I realize it's been longer than I intended since the last update, but chapter 14 has arrived. It's on the short side.
But first some responses:
Stallion6 of Deviantart - You're right. The TARDIS is something that many people would wish to see for real - including me!
Stitchfan 82 - Thank you. I know the chapter was on the short side. I have no set length. Some will be longer, some shorter. That's life I guess. But hopefully the chapter's quality will make up for whatever it may lack in length. Regarding "The Pirate Planet," I never thought of that, but you're right. The Captain is like Dr. Robotnik. Not only that but his lackey Mr. Fibuli, is even a bit like Snively.
As always, standard disclaimer: Neither Doctor Who nor Sonic The Hedgehog belong to me. Doctor Who is property of the BBC. Sonic The Hedgehog SatAM is property of Sega and DIC. The only thing that's mine is the story itself. Please read and review; I always appreciate feedback. Constructive criticism is welcome, however no flames please.
14 – THE LADY
Upon exiting the TARDIS Tails found himself in the most beautiful garden he had ever seen in his short life. Although he was well acquainted with the Great Forest at home and its many different beautiful faces, he still had to admit that he had never seen anything like what he was seeing now.
A few meters in front of him was a pond; it wasn't too large, but it was perfectly round. A small wooden bridge arched up from near him and crossed the pond to a small island situated in its center. On the island were several beautiful trees of different sorts, and flowering bushes growing around them. On the far side of the garden he saw more trees and bushes spreading around the pond. Nearby on his right he heard the sound of moving water and when he looked toward it he saw a nearby stream rapidly coming over a small waterfall before entering the pond from that way.
Hardly had he had a chance to take all of this in when he heard a voice from his left.
"Lord Doctor" came a high female sounding voice, "you have returned."
Tails turned and looked to his left where he saw a beautiful human woman standing a short distance away facing the Doctor. She was bowing deeply to him with her hands tucked in the sleeves of her robes. The Doctor was bowing in return.
"It is an honor to see you again Lady Murasaki" he said, "I trust you are well?"
"Quite well" was the reply, "and happy to welcome you back to Heian-Kyo. I do wish you would honor us with your presence more often."
"Well you know me" said the Doctor, "I can rarely sit still for long. So many places to go, things to see, people to meet you know."
"Indeed, and have you brought a new visitor to grace our halls?" asked the lady.
"Why yes I have" said the Doctor with a grin, and he motioned for Tails to come forward, "this is Tails."
Tails stepped forward. As soon as she saw him Lady Murasaki gave a little gasp.
"Forgive my familiarity" she said, "I did not realize you were traveling with a kitsune." She bowed deeply to Tails. "Lord kitsune, be welcome to this house. I trust we will be able to make you perfectly comfortable. And no doubt you will wish to visit your kin on the island." Here she gestured to the island out in the middle of the pond.
"I'm sorry" said Tails looking confused, "not to be rude, but what did you call me?"
"Ah" said the Doctor interposing, "you must forgive my companion Lady Murasaki. He is not from here, and I think he finds your term for his kind a little confusing."
"My apologies" said Lady Murasaki, "I do not wish to offend."
"You don't" Tails assured her.
"May I know your name honorable one?"
"Certainly" said the Doctor interjecting again, "Lady Murasaki, this my companion Miles Prower, known to his friends as Tails, from the planet Mobius."
"Ah" said the lady, grasping the significance of what the Doctor said, "you are from another world then, like the Doctor. Then let me welcome you Heian-Kyo, the capital of our fair land."
"Thank you" said Tails, bowing himself as it seemed the expected thing to do.
"And Tails" said the Doctor, "it's my honor to present to you the Lady Murasaki Shikibu, lady-in-waiting to her majesty the Empress of Japan, and a great writer as well."
"You flatter me Doctor" said Lady Murasaki.
"Nonsense" said the Doctor, "how much more of that "Genji" book of yours have you written since I was last here?"
"Several more chapters, but I have yet far to go before it is finished."
"I should hope so" said the Doctor, "large ambitious works like yours should take time to put together. But I'm very much looking forward to hearing the newest chapters."
"That can be arranged" said the lady, "meanwhile won't the two of you come in? I will arrange for tea and refreshments for you both."
"Ah yes, Japanese tea" said the Doctor with a grin, "there's nothing else quite like it on this planet, or any other for that matter."
Lady Murasaki led them into the nearby building that the TARDIS had parked itself in front of and which Tails was able to observe fully for the first time. It was an exquisite looking structure. It was built mainly of wood, but the walls were of a paper that Tails did not know. The roof of the building was slanted on both sides but curved out near the bottom. The lady slid one of the wall's panels to one side, exposing the entrance to a room and ushered them inside. Within they found a mostly bare room with mats arranged in a square around a small table in the center of the room.
"Sit" said Lady Murasaki, "and I will send for some refreshment." And with that she left by another door which she slid open and left open behind her. With both doors open the room, Spartan in its furnishings already, took on a very open and airy feel. The Doctor and Tails seated themselves on the mats on the floor. Tails looked around.
"Doctor" he said, "where are we?"
"We're on a planet called Earth" said the Doctor, "one of my favorite planets in the universe. I often spend time here, mainly in a later time than this one and in a different location, but all times and places of this planet are of interest to me."
"And you've been to this place and time before?"
"Oh yes" said the Doctor, "This part of the planet goes by the name of Japan. It is a very old society. It has lasted for many centuries by now, and it will last for many centuries yet to come. They call this period of its history the "Heian Period" and it's a highwater mark for culture for a long time to come. Some of Japan's most famous writers come from this time. The Lady Murasaki herself is one of them. She's working on a book called The Tale of Genji; it's a story that will be read and remembered long, long after her death. Of course neither of us can tell her that, but it's true just the same."
"Wow" said Tails, "she seems very polite."
"That's part of their society" replied the Doctor, "manners are very important here, so mind your "Ps" and Qs."
"I will" said Tails, now a little nervous, "but why did she call me a – what was it?"
"A kitsune?" said the Doctor, "yes, we need to talk about that. Ah, here comes Lady Murasaki again." And so it was. Lady Murasaki reentered the room accompanied by two servants, one of whom carried snacks on a tray, the other of whom carried a tea set complete with cups and a steaming tea pot. These the servants placed on the table and then withdrew to the side of the room near the inner door. Tails noticed that neither of them seemed to be in the least surprised by his appearance. Presumably Lady Murasaki had told them about him before they came in with the food.
Lady Murasaki sat down opposite the Doctor and Tails and began pouring out the tea into three cups which she handed to her guests.
"Please" she said, "make yourselves at home. The tea is very good."
"I'm sure it is" said the Doctor, picking up his cup and taking a sip. "Ah" he said with a smile, "as good as I remember. Tails, try it, I think you'll like it."
Tails picked up his cup and sniffed the hot drink. Finding that it smelled fairly nice he cautiously took a sip. And it was good. It was flavored with some sort of leaves that gave it a very definite pleasant taste. As it was hot Tails was careful as to how much he sipped at a time, blowing on it to cool it a little.
"That's good" said the Doctor seeing Tails' reaction, "now I think we might have a little chat. We have much to discuss."
(To Be Continued)
A/N - Okay this particular story arc tends toward the time traveling / historical side of Doctor Who where they go into the past and meet famous people from history. However for people who want a cheat sheet here are some notes regarding this chapter (and this story arc):
1) This chapter takes place during the Heian Era of Japanese history, roughly between the years 1000-1010 C.E.
2) Heian-Kyo was the name of the Japanese capital at this time. After a large city-wide fire some years after this, the city would be rebuilt and be renamed Kyoto.
3) Murasaki Shikibu was a real person. She lived circa 978-1014 or 1025 C.E. (the date of her death is disputed). She was a lady in waiting to the empress at the imperial court of Heian Kyo and, as the Doctor said, she was a very accomplished writer.
4) The Tale of Genji is the title of Murasaki Shikibu's masterwork. It's often considered to be the world's first true novel and its influence on Japanese literature was immense. It can still be read today, both in Japanese and in translation.
And that's that. See you next time!