[ Having lived her whole life suspended between otherworldly conviction and fearfulness, giving anyone power over her isn't a curiosity to be easily humored. Her convictions and fears have been tested more than ever as of late, and there are times where she can't recognize them or even herself. He now looks at her as though he recognizes her from lifetimes prior, acknowledging that connection with his declaration of belief and understanding. To do so with not only affection in his voice, but an intensity hiding in the undercurrent, and she's she's spinning—falling before he even dips her.
She grips tight, first just at his shoulder with a twist, then both hands dart to clutch around his collar when the world tips to the side with a gentle woosh. Her gasp is silent, and her eyes are wide as he lets her fall back. There's no panic, not really, but for a moment Vanessa feels like if he lets go at this very moment, she might drop through the center of the world. That should frighten her more than it ought to, but if she was to fall into the void, the true fear is that she might do everything in her power to drag him with her.
And so she holds fast, unwilling to give him up even if it risks them both.
The tremor grows into another laugh, even a giggle as she holds him close and stops trying to keep her feet steady, melting into his embrace for the moment he holds her there. She's suspended again—this time between longing and reverence. ]
[ If she needed him to stop at any moment, he would without hesitation. With the trust that they've built thus far between them, he knows she realizes it, too. She need only ask or command him, and he would pull her back in an instant.
There's that sound again, that joyful laugh wrapping around his hearts. It's an all too infrequent sound, made all the more important for that very reason. It would be easy to slow their already slow dance nearly to a halt, to hold her close, but he's not sure what would happen next and he's not prepared for it.
He'd rather make her smile and laugh again, if he can; to pull out all the joy from this moment, wrapping it around them both like a shield against all the pain that feels inevitable in his life. For a moment, they may rest here, suspended between reality and dreams, where nothing terrible can ever touch them again, where he can protect her from everything that would try to take her from him.
His thoughts quickly drift again, though, to less serious things, to being right on the edge of losing a grip on each other, but holding fast as long as they can. ]
The dip, classic, isn't it? We'll do it again, of course. [ He remains, as ever, in a bit of denial. ] But the spin, oh, now that's a treat. But we'll need your other glove off for that.
[ Having learned quickly, he halts their dance abruptly to cradle her other gloved hand, removing it in the same fashion as he did with the other, dropping kisses to her skin. Once he pockets the glove, he cradles both of her hands now, putting only a slight distance between them. There's still a crowd, of course, but it's dispersed more, the performers beginning to quiet. So they have room enough to maneuver, and it feels important to him, to capture every good moment with her that he can before it fades. He wants to spin with her and make her laugh and never let go of her hands. ]
Ready? Again, I promise, I won't let you fall. And I absolutely know what I'm doing, you're in the best of hands.
[ They started with a waltz, with Vanessa leading, and it morphed into a slow dance all their own, and as he feels it winding down, he just needs this one last exhilarating moment, like they might be about to tip over the edge of the world, but yet remain anchored to each other.
If she's ready and willing, still gripping her hands tightly, the Doctor begins to spin in a slow circle with her. ]
[ Each little kiss feels to speed her heart so that it's nothing but a flurry, as all she can do is hold onto him to keep from losing balance. By the time he's tugged off her second glove, Vanessa is already so light-headed that she can't imagine daring to take a spin, but she doesn't stand a chance at saying no. Of course she wouldn't want him to stop, not when he's carrying her through such delights that set the heart to racing and the breath to quicken.
She knows that his mercy can be a thing of beauty, but when he's merciless, the Doctor is stunning. So here she is–stunned–only able to move through this moment with his guidance. ]
Ready.
[ Her hands are small grasped within his, but her grip is deceptively tight as she trusts him enough to begin turning her without letting her topple. She absolutely dare not look away now, knowing that if she does she will end up taking a tumble, and yet she's alight at the idea of becoming even dizzier with him. ]
[ At every turn, she puts her faith in him; even in small moments like this one, where the importance of it might be taken for granted, the Doctor is all too aware of how meaningful it is from her, of all people. She knows he would never let go-she must-but they could stumble, lose their footing, his grip could loosen. Anything at all could happen, but she holds tight to him and he feels the depth and power of her trust settle in his chest.
Though they moved slow to start, he spins them gradually faster, as fast as he dares; not for long, of course, just long enough to feel the pleasant euphoria of uncertain footfalls, of being too unbalanced even for conscious thought. It's a rare thing for the Doctor, for his thoughts to quiet, but the bliss of this moment seems to dampen everything else for him. Truly, it's only them. What a mad and strange thing, to briefly feel like it's only the two of them who exist. He's never had time for those thoughts, either, but his smile never falters. The joy of it even prompts the Doctor to laugh, a staggered, breathless thing.
When he leads her to slowing down again, when he's sure of himself and his own balance, the Doctor carefully enfolds her in his arms now, a gentle and tender hug as he holds her steady. ]
Told you - [ He laughs again, shorter, stunted, still breathless. ] - most memorable dance.
[ The spin isn't as challenging as she had thought, quickly learning to put her faith in his hold, the momentum of the turn, and any natural grace picked up from years of training. The faster they go, the more her chest tightens and so too do her breaths, but even if everything else is a blur beyond, she can still see him as if he were almost standing perfectly still. Almost, if not for the rustle of the breeze through his bangs, and for how his own chest rises and falls more rapidly while they spin until she doesn't know if her feet are still on the ground.
It's overwhelming, but in the best of ways that leaves her breathless and laughing in turn, near collapsed against him when he lulls them to a stop. She's panting, needing a moment's pause to catch her breath, truly unable to think of the last time she let herself twirl around in mirth like that. Not since she was young, when she had spun around to the call of the ocean, with only the night to embrace her. A cold embrace.
Not so now. The Doctor's arms are warm, like his laugh.
Tapping her fingertips lightly against his chest, she flicks playfully at his tie in sudden consideration. ]
Yes, I think so. It must be for the sake of my dance partner. Thrilling, actually. How does he do it, this Doctor mine?
Doctor mine. Yours, I mean, not mine. Well, what do I mean. Is that a sort of...it's new. Oh, you know that, of course, why am I clarifying? Doctor mine! Yes. Brilliant.
[ He's still a little breathless and it's entirely possible there's a faint, nearly indiscernible flush to his cheeks. Though, he would deny it. It's simply a trick of the light! Nothing more than that. Nothing at all to do with Vanessa flicking his tie, standing close to him, fondly claiming him with two words wielded so effortlessly. ]
How does he do it, you ask? This madman with a cool bow tie. [ His fingers lightly brush against hers just for a moment. ] Like most things, I suppose, you only need the proper inspiration. [ The inspiration being his own Vanessa Ives. ] Well, inspiration and Jammie Dodgers. Those are biscuits with a strawberry jam filling. I run on about ninety percent sugar, in fact.
[ Not that rambling is unusual for him, but in this instance, it's a bit more nonsensical than usual, his thoughts askew because he's happy in a way he hadn't thought possible for so very long. ]
Speaking of - are you hungry? Or should I take you 'round to the shops? I have a bit saved up.
[ He has no need of money for his personal gain here. What he's earned so far has been saved, to help the people of this world, but also for the sake of those around him. Like now. ]
[ As he rambles on, manic to the point that it captivates her, Vanessa could imagine leaning up to tenderly silence him while still in his arms; it's an easy thought. But she watches with her smile pinched from restraining a strange glee, and thinks that even if it were an option to leave him stricken and then lulled, she would always choose to let him finish speaking. He talks of something like biscuits and she wants to hear more of it.
There's doubt that berries are in season, but this is an alien world. Anything is possible. Given that she shares a sweet tooth, it's an earnest desire to want to try all of his favorite desserts. Perhaps they will happen upon something that strikes his fancy, but she doesn't wish to rush to the matter. She's already breakfasted, and after the literal whirlwind she only just endured at the start of what promises to be a long (lovely) day, Vanessa's rather glad that she didn't partake in too much of the honeyed bread that Oliver had been insisting upon while she dressed. Her stomach can't quite bear the thought of any more, not yet.
Though, she is curious if they can find something completely unlike what she's ever tasted before. ]
Mm, perhaps we can sample something of their exotic delights later on.
[ Shopping, then? She can afford her own trinkets, but she understands well that isn't the point of it. Do Time Lords bother with fiscal pride? She isn't in a hurry to test it, but she decides now she won't let him purchase anything extravagent. She'd much rather find something for him if they're to enjoy the markets. She may be a fool to think that some novelty from a shop could carry on the memory of her, but today is a day for hope, isn't it? If she does decide on something, she can find a moment while he's distracted or return later for her purchase. ]
You're underdressed, did you know?
[ Stretching her hand up, she brushes back his bangs with the gentlest touch. She's quite fond of how he looks with his hair askew and his eyes a bit wild and a flush to his skin—no doubt from the rush of the dance and the chill in the air—but this is public and she would rather keep such sights for her own pleasure. ]
[ In so many ways, this conversation and the moment they're sharing now amongst the lively crowd patronizing the myriad of vendors, could be an ordinary day spent with one of his many traveling companions as they visited a new world. It could be like that, but it isn't and he knows it. She brushes his hair back with the tenderness of a dear friend, but her eyes and her smile seem to hold the promise of more than friendship. He can't say what, exactly, he can't dare himself to even believe it, but he thinks it mirrors his own confusing jumble of feelings. And that, of course, is the sharp difference between this time they have together now, and every other adventure he's ever shared. He's never felt anything quite like this, not in a very, very long time.
He hasn't acknowledged what this is, exactly, though he suspects he already knows and refuses to give it power yet. The moment he does, he's lost to all the pain that comes with it. For now, he only wants to dance with her and hold her hand. ]
Oh, a hat! Won't turn that down, not a chance. Food can wait.
[ She doesn't yet know of his fondness for hats in their many forms, but she seems to have an unspoken understanding nonetheless. A subtle way to be known, but meaningful in his eyes. He looks forward to sampling various sweets with her eventually, wanting to know as many details about her as he possibly can. It's such a strong need and one which can't be denied.
As though it's the most natural thing in the world, the Doctor reaches for her hand now, lacing their fingers together before they set off through the market. ]
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no subject
She grips tight, first just at his shoulder with a twist, then both hands dart to clutch around his collar when the world tips to the side with a gentle woosh. Her gasp is silent, and her eyes are wide as he lets her fall back. There's no panic, not really, but for a moment Vanessa feels like if he lets go at this very moment, she might drop through the center of the world. That should frighten her more than it ought to, but if she was to fall into the void, the true fear is that she might do everything in her power to drag him with her.
And so she holds fast, unwilling to give him up even if it risks them both.
The tremor grows into another laugh, even a giggle as she holds him close and stops trying to keep her feet steady, melting into his embrace for the moment he holds her there. She's suspended again—this time between longing and reverence. ]
no subject
There's that sound again, that joyful laugh wrapping around his hearts. It's an all too infrequent sound, made all the more important for that very reason. It would be easy to slow their already slow dance nearly to a halt, to hold her close, but he's not sure what would happen next and he's not prepared for it.
He'd rather make her smile and laugh again, if he can; to pull out all the joy from this moment, wrapping it around them both like a shield against all the pain that feels inevitable in his life. For a moment, they may rest here, suspended between reality and dreams, where nothing terrible can ever touch them again, where he can protect her from everything that would try to take her from him.
His thoughts quickly drift again, though, to less serious things, to being right on the edge of losing a grip on each other, but holding fast as long as they can. ]
The dip, classic, isn't it? We'll do it again, of course. [ He remains, as ever, in a bit of denial. ] But the spin, oh, now that's a treat. But we'll need your other glove off for that.
[ Having learned quickly, he halts their dance abruptly to cradle her other gloved hand, removing it in the same fashion as he did with the other, dropping kisses to her skin. Once he pockets the glove, he cradles both of her hands now, putting only a slight distance between them. There's still a crowd, of course, but it's dispersed more, the performers beginning to quiet. So they have room enough to maneuver, and it feels important to him, to capture every good moment with her that he can before it fades. He wants to spin with her and make her laugh and never let go of her hands. ]
Ready? Again, I promise, I won't let you fall. And I absolutely know what I'm doing, you're in the best of hands.
[ They started with a waltz, with Vanessa leading, and it morphed into a slow dance all their own, and as he feels it winding down, he just needs this one last exhilarating moment, like they might be about to tip over the edge of the world, but yet remain anchored to each other.
If she's ready and willing, still gripping her hands tightly, the Doctor begins to spin in a slow circle with her. ]
no subject
She knows that his mercy can be a thing of beauty, but when he's merciless, the Doctor is stunning. So here she is–stunned–only able to move through this moment with his guidance. ]
Ready.
[ Her hands are small grasped within his, but her grip is deceptively tight as she trusts him enough to begin turning her without letting her topple. She absolutely dare not look away now, knowing that if she does she will end up taking a tumble, and yet she's alight at the idea of becoming even dizzier with him. ]
no subject
Though they moved slow to start, he spins them gradually faster, as fast as he dares; not for long, of course, just long enough to feel the pleasant euphoria of uncertain footfalls, of being too unbalanced even for conscious thought. It's a rare thing for the Doctor, for his thoughts to quiet, but the bliss of this moment seems to dampen everything else for him. Truly, it's only them. What a mad and strange thing, to briefly feel like it's only the two of them who exist. He's never had time for those thoughts, either, but his smile never falters. The joy of it even prompts the Doctor to laugh, a staggered, breathless thing.
When he leads her to slowing down again, when he's sure of himself and his own balance, the Doctor carefully enfolds her in his arms now, a gentle and tender hug as he holds her steady. ]
Told you - [ He laughs again, shorter, stunted, still breathless. ] - most memorable dance.
no subject
It's overwhelming, but in the best of ways that leaves her breathless and laughing in turn, near collapsed against him when he lulls them to a stop. She's panting, needing a moment's pause to catch her breath, truly unable to think of the last time she let herself twirl around in mirth like that. Not since she was young, when she had spun around to the call of the ocean, with only the night to embrace her. A cold embrace.
Not so now. The Doctor's arms are warm, like his laugh.
Tapping her fingertips lightly against his chest, she flicks playfully at his tie in sudden consideration. ]
Yes, I think so. It must be for the sake of my dance partner. Thrilling, actually. How does he do it, this Doctor mine?
no subject
[ He's still a little breathless and it's entirely possible there's a faint, nearly indiscernible flush to his cheeks. Though, he would deny it. It's simply a trick of the light! Nothing more than that. Nothing at all to do with Vanessa flicking his tie, standing close to him, fondly claiming him with two words wielded so effortlessly. ]
How does he do it, you ask? This madman with a cool bow tie. [ His fingers lightly brush against hers just for a moment. ] Like most things, I suppose, you only need the proper inspiration. [ The inspiration being his own Vanessa Ives. ] Well, inspiration and Jammie Dodgers. Those are biscuits with a strawberry jam filling. I run on about ninety percent sugar, in fact.
[ Not that rambling is unusual for him, but in this instance, it's a bit more nonsensical than usual, his thoughts askew because he's happy in a way he hadn't thought possible for so very long. ]
Speaking of - are you hungry? Or should I take you 'round to the shops? I have a bit saved up.
[ He has no need of money for his personal gain here. What he's earned so far has been saved, to help the people of this world, but also for the sake of those around him. Like now. ]
no subject
There's doubt that berries are in season, but this is an alien world. Anything is possible. Given that she shares a sweet tooth, it's an earnest desire to want to try all of his favorite desserts. Perhaps they will happen upon something that strikes his fancy, but she doesn't wish to rush to the matter. She's already breakfasted, and after the literal whirlwind she only just endured at the start of what promises to be a long (lovely) day, Vanessa's rather glad that she didn't partake in too much of the honeyed bread that Oliver had been insisting upon while she dressed. Her stomach can't quite bear the thought of any more, not yet.
Though, she is curious if they can find something completely unlike what she's ever tasted before. ]
Mm, perhaps we can sample something of their exotic delights later on.
[ Shopping, then? She can afford her own trinkets, but she understands well that isn't the point of it. Do Time Lords bother with fiscal pride? She isn't in a hurry to test it, but she decides now she won't let him purchase anything extravagent. She'd much rather find something for him if they're to enjoy the markets. She may be a fool to think that some novelty from a shop could carry on the memory of her, but today is a day for hope, isn't it? If she does decide on something, she can find a moment while he's distracted or return later for her purchase. ]
You're underdressed, did you know?
[ Stretching her hand up, she brushes back his bangs with the gentlest touch. She's quite fond of how he looks with his hair askew and his eyes a bit wild and a flush to his skin—no doubt from the rush of the dance and the chill in the air—but this is public and she would rather keep such sights for her own pleasure. ]
Let us find you a hat.
no subject
He hasn't acknowledged what this is, exactly, though he suspects he already knows and refuses to give it power yet. The moment he does, he's lost to all the pain that comes with it. For now, he only wants to dance with her and hold her hand. ]
Oh, a hat! Won't turn that down, not a chance. Food can wait.
[ She doesn't yet know of his fondness for hats in their many forms, but she seems to have an unspoken understanding nonetheless. A subtle way to be known, but meaningful in his eyes. He looks forward to sampling various sweets with her eventually, wanting to know as many details about her as he possibly can. It's such a strong need and one which can't be denied.
As though it's the most natural thing in the world, the Doctor reaches for her hand now, lacing their fingers together before they set off through the market. ]