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

[thatoldthatkind]

[ He's got a thing for farewell tours. Originally he had one before he was off to see River Song shoot him--which he got out of. Before that? His tenth self went about to see everyone he knew. However, now? This seems a bit final. Probably because it is. He hasn't got a clue if he'll see Queen Serenity again before Trenzalore. It is something he has been debating while he stares at the console, waiting on those Wednesdays for Clara to show.

Which is why he quickly turns the dials and the switches. The time rotor lifts up and down. Then the engines cut and he slowly turns to look at the doors. The Doctor inhales sharply before fixing his hair and coat, striding to the doors. Hopefully when he opens them he won't find a host of Senshi pointing their weapons at him.

That happened once.

It was very, very embarrassing.

Not to mention hard to explain to them why he was sneaking in to see their Queen. ]

Comments

[neoqueen]

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.

[thatoldthatkind]

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.

[neoqueen]

[ 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...

[thatoldthatkind]

[ 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.

[neoqueen]

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.

[thatoldthatkind]

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?

[neoqueen]

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.

[thatoldthatkind]

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!

[neoqueen]

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.

[thatoldthatkind]

[ 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!

[neoqueen]

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.

[thatoldthatkind]

[ 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?

[neoqueen]

[ 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?

[thatoldthatkind]

[ 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?

[neoqueen]

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. ]

[thatoldthatkind]

[ 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. ]

[neoqueen]

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. ]

[thatoldthatkind]

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. ]

[neoqueen]

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.

[thatoldthatkind]

[ 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. ]

[neoqueen]

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!

[thatoldthatkind]

[ 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.

[neoqueen]

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. ]

[thatoldthatkind]

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

[ Yes. ]

[neoqueen]

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...

[thatoldthatkind]

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.

[neoqueen]

[ 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?

[thatoldthatkind]

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.