Chapter 6

It was almost ten am when Ashildr finally woke up. Being the only actively sleeping person in the group had its flaws, but she decided not to mind any of it. She leisurely got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom to take a long bath.

For some time, living on Earth seemed to be boring to her. Nevertheless, she tried to enjoy the luxurious and comfortable aspects of her new surroundings. After all, the porcelain bathtub in which she was just about to sink was much better than stark shower rooms in the Tardis.

She turned on the water and started to unbutton her nightgown. When the tub was half full, she turned off the tap and slowly dipped her limbs in the hot water that smelled like lavender.

After the bath, her stomach started to demand food. She put on her clothes and decided to go downstairs to prepare herself some breakfast.

Unsurprisingly, both the Doctor and Clara were already there, cooking crepes.

They weren't exactly alone. There was a young golden retriever sitting next to the Doctor. It wasn't a puppy anymore, but its short fur gave away that the animal couldn't be older than one maybe two years. Its eyes were investigating the Doctor's every movement, hopeful to get some of the delicacies.

"Oh, give him some!" She heard Clara saying. "Poor guy, gave you his paw like ten times already. Show some kindness."

"He's not ours and we don't know if the owners wish to feed him human food."

"Blame it on me, then. Gully wants a pancake, right?" She was asking the dog lovingly as she stroked his neck.

They were sitting by the kitchen island, talking and enjoying each other's company a little too much for Ashildr's liking.

It was only a day, but she could already see a difference in Clara's behaviour around him. Her initial suspicions and distance towards him seemed to have vanished completely. Right now, there was something in Clara's eyes that reminded one of an emotion only seen in the eyes of small children unwrapping their presents on Christmas morning;, and she couldn't say she liked it. In fact, she felt a bit revolted while watching them mingling and cooing at each other after everything they went through.

She longed to tell her friend what she thought about it all, but she also knew that it was none of her business. The Doctor would leave, that's what she knew for sure. But it was Clara's choice to be debonair and let him get closer to her, and ultimately it was she who would pay for her moments of obliviousness.

"Hello, sleepy head!" The Doctor greeted her, full of the joys of spring.

"Fancy a pancake? We made thousands of them." He jauntily pointed out a pile of cakes on the plate in front of him.

"They're really good." Clara assured her while she was finishing one topped with a whipped cream and pieces of fresh strawberries.

"I told you." The Doctor teased her. "She doubted in my culinary skills and wanted to buy some croissants on our way back."

"So you were out?"

"Yes, a tiny walk at the dawning of the day." He answered her as he put another cake on the plate Clara passed him. "Then we found this little fellow knocking around."

"Ashildr, you should definitely join us next time." Clara said in excitement. "The forest and entire neighbourhood are just spectacular this time of year."

"Where have the two of you been then?" She asked her companion.

"He showed me the ocean."

Great! Romantic sunrise and cooking! Ashildr thought. Really won't miss any opportunity will you, Doctor?

"By the way,- Clara knows already, but you should be informed as well,- a friend of mine will join as for dinner tonight. Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart from UNIT. I think you've heard about him before. "

"I heard the name, but I've never had a chance to meet him in person."

"Good then." The Doctor answered while he toppled a crepe on a flat circular plate.

"UNIT's aware that Luas are here and wanted to ask us some questions, get to know our plan and why we need this house for some time."

That evening Ashildr was particularly nervous and agitated. She met a lot of people along her way all these years, nonetheless being in the company of strangers was still hard for her. She checked the clock on the wall, it was almost eight pm. The Brigadier could be any minute here, she thought. She once again headed to the guest bathroom to check her make-up and clothing. Everything looked perfect.

Their guest was already sitting in the living room when she left the rest room.

The Brigadier turned out to be the nicest and the most inspiring person she happened to meet in quite a long time. His kindness and manners captivated her completely. The best part of the evening was when he showed them the pictures of his children. A boy, ten years old according to his father, and a little bit older girl who seemed to be the apple of his eye.

Before long, the dinner was ready to be served in the dining room.

"Delicious meal." The guest complimented the duck with cherries and red wine he just finished.

"You should thank Ashildr." Said Clara. "It was all her. I just peeled the vegetables."

"Oh, thank you." Ashildr answered him a bit humiliated by his kindness. "Nothing special."

"Although, likely very time-consuming" He continued. "Hence the effort should be highlighted."

After the satisfying dinner, they all moved from the dining room to the adjoining living room. The Brig sat in the armchair and so did Ashildr, while both Clara and the Doctor occupied the couch on the opposite side of the room. The atmosphere of the scene started to resemble an interrogation a little.

"So The Ancient Spirits of Lua, what are they?" The man asked.

"They are spiritual life forms as old as the Universe itself. They are able to steal energy from other organisms or dwell in them for different reasons. We know they're on Earth since scans showed that, but there has been no trace of them ever since. So, they can be basically everywhere now." The Doctor told him.

"Sound's dangerous." The Brig lit a cigarette and passed the silver cigarette box in the Doctor's direction. "Do you know what to do?"

The Doctor took one of the cigarettes and kept it in his hand, confused what should he do with the item next.

"We do." He answer the other man. "But we need you to trust us completely on that. No activity behind our backs whatsoever."

"I would never dare, Doctor."

"I know you wouldn't, but there are people who may and that's why I need your help."

"How can I help you?"

"You need to convince others that it's the best way. Otherwise, there might be no tomorrow for the Earth. These creatures can suck the energy from others when they are hurt. Imagine what may happen if one of those pudding brains decides to play a hero."

"I'll do my best to make sure they're aware of that."

"Thank you." The Doctor nodded.

The Brigadier got up from his seat. "If you excuse me, I promised my children to kiss them goodnight."

The Doctor and Clara rose from the sofa as well to bid him farewell.

"Thank you." The Doctor said as he shook the other man's hand.

"Thank you for everything." Clara followed him shyly.

The Brig approached the doors and turned around once again to look at them. "Is there anything else I can do, Doctor?" He asked him.

"Yes." The Doctor gave him a sad smile. "Don't trust your own people if you can."