A/N: Sorry for the infrequent updates - the exams have just passed. I will probably update this fic at least once (maybe twice, if I'm feeling up to it) before I leave for a school trip mid-November.
"An utopia, you say?" Elisabeth asked again, pacing around the console. "Are you certain such a place exists? There isn't a possibility. There's got to be a balance in everything."
"She's right, Doctor. And what about the hope of a false utopia?" Jack continued. "The Doctor and I - well the other one, the one we just met, we went to the end of the universe. The people there were in search of an utopia but they quickly realised...there was none. And then there was the whole year with the Master and such..."
The Doctor gave the idea a quick thought. "Well, maybe not really an utopia, but something very close, in certain aspects. Maybe it shouldn't be even categorised as an utopia at all, but it's always been absolutely pleasant to visit. I've been to one, a few decades back maybe in my past, the planet of Traken. But it's since been destroyed."
Elisabeth shivered. "I don't like the idea of destroying planets."
"Neither do we, I presume," The Doctor said. He walked over, placing his hand on the door switch. "It's stuck," He said, raising his eyebrows. "I wonder why."
"Maybe you should consider looking at the scanner. But honestly I might have done as you have, if I were you."
"That seems like an excellent idea." The Doctor hit a button on the console, and the screen started to bring in the image.
Jack shook his head. He seemed to be taken aback, in shock. "Doctor, I didn't think this was your idea of an utopia!"
The Doctor bit the inside of his lip. "I think we've arrived a few months too late." Elisabeth turned her attention to the screen, where she was greeted by a scene of a burning wasteland and glowing magma, which encompassed the surface like a rolling, molten sea.
"Is this all that's left of the planet? Or have you simply landed us on the wrong one?" Elisabeth inquired.
The Doctor scratched his head. "Presumably that's all that's left. The TARDIS hasn't picked up any other life forms. We're on the right coordinates, but just a year too late. For the planet of Aventia, its last year was truly beautiful."
"A time jump is all you need, right?" Elisabeth confirmed, moving to the controls. "Doctor, I can do this. I'll just-" She yanked at a knob, jumping backwards as it locked into place with a resolute click. The TARDIS whirred for a few seconds before slowing to a stop. The screen now showed a snowy landscape that seemed to stretch for miles.
"That seemed to do the trick," Affirmed the Doctor, checking the coordinates.
"Well, we should be able to go out and explore," Elisabeth suggested, pulling the door switch. Immediately a cold blizzard blew in, showering her in snow. As quick as her reflexes could take her, she pushed back on the switch, and the doors swung closed.
"You might want to watch, er, the snow," sighed the Doctor.
"Sorry," admitted Elisabeth. She ran a hand through her hair, shaking out flakes of white, "for acting so rashly again. I'll just, go and get a coat, if you don't mind waiting."
"Aren't you cold, Doctor?" Jack asked.
The Doctor walked on, crunching the snow under his trainers, which seemed to match the colour of the snow quite nicely. "Abnormally low body temperature. The temperature difference isn't as great to me as it is to you. Right now I'm only feeling a slight breeze, but it must feel like a storm to you."
"Then what about the opposite? Do Time Lords overheat? And plus I don't see how you keep yourself from doing so, with that warm jumper on," Elisabeth said, stuffing her mitten-clad hands in the pockets of her parka.
"I don't know, honestly. It's just the Time Lord culture - we're told to cover as much skin as possible. As far as I'm concerned, the most one can show is their face and neck perhaps, in order to be considered decent. If I was seen on Gallifrey in this," The Doctor took a breath, "it'd cause a rightful scandal."
"Abnormally low body temperature," Jack reiterated. "How low is that?"
"About fifteen degrees," The Doctor replied, "Celsius."
Elisabeth, not wanting to continue on the subject of Gallifreyan culture and the Doctor's anatomy, kept silent.
"Are the snowy plains usually this deserted, Doctor?" Jack inquired.
"At least when I last came, there certainly was a great deal of wildlife about. You see, the rising global temperatures made it impossible for wildlife to survive, and as a result, they just died out."
"A pity." Elisabeth murmured.
After trodding along in the storm for what seemed like forever, they came across a frozen stream. Powdery snow settled on the banks, lining the smooth, icy surface. It would have been vivacious in the summer, bubbling as the water would flow into the valley as smooth as clear silk, but now it was completely...frozen. Stuck in time.
"We'll cross one at a time. Can't risk breaking the ice." Elisabeth observed. "I'm not sure how much pressure it can take, but hopefully it will serve its purpose in getting us across." Tentatively she stepped on, and made quick and small steps as she traversed the lake. It wasn't a long walk - about twelve meters across. Keeping her arms slightly outstretched like a bird's wings just before flight, she skidded her way across, tensing as she heard a crunch below her left boot when stepping off the ice onto the bank. She turned back, gesturing for her two friends to come across. "The ice on my side is a bit thin. Try not to take the route I took."
"You first, Doctor." Jack offered, stepping back to let him cross.
"No, you first." The Doctor articulated. "I don't mind waiting."
"If you say so," Jack replied, setting off across the ice. He too, made it safely to the other end without too much struggle.
The Doctor followed, and Elisabeth could tell from his gritted teeth that he was trying his best not to lose his balance and fall over. His shoes seemed to slip a lot more, perhaps to the fact that he was unlucky enough to have some snow under his shoes when he stepped onto the ice. The lack of friction made it difficult to move, no matter in the intended direction or not. Pressing on, The Doctor took a brief break to shrug on his coat before moving on. He seemed to make valiant progress with every step, but she was anxious. As she watched, cracks started to spread where he stepped, and the sound that followed continued to increase the tension in her muscles. He was just a step away from the bank when she reached out, but she underestimated her reach by a number of millimeters and he disappeared into the ice up to his midsection, his fingers briefly swiping hers before the ice gave way.
"Oh dear," Elisabeth lamented, stepping forward. She took hold of the Doctor's left arm, as best as she could while keeping both feet firmly planted on land. But his weight sent her reeling forward, and she grimaced as she leaned back to steady herself. Jack took his other arm and with a heaving effort, they dragged him from the ice. Soon after, the trio collapsed onto the ice.
"You alright, Doctor?" Jack asked, concernedly. He was the first to get to his feet, and he offered his hand to the Doctor to pull him up as well. Elisabeth scrambled to her feet, almost slipping back.
"You're soaked to the waist. Are you in shock, Doctor?"
The Doctor gave a half-hearted smile. "I'm in as much shock as you'd expect me to be."
"That's great." Elisabeth huffed, putting her hands to her sides. "We have to get you somewhere warm before frostbite sets in. Or at least, keep you moving."
"Back to the TARDIS?" The Doctor suggested.
"Our bridge back's been burnt," said Jack, shaking his head in disappointment. "Our only option is to continue moving forward. Are there any civilisations nearby, Doctor?"
"There's another one," The Doctor paused to take a breath, his knees shaking. "Another hour's walk from here, up north."
"We better get going, Doctor." Elisabeth affrimed. "It must be difficult for you to stand, Doctor. Your trousers must be frozen from the cold."
"I can manage," retorted the Doctor, bending himself to prop himself up with his hands on his knees. "It's just a mild discomfort."
"There's something out there." Jack observed, putting a hand to shield his eyes from the glaze of the white snow. "There's a sled. A wooden one, with dogs."
"A sled?" The Doctor repeated. "You could attempt to get their attention, I suppose."
"Hey!" Elisabeth hollered, through the snow, hoping to alert the sled. "We're in need of help!"
"They probably can't hear us through the storm, I suppose." The Doctor sighed, looking around. "Do any of you have any colourful garments on you?"
Elisabeth unfurled her blood-red scarf, its vibrant crimson clashing with the snow. "Will this do?" She held it up, waving it as she yelled again.
The sled drew closer, and Elisabeth knew that she had probably done enough to draw their attention. The rider waved a mitten-clad hand. Jack clamoured forward, to speak with the rider.
"Come on," Elisabeth urged, returning her scarf to its place. She secured the garment before starting off. The Doctor followed, breathing hard into his hands. Noticing his slight discomfort, she offered her friend support, half-dragging him through the snow. Once they reached the sled, it took a bit of deliberation until the rider offered the pair of skis off their back. Jack suggested that he ski, since the Doctor was surely in no condition to do so and Elisabeth admitted that she didn't have a single sliver of experience when it came to snow.
"I don't mind running," Elisabeth said. "I'll catch up later."
The Doctor scowled, seemingly concerned. "You'll get lost."
"I'm quite sure the dogs will be able to take our weight just for another five minutes," The rider explained. "They're genetically modified, you see," They said, gesturing to the pack of six that was hitched to the sled. "Get in the cargo bed, you two."
Elisabeth obliged, but not without a few muttered complaints.
The settlement they were headed for was just barely visible in the distance. A glass dome, with hints of steel and concrete buildings residing within. Lights flickered on and off just like the stars did. "That's quite a nice settlement." The Doctor remarked, turning back. "I do have to thank you for picking us up," He gave a pause. "I'm sorry. I haven't even asked for your name yet."
The rider adjusted their ski mask, showing more of their pale blue eyes which seemed to reflect the sun. "It's Levene, if you're asking."
"Levene," The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to offend you, but is that masculine or-"
"Both or neither, thank you. If it makes it easier for you, I don't mind feminine." Levene spoke, before yelling out a command to the dogs. The sled made a slight turn, heading for an opening of the glass dome which housed the city. Up close, Elisabeth didn't think much of the city. It just looked like any other city, with its skyline of unfeeling, grey concrete buildings. It wasn't even contrasting with the snow falling around the dome - it could have looked more spectacular sitting in the middle of a red desert. Worst of all, it seemed to remind her of the bustling, moving city of Beijing, just before it was destroyed.
Elisabeth swallowed her thoughts, before turning her gaze back to the scenery.
The sled stopped by a stop at the edge of the city, and Levene hailed a cab. She rode shotgun while the Doctor and his companions piled into the back. Their journey took them past row after row of unique buildings, each one different from each other. The Doctor had his eye on one of the more neoclassical structures, perhaps due to his visiting of various planets and their vibrant histories. A violin-shaped skyscraper fascinated her, and Levene explained that the building was the local music conservatory, but hardly anyone frequented it anymore. The cab stopped by a low city block, something that looked neither glamourous nor drab. Just another regular city block amongst the towering buildings, noted Elisabeth. In fact, it looked a little too average. Just a regular rectangular building with square windows, with dim lights glowing behind the blinds.
"The welcome station," Levene said, unzipping her coat. She pushed past the doors, leading the group of weary travellers in. She produced a two pass cards from her left pocket, handing them out to Jack and Elisabeth. "These will give you access to the shower facilities." She glanced at the Doctor. "I will need a separate pass to unlock the bathing facilities, which I think will prove a bit more beneficial to your condition."
"No, it's not necessary, if it proves so much trouble. I'll just spend a while by the artificial fireplace you have in the lobby before heading off for a shower."
Levene smiled. "No, I insist. It's been so long since we've had guests."
Elisabeth had no idea what to make of the shower facilities. Once she'd settled herself into the cubicle and stripped herself of her clothing, draping them on the input bar as instructed, the bar retracted itself into the wall, much to her surprise and slight annoyance. A message bleeped on the screen to inform that her clothes had been sent to the laundry, and she would be able to pick them up in a matter of shower hadn't been much better, with the numerous panels which each displayed a variety of options, and she'd spent the first two minutes hopping from foot to foot as she was greeted with alternating blasts of boiling hot and cold water. The soap came as a surprise, encompassing her from head to toe. Another few blasts later, and she stood dripping wet, but sparkling clean. Towelling herself off, she stepped from the shower, thinking the procedure was over. A cupboard sprung open, producing a new set of clothing, a simple grey shirt and cloth trousers, along with a pair of undergarments. Dressing herself, she glimpsed herself in the mirror, only to find something a bit off. Something about her hair, although it hadn't changed much in texture or in length, but rather in colour. Since the scanner had told her that she was a hundred percent clean and there weren't any remnants of any substance on her body that could cause her any harm, Elisabeth decided to just go along with her new hair colour. The alien soap had tinted her hair purple and green in places, and against her natural dark hair the splashes of colour seemed like swirling galaxies.
She shrugged it off, before stepping out of the room, locking Shower Cubicle 2A with the pass card.
Looking up and down the corridor, she spotted nobody. The shower cubicled next to hers, supposedly occupied by Jack, was empty. He'd probably finished his shower, and could possibly be relaxing in the main lobby, if not exploring the building. Recalling the route, she sauntered back, taking her time. Jack sat at the coffee table by the fireplace, holding a grey sack.
"Welcome pack," He gestured. "Has everything you need to start a life here."
"Where's the Doctor?" Elisabeth asked, grimacing at the distinct smell of carpet cleaner that graced the room. "Seems like they keep this place maintained."
"Still enjoying his time in the bath, I suppose." Jack posed, handing her the other two sacks. "One for you, one for him."
"Thanks." Elisabeth undid the strap, surveying the contents. "I think I'll go and settle this later."
"According to Levene, the Doctor's only gotten started on his bath. It took her quite a while to find the keys to the bathing facility. It isn't used often, she says, as there isn't a need to waste such a great deal of water."
She gave a sardonic smile. "I'm sure the shower used up more water than a bath ever will."
"You aren't wrong, I suppose." Jack took a breath. "Why don't you go and check how the Doctor's doing? And you might as well pass the pack to him."
"Why don't you do it?" She huffed.
Jack changed the subject, instead choosing to focus on Elisabeth's new image. "What's with your hair?"
"The soap probably reacted with the product I put in my hair this morning. But that aside, I think it's beautiful." Elisabeth announced, picking up the pack. "I think I'll go run along now. When's dinner?"
"Levene's arranging it for us now."
"How nice of her."
"What do you think, of the planet?"
"Not very impressive, it seems, to be brutally honest."
Jack shrugged. "Oh, there'll be more when spring rolls around, according to Levene." He paused, adding, "She's quite a charming one, you know."
"Well, I'll be sure to take note of that," She said, fidgeting with the sleeve of her shirt. "Is it me, or is clothing here meant to be as tight as possible?"
Jack pinched the neckline of his shirt, frowning slightly at the limited elasticity of the material. "Maybe they're just short of the material."
"Well, I do hope it's that, and it isn't deliberate," Elisabeth crossed her arms. "I'll meet you back here later, I presume."
"I wonder how the hell he survived." Elisabeth muttered under her breath. "It's like a freezer back there. Probably nobody uses the baths back there since the shower's far more efficient, and turning off the heating just saves power. How environmentally aware."
"Shouldn't feel nice, being frozen and then given time to thaw and being put back in the fridge," Jack agreed, leaning back in his chair.
That's it. You and him, getting quite chummy with each other. Now doesn't that feel nice? The power of friendship's awfully overrated at times. The voice in her head nagged, like an exasperated mother.
"Please go away," She pleaded, then stopped, knowing that speaking out loud to herself probably wasn't normal to most people. "Damn, I'm sorry. Didn't meant to let that slip."
"You shouldn't be lying about your problems. Something seems bad." Jack said.
She scowled. "I'll let you know what you need to know, thank you very much."
"Why aren't you letting the Doctor know? He could help."
"He has enough worries of his own, I suppose."
"You suppose."
"Shut up, Jack."
A person walked over, putting their hand on the back of Elisabeth's chair. "Oh, I've just been looking for you. I hope you didn't manage to get yourself lost. Elise, right?" Elisabeth stopped upon hearing the voice, blinking straight at the speaker.
"Elisabeth. I'm only Elise to my friends." She said. "Levene, right?" She turned, craning her neck to look up at her tall figure. She'd only recognised Levene from her pale blue eyes and her voice. She didn't remember her to be so tall and slender. Perhaps it was because of her heavy coat earlier, she had since shed it and was now wearing an ensemble not unsimilar to her own. And her skin, was tinted a faint shade of lilac. Elisabeth wanted to ask, but reason told her to hold back. Perhaps it was just a natural shade of pigmentation of the native Aventians. She outstretched a hand, and Elisabeth took a moment before returning the handshake, slinking back as quick as she could. Levene watched on with a bit of a confused look upon her face, until Jack brought up that Elisabeth wasn't too comfortable with physical contact. Levene had nodded silently, internalising the information.
"Yes, Levene. Er, I've invited Jack out for dinner later, or maybe it was the other way around. I was thinking that I could help the three of you get around the settlement. It's not very huge, but it might be at first glance." Elisabeth smiled. "Where are you three from?"
"All sorts. We're travellers." Elisabeth replied. "But I don't think I'm suited for travelling sometimes. The Doctor thinks we might be staying for a while."
"We can get you an apartment at the rental block first. That will probably suffice as temporary quarters."
"Thanks." Elisabeth said. "I'm looking forward to experiencing life on another planet, you see."
"You came just at the right time."
"At the right time?"Elisabeth reiterated.
"Season-wise, really. It's about to be spring soon. In fact, it'll be spring tomorrow." Levene explained. "And also, our planet has just finished picking up the pieces from a civil war that ended several years ago, around this time. We're starting to get back into the swing of life."
"I'm sorry to hear that. It must've been hard for you all," Elisabeth stopped, dropping her head. "I have no idea what to say to that, honestly."
"The Doctor said you've got a really nice planet." Jack beamed.
Levene sighed. "It used to be nicer. I'm afraid it's the start of the end for us."
"Don't say that." Jack affirmed. "It's not the end of your beauty, for one."
"You flatter me." Levene plainly stated, crossing her arms. "It's nice to see young travellers again. I hardly get to interact with anyone my age anymore."
He smirked. "You know, the Doctor would be flattered to hear that. He said once that he's amused that his current regeneration doesn't look a day over twenty five. Yet he's probably about forty times older than he actually looks."
"Bloody hell, he's being generous." Elisabeth chuckled. "But honestly, I don't think he'd be the type of person to comment too much on himself. He's much too humble for that."
"It was once, in passing conversation." Jack turned his attention to the corridor. "And would you look at that, speak of the devil!"
"I hear I've been mentioned in conversation," stated the Doctor, dressed in a similar form-fitting grey shirt and black trousers. Elisabeth almost smirked - how ridiculous he looked. No, it certainly didn't suit him. She knew it wouldn't be too often that he'd wear something that would show off his form, and she felt something was off, the way he behaved. A very defensive stance, as if not being very comfortable in his own skin. This was presumably, in her opinion, due to the fact that he wasn't used to wearing so little, and he was unfamiliar with the foreign weight the light clothes had on his skin.
"Thank you, Levene, for your hospitality," The Doctor said, taking a seat on the chair next to Jack, his back to the (artificial) fireplace.
"It's my pleasure, Doctor." Levene returned. "The three of you must be hungry. I'll take you somewhere to eat tonight, somewhere close by." She paused. "Oh, and you three probably need coats. I'm quite sure there are a few spares in the back room."
"You're too kind." Elisabeth expressed, folding her hands.
The night sky was beautiful. Stars were scattered across the sky like glitter on a black sheet, glimmering in the dark above. Hazy clouds drifted by, like grey pieces of cotton candy (did they even come in that colour? Elisabeth assumed they did,) and the triple moons gleaned brightly beyond the snowy mountains that lay outside the city.
Levene sipped at her tea, tapping her fork on her plate in a steady, unconscious manner. "It used to be better," She explained, "before the war. We're the first community to recover. Everyone else is still trying to build their towns up from the ground."
"I'm sure it must have been a terrible experience," mused the Doctor. "I've seen many wars, and it is the interplanetary ones that are the worst."
"I was lucky." Levene frowned, leaning back in her chair. "My family wasn't-"
"-No, you don't need to bring up your past. I apologise if I've triggered something up in you, Levene."
"I've moved on now." Levene said, composed. "I've got a great job, a nice flat in a nice suburb, a boyfriend. I've got everything I was expected to have at the age of twenty three."
"Why aren't you out with him tonight? Your mate, I mean." Jack smirked. "Cancelled a date just to welcome us?"
"Well, I guess we should be grateful," The Doctor interrupted, taking a glance at Levene. "Oh, I'm sorry."
"There's no need for you to be. I'm just glad that you're willing to stay for a while, just to experience our ways here. Do you do this often?"
"Not quite, we tend to hop from place to place rather frequently."
"Then you're very welcome to experience life on Aventia, Doctor." She removed her gaze from the party, glancing at her watch. "Oh, damn, we've missed it!"
"Missed what?" Elisabeth asked.
"Changing of seasons." Levene replied. "Oh, it must've been a wonderful sight, and we've just missed it!"
"Oh, not to worry, I'm quite certain we'll be around when the next change takes place." The Doctor explained.
"So you do intend to stay for quite a while."
"I guess so," murmured Jack, before leaning forward in his chair. He raised his glass of champagne. "Cheers?"
Mugs (or rather glass, in Jack's case) clinked together in the night, and the four drank to a fresh start.