ignite ➝ Doctor Who¹

XXIV

"The Doctor is worth the monsters."
— Reinette, The Girl in the Fireplace

Penelope raced through the corridors, unsure where Reinette had gotten to. It was the night that they were supposed to attack, they both knew this, so she couldn't understand where her friend had gotten to.

Each time she wore one of these heavier dresses, it always surprised her how easy she found herself moving around. It was as if the heavy - and so unbelievably expensive - skirts weighed nothing.

She has to admit to herself, it isn't unusual to lose the older woman anymore. It's more annoying than anything, as a Lady of the Court she can't be seen chasing around a grown woman. The status she had tried very hard to build after just appearing in Reinette's life would've been all for nought. She had been held in a very respectable position until a few weeks ago, in preparation for the Doctor's return. She has been tying up loose ends to get back to her world.

Luckily, as she knew the TARDIS was only just behind a mirror or a tapestry, she had no need to learn French, which made the transition much easier.

Rounding a corner she ran straight into the Kind, apologising immediately. He had always been quite pleasant to her. Not that she was surprised as he was still looking for a woman to bear him more children.

"I'm so sorry your majesty-" He stopped her speil, knowing she was still a little nervous talking to him.

"It is okay, let me help you up." He took her hands, quite effortless pulling her to her feet. "Why are you rushing around corners at this time?" She blushed lowly, embarrassed.

"Reinette has managed to escape me once again. Right as we were preparing for tonight." He laughed which finally gave Penelope the sign to relax.

"One day that woman will have to stay still." She smiles at him, aware of how tall he was compared to her. Less than the Doctor, but still has an advantage over her.

"The day Madame de Pompadour stays still for someone is the day that pigs fly, your majesty. Highly improbable." He lets out a breathless laugh, admiration floating around his gaze towards her. It made her panic, only used to that look from one person.

"I have known you coming along five years now, and yet you never cease to amaze me with your wording. One day you will have to tell me tales of when you were young. How fascinating your life must've been." She blushes, smiling politely, knowing she would never get the chance to do so if everything went well tonight.

"Perhaps one day. We must find the time." He smiled wide before he faltered a little, seeming to remember something.

"I remember when you first joined my court, that Reinette mentioned your marriage to another man. I have never seen him, and I have not once seen a ring on your finger." She smiles, holding her left hand to her abdomen.

"Yes. I'm waiting for him, I asked him to hold onto my ring until I saw him again." The King smiled, not that Penelope knew why, until he took her right hand into his own, bringing it to his lips. He kissed her hand softly, looking down at the woman.

"Well until he returns, it is a pleasure to have you here." Penelope started to panic, finally understanding that the King is flirting with her. He looks behind the woman, unaware of her panic, and sighed. "It seems that Reinette has appeared. I will be wearing red tonight, may I expect the same from you." He released her hand, turning and walking back from where he had come from, satisfied that she would be matching tonight.

Reinette hurried over and took her arm, the poor girl still in shock. "Penelope? Are you okay?"

"I'm pretty sure the King just flirted with me. He said that he was wearing red and expected it from me? I should do it right?" She laughed, happy for her younger friend as it was finally a decent frenchman that tried to flirt with her.

"It would be rude not to." Penelope nodded, being led away by Reinette.

"Plus my red dress is easy to get out of for when the Doctor returns tonight." Her friend gave her a look, causing her to go bright red. "No! Not like that!"

"I'm not the one to judge you Penelope."

"Reinette!" She laughed loudly, a little raspy though, which panicked Penelope. She knew that Reinette died young, and was very sick leading up to it. She had grown quite attached to the woman over the years, and couldn't bare to lose her now.

"Come on, let us help set up the ballroom for your Doctor." The ginger woman nods, not wanting to stress out her friend any more.

"Alright Reinette, but try not to push yourself, I have a feeling we will be running quite a bit later."