thatoldthatkind | ( TSM ) so what's the point in getting your hopes up when all you're ever getting is choked up.

[ Sometimes there's a bit of good luck when the Doctor arrives for a visit. In Serenity's eyes, any time he appears means that there's a reprieve from all the political meetings and paperwork that come with running a whole entire Galaxy, regardless of all the complaining that everyone felt so inclined to give.

When the Doctor opens the doors, he'll be pleased to find Serenity standing there, calm and cool as ever, smiling up at where she expects his face to be.

They're in her office, and that seems to be a load of paper work that's on her desk. ]

You know, most people make appointments to see the Queen.

Edited 2014-04-11 05:54 (UTC)

[ Not to mention he can usually shoo off any of the Senshi that come knocking. Sadly, he can't take her out for adventures anymore. At least he thinks he can't. She's all grown up now and runs an entire Galaxy. She can't very well be as selfish as a silly old Time Lord.

Seeing her in her white gowns and long blond hair makes him smile at least. ]

I'm not most people. I'm not even people! Never have been, never will be. Hello, Serenity! Busy day?

Busier than I would like it to be.

[ Serenity can't help but return the smile, shifting gracefully out of the way so that the Doctor can exit the TARDIS. Of course, she can't help but peek in through the door, nostalgia filling up her memories of their adventures before she looks away. ]

Sometimes I think the universe just finds me more paperwork to do so I can't go outside.

I am fairly certain that is you everyday. Especially when you were a student. Remember that?

[ The Doctor reaches behind him and closes the TARDIS door. He fixes his bowtie and slips his hands into the pockets of his pants. Then he turns to her and leans against his blue box with a smile. ]

You're a Queen! You should be able to walk around the Gardens whenever you'd like. We could go right now if you'd like.

Just the Gardens? You're not going to try and convince me to go on a little adventure with you in the TARDIS?

[ But already, Serenity is eagerly ready to step away from her desk. Any senshi complaining be damned -- important meetings meant all of her attention went to it. And a visit from the Doctor? Always important. ]

Like when I was a student?

Nah. I know you'd say no.

[ There is a sad smile on his face at that. Besides, he knows better. She might get whisked away in something that'll bring her closer to Trenzalore. He isn't about to do that. The universe needs Neo Queen Serenity. ]

You know! Before Tokyo was a giant crystal building.

I don't know. Perhaps this time I'll say yes.

[ Serenity notices the sad smile. It's something she's noticed every time the Doctor comes sweeping through her halls for his random visits, whether lengthy or short.

It piques her curiosity, but she doesn't say anything. Instead, she just starts making her way towards her door so they can head to the Gardens together. ]

It's not all a giant crystal building, you know. Tokyo's not that small of a city to fit in here.

Edited 2014-04-18 06:58 (UTC)

You shouldn't get an old man's heart up just to dash them, Serenity. It is quite rude.

[ However he stands up tall and offers his arm to her. ]

Well, most of it is quite crystal like. However, that is dodging the point if you remember that long ago!

I am doing no such thing! I am merely stating a possibility. It has been a long week and I haven't had a vacation in centuries.

[ Still, Serenity takes the arm that's offered without any complaint and lets him take the lead. He'd eventually end up doing that anyway, but at least this time it's intentional. ]

I don't see how that's dodging anything at all, Doctor. I'm merely stating the truth.

Then it certainly sounds like you are due one. Can't your husband run things a bit while you go out of town? Oh, I know! Take the daughter with you. Make it a mummy-daughter date. They still do those in this century, don't they?

[ Oh the Doctor will try very, very hard not to take over. Which might be a tad obvious really. ]

You are, but it isn't answering my question.

Of course he can. But, I would feel a little guilty if only I were able to go on vacation.

[ Such is the married life, but she's not complaining about being with her soulmate! As they make their way closer to the gardens, Serenity waves off any guards who they pass by, making sure they stay their posts while she takes a stroll. ]

But, as much as I would love to spend time with my daughter, Small Lady is currently training. So, that vacation will have to wait.

Sometimes you need a break from even him. Look at me! I took the biggest vacation in the history of forever from my own marriage.

[ And, he does regret it to a teeny degree. He left her there and then the Time War happened. ]

Training? For what? [ His head whirls around to look at her with a frown. He hopes she won't say soldier. ]

Training for the thing she wanted the most, Doctor.

[ Serenity keeps her gaze straight forward, knowing that if she were to look straight up at him, then he'd get all the answers he didn't want. ]

So that I may depend on her more in areas that I am unable to help.

She is just a girl, Serenity.

[ His gaze softens then. Oh, this is so very, very familiar. It of course proves that Usagi truly is still Serenity - the daughter of Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. That doesn't mean he has to like it. ]

Did I ever tell you how I spoke to your mother on the Moon? After everything that happened.

Small Lady may be a girl and my precious child, but she is by no means normal.

[ She says no more on the matter -- at least, not until they're in the safety of the gardens. ]

Perhaps you should refresh my memory. You've told me plenty of stories about the Silver Millennium over the course of your visits.

You're all from the moon! Of course you're not normal humans.

[ The Doctor huffs and shakes his head. She's just like her mother, meaning Small Lady is just like her grandmother. How does he always find royalty like this? ]

By the time I arrived--different face of course--your mother was already dying. She'd sent the rest of you off to be reborn on Earth. She did it to protect you, of course, but I'm not quite sure she ever realized she was turning her daughter into a soldier. You're strong, yes, wonderfully so. But that doesn't mean you should of fought those battles.

[ There is guilt there. He should of been there to protect the Moon Kingdom. ]

Anyways. I'm not sure if she ever told you, but I was the one that helped her into the computer system.

[ Serenity's face grows somber as she listens to this story. She knew. She's always known that a life of battles and fighting was not what the Queen wanted, but, what was done was done. There had never been any ill feelings harbored towards anyone who had shown her this fate. ]

.... No. We hardly had any time to speak with the old Queen before the computer system shut down. She only had enough power to tell us about the fall of the Moon Kingdom.

[ Ah, finally. The doors to the gardens. Once they get close enough, the large double doors slowly open outward, displaying the massive garden filled with many different flowers and trees. ]

I would have had to fight those battles regardless of my Mother's good intentions, Doctor. The Ginzuisho, while it was dormant, was still within me. Someone would have come for it eventually. It was better that I was able to stand up and protect myself than be completely helpless.

[ Like she had been in her past life: A Selfish Princess that could do nothing but run and kill herself at the end. ]

[ Maybe that was why he admired the Moon Family so much. For all that life had handed them? They handled it with such grace and poise. Where as he threw a fit like a child and refused to go along with fate's design. That had changed in recent years of course. He was old now--very old. Even if his body looked very young. ]

"The Old Queen." She was your mother, Serenity. You could show a bit more respect for her other than those fancy titles. [ He shakes his head. ] Maybe I can fix that for you one day. If you fancy a trip back to the moon.

[ He steps into the garden at her side, looking at all the flowers. He notes the few sailor guardians that are in the garden. The one in the red with the long black hair always has a careful eye on him. You'd think that after so long she'd trust him a bit more. ]

Completely helpless and not being a soldier are different. [ Though he knows that this is a pointless topic. ] What does the husband think of Small Lady being just like her mum?

[ Now he wouldn't call her selfish. She was young. If she hadn't killed herself, then someone else would have killed her. As harsh as it is to say? The end of her past life would have been bloody either way. He wishes he could change it, but he knows he can't. Not without changing too much.

And the old Queen Serenity just might have had his head if he changed the course she put her daughter on. ]

You always choose the strangest things to lecture me on, Doctor. I meant no disrespect to my mother, after all.

[ Serenity glances over to where her senshi are -- cautious but still keeping their respectful distance... except Mars. Serenity looks over at them, giving them an apologetic smile and bow. She's sure that she'll be getting a lecture for ignoring her work and talking to the Doctor... again. ]

A trip to the moon would be lovely, but, Pluto would have words to say to me if we did.

[ But, after she mentions the time Senshi, one things becomes very apparent the longer she talks to the Doctor. But, before she goes off to make an assumption... ]

Endymion wasn't very pleased, but considering the circumstances we had no choice in the matter.

I am still older than you! Someone should lecture you. [ He raises a finger and wags it at her playfully.

Then he catches the bow to the sailor soldiers. The Doctor glances back and forth between them before giving them a rather serious look. One that says this is extremely serious and not just for "fun."

Not that they'd know his time is coming. As far as they know? He is just stopping by to have their Serenity more like the girl Usagi she once was. ]

Why would Pluto have words? Time travel is my business! Pop in and out with no troubles at all. Your guardians need to understand that all work and no play makes you a very, very grown up person. You ought to be a kid once in a while.

[ He hums. ]

At least he wasn't kept out of the loop I suppose.

[ At first, Serenity looks unsettled that her hunch was right and that the Doctor had no idea what had happened to Earth while he was having his adventures and battles across the galaxy...

.. but it's that one bit about being a child that has her very curious. Explaining about the Dark Moon Family would have to wait for now. ]

One can't take a real break and act like a child when they're in a place of work and serious business, Doctor. So, unless you have any suggestions...

[ He has known so many versions of Earth that it gets rather hard to track most of the time. He knows vaguely what happens and how time progresses from point A to point B. Does he understand the exact circumstances? No. But, he does remember that Serenity at one point was asleep. That was when Small Lady had been sent back, and he had the chance to meet the girl with bouncy pink pigtails along side Usagi and Mamoru. It was quite some time ago. ]

Of course you can! Maybe you shouldn't, but, sometimes you ought to. [ He reaches up and taps her nose. ] And, if the Queen of Neo Tokyo wouldn't mind a surprise trip in the TARDIS? I would be happy to oblige. It wouldn't be too far. Just a bit outside the city.

Just outside the city, you say?

[ Serenity wasn't going to hold her breath -- she was almost sure that the trip would consist of something more than outside the city, but, she'd hold off on judgement. There was still the hurdle of the senshi keeping an eye on the two of them at the moment.

If they had more than just a wary suspicion that she might be sneaking out, then going on a nice little joyride would be a bit trickier. ]

I suppose one trip wouldn't hurt.

Well, I say just outside the city...

[ There is a smile on his face, an obvious secret he is keeping from her. Why spoil the surprise? He has another one he'd like to show her but that one will be later. ]

Good! Should we turn back and go get the TARDIS then? Or after the rest of our stroll in the gardens?

If we leave here so suddenly after arriving, I believe my senshi will be even more suspicious than they already are.

[ Serenity just returns his smile with one of her own as she keeps to the path through the Garden like they had originally planned. However, now that there were plans, the feeling of excitement is starting to bubble inside of her.

It was making her happily anxious, but she wouldn't let it show. Not completely. ]

And, I'm not so sure about you, but, I would rather get lectured after than before.

Do you just expect me to sulk about your city then? I could do that. I'm really good at sulking. Over twelve hundred years of practicing it you know.

[ She does have a point. Oh, he hates it when she has a point.

The Doctor simply nods to the senshi as they pass them by through the gardens. ]

Are any of them actually married? Families, like you? They've got to have something else to do with their time other than just guard you all day!

I don't expect you to do anything except be you, Doctor. If you want to sulk, I wont stop you. But, if I may make a suggestion? I prefer a smiling Doctor to anything else.

[ Serenity reaches up with her free hand to lightly poke the Doctor's cheek playfully with a bright smile. ]

Of course some of my senshi are married. I would be worried if none of them ventured out to have families of their own. Since I'm always inside of the Crystal Palace, they take turns guarding me unless there's a politcal convoy or important visitor coming in.

Edited 2014-08-06 09:06 (UTC)

[ There is a blink before he smiles sadly. ] A smiling Doctor, eh? What if there's not too much for me to smile about these days?

[ Though he does swat at her hand. Oi, that is his job! No poking! ]

Ahh. So then, which ones do we have on duty today? That way I can be sure to avoid those ones in the future!

Even if the things that make you smile are small in number, the fact that there is still something means you should smile more.

[ A mild one of her hopeful speeches, however, the question piques her curiosity. She's only ever had anyone ask that question if they're upset about something...

Serenity laughs when he swats her hand away, eyes shining up in amusement. Poking is a two way street with this Moon Queen! ]

Mars and Jupiter. Honestly, Doctor. I would think that you'd at least have remembered their names.

[ He looks at her, almost seemingly gauging what she's said. ] Look at you. Just like that, you've grown up. Wise beyond all those years you've ever, ever lived. [ No doubt the Galaxy Cauldron has played a hand in that. ] You've gone and grown up without me, Serenity. I wonder if you even need me hanging around these days.

[ And, he is deadly serious about that. Perhaps this should be his last visit to Neo Queen Serenity. Trenzalore is looming in his future and there is only so many visits he will be able to make before he eventually runs out of time. ]

They're not the names I really remember. Rei and Makoto, right? Why did you lot change your names back when you got to the future anyways?

[ Her first reaction is to talk about how she's been alive for over 900 years. That living that long should have taught her something, but, it's the last part that makes her heart clench tightly in her chest. ]

That's not true. I always need you around, Doctor.

[ But, unlike her younger version, she just tightens her hold on his arm, and even goes as far to place her head on his shoulder. ]

When they're not in senshi form, they retain their usual names. But, seeing as the majority of the time when I see them they're transformed, it just sort of... stuck?

[ He smiles softly. ] Nah, not anymore. What else could I possibly do for you? I promised your Mum I'd make sure you grew up safe as I could. And, here you are! Relatively safe and sound. You've got all your senshi to protect you and your daughter has her own as well.

I'm not sure what else I could do for you.

[ He pats her hand gently and glances down at her. ]

Stuck. Sort of like honey on toast?

You don't have to do anything for me, Doctor. That's not how friends work, and you know it.

[ Serenity just laughs softly, giving his arm a squeeze before pulling away. ]

That sounds delicious, actually. I haven't had my afternoon snack yet.

[ That would be her subtle hint that it's time to go back to her office under the pretenses of snacks... which isn't unheard of from her. ]

[ The Doctor shrugs slightly at that. Sometimes he really wonders if he does know how friends work. Considering how many leave, or die, or he leaves behind. ]

You still have afternoon snacks? [ Color him amused. He gestures for her to lead the way. ]

Of course! [ She giggles while taking the lead this time. ] You can't rule a whole entire galaxy without eating in regular intervals.

[ She has a whole entire stash hidden somewhere in her office for such an occasion. Sometimes she shared with Small Lady, other times she hoarded up all for herself...

Perhaps she'd take a bit from her stash before they left on whatever adventure it was. ]

I am surprised Rei hasn't gotten onto you about that. [ He does recall crashing into the party a few times to see Rei telling Usagi about her weight. Which, is rather rude, and he is glad that they seem to have gotten past their childhoods. ]

She usually does when she catches me.

[ The trip back to her office doesn't take too much longer. Serenity just has to keep her cool so it doesn't look like she's too eager to get back to the office and onto the TARDIS. ]

But, her words hold no meaning if the snacks are manufactured with the proper nutrients to keep one healthy.

[ The Doctor turns and stares at her. ]

You? Talking about healthy food? Maybe you've done a bit more growing up than I thought. [ And that does make his hearts pinch just a bit. ]

Of course not. It's just something to say so that the senshi think that my eating habits better.

[ She winks playfully as they finally move through the hallways and are met with her office doors opening up once they get there. ]

But, we have created food that, while they taste delicious, have the proper vitamins and also keep one from getting fat as well as preventing cavities. It's amazing!

[ At the wink the Doctor simply looks forward with a soft expression on his face. Usagi - Serenity - has grown up entirely. She's got a child who has her own senshi. She's the queen her mum always wanted her to be, and a husband that loves her equally. So, yes, is it any wonder he thinks there is not much of a need for him in her life anymore?

At least he knows she'll be in perfect and capable hands. ]

It sounds like Ami might of had a hand in that one.

Doctor...

[ Now that they're in the privacy of her office, Serenity waits until the doors are closed behind her before she finally makes a comment on the few things she's noticed during this visit. ]

Is something the matter?

[ Perhaps she was just being paranoid, but she could feel something was.. different. ]

What? No! No, no, no. Not at all. What makes you think that?

[ Yes. ]

You've been acting... off, Doctor.

[ Serenity detaches herself from holding onto the Doctor's arm and makes a slow beeline for the door of the TARDIS. ]

I don't want to assume anything, but, if anything is wrong, you can tell me...

Have I? Funny. I'll have to fix that.

[ He wrings his hands nervously. Oh, Usagi. How you've become very perceptive. ]

This might be the last time we see each other, Serenity. Or, at least, the last time for a very long long time. Not sure if I'll be able to make it again before the end.

[ That sounded so definitive. So.. final. Serenity has heard that tone of voice before and before she can actually stop herself, her hand reaches over to tightly hold onto his wringing hands. ]

Before the end of.... what, exactly?

Me. [ The Doctor raises his sad old eyes to her. ] Not me as in this face. Me as in all of it - the Doctor. I've run out of regenerations, and I see how it ends for me. I've been to my grave. Which, by the way, you should never ever do as a time traveler.

( TSM ) so what's the point in getting your hopes up when all you're ever getting is choked up.

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