#destiny light

- Hurry up, kids - someone shouted from the depths of the hall. - We don't have a lot of time. Get together and we'll go through the whole from the beginning. A few people rose from their chairs, a few tore away from the walls. All walked toward the small stage, located in the end of the hall. There they went off on an equally small backstage. A boy ran among the tables with a tape recorder in his hands. Someone brought the stand of the synthesizer onto the stage. - No, not now. We have a really small space here, I don't want the girls to kill themselves on it. - But we really need to have at least half of the instruments here. It will be difficult to bring them on quickly after the girls' show. - I'd prefer that you were bringing them a little longer than to someone did getting hurt. Take it away. The turmoil, nerves, everyone was very busy with something. To the extent that nobody paid the slightest attention to the man sitting by the window, next to the curtains. Although his clothes were not to be missed, he remained unnoticed - selection of the most shaded place in a not very bright room proved to be a great choice. Only a few, weak rays of daylight, who managed to get in through a crack between the curtains, illuminated his long, dark green velvet jacket. Some of them reflected with a silvery shine on a cravat, elegantly bound on his neck. With a white classic shirt, patterned waistcoat, elegantly tailored trousers and shoes that fit perfectly - he definitely looked like someone from a completely different and, in the opinion of young people gathered here, certainly unfashionable era. Only his hair was very modern - long, curled in waves merrily arranged on his head. If someone had dressed him in an outfit similar to those that the youth, bustling near him wore, he certainly wouldn't stand out too much among the crowd. But definitely these kind of ideas weren't in his head right now. He was too engaged in what has happened on the stage. His bright, blue eyes looked with attention at a group of young girls, who seemed to do some warm-up before exercises. They stretched their slender arms and legs carefully, bending them probably in all possible directions. - Eh, you are so... colorful - thought the Doctor, smiling to himself. Their clothes, tight leggings, varicoloured legwarmers, cloths and headbands aroused a nice feeling in him. Speaker standing near the stage began to emit an electronic, but pleasant for the ear music and all five gathered at the scene began to dance. Now I hear the music, close my eyes, I am rhythm in a flash it takes hold of my heart. What a feeling bein's believin'. I can have it all, now I'm dancing for my life. Take your passion and make it happen. Pictures come alive, now I'm dancing through my life... Unwittingly, he began to nod his head to the rhythm of the melody. The girls went up on tip-toe, to pirouette after a while, spreading their arms wide. Their feet bounced off the boards gracefully and their hair - curly and straight, fair and dark - swirled in the air. And although it was seen that the dance was not fully polished, from time to time one of the girls confused the steps, it all seethed with incredible joy and energy. As befitting of the young people, who are able to enjoy life with every molecule of their body. The Doctor smiled to himself. It all seemed to him to be familiar. He wasn't quite sure why, but it wasn't important enough to think about it. Especially, when before his eyes he had so interesting spectacle. The only thing that could occupy his mind was the fact of how they did it. How come that they can move in that way with only minimal slips. He was sure that if he tried to do something like that, it would end with disgrace, a serious injury or both of these things at once. Although his plans didn't provide at all for finding this place at this time, the Doctor definitely didn't look like someone who would bother. *** - Your Lizzie is doing it well, don't you think? - someone slapped him on the shoulder. He turned away and grinned. - Yes, I think so. They both leaned slightly from behind the curtain. Girls bent in the dance only a few steps away from them. - She puts a lot of work in it...? - This is not just a matter of training, Simon. She just has a talent. He knew that she saw him. He leaned from the curtain a little bit more and winked at her. She just smiled between one turn and next one. - Well - Simon scratched his forehead. - Yeah, she has. But... - But what? - Above all, it's your girl. You know what I mean. - Oh, Simon. It has nothing to do with it. - I'm not so sure - Simon smiled mischievously. - Johnny's girl, Johnny's girl, my little brother's girl... - Please, not again. And stop calling me "little"! I'm older than you - Johnny snorted with mild irritation. - But you are lower - Simon patted his brother on the head, on which he responded immediately with an attempt to slap him on the forehead. Fortunately for the younger all ended with just a short, frivolous struggle, full of laughter. - Hey, you there - said someone from the depths of the backstage. - Calm down. - Eeeh - Simon sighed. - Big brother Charlie as always spoils all the fun. - No "spoils all the fun", just behave yourself. Besides we enter on the scene just after girls, so you better get ready instead of fooling around. - Okay, okay... Simon disappeared almost immediately behind the scenes. Johnny still stood for a while near the curtain and moment later ran after his brother. *** Dancers, hot, tired and slightly sweaty, quickly scattered around the hall, occupying free places. Someone began to install a synthesizer on the stage and two girls - slim brunette with a ponytail and a slightly rounded blonde with curls - sat on chairs right next to the Doctor. Far enough away that they didn't notice him, but close enough that willy-nilly he could hear whole their conversation. - I made a mistake three times - sighed blonde one. - Again! In exactly the same moments as on previous rehearsal! I will never learn this choreography well... - Don't give up, Hannah - brunette smiled. - Tell yourself: it didn't happen three times, but only three times. Besides, this wasn't so visible. - Wasn't? - Hannah raised her head. - Yep. - Well, maybe indeed. Although in total it seemed to me that you looked more often toward the wings than at us... - ... Gosh, you noticed it. - It was hard to not notice that, Lizzie. But I understand, your boy watched you, you couldn't resist... - Oh, stop it. - But why? It's so cute. - You think so? - Of course. Everyone knows that you are the sweetest couple here. Lizzie smiled under her breath, blushing slightly. She didn't have time to answer, because she noticed out of the corner of her eye the boys, positioning microphones on stage. Charlie, Simon, David and Johnny. The most important. Johnny. - Do you like this new song? - Hannah quickly changed the topic of conversation. Lizzie turned to her. - Oh yes. I think it's quite catchy. Besides, Charlie wrote it. - Really? Gifted boy. Likely because of it he is still nervous... - Johnny thinks so too. He doesn't know how people will take it. You know, the audience usually prefers the songs thay are already familiar with... - They will like it - said Hannah. - I'm sure of it. After these words both became silent and turned their gaze toward the stage, like most girls present in the hall. Lizzie didn't seem to be jealous. She seemed rather proud. Indeed she was. For though Johnny was only doing the backing vocals, she was awfully happy. Because her boy was singing on stage. He was so talented. *** She kissed him on the cheek as soon as he left the stage. - You were fabulous - she whispered in his ear. - The biggest fan, huh? - David looked at the girl with fondness. Johnny smiled, embracing Lizzie at the waist. - If this song isn't liked at the evening performance, it will mean that people are probably deaf - she turned her head toward the boys. - Really? You liked it? - asked Charlie. - Of course! It's really cool. - Flatterer - Johnny nudged her shoulder. - No, I really think so! - laughing, she pushed him gently. - Flatterer, flatterer, flatterer - he repeated with mischievous smirk. - Because you always say that you like it and this is very suspicious! - Brother, you know my theory on this subject - interjected Simon. - And you know what I think about it - Johnny pointed finger at him. - About what? - asked Lizzie. - Simon believes that we praise each other, because we are a couple. - Oh, Simon - she sighed with a smile. - Of course that is nonsense. You're just really talented and not only I think so - she added, pointing to the other girls who stared at them with interest. - Women, women, who can understand you? Today you like this, tomorrow another, and the next day... God knows - said David unexpectedly. - Stop pretending to be a philospher, you are doing it really poorly - Johnny slapped him lightly on his arm. - You really believe that we are so whimsical? - laughed Lizzie. - Why do you think so, Dave? Suddenly an awkward silence fell. David scratched his forehead and only after a long pause he said: - Okay, could we talk about this some other time? - then he turned and disappeared on the backstage. Charlie smiled to himself. - Well, let me guess... Tammy? - Has he not yet shaken this off? Poor guy - Lizzie looked pityingly towards the curtain. - You know him. Such type of silent conqueror as he doesn't tolerate failures. But don't worry. He will be falling ill for some time and later will appear the next Tammy or another Vicki. - And he suddenly will stop complaining about the volatility of the women, yeah? - chuckled Simon and after a while all the rest. - Definitely, I suppose - spoke up Johnny. - Okay, Liz, rehearsal is practically finished and I think that we should change clothes and get ready to leave. He kissed the girl on the cheek and added: - In fifteen minutes prior to entry? - Yes. Lizzie said goodbye to the rest of the boys, whom she would no longer see that day, and she ran somewhere behind the stage. *** - Lovely, lovely - thought the Doctor, slowly rising from the floor. - These people are really lovely. Lovely and talented! Despite everything I guess it's good that I had landed here. He gently moved away the curtain and tried to slip out without jumping out. He would have succeeded, if not for that in the exact time when he made the first step towards the exit, he bumped into a girl with a handbag, who suddenly ran out from the side of backstage. Fortunately, none of them fell down, but mainly due to the fact that at the last moment the Doctor grabbed her by the hand. - Oh, sorry! I'm so sorry, I hope that you're alrigh... - he began to apologize, but suddenly paused. After a brief glance at her face he recognized her. Dark hair, ponytail, big gold circles in her ears. One of those girls, who had danced on stage and then had gossiped near him. - Thanks, I'm okay... Something wrong? - she asked, noticing his gaze. - ... No, no - he answered, nervously pulling in the hair from his forehead. - Just... Lizzie, if I remember well? - Yes, that's my name. How do you know? I don't recognize you out of here. - Well, I... I only came here today, accidentally. But I really enjoyed what were you doing on the stage. - You were here for the whole rehearsal? - Umm... Yes. - I have no idea how you came here, but probably I don't like it - said Lizzie with a really serious voice. But a moment later she added, a much milder: - You say you like it? He nodded. - It's quite nice. Your dance... and these singing boys... Lizzie smiled delicately. - So you absolutely need to nip in here tomorrow. We will play it in front of the audience. - Sure, of course - the Doctor returned the smile. - What time? - At five in the afternoon. But I advise you to be earlier. Just before the start can be pretty busy here. - Five. All right. For a moment they stood in silence, looking sheepishly at each other. Lastly Lizzie straightened up the strap of her bag on her shoulder and spoke up: - So... see you tomorrow. She already wanted to move towards the door, but not being even half way she turned to the Doctor. - I almost forgot about something more - she said. - Dress tomorrow in any other clothes. The Doctor looked at her with surprise. - ... But why? - Why? - she smiled involuntarily. - You look completely, totally unfashionable. - What? - the Doctor slightly raised his voice in disbelief. - I am unfashionable? Look at this coat! Tailored according to the best patterns and sewn from the finest kind of velvet! - Velvet, you say? - Yep. - Well, velvet is in fashion. But even the girls already don't wear such coats. Eventually jackets, but they look much different than this. And... oh, holy Lord - Lizzie came closer to the Doctor and burst out laughing. - No, it's impossible! You are wearing a cravat and waistcoat! - What you don't like about this? - he snorted, if he was becoming increasingly irritated with the girl's behaviour. - Who today dresses in such style? Completely as if you were stopped in the Victorian era or something like that. - The Victorian era was quite elegant. - Okay, as you wish. But don't be surprised if tomorrow everybody stares strangely at you. - ... Well, well, I'll find something else to wear. - Yup - the girl grinned triumphantly. She looked at the Doctor again, pointed a finger at him and said: - But the hair is great - then she sped toward the exit, not noticing even for a split second embarrassed smile on his face. *** - "Even the girls don't wear it", gah! - he muttered, when, standing before a mirror, he recalled a conversation with a young dancer. - Since when velvet is the domain of girls? The Doctor looked closely at his reflection. He always liked his outfit, though the fact that he came into possession of it in a very haphazard manner. It was neat and rather comfortable. - And above all it doesn't have a high profile... - he thought, remembering the horrible colorful coat, which he used to wear in one of his previous incarnations. Taking into account the fashion that young dancers advocated, Lizzie would probably love it. - I would have to be sick to wear it again. Very sick. Feverish and hallucinating. He spun on his axis, looking in the mirror. Despite the complete conviction that he looks really fine he involuntarily began to wonder: maybe that girl was right? Observing the people hanging around the hall he didn't notice anyone who would be dressed even a little bit like him. It would be hard to him to blend in the crowd. Today he spent most of the time in not very visible place, so it wasn't any problem, but tomorrow... Lizzie said that velvet coat is out of fashion. So the Doctor took it off - not without regret - and hung on the nearest hatstand. In the mirror he saw someone slightly different than usually. But it had happened to him before that he had been without it, so after all the difference wasn't too big. Despite of everything it's just a coat. Something you don't wear everywhere. She also laughed at the waistcoat and cravat. After a while they also landed on hatstand, next to the coat. Now he felt really weird. He looked so... normal. Terribly normal. His inner eccentric was strongly rebelling against such state of affairs, but well - on the other hand he started to like that company and despite everything he wanted a little bit to fit into it. So what would be appropriate for such an occasion? The Doctor looked around. The TARDIS wardrobe was full of various clothes. That day he had time to perceive several trends in young people's outfits, besides he landed in that decade not for the first time in his very long life. - Maybe I'll think of something - he mumbled and in a moment he disappeared between the hangers. Soon, in the front of mirror, has grown a pile of different pieces of clothing, which later the Doctor was trying on, one by one. Colorful leggings, very printed and... very tight. No. It would look ridiculous on him. Next one. He wasn't looking for the shoes, because it makes no sense when these ones you have fit perfectly, but next thing was a shoe. Massive shoe, with very thick sole and... - Wait... What? - asked the Doctor, when he noticed, that it had a transparent heel with little plastic goldfish inside. Oh, no, definitely no. So maybe sweater? Warm and soft, so it could be perfect, but not with pattern it had. Black and yellow stripes. Like a big bumblebee. No. Next. This one looked quite sparingly. Black, very short... But after a while the Doctor realized - it's a body. Perfect for well endowed girl, but definitely not for him. - No, no, no, I won't wear it! - he murmured, throwing it away. - Oh holy Gallifrey, what do I have in this wardrobe? And are all clothes here female or laughable? Most of them were. But not all of them. When the Doctor looked with resignation at some things he still had to try on, something caught his eye. A dark leather jacket. Evidently worn for some time, but still not worn-up. Not too thick, not too thin. When he put it on, he found it quite comfortable. The Doctor looked once again in a mirror, but this time he finally smiled. It was good. It was really good. He wasn't sure why he felt better in it than in the other clothes, especially because he never had fondness to leather, but it worked. Now his outfit reminded him a little bit of guys riding motorcycles. Well, he had it few times in his all lives. - It was such a fun - he smiled to himself. Lizzie said she liked his hair. Probably the only thing she approved from whole his appearance. The Doctor liked it, too. Wavy, soft, in quite pretty shade of chestnut. He ruffled it few times, still standing in a front of mirror. The final result was better than he would expect. He looked maybe not as elegant as always, but still really good. Less like dandy lord from the past, more like one of these kids, who don't care too much about being posh and natty. Only one thing didn't match that new image of him. Shirt neatly buttoned to the neck. - Oh no, no, no - he immediately undid the top two buttons and opened the collar. Little smile appeared on his face. Yes. Now it was perfect. - This is it, my dear Doctor. This is it - he said to himself, pointing at his reflection in the mirror. He was finally ready for tonight.