13 Novella 4

Festival

You land with a resounding crash and The Doctor smiles apologetically at your discomfort.

You roll your eyes and lead the way out and immediately into a huge crowd. You stop, uncomfortable, and feel Jenny place her warm hand on your back.

You relax slightly, taking in the colourful scene surrounding you. There are lights and colours in a happy blur and you seem to be standing in some kind of town square, but the buildings are all made out of shiny grey stone.

Little booths line the edge of the square, brandishing spices and herbs and talsams, scarves and fabrics, gems and ornate decorations.

Music seems to be emanating from the orange street lamps, and altogether the atmosphere has a party feel to it. The others are gazing around in awe too- except Missy who looks rather disgusted.

You give her a questioning glance and she rolls her eyes. She hated the company of people at the best of times, especially ridiculously happy ones.

"Feel free to explore! Stay safe!" Calls The Doctor as Yaz drags her towards a gem stand. You turn to the others and they look at you expectantly.

"So what do you want to try?" Jenny asks and you grin.

"Everything!" You exclaim, and pull her towards a fabric stand, Missy stalking along behind and giving salty looks at the smiling children.

You inhale some spices and choke, feeling snuffed up with their aroma. With your eyes watering you can just about make out Jenny laughing at your facial expressions.

You hear something in the distance and turn to see a small pub with open doors. You enter eagerly, and find yourself standing at the edge of a dance floor where women in pretty skirts dance ethereally.

Your mouth drops open in wonder as you sway in time to the music. One of the women spots you and breaks away, reaching for you hand with a smile.

You giggle and protest but she pulls you into the centre and starts twirling you around, all while you try awkwardly to keep time.

Her intentions are innocent so you take the opportunity to enjoy yourself.

You glance over at Missy and Jenny who are stood trying not to snigger. Well, you'll show them.

The woman has just unintentionally showed you through her mind the next couple of dance steps, and you find yourself following with reasonable success. The crowd cheers and you giggle, really getting the hang of reading each move before she does it. The other women join in, and you find yourself dancing in perfect synchrony with them, laughing and snorting at the bizarre technique.

You lose sight of the crowd as you spin and twirl, reading the woman's mind even when she lets go for a moment, holding the connection until she grabs you again. With a final drum beat you finish, gasping and giggling, red in the face.

"That was really very good Miss" the girl who took your hand originally says, and the others nod in agreement.

"Thank you for letting me join in, that was really fun" you respond and one places her hand on your waist while another strokes your hair, seemingly intrigued.

You don't mind the soft touch, sensing no danger, but then you feel both their hands slapped away by an apparently furious Missy and Jenny.

"We've got to go now" says Missy coldly, taking your hand and pulling you away.

"Take you hand off her. Now" threatens Jenny at the women and you start. You've never seen her take that tone before.

"It's ok, I'm just making friends" you say but they have marched you firmly out of the pub and into the street where they swing you round wearing identical expressions, arms crossed firmly.

"What was that!" You demand, upset they may have offended the dancers.

"You need to be careful (Y/n), they wanted to be more than friends!" Says Missy sternly

"They could have seriously taken advantage of you!" Adds Jenny crossly

"I can't believe this" you say angrily. "You aren't seriously jealous?" You demand and their faces soften slightly. "Unbelievable" you mutter, turning to walk away.

"(Y/n), we're sorry, we just can't help it" says Jenny apologetically.

"We don't want to lose you" says Missy, Scottish accent purring.

"You're not going to lose me, I promise I was just having some fun" you say softly, looking them each in the eye. "But you can't protect me from everything" you say seriously.

"We can try" says Jenny stubbornly and you roll your eyes.

"No, you can't. You know what I'm like, trouble is attracted to me like a magnet" you mutter. "But you're just going to have to accept that, I can't have you charging in and tearing the world apart if something were to happen" you say exasperatedly.

"You couldn't stop us" shoots Missy and you wince, knowing the havoc they would cause over anything that tried to hurt you.

"Just, relax a little. I'm fine" you say and they visibly unclench.

"I'm sorry my love, we won't be quite so forward next time" says Missy, pulling you toward her and placing a kiss on your forehead.

"We just need you safe" whispers Jenny, stroking your hair. You smile up at them then grin mischievously.

"I've never seen you two jealous before! Actually it was quite sweet" you say slyly and they scowl, proving your point.

"Well it's nice that you care, but honestly, I didn't even look at any of them" you say, and that was the truth. You had been dancing for your girlfriends.

"I know, we were stupid. It just felt weird seeing them all over you, and touching you" growls Missy and you boop her on the nose. She smiles.

"Down girl! Jeez I'm going to have to keep a lead on you at this rate" you say and she winks, herself again.

"If that's what you're into..." she trails off and you blush, slapping her on the shoulder. She laughs and tickles you under the chin, making you squirm.

"Will you two give it a rest" says Jenny grumpily and you cup her face gently with your available hand.

"Don't worry, you're definitely better behaved" you whisper and her face clears as she claps in mock excitement.

"My two girls. One bad one good. Both possibly more trouble than they're worth...?" They gasp and grab a hand each indignantly.

"Only joking, plenty worth the effort" you smile at each of them, and they grin happily too.

Really, through your constant insecurity, it was nice to know they cared.