Sally was at loss for words, she watched as the strange bowtied man scooped up the small dog and scratch behind the beagles's ears. Mister Tibbles gave a small yap, and the man raised his brow, "Monsters huh?" He asked the dog, amusement in his voice, "That's a bit farfetched isn't it?" The dog yapped once more, and the Doctor laughed, "Whatever you say,"
Sally opened her mouth to demand why the man was talking to the dog, then her mouth snapped closed as she saw what was behind the man, his box, it was huge! The inside was bright and warm compared to the autumn twilight, there was a huge control panel in the center of a massive space that glowed and beeped, she could hear a soft hum emanate off the box. It was like there was an entire universe in there! It was impossible.
With wide eyes, she shook her head, then did a lap around the box and the strange man (who was now absorbed in conversation with the beagle). After making a full circle to prove to herself that the box was in fact small with a massive room inside, she returned to the door and poked her head in, looking into what seemed to be a vast sort of control room you'd see in a sci-fi , took a step past the man into the box.
This caught the man's attention, "Oh, I'm sorry, hello." The Doctor grinned, ending his conversation and stepping in front of her to stop the girl. "Is something the matter?" He asked in an innocent, and strangely smug tone.
Sally shook her head, "Y, your box…" She trailed, still looking behind The Doctor and trying to process what she was seeing. As far as she could tell the room wasn't shrouded by the mist. It just, was there, existing for all to see, she couldn't feel the familiar pull of the magic trying to hide the box from her mortal eyes. That went against everything she knew. She blinked like she had with the doors, trying to dispel the image, but what she saw was still impossible.
The man cocked his head, the beagle in his arms mimicked the motion, "Yes…" He prompted.
Sally took a steadying breath, "It's, it's, well, it's bigger on the inside!" She said, gesturing to the impossible thing before her.
Her words seemed to amuse the strange man, "Oh really?" He beamed, "I haven't noticed. Would you like to come in? It looks cold outside. We can have tea."
The small dog he held licked at the Doctor's face, and the Doctor laughed before handing Mister Tibbles back to Sally, "Or you could head home, it's all the same to me." He informed, helping the beagle into Sally's arms.
Sally felt the weight of the small squirming beast against her and yet again, she felt herself presented with a test. All of this could be in her mind, maybe her delusions were simply reaching out to her in the form of a strange man with an impossible box. Maybe they had finally decided, or she had finally decide rather, to get lost in a fantasy. This was just her dream extending its hand, beckoning for her to loose herself in madness. Maybe nothing was really real. If this was just some sort of dream, than accepting the man's invite for tea wouldn't hurt anything but her sanity. She could do it.
But on the flip side, maybe this was all real. But if that was true than this strange man was undoubtedly a test. Or a trap. Probably a trap. Or maybe it was luck, utter and complete luck that this man had found her. She could ask him about all of the strange and crazy things in her life, she could finally learn the truth. She shook her head, taking to biting at her nails and tapping her foot as she considered her pros and cons.
She never much liked having to weigh pros and cons, she always seemed to make the wrong choice anyway. She nearly decided to just leave, but…she didn't. This man seemed different than the other strange beings she had met, not suspicious, tricky, or angry like the monsters she had seen before. And not indifferent to her either, like the strange kids with swords and curved wands that she ran into on occasion. This man seemed warm…and she couldn't quite place why. He seemed like someone she could trust. This was odd, she hadn't trusted someone for a long time.
Apparently she was considering her options for far too long, because the man waved his hand in front of her face, "You still with me?" He asked.
Sally, who was a bit lost in thought, nodded.
The man shifted awkwardly, "Soooo, tea?" He followed up.
Sally didn't know what compelled her, but she choked out one word in response, "Sure."
"Great!" The bowtied man clapped his hands together and turned on his heel, "Come on than miss…" He started.
She followed the man into the police box, noting that the inside of the box was warmer than the cold alleyway outside, "Sally." She supplied. "Sally Jackson. You say you're the Doctor, Doctor who?"
"Just the Doctor!" The man grinned, "Nice to meet you Miss Jackson!" He snapped his fingers and the door shut closed behind the pair.
Sally bit her lip at this, alarm bells going off in her head, but stayed where she was, "This way than." The Doctor said, leading her into a long hallway that branched off from the control room. Sally held the small puppy close as she entered the hall, it was metal, a little dark, and a bit scary. Following wasn't perhaps wasn't the best idea. A part of her told her to bolt, but she steeled her nerves and followed the man, curiosity winning out over an urge to run. Her eyes scanned the hall taking in every detail of the impossible interior.
Nineteen years of oddity and intrigue, and this was probably the strangest thing young Sally Jackson had ever done, and it was definitely the most reckless. But little did she know, that her strange and reckless life had only just begun with her few hesitant steps into the blue box.
XxX Authors Note XxX
Obscure reference hunt
Alright, last chapter, approximately 0 people found my obscure out-of-series reference! In case you were dying to know, the reference was simple, Mister Tibbles was the name of a cat owned by Mrs. Figg from the Harry Potter books! Better luck next time friends. I have a reference hidden in this chapter too, it's from another book series written by Rick Riordan. 20,000 interweb hugs! to anyone who can find it! Good luck!
Replies to my fan mail
Anon: Thank you! That's very kind of you to say! I'll keep posting. :)
Bricasha Zacoram: Thank you! Yes, this is about Percy's mom. She's 19 years old, and has not met Poseidon yet. She will though, we'll get there. ;) I'll write more.
Kimmie: Thanks! She's 19, still a kid, still kind of scared. I'm glad you like it, I'll continue.
LeoNicoFangirl: Heehee, Percy Leo or Nico may play a part (especially Nico, lol). Sally's still years away from knowing any them, but time doesn't much matter in the TARDIS. Imagine the look on Percy's face when his teenage mom shows up and she's all like, *Hiding words for spoilers* ha! Priceless! But bottom line, it's gonna be great!
And to everyone who's reading this: You guys rock! Thank you, I love you all! I'm glad you've joined me and Sally, and the Doctor and Mister Tibbles for this journey. I hope to hear from you in the comments below.
