A Small Clearing in the Preserve, Saturday Night

[nine_and_ears]

They all left, in the end. He shouldn't take it hard, but... the TARDIS felt just that much more empty.

So the Doctor sat down on a tree stump, and pulled a pack of cards from his jacket pocket. He started tossing them out, one by one, saying the names as he went.

"Susan. Ian. Barbara..."

[ooc: For someone in particular]

Comments

[nadiathesaint]

The nonprom had been interesting, but Nadia had felt the need for a break. A few moments to go cry think by herself before going back to join her friends.

She was rather startled to see the Doctor sitting there as she stepped into the clearing. She stood there quietly for a long moment, just watching him. "I guess you get used to people leaving, eventually?"

[nine_and_ears]

"Kamelion. Turlough..." the Doctor looked up. "You never do, if you care about them. You just learn to... fill the void."

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia moved over to sit next to him. "How?"

[nine_and_ears]

"Well, you can't really ever replace anyone," the Doctor said. "That's like... trying to fill an open wound with silly putty. Doesn't work." He fiddled with what was left of the deck in his hands. "You have to distract yourself. Find someone or something new. Like a sort of festive bandage."

[nadiathesaint]

"So it's just about keeping moving? Leaving the people who are leaving?"

[nine_and_ears]

"Why do you think I travel in space and time, only stopping to look back when I feel it right, but otherwise taking in everything the universe has to offer. Skies that seem to burst into flame, the twin moons of Betelgeuse three, frozen oceans, glittering statues of glass and emeralds," the Doctor said.

[nadiathesaint]

"That sounds . . . that sounds amazing, Doctor. I knew you'd seen. . . . I've been talking about doing some traveling this summer. Since Walter won't be around. Everything here seems like it would have too many memories."

[nine_and_ears]

The Doctor turned his head, actually managing a bit of a smile. "How would you like to be part of the best 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation' essay ever?"

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia looked over at him for a few moments, then managed a slight smile back. "You mean, go see some of that stuff? The two moons of Metalfuge or whatever it was?"

[nine_and_ears]

"Whirlwind tour of the universe," the Doctor said. "And we'll be back in time for the fall term. Or the second half of summer, if you like. Benefit of a time machine."

[nadiathesaint]

"Getting time travel to actually work for me, for once? That sounds nice." Nadia gave him another look. "Who are you leaving for leaving, then, Doctor?"

[nine_and_ears]

"Well, I had actually planned on a bit of travel before this," the Doctor said. "But with Miss Canary... with Jane having me take her home today..." He stopped, the tears forming in his eyes.

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia had a feeling she knew exactly how that felt. She offered her hand to him. "It sounds very nice, Doctor. Traveling like that."

[nine_and_ears]

The Doctor squeezed Nadia's hand. "And maybe it'll help with... whatever you need to leave behind."

[nadiathesaint]

"And you'll get to see if I can remember all your classes this year."

[nine_and_ears]

The Doctor smiled. "Sounds like we have a perfect plan."