In the woods with no one around...

[waterfell]

[The forest is dense enough to inhibit light, leaving a dappled pattern of shadow on the ground as the thin sun filters through the leaves. There are no obvious landmarks, but Mercury walks purposefully, as if she knows the way

Comments

[thatoldthatkind]

Did you have to pick a forest?

[ Him and his ridiculous fez. ]

[thatoldthatkind]

Do you ever think about just sitting and listening. Ever? At all?

[waterfell]

[Her answer is simple.]

To the trees? They don't speak to me.

[To the Water, once; but these days, she's forgotten that and simply fashions it to her will.]

[thatoldthatkind]

They still speak.

[waterfell]

Not to me. [She repeats it solely for emphasis; she has little trust in the idea of help from others.]

You can stay here if you want. I'm going on to find the exit.

[thatoldthatkind]

[ He nods and brushes his hands off, hiking his pants up a bit as he sits down. ]

[waterfell]

[Fine. It's fine. She doesn't need someone's help. She'll find the way out (and he'd better not be expecting her to come back for him once she does). Mercury holds her head high as she walks away, steps measured and strong.

It's about ten minutes later that Mercury returns - from the opposite direction. Another circle. Her expression suggests she won't be amused at anything that points this out.]

[thatoldthatkind]

[ The Doctor sits, waiting for her to come back, hands folded over one knee. He smiles when she shows back up. ]

[waterfell]

[The smile seems so smug, regardless of his intent, and she moves right on without a second look.

Only to return ten minutes later.

And then to repeat it.

Finally, the third time, still without saying a word to acknowledge her stubbornness, she sits on the ground. She looks somewhat tired by now.]

[thatoldthatkind]

[ He is twirling a piece of grass around by the time she comes back. ]

[waterfell]

[It only serves to emphasize his patience. Is he trying to provoke her? But by now, though the walking hasn't tired her physically, she's beginning to worry about the way out in earnest. She can't keep doing this, going around and around but always staying in one spot.

Finally, very quietly:]

What did you plan to do?

[She might, might, listen.]

[thatoldthatkind]

Me? Oh, nothing. Talk a bit. Well, no, actually a lot. I tend to ramble...

[waterfell]

I'm not leaving again for awhile, so, if you want to talk, go ahead.

[thatoldthatkind]

Don't you think there's a reason we're stuck here, Mercury? It's a dense forest, sure, yes, but you should be able to control the landscape of your own dream. But, you're not.

[waterfell]

[He sounds unpleasantly like Mars, who always looked for a reason to everything. Mercury knows how powerful Fate can be; but she doesn't want to be ruled by it, either. Wasn't that the point of making their own fate instead?

The Doctor earns himself a questioning look.]

Control this forest?

[thatoldthatkind]

It is your dream!