Tales Of The Wolf
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Reaching the main city of Tarion, Rose, the Doctor and Jack entered by the wide golden gates and into the Land of Technology. "This is impressive," Rose murmured to the others as she surveyed the planet around them. Even though she had been several times to Tarion before, the sight still left her breathless. "So much techno stuff."
"I agree," Jack conceded hesitantly, "that they do have a lot of impressive and decent gadgets."
"They're definitely advanced," the Doctor agreed.
"I could probably get another gun here at a very cheap price," Jack commented.
"You could also get a few Extrapolators while you're at it," the Doctor retorted.
"Fine, they're better than the 51st Century, I'll admit."
"Lovely," Rose sighed as they walked towards the busy buildings. It was like New York. Tons of people milling the streets, dozens of hover cars. If anyone there thought it was strange to see a girl dressed from the 21st Century, a man dressed from the 51st and a wolf walking together, no one commented on it. The people there were very human-like, and they were kind when they greeted each other (Like Italians!).
"So, where would this… thing be?" Jack asked, who had no idea what they were looking for. To tell you the truth, no one knew what they were looking for – not even the Doctor.
"City Hall – if it's there at all," the Doctor replied shortly. With another sigh, Rose followed Jack and the Doctor.
Suddenly an overly friendly Tarionan approached them, greeting them pleasantly. "Missy," he said to Rose as he glanced down at the 'dog' (wolf – he looks like a dog, however) that stayed glued to her side and wouldn't budge. "I hate to tell you this, but it's against the log to have an animal loose. You have to either tie him up or pack him in a kennel."
Rose threw Jack a warning glance not to say anything and sighed reluctantly. "I'm sorry sir, that's fine. Right, Doctor. Let's get you 'leashed' up," Rose said with dry humour. The Doctor just looked up at her, a pleading expression on his face. "Don't bother fighting it, mister," Rose informed him, hands on her hips. The Doctor twitched and looked up at her, now resigned.
With a laugh the man held out a collar and leash. "I sell them. 3 tarthings." At the blank look Rose gave him, the man laughed again. "I take it you're not from around here," he commented dryly. He looked around and gestured to out of the main city. "From out there?" he asked vaguely. Rose nodded vigorously and Jack coughed. "Okay, that'd be 3 pounds."
Rose was about to dig into her pocket when Jack pulled out from his jacket the amount needed. "Here you go," he said airily.
"Thanks," she mouthed at him, and he nodded.
"Now, what colour would you like, blue, brown, green, red, pink – "
Jack could tell by the look on Rose's face that she was about to say pink, so he interrupted her before she could open her mouth and said, "Brown." He grinned at the disappointed look she shot him. It hadn't gone unnoticed by the man, however.
"Well, pink is a sure pertty colour, missy," the man said with a jolly laugh. "Why don't we ask the fellow?" With reluctance Rose nodded and the man bent to the Doctor. "Pink or Brown?" he asked gently. "Bark twice for the second option – " he said with a glance at Jack. "Bark once for the first one," he finished as he glanced at Rose.
With regret, the Doctor looked wistfully at the brown collar and leash, because, even though he felt it suited him better, the pleading look that his lady was sending Jack was depressing him. "Woof," he barked meekly.
Rose jumped with glee as Jack groaned. "No way," he moaned into his hand.
"Hah! Thank you, Doctor."
"Pink it is," the man said with a joyous laugh. The pretty girl needed something to cheer her up; she looked too pale for his liking.
The man went back to his stall after motioning the three to stay there, and returned with a pink collar and leash – a bright fluorescent one, to Rose's delight and the Doctor's hatred.
He knelt down to fasten it to the dog gently, but he growled and stepped away and closer to Rose. The man backed off – the message had clearly been received: Step away – I'm hers, and besides that fact I'm not letting a stranger touch me.
He handed the collar and leash gingerly to Jack as Rose gently apologized for her pet's behaviour. He was very protective you see, and he needed some work…
Jack tried to hook the collar around the Doctor's neck, but he growled at him too, louder than usual.
