Clara gazed up through the dome at the clouds of stars and shimmering space dust wheeling overhead. "The view is so beautiful here."
"It is. Almost makes up for the local residents."
"You're acting like a jealous boyfriend!"
"I'm acting like a Time Lord who has rather more experience traveling about the universe than you, young lady. Meet all sorts of dodgy types in a place like this," he added under his breath, crossing his arms and glaring about.
A very obviously female alien wearing a very slinky dress was seated at a nearby table. She raised her glass to the Doctor with a seductive smile.
"Very dodgy indeed," Clara agreed, grabbing the Doctor's hand and dragging him off down the lane.
"You beat me!" the Doctor exclaimed in disbelief.
"Three times," Clara replied smugly.
"At chess. You beat me at chess. No one's ever beat me at chess."
"Say hello to the girl who did."
The Doctor stopped in his tracks, and looked at her oddly.
"What?" Clara asked.
He shook his head, dispelling Oswin's ghost. "Nothing. Never mind. Come along."
"Let's go look at the animals again!"
"No, no, no! We are not bringing home any strays!"
"Oh, come on! I just want to look - hey! Watch it!"
The slinky female alien that she'd noticed earlier shoved her way in between Clara and the Doctor.
"Stop, thief!" A group of local strong arm types followed in hot pursuit, knocking into the Doctor a second time.
"Well, that doesn't need any translation," the Doctor muttered, dusting himself off. "Clara?" He looked about, but she'd vanished into the milling crowd. "Clara!"
"All right, think," he muttered. "She wanted to see the animals again, and that's heading back towards the TARDIS anyway. Right." He headed back into the maze of shops.
Suddenly he spotted a splash of red - Clara's shawl - on the ground in front of the animal vendor's stall. He snatched it up and burst into the back room of the shop. Clara was sprawled on the floor, unconscious.
He slid to his knees and very gently lifted her into his arms. "Clara…Clara, talk to me…" Her head lolled against the Doctor's shoulder and her skin was clammy to the touch. There were two small wounds on her left wrist, and her hand was swollen and splotched greenish purple. He scanned her with his sonic screwdriver and frowned at the results.
The shopkeeper stood nearby, absently stroking one of the monkey creatures. "You were correct. They are quite venomous. Her species seems particularly vulnerable."
"I assume there's a reason for this?" he asked in a deadly quiet voice.
"A simple business transaction. I require a dioptase matrix crystal to bring my engines back online and escape this wretched hole. You will provide me with one, and I will provide you with the antidote for your friend."
"You could have just asked!" he retorted angrily.
"Perhaps. It is my experience that persuasion provides better results."
"What's to keep me from just taking my friend and running to the local authorities?"
"Because the local authorities work for me." The bully boys from the market place filed into the room.
The Doctor's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
"Does it matter? You will do as I wish, or your friend will die."
The Doctor carefully laid Clara back down on the floor, and covered her with her shawl. He rose slowly to his feet and approached the shopkeeper until they stood toe to toe. "Tell me, have you by chance ever heard the story of the Battle of Demon's Run?"
"No."
"You might care to look it up, and find out what happens to people who hurt my friends."