ten_fwd_meme | TEST DRIVE #16 - Turbolifts and Ten Forward

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test drives

TEST DRIVE #16 - Turbolifts and Ten Forward

Option 001. Trapped in a Turbolift: This space travel thing is new to you, and you're starting to think the ship is purposely out to get you. A turbolift is just a grandiose name for an elevator, which should be the safest way to travel after all! But someone out there is out to get you, you're sure of it. Because the next thing you know, the lights flicker and the lift grinds to a stop. You're trapped, with whomever was unlucky enough to be in the lift with you.

It could be hours before you're rescued. These turbolifts span the entire massive ship, and don't just travel straight up and down. No, they can travel horizontally, vertically, sometimes even diagonally. You could be stuck between any deck now. There is a small access panel on one of the smooth walls, but how good are you with getting these things to work? Let's not forget that sudden stop tossed everyone around a little, and people could be hurt. Time to put your emergency thinking cap on, and make friends with the people beside you fast. You could be the only way back to freedom.

Conversely, you could slide that pack of cards out of your pocket and start a rousing game of gin rummy. Really it's up to you.

Option 002. Ten Forward: You have no idea what just happened. One minute you were home, minding your own business, and now you're on a spaceship in the middle of a crowded room! It looks like a bar. There are people eating and drinking, some in uniform, others not. Some are clearly aliens, and some of the food is looking rather strange too.

You've managed to land in Ten Forward. A long bar with barstools and a bartender span one side of the room, with a bank of strange computers on that same wall. It looks like people are ordering food and drinks from them. Tables are sprinkled throughout, and the far wall is nothing but floor to ceiling windows with a view out to space. It looks like a nice lounge, low conversation making the room hum.

Better ask some questions and find out where you are, or just tap the closest person on the shoulder and try to make friends. The bar is open.

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When the doors finally give way, the Doctor is standing there. He's in the clothes he had on at Christmas: holey shirt, black hoodie, red-lined blue jacket.

But then he takes in Clara's face and can't help but to chuckle softly. "If it's normal you want, you've come to the wrong universe for that, Clara Oswald."

Then he shifts his expression into mock disappointment. "How did you end up here? No. I do know how. I could probably explain it better to you than you could to me. But, you've met me, since you seemed to recognise my voice, so we'll start with that."

And yes, he's still standing in the middle of the two sets of doors, because what better place is there to have a long conversation?

As she shoved the second set of doors mostly open she huffed, leaning her back into them and standing there. Her light grey sweater fitted over a large undershirt, over fitted pants and boots. Sensible and comfortable for colder weather. She leaned there a bit, pushing more as he chuckled softly.

"I suppose this is the right universe then, as I don't care for normal and you happen to be here." With the last shove she managed to get her door open enough that it shoved there was a space large enough for her to get through, the doors of the lift not matching up to the doors on his side.

He was rambling about how she got here. Seriously, at a time like this? She huffed a breath through her hair and gave him a look. "Oiy. Not the time for long conversations. You can explain once you get me out of here. Gimmie a hand?" She said, moving now to slip through the door as best she can and try to get through on his side, no fear of the lift suddenly moving or not. She just wanted through.

"Whatever you say, boss."

With that he offers her his hand and tries to move himself into a position that he should be holding the doors more than she is. That should give her the chance to sneak through them.

"I always said you were built like a man. Got the strength to prove it too."

Nothing like a little encouragement when things are getting better anyway.

"Yes, and that is exactly what I say!" She said in a soft huff, like his comment was unneeded. And then... the next comment, just as she was trying to squeak past him.

She faltered in movement and let out a soft "Hey!" before bapping him on the shoulder lightly.

"Was that really necessary?" But, she might have a bit of a sad smile on her face. Was he putting on a show for her? Pretending he was alright. Not at all upset about what happened? He's got that damn hoodie on though, and that wasn't what she saw him in last. Which doesn't mean too much, really. "Strax calling me a boy, you calling me a man. Honestly, you men can give a girl a complex!"

She managed to duck through though, stumbling a bit in step until she turned around. No matter what he said, no matter what he did, the moment he was clear of those lift doors, he would find his small companion attached to him. A sudden movement of her arms looping around his neck and hugging him so tightly, before he could do or even think anything.

She honestly though she would never see him again, and for good reason, really.

"Time Lord. We don't get hang-ups about gender. Thought you might have learned that from Missy."

He winces. Because Missy means P.E. and that means... he really doesn't like it when she slaps him... Only she's not slapping him.

She's... hugging him! No hugging. Not that. No. Excuse him as he goes wiggly and tries to get out of her touch, because... touching. Not so up on it right now.

"Um, Clara. I know I let you kiss me on the cheek, but that was Christmas and I hadn't missed you by Sixty-two years... Doesn't mean I want to make a habit of it."

She's dealt with Missy more. She doesn't like her. She really doesn't like her, but the comment was thrown away in her mind. She wasn't going to slap him. Not this time. Not like that. She was just going to hug him until she couldn't breath anymore, or him. One or the other.

But he was being damn wiggly again, and she hated when he did that (and yet loved it, because she did love to torture him with hugs). Still, that didn't seem right. "No." She said, voice trying to break. "No, you give me this one. Just this one..." Only, as she was about to call him some simple name she didn't really mean, the comment about Christmas came.

He might feel her suddenly freeze.

Freeze and her eyes went wide, suddenly letting go of the hug and drawing back, looking up at him. "Christmas?!" Her heart dropped at that. her eyes looked left then right, looking as if she was trying to make sure she was in a real place. Okay, maybe this was in her head. Her very gone brain. She's not sure how that works, but if Danny had gone to an "afterlife" maybe she...

No. "How long have--" No, time questions never worked. He always had a snotty comment to them. "Wait, where are we? I mean why are we here? Christmas was the last time you saw me?"

Uh-oh, what did he do this time? His fingers move. Some may think it's a nervous twitch. It's not. He's running rapid calculations in his mind trying to figure out the right answer. Which, when you think about is what a nervous twitch is.

Keep things easy, start with the last question first. "Yes...?"

It sounds hesitant, unsure. And he looks at her. Oh no. "You're malfunctioning again. I hate it when you do that."

And he's not thinking. The answer is obvious, right in front of him and he doesn't see it. Well, that's what he gets for having a companion who doesn't travel with him constantly.

She backed up a step more, watching him. She knew what he was doing. He was braining the situation. She just asked him a lot of queer questions and he was processing it. And he has the nerve to call her a robot. Okay, well, not a robot, but... "I am not malfunctioning!" She said without thought, feeling disoriented and wrong. Feeling like she might be malfunctioning, really.

Yes? Why to what? That was the last time he saw her? But that means... ah... oh wow. For a change she was ahead of him. Her eyes narrowed, looking him up and down, trying to figuring this out. Was he off on some adventure while she was home? Did she interrupt that? If he wasn't the reason she was... ah, here. Then what happened.

But, if this was him, and not him of the now, which was her now, then... then he doesn't know. She felt the blood drain from her face at the thought. He doesn't know. She brought a hand to her lips, trying to think of how to deal with this. "It's just... Christmas was a while ago, and I've seen you since then." She actually DOES travel with him now more then before. It's... easier, now.

Or was.

He sees the blood drain from her face and he reaches out to catch her, in case she feels faint. "Clara. Breathe."

So much like they had done when they came out of her Christmas Dream. "It'll be all right. Just Breathe."

He even takes a couple of exaggerated breaths, just to show how to do it.

"So, what you're saying is you're from my future."

He nods. This really isn't a big deal, it's not the first time it's happened to him. And won't be the last. But the way she hugged him...

"Please tell me now that I'm actually used to this face that I still have it."

He moved like she was going to faint, and he exaggerated breaths like she had forgotten how. She wanted to grouse at him for that, but it didn't bother her. She got to see him and that was fine with her. That was better then she had thought. She's sure this is okay, but there is still that feeling like something was going wrong. Going strange. She shouldn't be here, or is this exactly where she should be? Was he really here?

"I'm fine. I'm fine!" She said, trying to assure him that she was, in fact, fine. This was n big deal, was it? Not at all. Right. "Yes, I suppose I am saying I am from your future." That was weird, but not. She understood why he wasn't surprised. Time Lord and all. Still... she wanted to cry, seeing him after all that.

Be brave she told herself, putting on a smile for him now. "I'd say you're used to the face, yes. You even let me hug you." She pointed out, because that part was important! and, it wasn't all a lie...

He relaxes substantially one she convinces him that she's all right and that this face was still his. He pulls a face of mock indignation when she mentions he lets her hug him.

"Well, I doubt it's 'let' probably more I decided it wasn't worth the effort to fight you any more."

But the expression he gives her now is filled with fondness. And he has to tell her, because needs must.

"Whatever you know... about me, about the future.... It's best not to tell me. This universe has enough problems without adding to the complications."

She took in a small breath and let it out again, slow and steady. Yes, she was okay, and she had to be. Be strong, for him. Brave. She made sure her smile was a bit more real now, looking at him with a bit of a curious but amused glance. "Explain to me the difference? Because it sounds like, you not wanting to fight me on hugs, simply means you let me hug you."

He tells her to not tell him his future. She had already decided against it on her own. Lies again. There would be more lies. Or at least holding back on the truth. It would take her a bit, to force herself not to break in on any of it. Not to start tearing up anytime she saw him. Maybe he did something back there, his future self, to bring her here. Where ever this is. "It's not like a lot has happened since last Christmas anyhow. You show up, we go places, adventures happen. The Doctor and Clara. Clara and her Doctor, running around and saving planets. You know, the normal things." She said it lightly, a vow not to tell him anything.

She would keep it, for him.

It was better this way.

"Soooo." She clapped her hands together, trying to get her mind off recent events and honed in on what he just said. "Where are we? Because... this really shouldn't be where I ended up, but if it has enough problems for you than clearly it was in need of me." Should she be here at all? This can't be what she first thought it might be...

And there's her egomania. Good. He's actually missed it. The months he's been here without her. Her egomania keeps his own ego in check. He offers her his arm and gestures to the corridor he can explain while they walk. For now, she looks like she could use a drink.

"You know how you're always wanting me to learn a bit of popular culture and things you call 'science fiction'?"

He doesn't give her a chance to reply. Because it's not her specifically necessarily, but most of his companions have asked it of him at one point or another.

"I should have taken you more seriously. This is the Enterprise."

She wouldn't call it egomania herself, but she was getting used to HIM calling it that. No big deal. It's fine. Right now he could call her rubbish and she'd love to hear it from him. When he offered his arm she smiled and took it, hand slipped in at the elbow and a soft "Thank you!" Given, letting him lead the way.

She almost opened her mouth to say that she didn't really harp on the science fiction thing. She enjoyed it, and for some of her life grew up on it, but she liked high fantasy more. But, before he would let her protest or comment, he was explaining.

And it was a weird thing to explain. She at first gave him a look like he was daft. The Enterprise? Then a look that said 'oh, come on'. Only to look around more, surprise on her face. "No..." She said softly at first, then a bit louder as if it was hitting her. "No!" She glanced up at him in bewilderment. "No way. It can't be." It had the right feel, but it was more a shower her mom watched when she was a kid, so she didn't focus on it.

And this is why he travels with companions. The shock and wonder. The doubt and hesitation. All of it is brilliant. He's so old now, he sometimes forgets what all of that was like.

"This isn't science fiction, it's reality."

They're at Ten Forward now. He drops her off at a table and goes over to get a drink for her. It's a glass of her favourite red wine. For himself, a Scotch. Yes, he can't resist the pun, even now. He sets her drink in front of her and he sits with his own.

"We were brought here by an entity called 'Q'. He's as near to a god-like creature as you will ever encounter. Well, a menacing god, anyway. Most of us here are from different universes or different time zones within this universe."

And he'll pause, wait for her to catch up.

"I'm here in four different incarnations myself. But you are the first companion to recognise me in this form..."

And, that was the loneliest bit of all. It's why he kept running, never looking back.

It was a bit to take in, really. This felt so real and everything seemed... right. Even the door tones chirped as she remembered them. How amazing was that? He said this was a reality. It was hard to let sink in.

As they came into the Ten Forward, she felt as if she should have recognized it, and yet she didn't really. Her mother would have, she was sure, but now it took on a whole new feel to it. She took her seat and beamed, looking around the place again and waited.

"Okay, so, this isn't a bit like Robin Hood, is it? Where you thought it was a story but he was real? This is really real? No robots under that mans skin over there, yeah?" She said, pointing to a man at a table a yard or so away.

The Q? That was a bit of a reference point she wasn't sure on, but felt like she recognized. Damn, she should have paid more attention to things. "So this Q brought us here to what, play a game?" She asked, unsure to why, but she was honestly grateful, if it meant she was still breathing.

And then the other shew fell. There are four of him here? She looked worried now. "Wait. Four? Isn't that, you know, suppose to be bad? Tear in space and time or something to that end? I mean, I know you've done it before, but generally something big is going on." Que the worried look.

She noted his tone in that last part though, and would come back to it, but... as far as she knows, SHE is his, this face at least, only companion. There are a few others she can think of that would know this face, but she's not too surprised. Yet.

The Doctor looks over at the man she pointed out. "I don't know. He could be. Different people from different universes all converging here."

Then she asks about his different faces. "Well, no. I can be around really as many times as needed. It just so happens that something major is going on every time that happens. No. If you want to tear a hole in space and time or the very fabric of reality... That's called a Time Ram. And can be caused by a TARDIS."

Pointed look, Clara, you know that's coming next, right? "She's here four times as well. Three times as a box and once... as... well... Flesh."

And now he needs the drink. A very long, pointed sip.

"No, you know what I mean." Why did he have to take things so literal sometimes. She gave him a disapproving look, and was about to reword what she meant when he went on about Time Rams and all that.

Why. So. Literal? She took a sip of her wine, pausing to give it a surprised look and a small nod of approval. "Okay, so, no major events going on? Nothing universe shattering or the likes? Which ones of you is here?" She asked, then looked up at him again, surprised, maybe a bit hopeful. "Bow-tie? Sand shoes?" She had at least met those ones before.

Wait... it just hit. Did he mean. "The TARDIS is here? You each have one? Why are you all still here--" She cut off again. Seriously, she needed to keep up with this conversation better. "Flesh? You mean she's actually running around?"

She will catch up soon... really she will.

He gives her a minute. Takes a breath and tries to explain properly. Because he really had just sort of dumped it all on her at once. But that's what companion-less does to him.

"I'm here in my Eight body. All curly hair, young, and Edwardian. In my Tenth body, sandshoes and hair. And Eleventh."

He looks up and gives her a small, cheeky grin. "Your boyfriend."

He ducks his head. Maybe that wasn't a good joke right now. But, he really couldn't help it.

"That's the problem with the TARDIS. She's the same. Exactly, precisely the same. She really shouldn't be here more than once. So whatever power this Q has - it's enormous to be able to hold her here three times without ripping reality apart."

He shakes his head. "Time Ram. That's how I was able to move Gallifrey into another dimension. That whole thing could have gone horribly wrong - I could have caused the universe to cease existing."

But it didn't. He got it right that one time.

"As to Cridhe. That's the name she gives herself here. Fairly apt, really. Apparently, she's from my future too. The TARDIS as a flesh form. It happened to her once before. She said she used that knowledge to do it this time...."

He shakes his head. "Actually, she's the one who should explain it, I'm not sure I understand entirely."

She's used to the info dump though, at least when he's not too bothered to give it to her. Half the time she expects him to start explaining, assume she can't catch on, and either stop explaining or dummy it down for her. She hated when he did that.

This was a lot though. As he explained who was here she seemed to smile more, and yes, she might have smiled MORE to hear that his previous face was here too. She loved the Doctor dearly. She had learned that it was still him, no matter what body he was in and that was all that mattered, but her first Doctor was the one before this one. She didn't get to travel with him as long, and honestly, she wasn't sure she could handle THIS one being replaced, because she adored HIM too much. But... it would be good to see him aga--"He's not my boyfriend." She said firmly, shooting him a look.

She had to take another sip of wine after that. Damn him. She wanted to make some clever comment about him and his other hims, but instead she took a sip and ignored it.

"So, knowing how to be flesh before allowed her to take form here?" She tilted her head, watching him talk about his ship in flesh form. His oldest and closest friend, or so she figured. "Cridhe? Is that Gaelic?"

He smiles broadly when she said Eleven wasn't her boyfriend. "I never said it was your fault."

He repeats that conversation from so long ago, so easily. He giggles. Yes, giggles when she took her sip, because every now and then, it was fun to rile her up. Because he needs this. This whole thing is a balm on his frayed nerves.

The Doctor shook his head. "No, she arrived here in her flesh form. She had been flesh already in my future. But, the experience with House showed her that it was possible. Took her nearly a thousand years, but she got there eventually."

His features melt into a bit of surprise. Because how did she know that? "Scottish Gaelic. Like I said. Apt."

She gave him a look, one that said she did know he was repeating conversations back at her now, but she didn't really mind. Just because she had become mildly smitten with the younger version of him didn't make it that she thought of him as her boyfriend. Just... her best friend. Her only friend, really. Oh she had people back home, kind of. Acquaintances. And there was Danny...

No. She wouldn't think of Danny anymore. Not yet. He gets his five minutes a day and she gets the hell on with it. The point being, however, was that this was her best friend sitting across from her, one of her only friends she keeps close to. You can't blame her for loving him in any form. Maybe this was her 'extra'. Her 'Last Christmas' as Danny had put it.

Had the Doctor not giggled just then she might have lost her smile, but it stayed in place and it was easy to tease back. "Four of you, though. How is a tiny ship like this handling all that ego?"

"I see. So, does that mean I finally get to meet her? I mean, talk to her, in a form that can talk back to me. Or are you going to forbid me from talking to your girlfriend?" She said with a small smile.

A smile that fell a bit as he looked surprised that she thought it was Gaelic. "Hey, I know a thing or two." She... would now, NOT admit, that she wasn't sure what it MEANT. Or she might have had a slight thought on it, but wasn't positive.

Also, of course it was SCOTTISH Gaelic. Of course it is.

"Four of me, four of her, Amy, Lucie Bleeding Miller and you. I'm not sure the universe is big enough for all of our egos in one place..."

Yup, that literal edge comes back. But at least he sounds like he's joking? Or at least happy about it?

He raises an eyebrow at her question. "The Enterprise isn't like the TARDIS. I'm sure you'll run into each other eventually."

He's just not sure he wants to be there when that happens. Because... those two ego game-players? Not. Good. Especially given the TARDIS' jealous streak. Notice that he doesn't protest when Clara calls her his girlfriend? Yeah. He pretty much knows it. She had given him a pretty firm lecture on what it meant that she was his 'Friend Ship'.

Except. That's the pun of her name. And he can tell that Clara doesn't get it.

"You do not understand..."

He says that in one of his funny voices when he thinks she has all the information to figure out what she's just said, even if she doesn't. But he takes pity on her.

"Cridhe is Scottish Gaelic for heart,courage, epicenter, core, nucleus... and... sweetheart. Apparently, in my future, she and I settle on that name together."

So basically, yes. She's his girlfriend. Has been since he left Gallifrey and if Trenzalore is anything to go by, it will be that way to their deaths. Still that's okay. Since everyone is always leaving him, it's good to know he has her.

As he lists the people that are here she catches one she recognizes him talking about. Amy. She smiled at his joke, though truth be told, she had a feeling it wasn't much of a joke. Could the universe hold this many of him, his TARDIS, and a few companions all in one place with out something exploding?

Amy though. If any thing she would call Amy more of his previous face's girlfriend, from what she had heard and see of her. She doesn't say this though. Just lets him prattle on about TARDIS, or, apparently Cridhe. As for his not protecting her calling the TARDIS his girlfriend, Clara really isn't surprised. The way he and that ship get along was enough for Clara to believe it could be a thing. And Trenzalore did prove that he wouldn't be alone, in the end. She'd be larger then ever, but still there with him.

Death. It was a topic that kept coming to her mind. She suppose those things tend to happen when you...

--Ah, she hated that tone. It made her sigh, sipping her wine and giving him a look that said 'yes, please' educate me'. Though really, she was glad he took pitty on her, because it meant she didn't have to ask. When he explained though, she didn't look at all surprised. Instead there was something warm in her smile and in her eyes as she watched him.

"I like it." She said at last, leaning on the table and looking across to him. "Every word mentioned seemed to fit her well. Maybe I can figure out why she doesn't like me so much." She said with a bit of a lop sided grin. Clara felt that she and TARDIS had started to get along much better. Or, at least she had hoped they were.

"Oh you and she get along just fine!"

He says that with all the airs and graces of someone who doesn't actually have to worry about such things.

"She's a jealous sort, that's all."

Well, no. That wasn't all. All of Clara's echoes, Clara being able to step into his timestream and be joined with him in a way the TARDIS never could - even if his timestream went straight through her heart. Jealous. That's her. But Clara was more than just a time anomaly, she was splintered. Hell, it confused him and his understanding of time was simple compared to the TARDIS.

He finally takes another sip. This one was just a sip. And he got so distracted in his musings that he forgot that he hadn't said any of that out loud.

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if she ever does decide to slap him, it's fine, I got an icon for that XD

I read: "I've got an app for that" and thought of the sonic...

LOL Stop guessing all my secrets!

But it's what Clever girls do :D

XD

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