#preposterousbutitworks

“ Feeling confident, are we now, Doctor? But of course, I expect nothing less of you. Still— ”

He maneuvered towards another segment of the control panel, casually pulling a lever here—flipping a switch there.

His features were bowed, momentarily concealing the subtle curve of amusement now present across his expression, and he spoke in an easy, seemingly cordial manner.

Taking care to appear nonchalant, unconcerned, however—he remained acutely aware of the other man’s presence, and his current position.

“ —I might advise that you exercise a little discretion. After all, such brash displays of arrogance have left you high and dry before—I should know. ”

He came to a pause, lifting his gaze—squinting pleasantly across the room’s interior, and with a certain air of familiarity. His mouth gave a cool, subtle twinge.

@heavensmostterrifyingweapon​ | @krazy-rp-hatter​ | @preposterousbutitworks​ | @scouscr​ | @ofheartbeat​ | @patrickoharaandco​ | @musnatchii​ | @shesquiinnsane​ | @crimeswithoutnumber​ |

❝ Oh, don’t be silly! Sincerely, darling—I know you’ve always had a flare for the dramatic, but really—that’s quite the exaggeration, even for you. ❞

She clicked her tongue several times, gently chiding, and then she put up a finger—tapping him pointedly and quite insistently on the chest.

❝ Ah-ah-ah—don’t interrupt. It’s a very abrasive habit. Have I ever told you that? Anyway— ❞

Her eyebrows were visibly risen, and she lowered her gaze to the offending weapon in question—using the fabric of her skirt to wipe the blade clean, and then proceeding to turn it over in her grasp.

❝ If anything, I was very gently pinpricked. Not even a tiny bit exciting, I promise. Zero of ten. Very underwhelming. So, no need to be jealous. ❞

Absently, she smoothed a hand over where her overcoat had been torn—applying a smidge of pressure to the area, and then she stopped—flashing him a smile instead, batting her lashes a couple of times.

His eyebrows lifted visibly, and he blinked several times—monotone, neatly derisive—responding altogether without great enunciation. “ —oh yes, quite. A captive need not fear the curse of boredom in such riveting company. ”

The furrow of his brow creased a little more, coolly unimpressed—a touch irked, for that matter, and his mouth gave a faint, humorless twitch.

“ Although, one does worry that they might come to entertain ideas above their station, naturally. ”

He lowered his gaze, seemingly casual—inconsequential, pausing to adjust one of his gloves at the wrist—speaking in much the same manner as before.

“ Or, indeed—that they might simply begin to think beyond their own fundamental capacity. ”

One of his eyebrows quirked up a bit higher, and he sniffed—appearing dismissive—shifting his gaze towards the other man, and proceeding to linger there for a moment.

His expression curved, ever so slightly.

“ Oh, brilliant—! So, instead of getting us killed at complete random, he might at least have some idea of what caused it—! ”

The retort clipped over her teeth—disheveled, and more than a little distracted—snapping back at him. She took a short, haughty breath—attempting to right herself—pressing her lips together with a sour tautness.

“ Well, you really just think of everything, don’t you—? How very responsible of you—oof—! ”

The TARDIS lurched again—this time more forcefully, and she cried out with an alarmed sort of indignation—catching herself on the wall of the corridor they’d been trying to make their way down.

“ Ow—! Doctor—! Won’t you please get in there and do something about this—!? ”

Her hair was all tousled now, getting in her eyes, and she waved him on towards the console room—frantically, insistently—clinging to the wall very hard with her other hand.

“ Ah yes—indeed. Pompous as they were foolish, and most ungainly on their feet. Rather difficult to forget, I’m afraid. ”

He went silent for a moment—appearing to consider, the furrow of his brow quirking slightly upwards—reflecting on the given subject.

“ Of course, I do owe a little something to that particular trip—why, you might even say it remains a personal favorite of mine. ”

With these words, the curve of his expression gave a moderate twinge, twisting to form a subtle smile, and he settled back where he was seated, looking quite comfortable—tenting gloved fingers together.

“ Even in its original form, the miniaturization technology developed by their human counterparts was quite impressive to behold—you recall it well, I’m sure. ”

“ —there’s at least six of them. They’re still snooping about, by the look of it. ”

Her eyes were narrowed—watchfully squinted, and she addressed him without turning—speaking in a hushed, skeptical tone. Very much aware of him, but paying minimal attention in the given moment.

“ So much for having better things to do with their precious time. ” She added this remark, vaguely cynical—a touch snide, the curve of her lashes flickering several times.

Absently, she bit down on her lower lip—continuing to analyze the scene before them, before finally beginning to shake her head.

“ Oh boy. ”

With an audible, resigned sort of breath, she slackened—sitting back on the ground from where she’d been previously crouching, gently bumping him in the process—giving her hands a little toss.

Sniffing quietly, she glanced his way—lifting her eyebrows.

“ —well, how’s plan B coming along? Or, should we just go ahead and break out the playing cards? ”

“ Oh—never you mind! ”

A critical frown shifted across her features, taking up residence in the deepening furrow of her brow—disapproving, unamused, and she huffed out a little breath—folding her arms more tightly across the narrow expanse of her chest.

“ Perfect disguise indeed. ‘ Oh, don’t be a square, no one will suspect a thing ’. Well, you forgot to mention yourself in that equation, didn’t you? You know, if you were going to spend this whole operation amusing yourself at my expense, you could’ve at least given me a heads-up! ”

Her lips were pressed together—the bottom one slightly pushed out, and she gave a delicate sniff—glancing down and away, seemingly dismissive of him.