Not where she intended to be...(Intro Post)
The change in landscape was drastic, and that concerned Nyssa. The road that the curly haired woman travelled down had been full of vegetation only moments before. The planet that hosted this war was famous for its vast forests and she wondered if she had simply overlooked the deserts while she had researched the geography. She continued on though
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"I only hope that your faith in me is not misplaced," he said ruefully. "I've been here at the Hotel for days now. It's a prison, there's no mistake about that, but it's one of the most lavish and secure prisons I've even been in. And really, that's saying something! After all, I consider myself to be something of a connoisseur of the dungeon elite." This last was punctuated by a cheeky grin. "Five-star accomodations, Time-Lord-proof boundaries and no guards. In fact, the only person I've seen who isn't a fellow inmate was-"
He trailed off as the hairs on the back of his neck rose. Darting his gaze over to the enormous check-in desk, the Doctor's stomach turned over as he spotted the Bellboy, suddenly standing behind the desk with his unchanging smile. He hadn't been there before.
"Nyssa, I think it's time to check you in," the Doctor said, laying a safeguarding hand on her shoulder, as much for his own comfort as for hers. "Don't worry, he won't hurt you."
That is, if he wants to stay intact.
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Nyssa felt her stomach turn over and she moved closer to the Doctor, instinctively. Her eyes followed his and her lips pursed. Her body stilled and she resisted at the Doctor's words. Check in? With that man? No, she wouldn't, he put her on edge in a manner that she was not accustomed to and the Trakenite had no desire at all to move to the front desk and closer to that man.
"Of course not." She replied, reasonably. Mentally she was assuring herself that the Doctor was right and this man really would not cause her any harm.
She slipped forward with more bravery in her posture than she felt and her body gave an involuntary shiver as she noted the man's smile. It was nerve-wracking and she only barely managed to paste one of her own on. "Good day."
"Welcome to the Hotel California." And he smiled that smile of his and Nyssa wanted to just draw back and ask the Doctor if he would deal with check-in for her.
She nodded, uncertainly. "Thank you. I would like to check in, please."
"Of course. Your name?"
She didn't want him to know her name. She didn't. "...Nyssa. It's Nyssa."
"A single or a double?"
"Single, please."
The rest of the transaction occurred with as little interaction as possible and Nyssa was disturbed that no money changed hands but made no objection as she signed in. Now armed with her room key she retreated from the front desk and let out a breath she had been holding.
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It was not simply the Bellboy's mannerisms that unnerved the Doctor, but also the fact that the Bellboy seemed to be precisely aware of what was happening and why. The Doctor had his own theories, but seeing the Bellboy's perpetual, knowing grin made his suppositions seem all the more flimsy. He suppressed a shudder and returned his attention to Nyssa.
"Oh, Nyssa. I'm sorry that you have to be here, I wish that there was something I could do... but I am happy to see you again." He smiled fondly threading her arm through his and leading her towards the lifts. "So, tell me, Nyssa, what have you been up to all these years? Great things, I'm sure, marvelous things, and you must catch me up on them."
Two friends catching up, that's all they were. Not two inmates in a prison. Maybe after a while, he'd start to believe it.
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To Nyssa the mannerisms were the first clue of something more. She pondered on this when silence fell between herself and this Doctor and when he spoke she turned her bright blue eyes on him.
"Please, Doctor..." She allowed him to take his arm and studied him, softening her gaze. "This is not your fault, and we will make it." If only she believed that. "I would love to catch up, certainly."
"When last we separated I left the TARDIS to stay aboard Terminus to help cure Lazar's disease. I was triumphant in this for the most part and remained on Terminus until the Company Wars."
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He laid his free hand over hers as it rested near his elbow, squeezing her fingers gently. "Did you stay...? No, that's a foolish question, of course you wouldn't stay away from the conflict. You go right where you were needed the most, without thinking twice. But... are you all right, Nyssa? And I don't mean your patients or your fellow soldiers, I mean are you all right?"
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"I am perfectly fine, Doctor." The brunette promised. "If I were not you would be able to tell. I'm an awful liar. I have sustained no real or serious injuries. The only wounds I have are heartache from the loss of friends."
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"Would you like the grand tour, then? There's a surprising collection of rooms, considering." And off he went on another tangent, his shiny magpie mind rarely settling for long.
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"Yes, please. I would like that." Nyssa agreed with a nod.
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There would be plenty of time for worry and pain. For now, he had his friend again, and that was what mattered the most to the Doctor.
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