Xenodochial Xantusiidae
Words: 211
"It's so . . . dark," Donna looked around. "And empty."
"It's a desert," the Doctor shrugged. "And it's night."
Donna rolled her eyes at him. The Doctor was a master at pointing out the obvious, and even the tiny lizards gathered around his feet seemed to agree. Well, she didn't know if they agreed, but they were giving him almost exasperated looks.
"Oh, hello!" he had noticed the lizards, as well. "How are you?"
Donna looked down as the Doctor crouched, arms stretched out but relaxed. Almost immediately, some of the lizards climbed on.
"No," he shook his head, laughing, in reply to one of them, "She's just my mate."
Donna knelt and nodded. Even lizards thought they were together! They were exceptionally friendly lizards, but still.
The lizards chirped at the Doctor some more. He replied with, "Really?" and "Congratulations," and "Thank you, you're very xenodochial xantusiidae!"
"'Xenodochial'?" Donna mouthed.
"Means friendly," he whispered. "'s from Greek. More humans should know it, really, it's a very good language—more so the ancient one (what's ancient to you, anyway)."
"And 'xantusidy'?" she wondered.
"Xan-tu-si-day," he sounded out. "Night lizards."
The xantusiidae continued their chirping, and Donna noted that he enjoyed their company more than he did that of some humans.