Close Your Eyes & Count To Ten

Indie AU Tenth Doctor RP blog. Semi-Selective. Mun and muse 21+ OC and canon - friendly. Potential NSFW content with mun and muse of age. Tracking tag: Thetax Current Arc: XI's presidency Current M!A: None. Open. Disclaimer: Don't own DW / any of the gifs or images used unless explicitly mentioned.

[benevolentgodloki]

Watching his visitor, Loki realised the box was a lot more than it first appeared. Some sort of void-resistant time door, perhaps, or a ship from what he could glimpse beyond the man when he sat down. All the more reason, was the morose thought, that he truly would need to stay if threats could find their way here.

Like his hidden nature, ice radiated from his stare. His fingers drummed slowly and silently on the arms of the throne.

"Time was being held captive and infinite lives were being destroyed in the name of preserving it. The timelines were dying from the shock of freedom. So I made this and now it must be defended. I had hoped it wouldn't be so easy for a threat to appear, considering what it took for me to be here."

He had explained why, not how. How was as simple as it was impossible.

[theta-x]

Thoroughly undeterred, the Doctor persisted with his obnoxious leering smile, though it was evident that beneath the façade he was giving this some considerable thought. Curious: there hadn’t been any indications drawing him to an earlier point in time or space; nothing until now had even felt amiss. It was as though this had been some fixed event no Doctor was to be part of, at least until now.

He couldn’t decide if he liked this freedom from moralistic responsibility or felt a surge of indignation.

He was conscious, also, that beneath his own irrepressible behaviour he knew to be cautious of the stranger’s protective hostility.  Not that it was enough to stop him being a smartarse, but he was distinctly aware now that any being capable of doing as he claimed was wielding some considerable power of their own.

“Aaaah, don’t get yourself all twisted up – heh -  I’m no threat,” he replied with a lackadaisical wave of the hand, “not unless you’re about to start talking shit about my accent. Naaah, like I said, might be there’s a chance I can at least give you some respite. Time’s sort of my thing, see, and this big beautiful bitch,” an emphatic pat on the TARDIS’ doorframe followed, “might just be able to at least offer some stability if we can get a good picture on how you even did all this. No offence, mate, but…this isn’t exactly my first timeline-related experience and what the fuck ever you’ve managed to do here takes the prize."

[spaceschist]

"Oh, a well-cast spell always did the trick - pun aside," mused Gale as he observed the previously scowling figure ease. Magic wielded such influence, especially among those who hadn't had the luxury of witnessing such marvels. Beyond the city reaches, folks might not have encountered a wizard, mage, or even a warlock, for that matter.

The expression of gratitude was appreciated. "Well, I had hoped so. Clerical forms of magic haven't always been my strongest suit." Nevertheless, the issue of the man's damaged clothing lingered. That was a predicament he would need to address on his own.

The name did carry a hint of irony, and a small smirk played on Gale's lips at the revelation, though he wisely refrained from commenting. His gaze then drifted towards the peculiar blue box, wondering why it hadn't caught his eye until now. The box must serve as a method of transportation; it was the only logical explanation for its presence. This might also explain why the man before him was not only injured but lost.

"Ah, the Sword Coast, not too far from Waterdeep," he replied, assuming the man to be familiar with both locations.

[theta-x]

If the skinny man in still-smouldering clothes seemed to notice, much less mind, the state of his attire he didn’t show it. Rather, as he got back to his feet the Doctor’s mind was firmly fixed on considering the implications of his crash landing.

Indeed, he did take note of the glance this supposed wizard took towards the TARDIS, but, sensing no unreasonable curiosity, decided to let the matter lie. The man was clearly sharp: as reassuring as it was to take some solace in finding good company, it did not assuage the natural suspicion with which he so often viewed the world.

Clerical magic; Sword Coast; Waterdeep. X’ nose wrinkled; the words evoked a certain something in him, something of the fantastical, but nothing familiar or concrete. “Right,” he replied, stretching the word for a moment longer than necessary. He scratched his cheek. “That’s…a place name. Aye. For certain…Not that I’ve taken a knock to the head and forgotten, mind – it just…” His own dark eyes lingered on the billows of oily smoke, narrow chest heaving a sigh. “Well, hardly matters – looks like I'll be here for a while, now.”

[ask-xi]

With a slowness that can only be brought on by drama, XI emerges from beneath the console to blink at his husband with an unimpressed stare. A puff of smoke billows up after him, which doesn't change his expression in the least.

"No nothing untoward whatsoever," he says, deadpan. "If we end up walking on the ceiling again, I'm putting you in an enclosure."

@theta-x

[theta-x]

"Ohhh, cheeky," he retorts at once, the problem momentarily forgotten as faux innocence shifts to a teasing smirk. "That a promise either way? 'Cause knowing you it'd only be so-"

A metallic ping echoes through the chamber, and X purses his lips momentarily. "It's not a hamster," he murmurs after another pause. "Neptunian fossorial worm. Well, it's called a worm - more a salamander."

[bookholichany]

(via DT Asylum VK)

It looks marvelous.

[galefcrce-archived]

Despite the vastly long list of oddities that Gale had witnessed throughout his life, seeing a man in an odd suit stumble out of a blue box was up near the top of that list. Regardless, he may not have sworn a Hippocratic oath, but Gale wasn't one to let a man suffer needlessly.

"Perfect, now don't move while I—" Gale took a moment to silently place his hands over the chest of the other. A soft blue glow emanated from the pair before the spell, and the gentle connection to the weave faded. No need to continue touching the man; Gale swiftly retracted his hands.

"Right, of course, I am Gale of Waterdeep. Renowned wizard prodigy, excellent cook, and just the man you needed to meet today, it seems."

He flashed the man a warm smile, feeling assured that his curing wounds spell made a significant difference and would back up his claims of being a renowned wizard.

[theta-x]

Though experienced with the advanced technologies of countless civilisations across time and space, there was always something just that little bit more exciting when it came to witnessing a form of magic. The unexplained always drew the Doctor like moth to flame, and though most magic could eventually be pinned down to a science of its own, the ephemeral nature of it always drew him in. Besides, the man didn't seem interested in doing him harm, just yet.

Despite his previously sour mood, X found presence of mind enough to appreciate the work. Dark eyes focused on the stranger’s hands and the blue glow (nice colour, he idly decided), feeling a sensation wash through him he could hardly compare to previous experience. A few more ragged breaths and the aches were fading fast; breathing became easier moments later and, soon enough, the hurts were as good as a memory.

“Not bad,” the Doctor mused as he patted his own chest, slowly sitting up as he finally regarded Gale clearly. Of course, he couldn’t resist a quick once-over, and there was no resisting the smirk which flitted across his narrow features as his temper abated. “Just the man I needed? I’ll say you are. Thanks, by the way – feel good as new.” It was impressive stuff, but after the introduction he was given, the Doctor was unlikely to express much more sentiment. Ego stroking, after all, was reserved for himself.

“A wizard, eh?” His expression turned wry, then. “Well, you’re certainly due t’be a better cook than me, at least. You can call me the Doctor – bit of irony I know, considerin’, but there you go.” He chanced a glance to the TARDIS and winced. Magic or no, she was going to take some time to cool down before he could even assess the damage. “If you could do me at least one more favour and tell me where I actually am, that’d be grand.”

[theta-x]

"Merry Christmas, love! I've found us the most AMAZING place with these wonderful little creatures. They're fluffy with wings and no eyes, come and see! Oh, and this place has a whole TREE of timelines. It's bonkers!"

"Ohhhh, we're gonna have so much fun making a mess there. 'Tis the season after all: let's gift a few lucky buggers with our company."

[galefcrce-archived]

@theta-x said "you want me to do what now?"

"Hold still. I understand I'm asking for the impossible, but for this to work, or at least work well, you need to remain as still as possible."

Gale spoke softly, with a flow of patience that was showing signs of wearing thin. His hands glowed blue, a wisp of the Weave intertwining through his fingers, and he motioned to place a hand on the strange man, trusting the Weave to heal him.

"This will only feel like a tickle."

[theta-x]

He had known something was severely amiss with the first pitch and roll of the TARDIS - but even in the time vortex there had not been long enough between that first bump and chaotic impact for the Doctor to react. Crossing through was never without its risks, and yet the degree to which the ship responded to this place was alarming, even for his experience. Wherever he was it seemed to be fighting with the internal laws of the TARDIS. Hardly the first time; could well be the last.

Having extricated himself from the wreckage until the ship could repair and recalibrate herself, it hadn’t taken the Doctor long to discover just what a state he was in and, likewise, slumped himself against the nearest sun-warmed rock to wait for his own body to repair.

Cue the cavalry - cavalry X, at once, had presumed was assessing weakness. Still glaring at the stranger, more than evidently distrustful of the blue light swirling at his fingertips, he took several shaky breaths, and for a long moment seemed as though about to spit more vitriol. A fresh wave of nausea twisted his insides; he slumped back with a nod, seemingly defeated but no less happy for it. “Aye, fine,” he grunted at last, “tickle away, but do us the favour of an introduction whilst you’re at it.”   

[benevolentgodloki]

The glazed eyes of the lonely god snapped into focus, drawn away from the timeline he was watching. As gentle as the trickster had become, there was ferocity amid the confusion in his stare, determined to protect the Tree. Who was this impossible visitor? The box looked Midgardian, but no human could be standing here without his extended protection.

"This has not always been my purpose, no," he answered. "Who are you and how did you get here?"

He did not move yet, but he could if it were necessary. So long as his cape remained connected.

@theta-x

[theta-x]

Though he took note of the stranger’s demeanour, the newcomer continued to present a lackadaisical exterior. He slid down to sit in the doorway of the strange blue box, legs swinging over the edge in childish habit as though this was all a perfectly normal day.

In some respects for him it was; in others, particularly with this individual, it was just new enough that there was no resisting the temptation to interfere. No matter how much he diverged from his intended path, some things would never change where the Doctor was concerned.

“Oh, I turn up just about anywhere, me,” X grinned, “the handsomest bad penny you’re likely to see this millennia. Fact is, what I wasn’t expecting to pick up on my radar when I rolled out of bed was you.” He leant forward, fingers drumming on the faux-wooden platform either side. “You can call me the Doctor: what I’d like to know is how in the hells you got yourself here.”

The easy-going grin sharpened. “Because maybe I can help.”

[beyond-the-frozen-pines-deactiv]

WE ARE SO BACK

[linusbenjamin]

If evil, why hot?

[whimsigothdragonfly]

donna was so right for that line bc look at that face they’re so soft

[theta-x]

[ @forevermuses | from peter ] "When we're done there will only be seven planets in the Solar System, because I will have destroyed Uranus."

"Oh aye, is that a threat or a promise, handsome?"

X made little attempt to mask his amusement, pushing away from the bar as he downed the last of his whiskey. He also made little attempt to disguise his wandering eyes now that the stranger had caught his attention: after all, a line that cheesy meant, as far as he was concerned, a sense of humour and lack of shame not so far from his own. This man could prove a bit of fun, after all - and if not, some sport, at least.

"I'm not an experience for the faint-hearted, mind: you an adventruous sort, space-man?"

[thatskindarough]

Same face, four different lifetimes apart.

[mizgnomer]

David Tennant - from the Radio Times BAFTA 2021 Photoshoot (as featured in the Radio Times' June 2023 article)

for Tennant Tuesday (or whatever day this post finds you)

Photographer: Elisabeth Hoff Source: [ LinkedIn ]

[theta-x]

[Surprise pounce on @foreverwhispers]

Some things in life are simply irresistible. And it’s not like he hasn’t been trying - really, he’s been ridiculously behaved for so long now that he might as well take root inside the TARDIS and call himself a piece of the architecture. He’s kept his head down, only indulged in minor nonsense. It’s been decades since he’s so much as taken a single prisoner aboard the ship, let alone started a fight with some uppity past version of himself. Curiosity is one vice which no Doctor, of any universe or iteration, will ever be clear of.

He's long overdue a little fun, and some opportunities in life can’t be missed.

An auton. A companion. A…centurion? Of all the companions past and present he’s crossed paths with, this is one he’s not yet had a chance to meet, and the more he learns from his husband and the TARDIS data banks, the less he can help himself.

Poor sod, he’d been doomed from the start.

London. The Blitz. It’s days before the incident for which the centurion’s feat of strength and loyalty would be known, a valiant last sighting before disappearing into the mists of history and legend. X has taken the rare decision to dress the part in more period-suitable attire (more suitable than his usual, at least) and a pair of glasses. Light-footed, he stalks the shadows of the building until he can make out the shape of the Pandorica and, from there, makes a point to let his presence known. Best not startle the man.

“Oh, cheer up, lad,” he intones in cheerful Scottish burr as he strides over to the centurion, “it might never happen. Now, then, care to explain to me why you’re down here playing dress-up like that when there’s work to be done, hm?”

[ask-xi]

theta-x​:

Still cleaning his hands as best as he could manage in the absence of a towel (and half-tempted to sneak a grab at his partner’s backside for dual purposes), X found himself blinking in delighted bemusement. The Doctor’s enthusiasm was infectious: it had been far too long since they’d had excuse to cause a little trouble, and if the TARDIS was struggling to understand something? Perfect excuse to satisfy a little curiosity. He’d been itching for a little action lately.

Of course, before he had much time to think beyond the initial intrigue, his husband had darted off. X stood, slack-jawed for a beat as he watched the rapidly receding figure. The pause was short-lived: regaining composure, he tore off without hesitation in pursuit.

“Oi! cheeky bastard!” X called after him, “I’ll give you wet badger, alright – an’ change the desktop!” There was no true threat, as ever, when it came to XI, but still he gave chase with every intention to pounce in the console room. Well, nobody said they had to rush out looking dignified.”C’mere!”

Laughing all the way, XI practically tripped into the control room. He dodged to one side with the intent of tackling his partner in a squeezing hug with a follow-up kiss.

“Database suggests this universe never had any Time Lords or Daleks or the usual suspects we know. I’ll tell you what, though, it did make mention of a certain couple of Norse gods. I reckon we’ve found one of their adjacent realities. The pictures look just like the ones we met.”

[theta-x]

The hug was returned enthusiastically once arms permitted, though the kiss consumed far more of X’ attention, a contented half-purring noise escaping before he nipped his husband’s lip and winked, grabbing his hand.

“Is that a fact? C’mon then, let’s see who finds who first. I hear you can’t so much as sneeze wrong in some cities without some spandexed bastard or other dropping by with a lecture. Maybe we should see how many we can get in one place?”

A chuckle, and X continued chattering animatedly on their way out of the TARDIS. Enthusiasm for a stretch of the legs and the promise of a little mischief had ignited the running mouth of his original self. “So how many News are on this particular York? I swear I just can't keep track of it - or why of all the bloody cities it's this one that stays! I mean mind you, the food's good and all but really, it's not like there was ever a New New New Brighton or something - and we should've had it!"

[theta-x]

ask-xi​:

“Ohh, she’s only fussing because it’s all full of things she doesn’t understand. All those times in our lives that used to scare us. I reckon it’s about time we remind ourselves that the unknown is exciting! Let’s throw ourselves at it full throttle, and if it goes pear-shaped, we can go with that old adage from another ship captain. ‘Fight to run away!’“

XI clapped with glee and rubbed his hands.

“Last one to the console room’s a wet badger.”

Knowing full well that X wasn’t yet ready, he bolted off.

Still cleaning his hands as best as he could manage in the absence of a towel (and half-tempted to sneak a grab at his partner’s backside for dual purposes), X found himself blinking in delighted bemusement. The Doctor’s enthusiasm was infectious: it had been far too long since they’d had excuse to cause a little trouble, and if the TARDIS was struggling to understand something? Perfect excuse to satisfy a little curiosity. He’d been itching for a little action lately.

 Of course, before he had much time to think beyond the initial intrigue, his husband had darted off. X stood, slack-jawed for a beat as he watched the rapidly receding figure. The pause was short-lived: regaining composure, he tore off without hesitation in pursuit.

 “Oi! cheeky bastard!” X called after him, “I’ll give you wet badger, alright – an’ change the desktop!” There was no true threat, as ever, when it came to XI, but still he gave chase with every intention to pounce in the console room. Well, nobody said they had to rush out looking dignified.”C’mere!”