Yesterday
The sounds of voices and animals reached Rose's brain first. For one tiny second she wondered what the TARDIS was up to – since when were there roosters? – but soon the feel of the stiffer bedclothes and the vaguely unfamiliar scent of the air clicked, and she opened her eyes. The cottage looked the same as it had last night, though with the first hints of sunlight peeking in along the edges of the shutters.
The Doctor was nowhere to be seen, though he'd stayed in bed with her for much of the night. She'd woken twice to the far-off call of a strange animal and been immensely comforted by his presence snuggled up close against her in the pitch-dark. The first time, her jolt had also woken him, and he'd fuzzily mumbled against her neck as his arms tightened around her. The second time, he'd clearly already been alert; when she'd cried out softly and jarred herself awake, he'd gently rubbed her back and arms and whispered into her hair for her to go back to sleep.
Pushing those thoughts away with difficulty, she got out of bed and went into the bathing room. She hesitated a moment, then bent down and scrubbed out her dirty clothes with the local soap the best she could; no way was she putting those nasty things back on tomorrow! Wringing them out, she draped them along the bench and table, hoping that they would dry before the next day. Pulling out her one change of clothes from her knapsack, she got dressed quickly and did her best to make herself presentable despite the lack of a mirror bigger than her tiny compact's. After a quick trip to the outhouse, she returned to the small porch to get a good look around.
The village was stirring, and the aura of peacefulness was strong. Men and older boys were meeting up in small groups or moving purposefully along the lanes, each one holding the implements of his trade, and women and children were scuttling around the homes and yards tending to animals and drawing water. The low murmur of voices and routine activity was occasionally interspersed with a child's high-pitched shout or an animal's strident bleat. No one had yet noticed her…until a flash of quicker motion caught her eye and she saw the Doctor striding back toward her, carrying another basket much like last night's.
"Morning, sunshine!" The Time Lord beamed at her as she waved. "Figured I'd bring this back; I was wandering around, watching the sun rise, and I ran into Duleian's wife – she's the Nianna who got this cottage ready for us – and she dragged me back to their house to get our breakfast. We're invited whenever we're ready, by the way. Seems everyone here wants to talk to the visitors. Quite right too. I think we're rather fascinating, don't you?" He pushed open the cottage door and shooed Rose, still bemusedly shaking her head, inside.
As the Doctor dug through the basket and laid the food out on the table, Rose stole a good look at him. She had no idea whether the night of rest had done him good – he rarely seemed to sleep - but he looked even more chipper than usual. He still smelled faintly of the herbal local soap, and that fabulous head of chocolate-brown hair was actually behaving… and how the hell did he manage to wear the same clothes for days running and never stink or look rumpled? Did he carry another entire suit in those dimensionally transcendent overcoat pockets? She supposed she'd best not ask, and instead sat down and tucked into breakfast.
The Doctor gave an impressive running commentary on the probable origins and preparation techniques of the bread, cheese, and tangy fruit preserves, at the same time inhaling an astonishing amount of food. Rose hoped his metabolism stayed this turbocharged, else he wouldn't look nearly so fit in those pinstriped trousers… She forcibly turned her attention to breakfast and their planet du jour.
"So, tell me again exactly why we're here? Not that this isn't nice and all, but you said something about telepathic things?" Brushing crumbs off her fingers, Rose sat back.
"Mmph?" the Doctor quirked an eyebrow as he tried to finish chewing a last colossal mouthful of bread. Finally swallowing, he continued. "Yes, the largest class of land creatures seem to have some small telepathic ability. Of course, I'm not entirely sure how intelligent they are, so it might be more of a static-y connection than an actual conversation…but either way, it's fascinating! As soon as we can get to Duleian, we'll find out how we go about finding the darling beasties. All done? Excellent!" The Doctor leapt up, quickly repacked the basket, and grabbing both it and the dinner basket from the night before, headed for the door.
"Erm, Doctor…" Rose suppressed a giggle and walked up to him as he expectantly bounced on his toes. "Probably no need to save some for later." She swiped at his cheek with her thumb, removing the shockingly pink smear of the local fruit preserves. "But it does go well with your tie." The Doctor at least had the grace to look slightly embarrassed before he headed back on his trajectory, a skinny torpedo of unbridled curiosity headed straight for the village center. Rose shook her head and caught up with him at the turn onto the main path.
A few minutes later, they arrived at a nondescript dwelling close in to the center of the village. The Doctor knocked briskly and called out "Duleian! It's the Doctor and Rose." Within a few seconds, the door was opened wide and the leader stood in the doorway.
"Pleasant morning to you both! I hope your night was comfortable?" At their fervent reassurances, he looked relieved and continued. "This is truly fortuitous timing; we are in a slow time between harvests and flock cullings, so speaking with visitors is a very welcome way to spend time, since we cannot do much more than routine upkeep and chores. Ah! I must stop speaking; Nianna tells me that at times she would sew my mouth shut if she could. Please, will you come in and tell us about yourselves? Several of the men and women will be here soon, and we can sit and talk, if that is suitable to you."
"Of course, of course – and would you mind answering a few questions for us, as well? We're the curious sort…" Ushering Rose in before him and stepping into the inviting main room, The Doctor was looking avidly around the inside of the village leader's home, taking in all the information he could.
"You have only to ask. Others may be more qualified to answer depending on the question, but any of us will be glad to help as we can. Dorthil coordinates our crops and farming, so he may help you there, and Gweynar is currently the head of the craftsmen's association. I, myself, have not been out hunting or herding in cycles, so that shall be the province of Shahved – he is one of the young men's leaders outside the wall, and knows much about the beasts. He and his sister Orrona are also the guides for any who venture out into the lowlands."
Just then a knock came at the door, and Duleian opened it to reveal four men and two women. "Ah, here they are. Pleasant morning to you all. These are our visitors, the Doctor and Rose." With a flurry of half-bows and smiles and murmurs, the six stepped in. "Let us sit and talk! With this rare time of idleness upon us, we must make the most of our privilege to work our mouths instead of our bodies!" A round of chuckles went through the group, and everyone settled on low hassocks set in a rough circle in the main room.
"Doctor, Rose, some of our people have asked or been invited to speak with you. I will have them introduce themselves, if they will…" Duleian gestured to the gaunt, craggy-featured man to the right of Rose, who spoke in a surprisingly low, rumbling voice.
"I am Gweynar. I am serving now to represent the craftsmen. It is a great honor to meet you."
The next speaker was, to Rose's surprise, the calm young man who had first greeted them upon their arrival. "Ellaran. Duleian was kind enough to invite me, though I do not serve in any special capacity. I work with my father tending and training the riding beasts. I am honored."
An dark, handsome young man spoke next. "I am Shahved." He took in first the Doctor, then Rose with a slow, piercing gaze, then nodded. "I lead expeditions and help prepare others to undertake them. An honor." As he spoke the last words, his eyes trailed on Rose.
The beautiful young woman beside him smiled. "I am Orrona, sister to Shahvad, and I work with him on expeditions. You are the first woman of my age to come through in a long time, so as a sister I welcome you!" She nodded politely to the Doctor, then beamed at Rose, who returned the smile. Nice to have a girlfriend no matter where you go!
The plain but pleasant-looking man next to her bowed his head. "I am Dorthil, and currently I am in charge of our crops. You honor us."
The last of the six, a plump, rosy-cheeked middle-aged woman with friendly eyes and a smiling mouth, seemed to bubble over with excitement. "I am Nianna, and I have the great fortune and also misfortune to be the partner of this not-so-young fellow" – she patted Duleian lovingly on the knee – and I am in charge of the midwives, storehouse, and guesthouse, as well as helping in whatever capacity Duleian requires. Should you need anything at all, please find me. Visitors are rare and make my heart glad!"
The village leader slapped his thighs. "Well! Now you know who we are, and we you. Would you do us the honor of telling us about yourselves and your journey?" The group leaned forward, and Rose found herself crossing her fingers down by her side. What's he going to tell them this time? Lovely that the one thing we can't tell is the truth. And please, let them not want to string us up. Had enough of that for one lifetime…