A/N: Edited 08/09/2015
-1304-
-Convent-
"Not the distraction I was looking for, but that'll do!" The man shouted from behind her. She tore her eyes from the monster and saw him near the stone wall that surrounded the convent. "Come on then! Not really the time for sightseeing!" He yelled as he grabbed her hand in his own and yanked her toward the convent doors.
The creature shrieked above them, so close now that the sound pierced her head like a needle and she was certain she could feel the whisper of its hot breath on her neck. She gripped the man's hand tighter and didn't dare look back as they threw themselves through the open doorway.
The man turned sharply and slammed the door behind them. Both of them fell against it, a heavy thump shook the other side a moment later. The wood creaked and groaned under the weight of the monster. Calypso reached up for the cross beam and dropped it into place across the door, adding further protection.
The door bounced again, the sound of claws scrabbling against the wood as it struggled to get inside but the door held. The beast screamed its displeasure before the familiar beat of its wings took over, suggesting it was leaving.
Calypso let her legs crumple beneath her, sliding to the floor ungracefully. The man collapsed next to her, a shaky grin on his face.
"Well, there we are then. Made it in one piece," his mood was unaffected by the fact that they had both nearly died. "Now there's just the matter of getting the net ready. You were brilliant." He told her, glowing.
"Who are you?" She had a hundred questions, but that one was the most pressing.
"Oh. I'm the Doctor," he said cheerfully. He leaned close and grew serious. "And I'm sorry, but you're really starting to cut off my circulation."
His eyes flickered down and she had to follow his gaze to understand. Her hand still grasped his, her knuckles were clenched so tight they had faded several shades. "Sorry." She mumbled, dropping his hand as though it were a snake.
"S'alright." He shrugged, flexing his fingers and winking at her. "No harm done."
"And what is the meaning of this?" Prioress Florence's sharp voice carried louder than the furious drumming of Calypso's heart. She groaned inwardly, wishing that Sister Margaret had just done as she'd been told. Of course the Prioress tended to involve herself in all matters at the convent. At least this time she could not reasonably blame Calypso for this trouble, even if she was tempted to.
"Novice Calypso?" She glared at the spot where Calypso still sat, unable to gather the strength to stand. "I should have known. Why are you not in the fields? Do you care so little for this congregation that you would abandon your duty? And what is-" she gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth as the Doctor stood, helping Calypso to her feet.
She wasn't entirely grateful, especially with Prioress watching. She had hoped to stay on the floor a bit longer, and perhaps melt away beneath the woman's furious narrowed gaze. But perhaps it was better that it did not look like she was cowering.
"You have brought a man into our sacred home?" She whispered the words like a curse.
"I'm not a man." The Doctor said, indignant. "I'm the Doctor."
Prioress Florence dismissed his words. "I knew you were a black stain, ill-suited to this holy place." She strode forward and pointed her crooked finger at Calypso. "When the Mother Superior finds out about this, she will send you back to whatever dark hole you crawled-"
"Would you speak for me, Florence?" Mother Catherine's voice cut through whatever threat she'd been about to make. For the first time that night, Calypso felt relief as she saw Sister Margaret appear just behind the Mother Superior.
"Forgive me, reverent Mother." Prioress Florence bowed deeply, regaining her composure. "Back to the field, Novice, so we might discuss what is to be done about your reprehensible behavior."
Calypso felt a hysterical giggle start to bubble up from her lips and she slapped her hands over her mouth to prevent it from continuing. She doubted there was anything that could make her go out in those fields again. The Doctor smirked, clearly pleased that some of his madness had spread to her.
"Oh," the Doctor stepped forward, attempting to look serious once more and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "I really wouldn't do that. There's a rather predatory Trecadonyl out there, and it's on the hunt."
Everyone stared at him, his cryptic words a puzzle none could sort out.
"Have you noticed any livestock go missing recently?" He tried again eyeing both Mother Catherine and Prioress Florence equally, though it looked like the latter was the one who needed convincing. "Maybe it started small, a chicken or two. But then it escalated. A goat, a horse, a cow maybe. Does any of that sound familiar?" He pointed back at the door behind him. "Open that door, and you'll find the problem. Rather immediately. And immediately after you'll be devoured. But, I suppose people give up all sorts of things for knowledge. Any takers?" he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This man speaks madness." Prioress Florence still had a scowl fixed on her face.
"Novice Calypso?" Mother Catherine turned her scrutinizing gaze to Calypso. "Does this man spin falsehoods in our sacred home? Or do his words ring of truth?"
Calypso didn't truly know how to answer. Much of what he'd said hadn't made sense to her, but she did not have any doubts about that creature outside being dangerous.
"I believe he speaks the truth, reverent Mother. There is something outside, a beast. It attacked us and I believe it meant to kill. If not for this Doctor, I don't believe Sister Anita or myself would have survived." She realized suddenly that it was true. She turned her attention to the Doctor. "Thank you."
He grinned and clicked his tongue, looking pleased with himself.
"Well then, physician," Mother Catherine inclined her head to the Doctor ever so slightly. "I believe we owe you our deepest gratitude."
"No trouble," the Doctor beamed. "Happy to help." They were interrupted by the shrill screeching of claws against the large windows of the chapel. "Though, might want to save the congratulations for later. We're not quite out of the woods yet." He beckoned Calypso away from the door and toward the hallway. Her eyes were glued on the window but she found her legs obeying without giving much thought to it. The windows started to squeal as they cracked under the pressure from outside.
"Quickly," the Doctor pushed Calypso along and directed the rest of the women further into the chapel. "Quickly now, down the hall, mind the windows."
Mother Catherine moved first, ushering the rest of them to follow her down the hall. Calypso and the Doctor followed closely behind, careful to avoid the windows. They were halfway down the hall when the windows shattered, eliciting a scream from both the Sisters and the winged monster. Calypso looked back and saw its horned face poking in through the open window. It opened its wide fanged mouth and growled, seeing its prey almost within reach.
"Come on, he's not going to be any friendlier in person!" The Doctor urged when he realized everyone had come to a standstill. "Oh, I'll show you the ship." He said as he grinned at Calypso. "I think you'll like that."
She couldn't think of how he'd gotten a vessel into the narrow halls of the convent, but she was more than happy to follow him away from the monster behind them. They rounded the corner and headed toward the kitchens which were deserted at this late hour. The sound of the creature crashing into the temple as it breached the window fully echoed through the hallway.
"Ladies, does this room have only the one door?" The Doctor stopped in front of the heavy wooden door.
"It does." Mother Catherine answered.
"Then I think it's best if you shut yourselves in and barricade it. Don't come out until I come to retrieve you, do you understand? I'll handle this sky-demon. You all need to. Stay. Put." His tone left no room for argument, although Prioress Florence still looked as though she wanted to. Mother Catherine gave a curt nod, unused to taking orders, but she was also no fool. Calypso went to follow them but the Doctor grabbed her elbow.
"No no. Not you. Come on, I've got to show you the Tardis." He clicked his tongue and nodded further down the hall. "It's alright," he reassured Mother Catherine who looked not at all pleased with the arrangement. "I'll keep her safe. Remember, stay inside."
"As you say, Doctor." Mother Catherine began to shut the door, but she spared Calypso a quick glance. "Stay safe, Novice." And then she shut the door completely.
"Come on," the Doctor grabbed Calypso's hand again and led her further down the hall. They came to an abrupt halt because the way was blocked by a large bright blue box. He let go of her hand as she stared and fished in his pocket for something. "Oh," he held out a tiny key. "You're gonna love this." He promised her with a grin as he pushed in one side of the box as though it were a door. He tilted his head invitingly and stepped inside.
She stood there, eying the box with suspicion. There was a golden glow coming from the interior and she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to find the source. But there was a feral howling coming from the chapel, encouraging her to move, especially since it was growing closer.
She stepped inside the box and her eyes adjusted to the bright light inside. She heard the door click shut behind her but she was too overwhelmed by her new surroundings to pay it much attention.
The box had appeared small, but this place she was in was huge, larger than the inside of their chapel. She spun around, at a loss for words. It was impossible, and yet somehow it seemed fitting after the evening she had just had.
"Eh? What did I say?" The Doctor caught her attention once more. He stood in the center of the great room, around a large platform which had a variety of bright lights and strange metallic buttons and knobs on it. "What do you think, do you like it?"
"I…" She was struck mute by this place. Not only its enormity but something else, something drummed in her blood, filling the air around her with static. It felt strangely familiar. Like there was something in this room that was calling out, calling her.
Her eyes locked on the center of the room, there was a glowing glass tube the color of fireflies and it was pulsing like a beating heart. She felt certain the calling was coming from that. "It's beautiful." She whispered, finally able to speak the words. She took a step forward, almost afraid to encroach on such a thing.
"Right you are." He grinned. "Go on then, have a look around. She doesn't bite."
Calypso took a steadying breath and took another step, trying to take as much in as she could. The walls were not made of stone, but neither were they wood. They were some slick surface that she couldn't identify. Giant tree-like pillars supported the ceiling overhead and she let her hand brush one as she passed it. The extraordinary porous substance was cool to the touch and smooth against her skin.
The Doctor circled the platform, pulling knobs and spinning several dials as he went and the whole room began to make a whirring sound. The floor rattled and shook beneath her feet and she feared that the creature had found them and was going to tear the box apart to kill them.
"It's alright," he reassured her as he saw her stricken face. "Just casting the net to capture the wee beastie. Want to return the lost duckling to its flock before it gets into any more trouble."
"Duckling?" She stared at him, still trying to grow accustomed to the unsteady floor. She wondered if she had seriously underestimated how mad this man truly was.
"Oh sure, he's just a baby yet. He's got a bit off course. They migrate every billion, billion years. When the Milky Way and Andromeda align it sends a signal-" He paused when he noted the vacant look on her face, as though she'd registered nothing of what he'd said. "They're galaxies…" he struggled for words, ruffling his hair with one hand as he stared at her. "Stars? Those bright dots in the sky. Show up every night-"
"I'm familiar." She said absently, her attention was on the pulsing cylinder again. "You just say many strange things."
"Yeah," he drawled. "I do tend to go on."
She reached the platform and touched a few of the glowing bulbs gently, but she was drawn again to the center. She reached her hand out, hesitating only a moment before she finally pressed it against the smooth surface. It was warm to the touch, and thrummed against her skin.
The feeling of familiarity was back, the call spoke directly to her. Home. It said. Images flashed in her mind, familiar ones from her dreams, and others. The red fields, the shining lights. Faces covered in soot and blood as everything burned around them.
She shuddered as the scenes overloaded her senses, far more real than when she had dreamt them. She knew they belonged to her, that they were pieces of her, but she didn't understand how. She gasped as she wrenched her hand back, afraid of what it meant. She hadn't realized she was crying until she opened her eyes and found the room was blurred around her. She couldn't tell if the tears had been from relief or misery.
"Oh," the Doctor had stopped what he was doing and watched Calypso with a strange intensity. "That's not something I've seen before. Think she likes you."
"It's- it's alive." She choked out, taking a step backward. She wiped at her face hastily to try and hide her distress but she couldn't stop shaking. "How can it be alive?"
"Course she's alive, she's the Tardis." The Doctor scoffed, but he quickly saw the Calypso was still deeply upset. "It's alright." He stepped closer, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I don't think she meant to startle you. Honestly I'm not even sure how you managed that-"
"Doc-Doctor!" Something was very wrong, and she could feel it.
"Just because I've not seen it before doesn't mean it's something bad."
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "My hands." They were glowing. It was as though they had caught fire; yellow flames slowly danced across her fingers and up her arms. She flailed wildly, but nothing would subdue the fire. Somehow, she couldn't feel them burning.
"Your hand- hold on, Calypso, your hands." He frowned at her as though seeing her for the first time. "What have you done?" She thought he might be speaking to her, but his attention was on the glowing cylinder as though it would provide an answer.
"I don't understand," he said, looking back to Calypso. "Calypso, what are you?" His intense curiosity was suddenly more alarming than the memories she'd been burdened with.
She wanted to tell him she was a person, but she couldn't find the words, or the certainty. "I don't know," she shook her head. "Please, I don't know." She whispered.
"It's okay," the Doctor took her shaking hands into his own and smiled. "Just breathe, it's going to be alright." He didn't seem to be burned by the flames either, but she could see there was still a hint of fear in his eyes.
She tried to believe his lie, but it grew more difficult as she felt the fire spreading. In its wake she felt a strange numbness. The room began to glow brighter around her and she felt it consume her entirely.
"It's funny," his eyes met hers again briefly. "But you did this for me. The last time."
"The last time?" She searched his face for some sign of familiarity but she could not find it. How could he speak of knowing her if she had never met him before in her life.
"Calypso?" His voice had lost its soothing quality and now had an edge to it. "How- what are you doing?"
She tried to shake her head but the numbness had spread and she couldn't will herself to move. She couldn't even feel the Doctor's grip on her anymore, it was as though she was fading entirely.
"This is- this is Huon energy. This is impossible. Calypso I need to know how you're doing this!" He was almost shouting now and his eyes were filled with a frantic intensity. But it didn't matter because she faded further and lost all sensation. Then there was nothing left but the void.
