This is just something I wrote for a bit of fun. Invisisble cyber brownies to anyone who gets my hidden reference. (Well, not entirely hidden, the Doctor gets it, anyways)
As always: I claim no ownership or rights to Doctor Who. I'm just a sad, devoted fangirl;)
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| Tenth Doctor | |
That Old Black Magic by cordelialear [Reviews - 2]  Author's Notes: | |
His eyes meet her’s from across the room. She looks not a little mortified by the demands of their captors, and he rather finds the situation humorous.
“You will comply,” the rather tall man holding something akin to a cattle prod states.
“I will bloody well not!” she rages.
The prison guard raises his weapon, and the Doctor feels that now would be the time to step in.
“Malkin!” he says forcefully, putting himself between the dangerous weapon and the young human girl, his hands up in surrender. “I know we’ve had our differences, and I know that Miss Tyler here, directly defied your orders,” he shoots Rose a disapproving look, to which she feigns admonishment, “but, as I’ve explained before, my very young, very human friend here, is of a different culture, so certain things, such as your asking her to strip down in order for search, is well...” he looks to Rose as if to find the correct wording, “frowned upon. Perhaps some sort of middle ground can be reached?”
The man doesn’t seem to be swayed by the Doctor’s argument, his expression unchanging, though he has lowered his poised weapon, now keeping it pointed towards the Doctor’s chest.
“All prisoner’s must be searched by an armed guard before trial,” Malkin replies harshly.
“That’s a good rule. Intelligent, really, especially when dealing with dangerous criminals, but, as I have already pointed out, Miss Tyler is not dangerous. You picked us up for a traffic violation.”
Malkin is not impressed with the Doctor’s logic, and raises the weapon as if to strike. It’s Rose’s turn to intervene, now.
“Don’t! Look, I don’t really fancy baring my all to you, but maybe I could be searched by another woman?”
The guard seems to consider this, and then raises his wrist comm to his mouth to call for a female officer. Rose breathes a sigh of relief, not exactly thrilling in the awkwardness that would arise from being exposed to her best friend.
“Well, that was easy,” she breathes, and something in the Doctor’s eyes makes her feel small. As the female guard approaches, and takes her by the arm roughly, she knows why: they are going to separate her from the Doctor.
“Rule one on Diamuunde, don’t wander off.”
She rolls her eyes, and is about to protest when he puts his finger to her lips. The action makes her stomach flip, and she feels quite breathless in response. She meets his eyes, and his expression is gravely serious.
“Please, Rose. Diamuundians are not exactly known for their love of human beings. It’s imperative that we stick together here. After this, I promise I’ll take you somewhere quite safe where you can get lost til your little heart’s content, but stay close to me, don’t get out of my sight, just for this once.”
His eyes are such that she cannot refuse, warm and worrying. She feels impossibly important to him in this moment, and all of her desire to leave his side is firmly stamped out. She nods in agreement to his statement, immediately feeling the loss of his finger when he pulls her into a protective hug.
“That’s my girl.” He smiles widely at her, and they are off.
Rose can feel panic take her as the doorway grows closer. She struggles to turn towards the Doctor, to meet his gaze, but he is being restrained turned away from her. She swallows hard, and takes a chance.
Rose lets out an ungodly shriek, and grabs her head, while sinking to her knees.
The guards all turn towards her to see what the commotion is about, allowing the Doctor a good view. His eyes are wide and panicked, and she hates to worry him this way, but he’ll soon be in on the plan.
“Rose!” the Doctor calls to her, before his voice takes on a murderous tone, “What did you do to her?!”
She shrieks again, and snaps her head up towards the Doctor, thrusting her fist in his direction. She manages to sell a feeble, trembling hand pointing to the bewildered Time Lord.
“Time Lord magic!” she croaks, “He wants to keep me here, he- he’s held me prisoner. I-I”
The Doctor suddenly jumps in, his voice affecting an acid tone, “You will be silenced!” he fumes, stretching an upturned palm in her direction. She now has no doubt that he’s caught wind of her scheme.
She lets out a feeble squeal at his gesture, and sinks further to the ground. “You have ruled me for far too long! He plans to kill you all! Run! He will take hold over your weapons, your minds, run!” She screeches the last word before jerking her body upwards, and against a wall. She slides down the cool metal, eyes wide, mouth slack. When she reaches the floor, she doesn’t move.
“Doctor, what’s with all the purple?” The market place is practically one shade, the buyers and sellers all adorned with the color.
“Diamuundians are a superstitious and cowardly lot,” he chuckles to himself in a private joke, before continuing, “they believe that this world was created in the throws of battle between the goddess, Dia, guardian of the day, and the god, Muunde, ruler of the night. The color which you refer to as purple, they would call protection, as it were. Dia, her primary representation being red, and Muunde, represented by the color blue, each struck a fatal blow to the other in the battle for supremacy. When their blood ran together, it struck a balance between the day and the night, forming the color of their sky. They wear it now, as a reminder to never doubt the “natural” order of things.” He speaks the last sentence in disgust, and Rose knows that there is more to the story.
“That why they don’t like humans?” she asks, sticking close to the Doctor’s side.
“Yes, well,” he tugs on his ear lobe before continuing, “they don’t like any differences, really, but as long as you are familiar with their customs, and don’t excite attention, then you should be okay.”
“But I don’t know any of that stuff.”
“Well, that’s why you need to stay with me,” he smiles, reassuring her, “I’m pretty much ignored around here, mainly because I managed to terrify some of the locals about,” he seems to ponder this a minute, “oh, one hundred, years ago? Anyway, “Time Lord” generally translates to “Gallidai” which was a follower of Muunde. Pretty potent magical legacy with this character, according to mythology.”
“So, you're like, a sorcerer, yeah?” She looks thoroughly amused at the concept, and he shares a smile with her.
“No, actually, more like a demon,” he demonstrates by going cross-eyed and flicking his tongue out with a hiss. Rose hoots with laughter, leaning heavily into him. He catches her around her middle, chuckling into her hair.
The guard releases his hold on the Doctor as if he’s been burned, and the Doctor let’s out a low, rumbling laugh, reminiscent of a bad, cartoon villain. Rose continues her blank stare at the wall opposite her, mentally rolling her eyes at the Doctor’s over acting.
The Doctor takes advantage of his free hands, to pull out his sonic screwdriver, it’s blue light glimmering ominously at the superstitious people. Malkin, however, does not appear impressed.
“On my command, fire!” Malkin shouts his orders to his ranks, but they don’t seem to notice.
“Diamuunde! Diamuunde!” The cries echo up to the high ceiling, as the younger men pray for mercy and protection from the crazed “demon” in their midst.
“I have but one request.” The Doctor replies ominously, “The girl, bring her to me, and no harm shall befall you this day.”
Rose fights to remain in control of her non-expression as the Doctor continues his obligatory villain’s monologue. The guards part immediately, allowing the Doctor access to Rose.
“I have searched the universe over for one so perfect as she,” he whispers, snake like. He idly caresses her cheek as he continues, “ The darkness calls for sacrifice, an appeasement to the restless Muunde. I will deliver her.” The Doctor scoops Rose up in his arms. “She is the gift that will protect your puny world for eternity. Do not attempt to follow me, or to pay with your own sacrifice. She is the answer. I will leave now.”
The guards part in terror, allowing the Doctor a free path to the door. Malkin stands in his way, but the Doctor does not falter.
“You will move.” he says simply, managing to keep his eyes terrifying.
“You say she is a sacrifice. Why do you hold her with such care?” His eyes are steady, his voice accusing.
“She is to remain unharmed, she is the chosen bride.” The Doctor replies coldly.
“Muunde is the mate of Dia, he requires no other.” Malkin is insistent on this point, and the other guards seemed stirred by his declaration.
“Muunde requires a sacrifice, the innocence of this girl’s blood. She was chosen as the mate of Gallidai,” Rose flinches in his arms, and the Doctor drags one finger from her brow to her chin. She groans in response.
“I do not believe you. I say, you lie.” Malkin removes his cattle prod weapon from his back to activate it’s control. The weapon sparks to life.
“Your challenge is a foolish one, but I accept.” The Doctor points his sonic screwdriver towards the weapon. He flicks his wrist and the machine sparks, causing Malkin to drop it.
“You will move, or suffer the curse upon your house!”
Malkin drops to his knees, and takes hold of the bottom of the Doctor’s coat.
“Please, I beg of you! Leave this place, take your bride, and leave this place!”
The Doctor affects his cartoon laugh once more before leaving.
He continues at a slow deliberate pace, Rose nestled in his arms apparently unconscious. The people of the market and the city all bow low to the ground, avoiding his chilling stare. He opens the Tardis door, walks inside, and let’s the door slam shut behind him.
He puts Rose down, and starts the Tardis into the Vortex in silence. When they’ve left the planet, Rose meets the Doctor’s eyes.
They collapse into fits of laughter.
“I can’t believe they bought that!” she chuckles wiping a stray tear from her eyes.
“You can’t believe it? It was your idea!” He replies, holding his rib cage.
“Not all that “soon I shall take over the world” super -villain, evil laugh stuff!”
He laughs lightly, before running a hand through his hair, “Well, I’ve heard enough of it over the years, I thought, why not give it a go?”
“Yeah, well, don’t over do it on the evil laugh next time, Gallidai,” she pokes her tongue out between her teeth.
He shoots her a mock affronted look, “Are you implying, Miss Tyler, that I, ancient demon of the underworld, over acted?”
She loses herself in a fit of giggles at his declaration as an ancient demon, but then pauses, as she remembers the rest of his act.
“You, sir, called me a sacrifice,” she quirks her eyebrow playfully at him. “‘S that what I am then, bride of the ancient?”
He looks momentarily uncomfortable, before switching into lecture mode, “Rose, the people of Diamuunde, while technologically advanced, still share more primitive beliefs socially. The fastest, easiest way to get out of that room was to latch onto a concept they’d understand, ergo my rather brutish claiming of you.”
“Whatever, so long as we never visit that planet again,” she smiles at him before taking his hand.
He grins maniacally back at her.
“Besides,” she shrugs, “the whole “chosen bride of sacrifice” is a little too “Ghostbusters” for me, anyway.”
He chuckles as he wraps her in a hug, “Movie night?” he asks as they pull away from each other.
“Whatever you say, Gallidai.”
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