Chapter Twenty-Five - A Murder In France

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The next day I woke up about ten minutes after I had fallen asleep to the Doctor groaning and throwing and kicking things about in his room. I slipped into my slippers and ran to the Doctor's room where he was sitting on his bed with his back facing the wall and his head in his hands. "Doctor?" I said softly as I entered. "Are you okay?" I walked slowly towards him and noticed the mess he had made. "I'm fine." The Doctor lied. His voice was slightly high and I could tell that he had been crying. I sat next to him and put my arm around his shoulder. "No you're not. What's going on?" The Doctor sighed then looked at me and explained. "It's River. She's dead. Basically, in my past regeneration I met her for the first time but it was the last time she would ever see me." The Doctor's eyes were tearing up again so I hugged him tight. I didn't know what to do. He was crying and I was just sitting here hugging him. I needed to do something. What did he like? Traveling. He needed something fun to take his mind off of River. I got it! I pulled out of the hug and smiled, "I'm treating you to an adventure this time." I jumped off of the bed and headed to his door just before he turned and looked miserable. "I don't feel like going anywhere at the moment Anya. Maybe later."

"Come on Doctor. You can't stay miserable forever and you need something to make you happy. I have just the thing. Now, get a nice suit and your dancing shoes on. We're going to a masqurade ball!" He paused for a minute and thought about it. "Fine." I ran out of the room and to the wardrobe.

I was looking though the periods to find 15th Century France. I found a beautiful TARDIS blue gown with pale white tights and a matching mask that covered my eyes and white feathers hanging out one side. I chose some matching flat shoes because I never liked wearing old shoes. I curled my hair and just left it down like I always did. I got the Doctor a black mask that covered his eyes and headed to the control room where the Doctor was leaning against the console in his black suit and top hat. I gave him the mask and smiled. "So, where are you thinking?" He asked.
"15th Century France. Masqurade ball." Then we were off to France.

We landed and the Doctor held his arm out for me to wrap mine around. "Are you ready Ma'am?" He asked. "Of cource good sir." I said and we walked out of the TARDIS to a massive mansion like building where people were walking in to the ball. We followed them in putting on our masks. Inside it was magical. A chandelier sat in the middle of the ceiling and people were dancing and laughing around the room. We sort of stood out because all of the people were in bright 15th Century clothing while the Doctor was in a suit and top hat and I was in a dark blue coloured dress with 21st century flats. We walked in and stood watching the dancers. And then stood at the edge of the room talking about what we did while we were apart. The conversation ended awkwardly until the Doctor asked if I wanted to dance which I gladly accepted. The Doctor and I didn't know the dance but we tried and ended up stepping on each others feet and crashing into other dancers but it was a laugh.

We were approached by a quite handsome man from what I could see of his face with a big smile. "Excuse me sir. Is this lovely woman taken or may I ask her to dance?" He asked the Doctor.
"She's all yours." The Doctor answered. The man took my arm and led me to where the dance was. He was a graceful dancer but I wasn't. Luckily it wasn't a complicated dance and I got the hang of it quickly. "What is your name Ma'am?" He asked.
"Anya." I answered.

"Ah, a beautiful yet unusual name for a beautiful lady. My name's Charles. You're from England." "Well, yes I guess so." The dance ended and Charles took me to the side so we could talk. He asked me about where I came from and what England is like. I obviously lied because I wasn't English and he was French so it was easy to trick him into thinking what I thought 15th Century England was like. The conversation changed to Charles. "I come from a rich family in Paris. What about your family?" "My family isn't with me anymore. My mum, dad and two brothers died years ago and the Doctor, the man I'm with, took me in I guess. He's my closest friend and he just let me live in his home." He smiled at me. Behind his mask couls have been lies but he looked and sounded so nice. "So tell me. Are you and the Doctor married or engaged?"
"No. He only lost his wife recently."

"So could I ask for you to come to my ball next Friday as my guest?" I looked back at the Doctor who was standing alone in the corner of the room with wine in his hand looking sad. I couldn't do this to him. "I'm sorry. I can't. I am a very busy woman and I just can't." I walked away and went back to the Doctor. He noticed me and quickly changed emotion. "So who's the handsome stranger?" He asked. "Someone that I have just rejected." I laughed. 

An hour passed and nothing really happened until a servant shouted out from the stairs leading down to the room, "Murder! There's been a murder!" And everyone stopped and started panicing. Guards went to investigate and the host walked up the stairs and said, "No one worry. We have this all under control. Carry on with the fun. No one is in danger and there is nothing to be scared about. It's probably just an error." The host stormed to where the servant led the guards. Me and the Doctor gave each other the same look and we followed the host.

By the door the guards had gathered around a body in a pool of blood. We hid behind a curtain and watched. "Does anyone know who did it?" The host asked the servant.
"No my Lord. I found him like it and he had only just been murdered. Should I alert the rest of the servants to watch out?" The servant answered.
"Yes. Do as you wish but make sure that the guests don't panic otherwise this party will be a disaster. Also get someone to clean this mess up." The servant ran off and it was just the guards left. "Do something with the body." The host walked away but saw us out of the corner of his eye. "What are you doing here? Eavesdroppers!"
"We are from the secret... detective... place in England. Anyway, we want to investigate the murder. We're good at investigating." The Doctor said.
"Fine. But don't interrogate my guests." We nodded and the host walked off. "Now this is what I call fun."

"I'll stay in the ballroom to check for anything strange. You do the house." I said and walked back to the ballroom.

I sat down and watched over the room for a while but it all went back to normal. As I was getting bored Charles came over to me to talk. "Anya. I need to talk to you." He said in a hurry.

"I'm busy at the mom-" I said before being interrupted.

"It's about the murder. You need to know this." He took my hand and pulled me across the room to another room. It was smaller and had lots of paintings on the walls. "What is it Charles? Be quick." "Well... I did it. No one knows this because of the mask but I am a criminal and a murderer." I walked backwards towards the door. "You'll never get away with this." I turned and tried to open the door but it was locked. "I enjoy murdering but killing you will be sad." Charles removed my mask and examined my face. "You have such a pretty face yet you have strange hair and words." I punched Charles in the face and then kicked him in the stomach. I tried calling for help but Charles got up and held his hand over my mouth. He grabbed a handkerchief from his sleeve and covered my nose and mouth with it until I fell unconcious and was placed on the ground.

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SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Who enjoyed the first episode of Series 9? It was apsolutely fantastic! I can't stop thinking about it. I'm frustrated though because I really want to know what happened to Clara and Missy. WHY MOFFAT? WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ALL US INNOCENT WHOVIANS??!!


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