The Defender of Time

Eighteen

They landed loudly, and Alessia's legs flew out from under her upon impact. Her father made a sort of whoop of excitement as she stood herself back up. "Wasn't that fun?" He whipped around the console and pulled the screen toward himself. He was strangely silent.

"What is it?" Alessia kicked out her stool and stood up next to him. "Where are we?"

Clara jogged to stand behind him and peeked over his shoulder. "Is that...?"

The Doctor nodded. "Yeah."

"What?!" Alessia whined. The Doctor tilted the screen down so she could see it. "Pazithi Gallifreya," she read. "What's that mean?"

"Alessia," said Clara quietly. She took her index finger and covered up the 'a' at the end of the second word.

Alessia's eyes widened. "Oh." She looked up to her father, but he seemed just as confused as she and Clara were. "Why are we here?"

Clara picked up the invitation from the console and read it again. "The Council Meeting," she said slowly. "Either of you in a council?"

Both shook their heads. "Can we go join the council?" Alessia asked eagerly. "It'll be fun!"

"No," said the Doctor.

Alessia turned to him and cocked her head. "You never say no!" She exclaimed. "You're being boring!"

Before he could argue back, there was a knock on the door. A hush fell over the three of them instantly, their eyes fixed forward.

"Hello?" Called a voice. "Is anyone in there?"

They moved as one down the steps, both adults with a hand securely on Alessia's shoulders, preventing her from running forward; she wouldn't have anyway.

"Lea?" The voice asked.

Slowly, the Doctor pushed the door open; on the other side was a child. He was about Alessia's age, though taller, wearing a long red robe. (Alessia had had a dream about a robe like that once. She could almost remember it...) His hair was cut short on the sides but hung long on the top, a soft auburn colour which reflected the sunlight quite well. His eyes matched the blue of Alessia's, and he smiled at them. "Hello!" He said merrily. "I've missed you, Lea, welcome!"

The trio looked at him quietly, until he held his arms out toward Alessia. "It's so nice to see you." Alessia leaned forward reluctantly and accepted his hug. "I'm so glad you've arrived," he said. "You're one of the last ones here! Do you remember your way to your bedchamber?"

Silently, Alessia shook her head.

"Well," said the boy, "it's down the long hallway, the last door on your right. I believe Decla's already there." He turned his attention to the Doctor and Clara and smiled. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said. "You must be Clara Oswald and the Doctor, correct?" He shook both of their hands, the smile still plastered on his face. "My name is Janus January. I hope Lea wasn't too much trouble."

"Oh, not at all!" Said the Doctor quickly. "She was lovely."

"That's wonderful to hear, sir." Janus beckoned toward a large set of double doors directly across the room. "If you would be so kind as to follow the other hallway to the guest chambers, you can wait there for the meeting to begin, in around two-and-a-half hours. ."

"Ooh, the meeting?" The Doctor said. "I've been dying to see it. Can you tell us a bit about it?"

Janus' mouth hung open slightly as it tried to form a word. "Lea hasn't told you?" He said finally.

The Doctor shrugged. "I'm just quizzing you, Janus. Go on."

"But, sir--"

"Come on then, Janus!" Clara chirped. "Show us you're as smart as Lea has made you out to be."