Rose walked down the hallway with a bowl of cereal in hand, she'd need to get changed out of her pj's and get ready for the day, but after all the events from yesterday, she was exhausted to say the least.
So, this morning had been a bit slow.
The Doctor mentioned something about the nineteen hundreds, but she hadn't been awake enough to hear the specific era. So, she'd probably go with something simple.
Didn't she have a set of overalls-
"What do you mean this is ugly? You're ugly!" Benedict's voice gave her pause and Rose turned to try and find the source, only to find the door to the wardrobe room opened.
She stood there a moment staring at the open door with uncertainty, she should just leave him be and get changed herself, but…
"I think this is perfectly acceptable…what do you mean orange is an outrageous color?!" He shouted and Rose's brow pinched, who was he in there with? The Doctor had said he was in the console room…maybe he'd come to help Benedict…?
Out of pure curiosity she ventured inside, "Doctor? Benedict?" She asked, making her way through the shelves of clothes. The room itself was massive, Rose hadn't fully explored it herself, but from what she could tell, it seemed to contain endless amounts of clothes.
When she finally reached the dressing area she found the floor, which was usually clean, now covered with all sorts of various articles of clothing. And when her eyes landed on the culprit, she couldn't help but blink.
For one, he was alone.
Two, he was wearing a very strange mixture of orange and purple plaid pants…a neon yellow crop shirt and had two different kinds of shoes on. With a space helmet atop his head.
He turned to look at her from where he was looking in the mirror, and for a moment neither said anything.
"Uh…hi…" she trailed, "getting new clothes…?"
He stared back at her a moment, "yes." He looked over her, "looks like you need some too."
Rose blinked and looked down at her clothes, she wasn't wearing anything too horrendous, a large band shirt, and her fuzzy pj pants with little cartoon cats placed about.
She looked up at him with a frown, "these are my pjs."
His head cocked to the side, which was more dramatic with the helmet.
"Your sandwich clothes?"
"What?" She shook her head, "no, not a pb and J just pjs. Like…pajamas?" She suggested, but he just stared at her before huffing.
"You earthlings name things too similarly." Then he turned back to the mirror, "now run along and sleep so we can go out again." He dismissed and she stared at him a moment.
"Uh…I did that."
He turned to her, "already?" She nodded and he hummed, "wow, thought it'd be longer." Then he turned back to the mirror, and Rose paused before glancing around.
"Who were you talking to?" She asked, and Benedict hummed not turning from the mirror.
"Myself."
Rose frowned but didn't press, she looked over his outfit again and bit her lip, "would you like…some help?"
That did make him turn, "with what?"
"With…your clothes, you uh…seem lost." She explained, and he looked down at himself and then up at her. Then he looked off to the side at something and huffed, shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Yeah…alright."
Rose smiled and set aside her half-finished cereal going over to him. "alright, let's get this helmet off first." She said, before lifting the spacesuit helmet off. When she set it on the ground and stood up, she couldn't help but blink.
His blindfold was off, and Rose found herself staring wide eyed at his eyes, he had an arched eyebrow, but she hardly paid mind. Where his iris' should've been was like a picture of a nebula, glowing and glittering stars that swirled and shimmered with a life of their own. For a moment Rose was captivated by the sight. Before Benedict waved a hand in front of her face.
"Hellllooo?" he called, and she blinked coming to, before taking in the rest of his face that had been hidden behind the blindfold.
Then she blinked again, "wait…you're Asian?"
The Doctor had been going through old CD's when he paused, it had been a bit since he'd told Rose they were heading off. It didn't usually take her this long to get ready…so where could she have been?
Then he froze, a dark thought crossing through his head, could…
No.
He wouldn't…
Would he?
The Doctor got up and bit his lip, he should go check on her, just in case. He knew Benedict said he wouldn't but…
No. He hadn't seen either of them in awhile, he needed to check, just to make sure.
As the Doctor hurried out of the console room, he didn't notice the lights flickering a bit.
Hurrying his way down the hallway, he nearly missed the open wardrobe door. He'd been heading to Rose's room to try and make sure she was alright, but a giggle drove him to a stop.
Blinking, the Doctor turned on his heel and looked to the door curiously, that sounded like Rose…hadn't Benedict still been in there?
What were they doing?
He slowly made his way into the room and stopped just before reaching the central area. There, Rose had on a pink feathery scarf, an astronaut helmet, with a large beach hat sat atop, whilst still in her pjs. Her half-eaten cereal sat on the table next to the Doctor, and the time-lord watched bemused as Rose waltzed around in stilettos, posing like a runway model.
Benedict was off to the side in a purple button up, grey vest, black pants with sinched cuffs at the bottom and black dress shoes over socks in a brighter purple than the button up.
It certainly was a lot better than the tattered clothes he wore before.
Benedict was sitting in a chair clapping as Rose strode about in a model walk, or at least her best attempt in heels.
At the sight, however odd it was, it made the Doctor's hearts calm, there was nothing terrible going on.
Odd, but not terrible.
Benedict of course noticed him first, his blindfold seemed fresher as well. The black fabric less grey then his last.
"Ah, Doc, just in time." He greeted, and the Doctor nodded to him in greeting, Rose however froze and whipped around, raising the visor to the space helmet.
"Doctor!" She said, eyes widened in surprise, then she looked around and took off the helmet smiling at him abashed. "I was heading to my room…I swear…but uh…I heard Benedict in here and well…he needed help picking out some clothes."
The Doctor's eyes went back to Benedict who stood and adjusted the black tie he wore; he gave him a glance over before turning back to Rose. "You did a good job." He praised, and she lit up, beaming at him as she looked over to Benedict.
"You think?" She set down the helmet and went over to Benedict. The entity let her grasp his half-sleeved button up to show the Doctor. "I chose the purple cause I thought it matched his eyes…" she trailed looking up at Benedict who gazed back down at her. She turned back to the Doctor, "not that people will be able to see them of course. But it seemed appropriate." She stepped back and Benedict looked over his clothes.
"Less color than I would've chosen…but we like it." He gave her a grin; however, the Doctor gave pause.
"We?" He prompted, and Benedict turned to him.
"The Tardis and I." He explained without missing a beat, however the Doctor frowned slightly.
"Well…good!" Rose said, before taking off the scarf and turning back to the Doctor, "I uh, I'm gonna go get changed now." She offered another abashed smile before heading off.
Benedict walked over and raised an eyebrow, "so, where we off to Doc?"
The Doctor turned from watching Rose go to face Benedict, "I was thinking about the 1970s Earth." Benedict nodded.
"I have no idea what that entails, but with you it will probably be trouble." He said before heading off, the Doctor sighed, but he couldn't deny it.
Rose, once changed re-entered the Tardis and headed over to where the Doctor was by the console. Benedict was lounged in the captain's chair fiddling with his tie.
"What do you think of this? Will it do?" She asked the Doctor holding up her arms to present her outfit. She'd pulled on some demin overalls with a pink top.
The Doctor looked up at her question and raised an eyebrow.
"In the late 1970s? You'd be better off in a bin bag. Hold on, listen to this." He then put a CD into a player, it took a moment for the music to start to play around them. But when it did, the Doctor grinned up at her.
"Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Number One in 1979." He said, and Rose couldn't help but laugh.
"You're a punk."
But he just grinned at her, "It's good to be a lunatic." He announced and moved around the console, Rose followed soon after.
"That's what you are. A big old punk with a bit of rockabilly thrown in." She announced, and the Doctor turned to her making her stop abruptly.
"Would you like to see him?" He asked and Rose blinked.
"How'd you mean? In concert?" She asked, and he laughed with a bright smile.
"What else is a Tardis for? I can take you to the Battle of Trafalgar, the first anti-gravity Olympics, Caesar crossing the Rubicon or Ian Dury at the Top Rank, Sheffield, England, Earth, 21st November 1979. What do you think?" He asked, and she smiled brightly at him.
"Sheffield it is."
He turned back to the console, "hold on tight." He said, before throwing a switch.
The Tardis lurched suddenly causing both the Rose and Doctor to grab ahold of the console. Benedict grabbed the railing behind him. It was an incredibly rocky ride, as the Tardis swayed about, the three of them had to keep tight hold of their respective places lest they get thrown off.
As the Tardis whirred and wheezed, the song continued to play, and as the Tardis began to have trouble mid-flight, the Doctor pulled out a rubber hammer and lifted it. Only to freeze as he felt eyes on him.
Despite the turbulent flight he turned and looked at Benedict who was staring dead at him.
"I dare you." He said flatly, and the Doctor hesitated before slowly lowering the hammer.
The ride was still a bit rocky, but otherwise they were fine. Only to land with a big lurch, sending everyone to the ground.
Benedict let out a groan but the other two were laughing at their predicament.
When Benedict pushed himself to his feet, he shook his head and puffed a breath getting up to his feet and looking over as both Rose and the Doctor did the same.
The Doctor started heading toward the double doors with Rose following, Benedict hopped to behind them soon after.
"You should work on your piloting." He mumbled, and the Doctor sent him a look.
"You should talk to your sister about that, seems like she's trying to sabotage me." He retorted, and Benedict huffed as the Doctor slipped on his trench coat.
"Well maybe if you didn't hit her…" He trailed, and the Doctor turned to face and point at him as he stepped back into the double doors opening them up.
"I only do that when she's being difficult-"
"Oh so you hit people huh?" Benedict challenged as they stepped out of the Tardis.
The Doctor opened his mouth to counter when the sound of guns clicking made them all freeze.
Slowly the Doctor turned with raised hands Rose soon followed suit, Benedict however just remained as he was.
"1879. Same difference." The Doctor muttered, and Benedict snorted, however neither got the chance to speak.
"You will explain your presence. And the nakedness of this girl." Claimed the lead gunman from atop his horse.
"Naked?"
"Are we in Scottland?"
Benedict and the Doctor asked at the same time, causing a shared glance between them, only for Benedict to frown.
"Why do you sound-"
"How can you be ignorant of that?" The man wielding the weapon asked, causing attention to be drawn back to him.
"Oh, I'm, I'm dazed and confused." He began, before motioning to Rose, "I've been chasing this, this wee naked child over hill and over dale. Isn't that right, ya timorous beastie?" He asked her, and Rose glanced between him and the man before straightening.
"Och, aye! I've been oot and aboot." She attempted, but the Doctor grimaced and shook his head.
"No, don't do that." He insisted as Benedict glanced between them his brows pinched.
"Hoots mon." She tried again, though less confident.
The Doctor opened his mouth to correct her again, but Benedict cut in.
"Why are you two talking weird?" he demanded, and when they turned to him, that's when the redcoat took his turn.
"Will you identify yourself gentlemen?" he asked, keeping the weapon raised.
The Doctor turned back to him, "I'm Doctor James McCrimmon, from the township of Balamory. I have my credentials, if I may." He asked, and when the man nodded, he pulled out his psychic paper presenting it to the man who leaned down to get a better look. "As you can see, a Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. I trained under Doctor Bell himself." He said, before then motioning to Benedict.
"And this is my cousin Benedict McCrimmon, cousin on my father's side." As the man sat back, the Doctor put away his psychic paper, "he's from the Americas, Uncle Malcolm sent him back to see if I could help with his blindness." He explained the last bit in a hushed tone. In response to his credentials, the men lowered their weapons.
Benedict turned to him, "blind-" he was cut off when Rose sent him a look, he pursed his lips before taking a breath and shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Let them approach." A posh English voice from the carriage pulled their attention to it.
The man atop the horse turned to the carriage, "I don't think that's wise, ma'am."
"Let them approach." The woman insisted, and the man turned back to them.
"You will approach the carriage and show all due deference." He explained, before they were ushered over to the carriage. As they approached, another servant opened the door to the carriage to reveal an older woman, grey hair up done, and wearing multiple layers of dress.
Benedict tilted his head slightly, but kept silent as the Doctor turned to Rose, "Rose, Benedict, might I introduce her Majesty Queen Victoria. Empress of India and Defender of the Faith." He explained, and Rose gave a little dip of her head.
"Rose Tyler, Ma'am. And my apologies for being so naked." She offered a sheepish smile, but the queen gave her an even look.
"I've had five daughters. It's nothing to me. But you, Doctor. Show me these credentials." She held out a hand and the Doctor fished out the psychic paper again before handing it over, an action that Benedict watched. However, his attention was pulled to Rose when she tugged on his sleeve. She beckoned him down and he leaned down slightly to her.
"Blind people can't see." She reminded in a whisper, and Benedict opened his mouth-
"Why didn't you say so immediately? It states clearly here that you have been appointed by the Lord Provost as my Protector." The queen exclaimed, pulling their attention back to her.
The Doctor blinked, "Does it? Yes, it does. Good. Good. Then let me ask - why is Your Majesty travelling by road when there's a train all the way to Aberdeen?"
"A tree on the line."
"An accident?"
But the queen gave a slight scoff, "I am the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everything around me tends to be planned."
"So, someone's trying to kill you." Benedict cut in, the queen looked at him, but Rose blinked looking between him and the queen.
"What, seriously? There's people out to kill you?" She asked, and the queen turned to her.
"I'm quite used to staring down the barrel of a gun."
That's when the man from earlier guided over his horse, a creature that Benedict's attention went to, it tossed it's head a bit shifting on it's feet whilst trying to avoid his gaze.
"Sir Robert MacLeish lives but ten miles hence. We've sent word ahead. He'll shelter us for tonight, then we can reach Balmoral tomorrow." The man explained, tightening his hold on the reigns. The horse calmed, if only a bit.
"This Doctor, his cousin, and his timorous beastie will come with us." the queen said determinedly.
The man passed a look over the three of them before nodding, "yes, Ma'am. We'd better get moving - it's almost nightfall."
Victoria nodded, "Indeed. And there are stories of wolves in these parts. Fanciful tales intended to scare the children. But good for the blood, I think. Drive on!" She ordered, and the servant closed the door. The horses started forward, the guards marching forth as well, soon the trio fell in step behind a few of the guards.
It was a steady, but not tiresome pace, allowing them to converse.
"It's funny though, because you say assassination and you just think of Kennedy and stuff. Not her." Rose said, and the Doctor shrugged hands in his pockets, Benedict walked on Rose's other side, his eyes either on the path or watching the horses.
"1879? She's had, oh, six attempts on her life? And I'll tell you something else. We just met Queen Victoria!" He cheered, and Rose beamed back at him.
"I know!"
"What a laugh!" He said, and Rose motioned before her.
"She was just sitting there."
"Like a stamp."
Benedict's gaze went to them as he listened.
"I want her to say we are not amused. I bet you five quid I can make her say it." She challenged and the Doctor raised his eyebrow in response.
"Well, if I gambled on that, it'd be an abuse of my privileges of traveler in time." He said, and Rose grinned at him.
"Ten quid?"
"Done." He grinned; Benedict glanced between them.
"Does anyone else smell dog?" He asked, and they both turned to him, the Doctor shrugged.
"It wouldn't be surprising," he motioned around, "we are outdoors, and this is probably a well-trod path for farmers."
Rose, however, sniffed the air, "I don't smell anything."
Benedict sent a look about the open valley around them, "the queen lady said something about wolves." He ventured, and the Doctor shrugged.
"Again, not that surprising, this is before everything was industrialized, there are probably a couple of packs out in these hills. They won't bother us during the day." He assured, but Benedict frowned still and glanced around frequently.
There was a bout of silence that was only filled by the clomping of horse hooves.
"Why did you say I was blind?" Benedict asked, breaking the silence and turning to the Doctor, he raised an eyebrow at him.
"Well, because of what you're wearing." He said, but Benedict frowned.
"But I can see perfectly fine."
"Actually," Rose interjected, "I was wondering about that…how can you? See I mean."
Benedict turned to her and sniffed sending another glance around them, "I don't need to see things to see things."
"What does that even mean?" Rose laughed, "you're joshing me, aren't you?"
Benedict turned to her, "this time I'm not, you timorous beastie." He mocked, and she pouted, "everything has a presence in the universe, everything is made up of atoms." He waved a hand in front of her face, "you see my hand, based on the light that is reflecting on the conglomerate of my atoms. I can see those atoms, the conglomerate as one and as many." He pulled his hand back and picked at the blindfold, "all I do is ignore these atoms, and look beyond them. If I wanted to, I could not see through the blindfold, but that would be kinda pointless, wouldn't it?"
"So…" Rose started, her brow pinched, "you see people as…masses?"
"No, I see you as normal. But I see more than that." He waved a hand over the top of her hair, just skimming her hair, "everyone has a signature presence, energy if you like, it's like what you humans call a fingerprint." Her eyes widened and she looked at her hand as if she could see what he was talking about.
"Whoa…what does mine look like?" She asked, lifting her head to him again, Benedict tilted his head, staring down at her for a moment.
"Gold." He said, making the Doctor raise an eyebrow slightly from her other side.
"Gold?" She questioned and he nodded.
"Yeah, it resembles my sister a bit." He hummed, "though I wonder if that's cause of her presence in you."
Rose blinked at the assertion, "I look like the Tardis?"
Benedict held up two fingers barely separated from each other, "just a bit." He sent another glance around, "her presence is infinitely stronger than yours."
"That makes sense." She mused, before looking to the Doctor and back at Benedict. "What does the Doctor look like?"
He paused before turning to the Doctor and tilting his head slightly, the Doctor watched back, and Benedict hummed. "His presence is stronger than yours. It carries the weight of more than one person." He dipped his head to the side, "for obvious reasons."
"What color is it?" Rose asked, and Benedict gazed at the Doctor a moment longer.
"Gold." He said finally, before looking away. "Kinda like yours Rose."
Said woman lit up, turning to the Doctor and taking his hand, "we're similar!" She cheered, and the Doctor smiled back at her.
"Yeah," he squeezed her hand but looked up at Benedict, in spite of the blindfold, the Doctor felt like he was avoiding his gaze. But all the same, he looked down at Rose and gave another smile.
She resumed holding his hand and happily walked, the Doctor, however, let his smile slip after she looked away.
He wasn't sure if it was because Benedict was a bad liar, or the Doctor could sense something underlying in his words.
But…he wasn't telling the truth.
That settled an uncomfortable feeling in the Doctor. Because now he wasn't sure what Benedict saw. From what he understood, the presence, and energy thing he was referring to had something to do with who the person was.
So why did Benedict lie about who he saw the Doctor as?
The walk had taken a lot longer than expected, though conversation had mostly been between Rose and the Doctor. For how talkative Benedict could get, he in no way beat the Doctor. Though, often, the newest of the trio was the quietest. Though the Doctor could swear he occasionally heard him muttering to himself.
As if he was talking to someone.
But the Doctor set it aside for now, he didn't know how long Benedict had been searching for them, it wasn't unprecedented that he'd have picked up the habit of talking to himself. The Doctor certainly had.
There was still a lot of questions surrounding him, many that the Doctor didn't understand.
Though, his biggest question had to do with Benedict's physical form.
How?
It seemed impossible, he was the same as the Tardis, so how come he was able to sustain a physical form? He didn't get the impression that the form was natural to him. And while he didn't have definitive proof of it, there was something about the man that itched at the back of the Doctor's head. An underlying truth he couldn't quite figure out.
He'd already tried to run scans of him, to get an idea, but they had all been for naught. And whether that was because the Tardis was sabotaging him, or she just didn't understand…well he wasn't sure.
As they drew closer to the manor, he saw Benedict tense up and send a few more glances around. Which only confirmed his suspicions that there was something going on here.
Though, to be fair…when wasn't there something going on?
The horse's hooves clomped noisily on the cobblestone courtyard from where they were being led away by a servant.
The queen stood before all of them, greeting the man who stepped out of the home, he must've been Robert, Rose thought.
He gave a bow as he stepped up to the queen, "your Majesty." His greeting was laced with reverence…and something else, though it could've just been nerves from meeting such an important figure.
"Sir Robert," the queen began, "My apologies for the emergency. And how is Lady Isobel?" She asked, and he offered a bit of a smile.
"She's indisposed, I'm afraid. She's gone to Edinburgh for the season. And she's taken the cook with her. The kitchens are barely stocked." He paused a beat before pressing on, "I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if you wanted to ride on." He said, and Rose's attention was pulled to Benedict as his gaze traveled about the yard around them. Brow pinched. She wondered what he was seeing.
"Oh, not at all." The queen said, making Rose look back to her, "I've had quite enough carriage exercise." Her eyes swept over the house, "and this is charming, if rustic. It's my first visit to this house. My late husband spoke of it often. The Torchwood Estate. Now, shall we go inside? And please excuse the naked girl."
She said, Robert looked over curiously before his eyes widened briefly, Rose dipped her head slightly.
"Sorry."
"She's a feral child. I bought her for sixpence in old London Town. It's was her or the Elephant Man, so-" he was cut off when she elbowed him in the ribs. There was a slight grunt but he quieted.
"Thinks he's funny but I'm so not amused." She looked to the queen, "what do you think, Ma'am?"
The queen however gazed back at her evenly, "it hardly matters." She turned to Robert, "shall we proceed?" He nodded and led her inside, Rose stole a breath.
"So close." The Doctor gave her a amused smile and she shoved him lightly with a huff.
"I bet ten quid we somehow wind up pissing her off." Benedict muttered shoving his hands into his pockets. Rose turned to him.
"Yeah? Well, I bet she ends up liking us so much we get acknowledged by the crown." She retorted, and Benedict looked to her with an arched eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm sure that's how this will end."
"Makerson and Ramsey, you will escort the property. Hurry up." Said the head guard whom they'd identified as Reynolds. The two soldiers nodded.
"Yes, sir." They went over to the carriage and opened it up, taking a hold of a small, locked box, before carrying it inside.
The Doctor approached Reynolds, "So, what's in there, then?" He asked, and Reynolds turned to him, giving him a once over before facing him.
"Property of the Crown." He then straightened, "you will dismiss any further thoughts, sir." Then he turned to the other soldiers, "the rest of you go to the rear of the house. Assume your designated positions." He ordered, and the Doctor sent Rose a look, one that she smiled at.
They both headed toward the manor.
Benedict's attention drifted briefly to the grating to their right and his head tilted.
"Ben!"
His head snapped up only to find the Doctor leaning out of the door, "you coming?"
Benedict paused and turned back to the grating, his brow pinched, though he looked up as the Doctor approached.
"That's a cellar." He said and Benedict huffed sending him a sideways glare.
"Yes, I'm aware of what it is." He turned and headed for the door, "whatever. Let's go inside."
It didn't take long for the Doctor's long strides to fall in step with Benedict, "someone's in a mood." He sent Benedict a sideways glance.
"Out of all the places you could've picked, you had to pick one that smells like shit." Benedict grumbled in return, scrunching up his nose, the Doctor chuckled.
"Not used to it eh? Well, that's the past for you. 1879, way before air fresheners were invented." He patted him on the shoulder, before they entered a large room where the others had gathered.
The room was lined with wood, and shelves were filled with books of a variety. However, as Benedict entered, he couldn't help but grimace and cover his nose. Though the Doctor didn't notice as he moved to join Rose's side. She smiled up at him in greeting.
The group stood before a massive bronze telescope, it reached up into a hold in the wooden ceiling, covered only in a dome of glass.
"This, I take it, is the famous Endeavour." The queen said, and Robert turned his attention to the scope as well.
"All my father's work. Built by hand in his final years. Became something of an obsession. He spent his money on this rather than caring for the house or himself." That last bit carried an edge to the words, something that both Rose and the Doctor took note of. Benedict was looking around the room, his nose scrunching up every few moments.
"I wish I'd met him. I like him. That thing's beautiful." The Doctor said, before turning to Robert, "can I?"
The man nodded motioning to the device, "help yourself."
At his permission the Doctor went over, "what did he model it on?" he asked brushing his hand over the metal.
"I know nothing about it. To be honest, most of us thought him a little, shall we say, eccentric." Robert paused with a frown, his eyes flitting over to one of his servants, "I wish now I'd spent more time with him and listened to his stories." His voice had grown forlorn, the Doctor however was still examining the scope.
"It's a bit rubbish." He said abruptly, before looking through the eye of it, "how many prisms has it got? Way too many. The magnification's gone right over the top." he looked up at the view port in the ceiling, "that's stupid kind of-" he cut himself off as he ducked a bit near Rose, "am I being rude again?"
Rose gave him a brief look, "yep."
The Doctor gave her a swift nod before turning on his heel to face the others, "but it's pretty. It's very pretty." He said, mostly to Robert.
From where she stood the queen hummed and nodded, "and the imagination of it should be applauded."
"Mmm. Thought you might disapprove, Your Majesty. Stargazing. Isn't that a bit fanciful? You could easily not be amused, or something?" Rose asked, but didn't get any reaction from the queen, "no?"
"This device surveys the infinite work of God." The queen began, "what could be finer? Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath, steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally well versed in folklore and fairytales." She explained, and the Doctor hummed.
"Stars and magic. I like him more and more." He said with a grin, and the queen looked over to him.
"Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company. Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe Coburg."
"That's Bavaria." The Doctor said in turn.
"When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported." Victoria said, turning to Robert. The Doctor arched a brow as Benedict looked over.
"So, what's this wolf, then?" The time-lord asked, and Robert let out a breath shaking his head.
"It's just a story."
"Then tell it."
The man of the house paused before taking a breath, "it's said that-"
"Excuse me, sir." The servant in the room cut in, drawing attention to him, "perhaps her Majesty's party could repair to their rooms. It's almost dark."
Robert looked to the man and stole a breath before nodding, "of course. Yes, of course."
The interaction caused the Doctor to frown, however Benedict's gaze lingered on the bald servant.
"And then supper. And could we find some clothes for Miss Tyler? I'm tired of nakedness." The queen said, giving Rose a sideways glance.
"It's not amusing, is it?" Rose prompted, but the queen merely turned to Robert.
"Sir Robert, your wife must have left some clothes. See to it. We shall dine at seven and talk some more of this wolf. After all, there is a full moon tonight." She said with a bit of a smile. It was a smile that Robert only slightly returned.
"So, there is, Ma'am."
After they had cleared the observatory, they'd been shown to rooms. Rose had been taken to one of her own, the Doctor and Benedict however had been led to a single room.
Benedict frowned at this, "why don't I get my own room?" He asked once the servant had left, the Doctor shrugged as he scoped about the room.
"Probably because they don't think you'd be able to navigate it."
That made Benedict frown further, "that's cause you told them I was blind." He grumbled, and the Doctor snorted.
"Can't very well tell them how your eyes really work now can I?" He turned to face the entity; Benedict picked at the table by the door with a huff.
"And why not?" He looked up to the Doctor, "wouldn't things go over better if they knew that we were far stronger and far more capable than them? Humans bend to authority, don't they?"
"Are you asking why we don't subjugate them?" The Doctor raised an eyebrow, "because I think we've already discussed that."
Benedict huffed and went over to the bed sitting down, "no." He looked down to his hands and picked at them, "it just…doesn't make sense. Why do you act all submissive around that woman? She's not your queen." He looked up at him, "in fact you probably have more authority than she does."
"Well, I can't just go around flaunting, I do my best to try and blend in." The Doctor countered, "isn't that why you wear the blindfold?" He asked, gesturing to him.
Benedict snorted, "no." He pulled it off and gazed at the thing, "helps me focus." He looked up at the Doctor and the time-lord felt an uneasy wave of pressure. Like the galaxy filled eyes were scrutinizing him. Unlike before, when he'd briefly seen Benedict's eyes, this time he felt the pressure, the scrutiny. Like he was being picked apart piece by piece, accessed down to his very core.
Like he was being examined by an entity far beyond his control.
The intensity was enough to make the Doctor look to the window. Though it didn't much help, he still felt them on him. The hair on the back of his neck rose, and his hearts quickened a tad. It was an alarming sensation.
He felt like a deer in the eyes of a lion.
"And because of that." Benedict said, and then the feeling was gone. The Doctor let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "It's difficult to speak with people when every primal instinct in them tells them to flee from you. I can sometimes control it, but it takes a lot of focus to reign them in."
The Doctor turned back to Benedict, the blindfold had been put on again.
"Were all your people like that?" He asked, wondering if the Tardis had been that way at some point. He hadn't had trouble looking at Rose when she had been in her.
"No." Benedict answered, "not usually anyways." He looked down at his hands, "I think it has to do with-"
He was cut off by a sharp knock on the door. They both lifted their gazes to it, but it was the Doctor who went over opening it up.
There stood one of the bald servants, "your presence is requested at the table." Then he turned and left, the Doctor stared after with a raised eyebrow.
"Alright then." He closed the door before turning to Benedict, "we'll shelf that for later. Come on, we mustn't keep the queen waiting." He added with a grin and Benedict hmphed getting up and coming over as the Doctor opened the door again.
"I don't like this place." Benedict muttered as they headed down the hallway, "the staff don't have good intentions, and everything smells-"
"Like shit?" The Doctor interjected; Benedict sent him a sideways glance before puffing a breath.
"Yes. Especially that observatory." He grumbled, and that caused the Doctor to glance at him as the headed down the stairs.
"It may be a bit musty, but I didn't think it was that bad." He said, and Benedict frowned opening his mouth but was cut off as they came upon the table. The queen, Robert, and Reynolds were already seated. The Doctor flashed a smile and nod at them before heading over to an empty spot next to Robert, Benedict went to the other side of Reynolds. Though the entity did note the few glances he received.
He wasn't sure what to make of them.
"Might I say," the queen began, pulling all attention to her as Benedict sat down, "I am immensely impressed with how capable your cousin is." She said, turning to look at the Doctor, Benedict frowned recalling that he was the titled cousin present.
"Oh," the Doctor gave a shrug and leant back, "well, Uncle Malcolm put his faith in the right doctor." He turned and smiled at Benedict, "isn't that right Benny?"
Benedict tensed his jaw, "right you are cous." He looked down at the table, "incredibly helpful he is."
The table soon fell into amicable conversation as they waited for Rose.
Rose had simply been looking for something that would both fit and be flattering. Though as she looked through the dresses, she realized she wouldn't be able to put on several of them without assistance.
Why were there so many layers?
She finally found a blue one that was to her liking, but as she looked over it, she couldn't help but wonder if there was a slightly less difficult one…she didn't want to spend forever taking it on and off.
With a breath she went over to the only cupboard that she hadn't looked through.
However, just as she opened it, instead of looking at an assortment of dresses…Rose found herself facing a girl, probably not too much older than herself.
Her eyes were wide and terrified, and after getting over the shock of the situation. Rose held up her hands, "hey…hey, it's okay." She assured and looked over her shoulder, the door was still shut, the girl still didn't speak, but Rose gently guided her out of the wardrobe and onto the bed, once she was there Rose gently sat down next to her.
The girl looked at the door as well and Rose followed suit, it was still shut.
"What's the matter?" Rose asked, turning back to the girl, she averted her gaze a moment before looking at Rose.
"They came through the house. In the excitement they took the Steward and the Master, and my Lady." She said, her eyes big, Rose gently took her hands.
"Who did?"
The girl looked around again before leaning in, "they've taken over the staff." She whispered, and Rose lifted her head slightly, the bald men…she did think it was a little odd.
Rose then gently squeezed her hands, "listen, I've got a friend. He's called the Doctor. He'll know what to do. You've got to come with me." She urged, and the girl shook her head leaning back slightly.
"Oh, but I can't, Miss."
Rose pursed her lips before trying different route, "what's your name?"
"Flora."
Rose nodded and gently guided her to stand with her, "Flora, we'll be safe. There's more people arrived downstairs, soldiers and everything, and they can help us." The girl still looked uncertain, but Rose led her over to the door and she didn't fight, "I promise. Come on. Okay? Come on."
Flora didn't say anything and let Rose lead her out the door…only for them both to come to a stop as Rose's gaze dropped to the fallen soldier before her. The companion went rigid and Flora winced behind her.
"Oh, Miss. I did warn you." Flora said softly, but it managed to snap Rose to action, she crouched before the man and looked him over.
"He's not dead. I don't think, he must be drugged or something." She muttered, only to freeze a bit at the sound of footsteps, she turned just as a man grabbed her and covered her mouth. Shit! How had she not noticed them?
He started dragging her backward, and instincts drilled into her head by her mother told her to scream and struggle, and Rose did try, kicking and grabbing at his arms, but it was fruitless, the man was stronger and easily took her away.
