Doctor Who: the Continuity of One

chapter 3

The Forest of Ever was directly outside the door. The Doctor lead the way, followed by Amy, then by Rory. Jon remained in the Tardis looking out. The grass did look nice, almost like a bed of clovers and moss. The sky was practically impossible to see through the forest, but slivers of intense blue leaked through as the rustling of leaves applauded the arrival of the Doctor.

"Come on, it's perfectly safe," the Doctor said.

"Why aren't there leaves on the ground?" Jon asked.

"That is a brilliant observation," the Doctor said. "Leave eaters!" The Doctor turned in place and then back to Jon. "I don't see any at the moment. They kind of migrate, following the fall of leaves."

"Maybe we should get back in the TARDIS," Rory said.

Amy frowned, wondering the same thing, but s=deudced, "They're leave easters? Not people eaters?"

"It is perfectly safe," the Doctor assured them. "Nothing ever bad happens at Ever. Jon, come out."

"I preferred to stay in the TARDIS," Jon said.

"I would like you to come out and meet some friends of mine," the Doctor said.

"People meaning trees?" Rory asked.

"Tress can be nice people," the Doctor said. "Jon, come out of the TARDIS."

"No. I know how this works. I come out, you go back in, and leave me stranded in a forest thickly," Jon said.

"The Doctor doesn't leave people," Amy said.

"He has a valid concern," Rory said. "Things do tend to happen."

Humanoids arrived in the forest clearing. Rory jumped, startled, and said, 'Like that." They looked human in every way, except perhaps taller. And greener; their skin was various shades of green. They weren't tall and gangly, but fully proportioned humans who also happened to be taller than 'human', the shortest one being just over 2 meters. One of them reminded Jon of Ekaterina Lisina, the tallest model in the world, on Earth; on Ever, she would be considered average. They were wearing robes with hoods, less like proper druids and more like Little Red Riding hood, if Little Red Riding hood was also combined with Star Trek and Cosplay Deviant Druids. There were six males, seven females, and one of the females made it clear that she was in charge, not in a regal way, but perhaps due to a lottery, or experience. They were barefoot. The grass looked really soft, cool, and pleasant to walk on.

"Hello, Doctor," the most prominent one said.

"Ah, Angela! So nice to see you again," the Doctor said. "I didn't think you would actually be here."

"We had an agreement," Angela said. "Your part was never to return to Ever."

"I know, I know, but I need your help," the Doctor said. "And this was the fastest way to get in touch with you."

"The sound of the TARDIS is the harbinger of death," Angela said. "Trees cannot run from the terrors that follow you."

"No terrors today," the Doctor assured them. "In fact, this is turning out to be one of the most peaceful adventures I have had in good run. It could have very easily started with death, but it actually started with the saving of lives."

"You failed to mention that," Rory said.

"Did I?" the Doctor said.

"We have only just recently got the mimicry birds to stop singing the TARDIS song," Angela said.

"Oh, well, that's a really long time for them to carry a sound isn't it," the Doctor said. "But, if I recall correctly, it was their mimicry that confused the enemy at the time. It helped to save your planet."