"Certainly, but it's not terribly interesting, I'm afraid." The Doctor was oozing casual airiness, though Rose knew that his brain was whizzing faster than a bullet train trying to fabricate the appropriate story to feed the locals this time. "We're from very far away; I couldn't even begin to figure how long it would take to walk back there now. Anyway, a long time ago, we decided to spend our lives – as much of them as we could, anyway - traveling. You see, we love new places, new people, don't like to stay settled down for any longer than we have to. So, really, that's it. We're just curious!" The Doctor beamed brightly and settled back on his hassock.
Oh, slick, Rose thought, he didn't even technically lie! I wonder how long it'll take them to figure out that he didn't answer their bleedin' question at all! But then again, they did take us in without any questions, so maybe they really ARE that trusting. Huh.
"What a curious decision! Do neither of you miss your home village? Have you any family?" Gweynar's gravelly voice was inquisitive but friendly.
"Ah, no…I've got none any more, and Rose here has some. We're planning to go back sooner or later so she can visit, but we're the wandering type through and through. Never meant to stay in one place, I suppose. But it keeps life interesting!" The Doctor offered a grin. "Do any of your people travel?"
"Some of us do, for hunting or expeditions, but rarely more than a day or two away. Tell me, are you two…partnered? Joined?" Shahved's intense dark eyes bored into the Doctor's after flicking away to Rose.
"Aaaah. We're certainly partners, very close indeed, can't do without each other and all that. But no, we're, aaah, not married." Scratching the back of his head, the Doctor tried to cover up his flustered reaction and failed badly, which elicited barely-concealed grins from Rose, Orrona, and Nianna, and renewed scrutiny of Rose by Shahved.
"I see." Shahved gave them each a last look, then nodded politely.
"Perhaps you will share your experiences and knowledge with us as you stay with us? I will not be so rude as to sit and ask endless questions now, but I know we are all most fascinated to know of the things and people beyond our usual reach…" Duleian seemed torn between wanting to talk their ears off, and not wanting to offend new friends.
"We'll be glad to talk to your people. Though you might have some trouble getting me to stop." The Doctor's self-effacing grin was mirrored around the room, and Nianna pointedly looked at her husband, edging the smiles into laughter. The Doctor continued, not wanting to lose steam, "Duleian, would you mind if I asked some questions?"
"Oh, my, no! Ask what you will; I cannot guarantee who will be able to give you the best answer, but surely between the room of us we can satisfy you. What would you like to know?" At this, the stocky leader settled back, effectively turning the floor over. Quite the leader, thought Rose. He knows when to back off and let someone else talk. Wish there were more of him…he could run some planets better than their own governments.
"Well…we'd heard tell of animals which have some telepathic abilities. That's unheard of where we're from; can you tell us more? Is it true?" The Time Lord was perched forward on his hassock, eyes dancing with ferocious curiosity as he swept the room, looking for whomever might be first to speak.
The circle was filled with reverent nods; clearly they'd scored on an interesting point. "You mean the agrantha, yes. It is strictly an animal of the lowlands, so most would never have seen one. I had wondered how far the stories had traveled." Duleian spoke conversationally, but the tone had subtly and respectfully changed: whatever this creature was, it was very important to the villagers. "I suppose you ought first to know what they look like…"
Thwap! A knock on the door interrupted, and the conversation faltered while Nianna got up to answer the door. A feminine murmur ensued, and soon Nianna turned to the circle. "Orrona, the cooper's daughter is here to speak with you about her coming-of-age ride. Will you see her?"
Rising gracefully, the young woman nodded "Of course. She has been rather patient with me these last few days as I have been finishing up some work; I will meet with her now. Doctor, I must leave, but I look forward to more conversations!" Here Orrona hesitated, then she added, "Rose, if you would like, you are more than welcome to spend as much of the day with me as you would like. I do not know what you prefer to find out about, but I am always glad of company…"
Rose looked over at the Doctor, who tilted and imperceptibly nodded his head: Do what you like. I'll fill you in later.
"If you don't mind, I'd love to!" She stood and tried to catch everyone's eyes. "Thank you all for your hospitality. I'll be…wherever Orrona is. Doctor, till dinner? " He nodded and took her hand for a moment, squeezing lightly – a motion not unnoticed by the dark-eyed Shahved. Rose followed Orrona out the door, as the sounds of conversation resumed before the door closed behind her.
Just off the low porch, Orrona waved to the young lady waiting politely back up at the main lane, then stopped to face Rose. "I hope you did not think me presumptuous, nor that you were obliged to come with me – but I thought you might like a change of scenery, since I well know those will be still chewing their words come dark -"
"Oh, no! I'm more than glad! Always nice to hang out with the ladies, eh?" Rose gave a conspiratorial grin, which was answered by a smile in return, and together they headed toward the path to meet the young teenager. "Who's this, then? Something about a ride?"
"Yes. It is tradition for the girls of the village, when they have had their moon-times for one full cycle, to take a day's ride alone, out beyond the crops and herds, to spend the night in the hilltop forest. The ride itself shows skill and endurance, for the terrain is rough, and spending the night shows bravery. She gathers medicinal plants to show her knowledge, and makes a painting on hide to show her eye for beauty, then brings both back to the village, and a celebration is given to mark her as a woman."
They had reached the lane. "Rose, this is Hennthal, the cooper's daughter, who will soon be making her ride. Hennthal, this is Rose, one of our new visitors from far away. She will be spending the day with me; do you mind if she is with us as we talk?"
"Oh, no! I would be honored. Perhaps you will distract me from some of my worry!" The lanky teenager smiled shyly, and Rose returned the greeting. Orrona led the way down the lane and through several rows of houses and sheds before arriving at a large, oddly-shaped structure. It seemed to be made in three parts, though connected together.
"This is my house; I share it with my brother Shahved, whom you met, and we run our expedition planning and storage out of that center area. Having that between us keeps us from throttling each other sometimes; that was rightly planned!" Orrona stepped onto the porch and opened the door, nodding them inside before her. The interior looked much as the cottage and Duleian's had, with a large, heavy-beamed doorway leading into the center work area. Orrona indicated the large doorway. "In here we may talk through this ride and your needs, Hennthal…"
Hours later, Rose hurried toward the guest cottage through the odd lengthening shadows of late afternoon. Villagers greeted her and children frankly stared as she passed; somehow she didn't really mind being the center of attention here. She edged up onto the grass once to avoid a thin young man pushing a cart full of tools, and once again to avoid being nearly trampled by a flock of small goat-like creatures and the little girl driving them back toward the pen. Smiling, she paused for a moment to look around her at the peaceful activities of the village. Maybe this wasn't such an exciting trip so far, but it certainly made a nice change of pace from being chased. A chilly breeze gusted down the gap between the rows of buildings, and Rose turned again to set off – but was stopped by the sudden appearance of Shahved directly in her path.
"Greetings, Rose. I regret that I had no time to speak with you today; would you have time to walk with me as I check the walls and gate?" His direct gaze was intense and made Rose a bit uncomfortable, but she was definitely not going to let him know that.
"Erm, that's very kind, but I promised the Doctor I'd meet him back at the cottage for dinner now. He'll be waiting, and he gets well worried if I'm late. Quite the worrier, you know. Perhaps we can talk tomorrow?" She glanced up the lane toward the guest cottage and saw the dancing patterns of firelight behind the shutters; the Doctor was indeed already there. And within earshot, should she need to yell - good. Not that it would come to that; she had a hard time believing that untoward advances would be allowed in such a tight-knit and peaceful community, but a girl couldn't help noticing her situation…
"I see. And you say that you and he are not mates?" At her head shake, he cocked an eyebrow and stared intently into her eyes again. "Well, I shall look forward to seeing you tomorrow, then. Pleasant evening to you both." With a courtly dip of the head, Shahved disappeared down a side lane the way Rose had just come.
That was weird. Briskly walking the last few dozen meters, but refusing to look behind her, Rose arrived at the cottage's porch just as the Doctor opened the heavy door.