13 Novella 2

Whales

The next morning you dress in black corduroy dungarees and tie your hair into two french braids. You are about to leave your room when someone knocks at the door.

Cautiously you crack it open, and there stands Jenny.

She takes one look at you and giggles.

"What?" You say self consciously, before looking at her outfit and laughing too. You were dressed very similarly, her own dungarees were a deep brown with more pockets, and of course it suited her new body. She looked very pretty.

"Just surprised is all." She laughs. "I thought we could walk to the console room together?" She suggests sounding almost nervous. You smile and nod, watching as her grin widens, a blush appearing across her cheeks. Her curly hair is a loose cloud on her shoulders and it reacts to every small movement she makes. It's really quite cute.

You walk together, making polite conversation until you walk into the main deck and see The Doctor who smiles a greeting. You hang back a little, worried she may be angry at you for last night, but her smile is genuine.

"Morning you two, where are we going today?" She asks brightly and you shrug looking at Jenny.

"Ok anywhere it is!" She says brightly as Yaz enters, long hair over one shoulder. The Doctor is easily distracted.

That's when you see something again... soft and vibrant with warmth and tone. It's mostly black, with swirls of deep colour. Pretty and light, and intense with feeling. It makes you feel slightly sick, like you've just eaten an entire box of rich chocolate.

Unconsciously you gag, and Jenny looks at you concern. She opens her mouth but stops to grab a pillar as The Tardis takes off.

This psychosis was worrying you now. You didn't know what that was, but it had mange to show you an image of what was actually about to happen yesterday when The Doctor made you jump. Surely this was just coincidence however...

It was as a result of your fluctuating mental health, but you really would have thought it should have stopped by now.

Your senses settle and you push these scary thoughts to the side, giving her a reassuring smile which she returns uncertainly.

You land, and can instantly hear strange drumming coming from outside the doors.

The Doctor pokes her head out then withdraws with a hiss and an eye roll. She hops back in and down a side corridor, appearing moments later with armfuls of coats. She throws one at Yaz, then Jenny then yourself, and finally a long dark one over herself.

You all dress then follow her out into the pouring rain.

"Oh great" mutters Jenny as she leads the way after the eccentric blonde.

"Aww come on its not that bad!" Pouts The Doctor which makes you laugh. "Not that bad" wasn't how you would describe it.

You definitely weren't on planet Earth as the rain drops were the size of golf balls, and the ground was soft and absorbent like a sponge. Apparently this weather was common.

"Doctor where are we?" Calls Yaz over the thundering rain.

"89th Bosaj Aphron!" She yells back "rains 422 days of the year and in every direction, over 89% of the planet is water!"

So you were standing on one of the few patches of land this planet had to offer.

You look around and notice you are stood on a small island with not much vegetation, except ankle height grass that looks grey-green and sturdy. Maybe not much can survive this level of rain and lack of sunlight.

You look up upon hearing The Doctor whistle loudly across the strong sea. She does this again, one long note that Jenny repeats making you giggle. She winks at you and does it again.

Near the shore you note a disruption below the surface. You are slightly worried, but The Doctor grabs Yaz's hand and pulls her confidently to the shoreline, toes almost touching the grey water.

Yaz gasps as two huge beasts the size of large whales erupt from the surface. They are purple with this planet's signature grey tinge to their skin. You should be scared, but you feel strangely calm, certain they won't hurt you by the soft hums they are making.

"What are they?" You whisper in awe, following Jenny closer.

"Transport" she replies and you smile fondly.

"They're Cajole Whales" responds The Doctor with an eye roll at her daughter who sticks her tongue out.

"Come on" the blonde grins mischievously, and lifts a shrieking Yaz carefully into her arms. She wades about three feet in before thrusting the girl onto its back where she snorts unattractively. The Doctor laughs and climbs on behind, using one of the whales' fins as leverage. You laugh at Yaz's expression before realising what is coming next.

"Your turn" Grins Jenny slyly, and you feel the ground disappear from under your feet as she lifts you comfortably into her arms. You squeal and grip her, all three women laughing at you, and you gasp as you are placed on the whale's back.

It's blubber is rubbery and absorbent, and surprisingly dry. Jenny settles herself behind you, and you blush as her hands find your waist. You sense her sniggering at your reaction. and glance across to the other two.

Yaz is having a similar feeling apparently, for her cheeks are also burning crimson. You laugh and she shoots you a raised eye brow look that shuts you up.

With a deep hum you feel the beast turn clockwise and head out into the ocean, keeping its back with its passengers safely above the water line. The Doctor and Yaz ride out to your left, and, gripping your legs firmly to the warm blubber, you stretch your arms out.

The rain wasn't so severe out in the sea, just a light spray that felt cool and refreshing.

You weren't often grateful to be alive, but right now, your friends near, and Jenny at your waist humming Titanic in your ear with your arms outstretched, alive felt like enough.