thatoldthatkind | ( PSL ) ten million fireflies lit up the world as i fell asleep.

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( PSL ) ten million fireflies lit up the world as i fell asleep.

[ The Doctor hasn't had much luck in trying to find Clara Oswald. If she's been in the universe twice, then surely she's out there somewhere else. His plan of just going places and hoping to bump into her hasn't worked out as well as he had hoped.

The TARDIS wheezes as it lands. With a gentle pat to the time router, the Doctor walks over to the doors and fixes his tweed jacket. He opens the door and sticks his head out to find a quaint room. He hums to himself and steps out with the door locking behind him. He starts to fuss with his bowtie as he spins around to get a proper look at where his old girl has taken him this time. ]

Small. Very small. Why'd you bring me here? You barely fit in this room!

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A ladder. Maybe. I'll ask, maybe Mother has one I could use.

[She frowns again, head tilting slightly in question as her lips form an almost pout.] What's a spoiler?

[Unfortunately for him, Rapunzel has yet to paint the floating lights just yet. There are plenty of paintings around depicting things she reads or learns about, but no lanterns.]

Pop in an out? With your box? I know stars don't move. So the floating lights can't be stars. I don't know what they are but one day....I want to see them. But Mother says I can't go outside. So she can't take me. She says it's too dangerous.

[Her expression falls a little at that, pouting and hiding a little more behind all that hair, loose and trailing the ground as she runs her hand through it.]

Not sure how she'd get it up here. You are very, very high up, Rapunzel. Does she ever leave?

[ Because he knows the darker sides of the story. It makes him worry about what exactly is going on in the tower and with this little girl with brilliant blond hair. ]

A spoiler is like ah... well--a secret. Something that is going to happen that you know about. But you can't tell someone or it'll ruin the surprise. Does that make sense?

[ With that he pushes himself up and does a spin on his heels. The coat flaps around him as he takes a closer look at the room now. He can see all the little paintings she has, as well as the obvious rooms that lead off from the main one. What he is looking for is a way out. Surely Rapunzel's mother doesn't stay up here with her.

He flicks out his sonic and begins a basic low level scan, making sure to keep the noise down. ]

Exactly. You're very smart. [ He tosses her a smile. ] What about when you're a bit bigger?

We got everything else up here. Why not a ladder? She probably has one somewhere. But of course she leaves. She has to go and get us food and stuff. So....sometimes I get left alone and it's a little lonely.

[Oh. A secret. Yeah Rapunzel knows all about those.] A secret? Okay. I get it now. Like you are a secret if I don't tell Mummy.

[And oh what is that? Rapunzel is curious, peering wide eyed at the sonic as she watches him wave it around the room.]

What's that?

[And then realizing his other question. Considering it.] I don't know....maybe when I'm older she might take me. I hope so. I just want to know what they are.

I see. Brave one, your mum. [ Though he isn't too keen on this whole idea so far. Magic hair, being kept in a tower? Hrm. ]

Exactly! Do me a favor, eh? Don't tell her about me. She might get a bit worried about you. We don't need her being silly about things. Do we?

[ Besides he isn't sure how much interfering he should be doing. This reminds him far too much of little Amelia Pond. Up all night in her garden waiting for him to come back. It isn't something he wants Rapunzel to do. ]

Smart means you know a lot of things. You catch onto ideas very fast. [ It is almost upsetting how much she doesn't know. Does her mum not call her smart? ]

It looks like I'll need to stop by on your birthday. That way you can show me what these lights of yours are.

She is. She goes out nearly every day and she's fine when she comes back. I guess she scares all the thugs and ruffians away. They don't want her for her hair.

[Um no, sorry Doctor. What are compliments. Rapunzel just gets put down a lot and basically emotionally abused. Not that she herself realizes or recognizes it for what it is.]

No. I know what smart is, I mean that thing! That glowy thing with the noise you just used. [Pointing to the sonic.] But don't worry. I won't tell her. You don't seem that bad. And you don't have pointy teeth or anything. You don't want my hair.

Oh, would you? I can show you them from the window if you come then!

Maybe it's her hair that scares them, eh? [ Its a joke, Rapunzel. It is funny! ]

Oh! Its my--well, screwdriver. It buzzes when there is stuff. And there is quite a lot of stuff here. [ Especially around her hair, but he won't be mentioning that. It is a touchy subject as it is and he wouldn't want to scare her. ] Want to see?

I could show you a place with things with pointy teeth. It is a bit scary though, so, maybe when you're older.

I think we can arrange that. Is your mum usually gone on your birthday?

Her hair? It's dark and curly. Not like mine.

[There's a quirk of her eyebrows at that. 'Stuff' indeed. How specific. But she is curious, her expression lighting up a bit when he asks if she wants to see, giving a nod of agreement.]

There....there are men with pointy teeth? [No don't tell her that and confirm things Gothel freaks her out about....]

She goes out every day at some point, to get food and stuff we need. If you come after dark she'll be asleep though. And we can watch at the window.

And is it scary?

[ He taps the top of her head lightly with the screwdriver. Oh, she's a clever one. ]

Not on this planet. Different one! It's very far away so don't worry about it. There's no way they'd tumble into your tower... unless they hitched a ride inside the TARDIS, which reminds me, I really should double check that....

[ Ooops. ]

Then we'll need to do it when she's asleep! We can't have mummy knowing you've got a secret friend. Mums don't tend to like me very much.

Her hair? Why would her hair be scary? It's all...shorter and curly. Black hair.

[Rapunzel giggles almost instinctively when he tapes at her head, her hands reaching to the top of her head of blonde. She gives a nod again.]

Like Pascal. She doesn't know about him either. I'm not sure she'd like him much either. When she's asleep is probably best. You will come back, right? And wake me up if I'm asleep?

[As if the TARDIS noise wouldn't wake her anyway....]

Loads of people's hair is scary. Especially mine. Look at how it flops around!

[ He reaches up and ruffles his own hair. ]

She doesn't know about Pascal, eh? [ The Doctor turns to look at the green friend of the girl. ] Keep a tight grip on it. Make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble. Think I can trust you with that one?

[ Then he looks back to the girl. ] Of course! If you'd like me to.

Yours isn't scary. I don't see how hair could be scary.

[Yeah, best not tell her about the likes of say, Medusa there, Doctor. Rapunzel bites her lip, looking to Pascal and his encouragement before giving a half shy and half enthusiastic nod at the idea of him returning sometime.

If it means she gets to see the floating lights, that would be the best birthday present ever. She's still yet to get the courage up to ask Gothel about the idea of going to see them. Isn't sure her Mother is aware of them or their pull on her daughter.

Pascal gives the Doctor a look. Of course he looks after Rapunzel. Well, as best as a tiny chameleon can. He tries, and he knows to keep out of sight lest Gothel find him and get Rapunzel in trouble.]

I want you to come back. I want to see the floating lights!

You haven't seen it under a green light yet.

[ He chuckles at that and pats her head. She's a good girl.

The Doctor then snaps his fingers and points right at Pascal. Good job, mate. He's going to keep you to that. Not to mention he'll be popping in and out to check up on the pair of them. First though, he's going to go and investigate these floating light's of Rapunzel. ]

Then it's a promise. And I never break my promises Rapunzel. Never, not once.

A green light? I haven't seen a green light before.

[Or. She might have if she didn't fall asleep so early most nights, therefor missing when Gothel would come to check on her with her green-lit lamp.

There's a giggle at that though, and a determined look.]

I keep my promises too.

Oh, well, good thing I've got one on my sonic before.

[ The Doctor turns the sonic on and holds it under his face. See? Spooky! ]

Good! We'll be the best secret keepers out there.

[And that just intensifies her giggles a bit. It's more funny than spooky to her. Which. Rapunzel is scared of her own shadow at times given all the stories and warnings that Gothel has told her over the years.]

I am! I am!

[ Alright--not what he was expecting! BUT! He will take being happy over being scared any day. Especially when it is him. ]

Right. [ He sits back down beside her. ] So. What should we do now? I've got to leave eventually to hide from your mum.

Well.....We could. Play hide and seek? Pascal is really good at it! I bet you wouldn't find him! Or we could paint, or go. Go outside in the box!

[Which. Is a prospect both terrifying and exhilarating to the young girl considering she has no memory of ever going outside these tower walls. It's evident that already with her paintings, it's as if she is covering them on purpose. Trying to erase them. Painting the trees she sees outside, the animals. Things she has learned, like a record of her life.]

Can we?

[ He isn't sure about the hide and seek bit. It is rather noisy. And, well, traveling outside in the TARDIS. That is tricky. He looks at the old girl and pats her on the side. ]

How about we let her see what the night life is like, old girl? Pop outside and then back inside. No funny business.

[ With a spin on his heels, the Doctor snaps his fingers and the doors open. Then he offers her his hand. ]

Don't go anywhere without me, got it? And keep a hold of my hand. She's a bit fussy sometimes. Must be her old age.

[ There is a sense of hesitation and worry. He doesn't travel with children. Not that this really counts as traveling... ]

[Rapunzel giggles, giving a nod of agreement to not wander off. She's never been outside before. She has no intention of going alone after all Mother's stories and warnings. No, much safer to go with someone.

She follows, taking the offered hand and following him inside, evidently too excited and terrified to really pick up on his hesitation and worry for her and the idea of this little excursion.]

Wow! It's....it's so big! It's smaller on the outside.

[Rapunzel muses for a moment as she steps inside the TARDIS and looks around, keeping close to him even now.]

[ That is good. He'd rather her not understand why he worries. With a squeeze of her hand they step inside and the doors close behind them. The Doctor leads Rapunzel to the console and flips a few switches. He truly hopes this works. He rarely ever brings children on board... ]

Yes--it is. [ He casts a glance at her. Odd, that's what Clara said when he brought her on board. The one in Victorian times. ] Bigger on the inside! It's a bit of...well, I would say magic but...

Anyways! Outside, yes? How close to the tower do you want?

Like my hair? This is a different magic though. It's amazing!

[Rapunzel exclaims excitedly, her green eyes wide as she takes it in, looking around and watching him at the console. She knows better not to touch anything, but she is curious and amazed at it all already. Let alone the idea of going outside.]

I don't know. I've never been outside to know what's outside, really. Far away! Somewhere Mommy wouldn't find us.

Sort of. [ Oh there is no way she'll really understand it. She's far too young anyways.

The Doctor motions for her to stand beside him. Stay close. ]

We'll stay close to the tower for now. Just in case something happens. Then, one time, we'll take you to see those lanterns of yours!

Edited 2014-05-13 06:07 (UTC)

Oh. Okay. But you will take me to see them. Promise?

[Yes, she'll stay close. And give him that look. That totally srs pouty I-keep-my-promises look as she stares up to him. She's not letting this chance go. Not when she is so curious about the floating lights.]

[ The Doctor lands the TARDIS. The time rotor moves up and down, but he still turns to look at her. He squats down to eye level with her and rewards her with a huge smile. ]

I promise, Rapunzel. You'll see the floating lights.

[It's almost instant. The movement of her expression from that warning pout to one of absolute radiance and excitement at that confirmation. The five words she has always wanted to hear. 'You'll see the floating lights'. In person.

She all but bounces in her enthusiasm at that, but she isn't entirely distracted from watching the time rotor curiously. She nods, all but beaming at that confirmation and wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug when he leans down to her.]

Thank you!

[ The hug takes him by surprise--but only for a moment. He instantly scoops her up and spins in place. Not that it is hard really. She is so small! Blimey, it has been ages since he's been around someone as small as Rapunzel.

The Doctor places her down and quickly heads to the doors. He opens them (the wrong way as always) before gesturing for her to step outside. ]

Might be a bit dirty outside--and wet. I think it just rained. Did it rain recently?

[The laugh only intensifies when he spins her around. Gothel hugs her, but never so enthusiastically as the Doctor does.

And then the doors. They open, inviting. Enticing her. The grass dewy from the rain even still, the flecks of dirt around the blades of green as she hesitantly steps forward. Just at the edge, her own green eyes widening at the sight. So close.]

It did. I heard it at the window before.

[And yet, she seems both excited and terrified, for all she was--is, so eager to go outside. Stepping out to put one toe to the ground cautiously. Then the whole foot. Followed by the other.]

It's all wet. And tickly!

[ No one really hugs like he does. Which is a shame. ]

Then you might have muddy feet. Sorry about that. We'll make sure you're all cleaned up before your Mum notices.

[ The Doctor sticks his head out the TARDIS. Ah, good! There is the tower. He's glad the TARDIS didn't decide to throw them somewhere else for once.

Then he looks down at her with a smile. ]

Yes! Oh and be careful. Sometimes grass likes to poke back! Which is really rude now that I think about it.

Mud....like wet dirt? It feels kind of squishy.

[Another giggle erupts from her as she wriggles her toes. Evidently seeing no problem with being dirty. It's the first time she has ever stepped foot outside, and she is loving it.]

It's not poking me. Just tickly.

[She laughs, twirling and bounding around in the grass below the tower's clearing, hair already long enough to trail behind her. It wouldn't be hard to lose her with that, even this young.]

Exactly what mud is. I told you that you were smart.

[ He slips outside the TARDIS and leans against the doors. He'll make sure she doesn't wander too far of course. But, she ought to enjoy the moment she has been given. Dance and sing around in the rain. Now there is a brilliant movie. ]

Just wait till you find the poky grass. You'll see what I mean.

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( PSL ) ten million fireflies lit up the world as i fell asleep.

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I apologize for being late with all your tags :(

it's okay. late happens. and I am late anyway.

We'll just be late together, it is all good.

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