Thirteenth X Clara - Alternative

Chapter 11: The Dinner Party

The Doctor had lived many lives throughout her existence. She had fought many different monsters, saved so many planets, and had done so many impossible things. She wondered how the universe was still surviving because of it. But she cannot, will not and will do her absolute best... to not wear a corset.

"Come on. Surely you must have worn a corset at some point in this regeneration."

Clara had already gotten into her own outfit, a slightly re-jiggered version of the dress she wore when they had to stop Mrs. Gillyflower. So helping the Doctor get into hers was the most urgent priority.

"No! I've never done it before. I've never bothered with putting them on. I never had to do it when I was a man. Why should I now?" the Doctor said in a huff, folding her arms like a spoiled child.

"Well, Victoria asked us to come to this ball and one of her stipulations for being here in general was to wear normal clothes, normal meaning of this time. So in order to not upset her, we wear what she asks us to." Clara said, stressing on the last word as she finally got the Doctor into the corset properly, much to her relief and the Doctor's chagrin.

"It won't be for long, I promise."

"Fine. Just don't touch my hair. I like it out like this."

"Normally I wouldn't, but I want us to make the best impression possible for the Queen and having your hair tied is something that she would find appropriate."

"I promise it will be nothing more than a ponytail. That's ok right?" Clara continued.

The Doctor wanted to grumble, but she understood what was needed and a ponytail wasn't all that bad. Her nod to Clara gave her the all clear to tie it. It wasn't the most elaborate of ponytails, but it did the job, and looked nice on her.

The Doctor then got into the rest of the outfit, which was a dress with a brown upper body and white collar and a red, gold and black patterned bottom half with a hoop skirt, which the Doctor initially struggled with wearing.

"You look really cute." Clara said, looking at the outfit in full.

"I don't feel cute. "

"Well, you still look it." Clara said, as she placed her hands in the Doctor's.

She could remember seeing the Doctor wringing her hands before this, as well as taking a few deep breaths now. Something was bothering her.

"Hey, you ok?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine."

"Doctor.... You can tell me."

The Doctor's face softened, and her head drooped slightly.

"It's just that... we've not done... this, in so long."

"And what is this?" she responded, a confused laugh punctuating her question.

The Doctor took another deep breath, ready to explain.

"We've not been able to just enjoy ourselves like this since..."

Clara's mind went back to what the Doctor was trying to say and then it hit her.

"The second most beautiful garden in all of time and space.." Their last adventure together where they felt everything was normal.

"Bingo. I know we're also investigating, but we're still gonna be taking part."

Clara tightened her grip on the Doctor's hands, knowing this was something that she needed some thinking and comfort for the Doctor to alleviate. So she took a few seconds to think of what to say before just giving her best advice.