takes away the..." He found himself at a loss for words and rolled his eyes; this always happened when he tried to discuss the castle. Must have meant he was right, or close to it. "This planet," he said in frustration, and he sighed and looked off to the distance. "Well, forget frustrating celestial bodies, this is supposed to be a fun experience. Can't be having this thing fouling up our lives all the time." He turned to Rose and smiled, but not before glancing back at that damned castle again.

"Oh this will be a fun experience. Trust me. This planet wouldn't want to get between us and our having fun." She grinned and nudged him with her shoulder. Of course by fun experience it meant eventually getting at least two drinks in him. Minimum. And trying at least one banana daiquiri herself.

They were nearly at the village now. She could actually see some of the locals going about their business. They looked terribly normal for people who lived close to a castle that could bring in people from all parts of time and space.

At this rate this might rank as their tamest exploration day ever, minus the potential drinking of course.

He glanced at her sideways and grinned as she nudged him, hands still in his pockets as they approached the village. "Oh, no," he said with gusto, although he hadn't forgotten her promise of alcohol and hoped in vain that she had. "We'll be legends here by the end of the day. The Doctor and Rose, Whirlwind Duo, Interrogators and Devourers of Chips and Other Fine Foods." He grinned. "Bit long for a title, never mind that, then."

He looked ahead at the villagers. They, unlike the castle's residents, looked like they actually belonged here. No inconsistencies, no anachronisms... well, not really. He squinted ahead. "They look farily happy."

"The stuff of legends," she agreed. She nearly started laughing at his list of titles for themselves. "Interrogators and Devourers of Chips and other Fine Foods is a bit long, even if it does clearly state everything. Wouldn't fit all too nicely on a business card."

She looked ahead again at the villagers. Normal AND happy-looking. Definitely not all too promising for a great day of amazing and non-boring exploration.

"Well." She looked over at him. "Happy people are more likely to cooperate. Might get some decent gossip out of them aside from who's with who and whatever else is a hot topic in this place. Oh look over there." She pointed to an area ahead and slightly to the right of the direction they were walking. "Looks like a sort of market area. Good place to start, right?"

He grinned, but his attention was drawn to the direction in which she pointed. The Marketplace, always bustling with people, news, rumours and general talk. Surely they knew something, whether some far-fetched tale passed down by the ancestors or somesuch. "Good eye," he said, glancing sideways at her. "Marketplace, always the hub of village intelligence. I vote yes."

So off they went in that direction, breeze blowing weakly in their faces. The Doctor looked around at the landscape again. It really was beautiful, even though somewhere in his gut it felt wrong.

"Oh, blimey, here we go," he muttered as one of the villagers spotted them, and she seemed to stop what she was doing on the spot to stare. He scratched the back of his head.

Oh now that was definitely an interesting reaction to two people strolling through on their way to the Marketplace. That villager girl was staring at them. Maybe she'd snap out of it if they spoke to her directly.

"Hello there! I'm Rose and this is the Doctor." She smiled and tried to look as friendly and non-threatening as possible. Considering who, and what, some of the other castle residents were, this girl really had nothing to worry about ... or stare at.

"We're ... well we're staying in the castle and were just going to have a look around the Marketplace. Actually, we were wondering if ... you ..."

And she was still staring. She leaned close to the Doctor and whispered "What could this be all about?"

The Doctor glanced elsewhere as Rose spoke to the girl, occasionally looking back to see that she was still staring. Kaylee had said the villagers found them to be like royalty, but this... well, he wouldn't get used to it. ... Well, perhaps a little. But not the staring.

After a moment and Rose giving up, he tilted his head to the side to listen to her. He glanced at the girl again before speaking out of the corner of his mouth, "the villagers here, they see everyone who lives in the castle as... well, royalty, as you may imagine. Think Prince Harry going for a stroll through your neighbourhood." He raised his eyebrows.

"Royalty?!" she hissed back. That was just a bit too much really. Although ... it did quite neatly explain why no castle resident had to pay for a single thing in the town. A town that was obviously bustling and had its own residents that did go about paying for things like normal people.

She looked back at the still staring girl who hadn't even said a word at all.

"So everyone's going to get like this one then?" she asked him quietly. "Suppose getting them talking won't be as straightforward as giving a smile and asking."

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[THREAD] Out on the town.

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