Dusk ⋆ Doctor Who¹

38. The Krafayis

WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE CHURCHYARD, THEY HELP VINCENT TO INSTALL.

"And you'll be sure to tell me if you see any, you know, monsters," the Doctor reminds him.

"Yes. While I may be mad, I'm not stupid." Aurora snorts a little.

"No. Quite. And, to be honest, I'm not sure about mad either. It seems to me depression is a very complex—"

"Shush. I'm working."

"Well, yes. Paint. Do painting!" He stands up. "I remember watching Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. Wow! What a whiner. I kept saying to him, 'Look, if you're scared of heights, you shouldn't have taken the job then'."

Aurora rolls her eyes and turns to him at the same time as Amy and Vincent. "Hush."

About an hour later, the Doctor speaks up again.

"And Picasso. What a ghastly old goat. I kept telling him, concentrate, Pablo. It's one eye, either side of the face."

"Quiet!"

Later, an owl hoots. The picture is almost finished.

"Is this how time normally passes? Really slowly. In the right order. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's an unpunctual alien attack."

Aurora turns to him, frowning. He's been like this for too long now, and it doesn't seem to be just his usual overjoyed self. "Are you okay? You seem a bit nervous."

"Yes, there's something not right and I can't quite put my finger on it."

She hums. "'Aplans having two heads' bad or—?"

"There!" Vincent cries out. "He's at the window!"

They whirl around, rushing to Vincent. "Where?"

"There, on the right."

He can't see it, but he smiles. "As I thought. Come on. I'm going in. "

"Well I'm coming too," Vincent says, taking his things.

"No! You're Vincent Van Gogh. No."

Vincent doesn't get what he said, but he doesn't care anyway. "But you're not armed."

"I am."

"What with?"

"Overconfidence, this, and a small screwdriver. I'm absolutely sorted. Just have to find the right crosactic setting and stun him with it. Sonic never fails. Anyway, Amy, Aurora, only one thought, one simple instruction. Don't follow me under any circumstances." He looks around, realizing that his favorite brunette isn't here. "Where's Aurora?"

Amy points to the Church. "Already in." She smirks. "There's that face again."

"Shut up!"

Vincent softly shakes his head. "I love her."

The Doctor blinks. "What? No, doesn't matter." He starts to run away. "And don't follow me!"

"I won't."

Aurora is at the church porch, observing the Saint Michael carved slaying the dragon.

"Ironic," she muses as the Doctor arrives.

"Well yes, very. But what are you doing here?" he cries out at her.

She huffs. "Helping, of course. What, you're hoping to spar with him with your chin only?" He gasps, then scratches his chin. "I'm kidding, your chin is okay."

He sighs, and gets out the gizmo before putting it on. "If I tell you to stay here will you listen?"

She laughs. "Not a chance."