Flower and Willow: Chapter 11
Oct. 4th, 2011 09:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
timelord1
Title: Flower and Willow
Rating: Teen
Pairing: 10/Rose
Category: Drama, Romance, Humor, Action/Adventure
Summay:On their way to visit old friends, the Doctor and Rose come across a mystery in one of Kyoto's geisha districts in US-Occupied Japan, 1948.
Notes: All hail the awesome beta troika,
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who_in_whoville, kelkat9 and onabearskinrugThe next morning Rose woke alone on the futon, her face buried in the Doctor’s pillow. The room was empty of their belongings except for his dressing gown, which he’d left hanging on a hook near the door. She could smell breakfast coming from downstairs and slipped into his dressing gown to go down to look for him. Ichisumi and the rest of the women who lived in the okiya were eating breakfast, but the Doctor was not there.
“Good morning, Ichisumi-san,” Rose said. “Have you seen Abunai-san?”
Ichisumi got up from her place at the table and joined Rose in the hallway. “Abunai-san does not say goodbye, but he probably felt you might like to. He is out in the TARDIS, waiting for you. You know his heart breaks a little every time he must leave someone he loves. If he had to look them in the eye and say goodbye, it would break off so much more of his heart there would be nothing left for him to live on.”
“That’s why I’m never gonna leave him,” Rose said. “As long as I’m around, I’m gonna make sure he’s happy.”
“You make him so very happy,” Ichisumi said, clasping Rose’s hands to her chest. “It was one of the joys of my life to get to meet you and become your friend. I will always remember you, and hold you close to my heart, as long as I live.” The weight Ichisumi put in the last five words of the sentence was not lost on Rose.
She brought Ichisumi in for a hug and they embraced for a moment before pulling apart. She wanted to whisper a warning, or beg her to come with them in the TARDIS so she didn’t have to die, but she’d done that once before and nearly destroyed the universe in the process – it wasn’t a lesson that needed repeating. Still, knowing the ending of Ichisumi’s story made it hard for her to let go of the hug.
“Now, you remember that trick I showed you with the fan?” Ichisumi said, ignoring her own tears and Rose’s as she forced a smile.
“Course I do,” Rose answered.
“Do not show Abunai-san that trick until you are sitting at the side of some other man in the teahouse and he has a clear view of you,” Ichisumi said. “It will drive him out of his mind.”
Rose smiled. “I won’t. I’ll make sure he’s completely barmy by the end of the night.”
“I’ve every confidence that you will,” Ichisumi said. She bowed at the waist. “Goodbye, my friend.”
Rose’s throat pinched off her goodbye as she returned the bow and they embraced once more. She waved goodbye to Sumiko and walked out the back door into the garden. The Doctor was leaning against the TARDIS, arms folded across his chest, beaming a plastic smile at her. The smile did not reach his eyes.
“Ready to go?” he asked. His voice was just a bit higher than usual. Strained.
There were so many things she wanted to say to him, but she knew drawing attention to his pain would only amplify it. She nodded and followed him into the TARDIS, going to her room to change as he took them back to 1948. She hadn’t seen the inside of the old girl in a couple of days, and was surprised at how much she’d missed her room. When she opened the door, she stood in the doorway with her mouth hanging open.
He had not only cleaned the room, but spread out over the bed was a gorgeous ice-blue kimono painted with a swirling cherry blossom design. Next to that was a pile of blue silk, another, simpler robe in a shade of petal pink that just matched the blossoms on the kimono, a brand new pair of geta, and a bunch of other clothes Rose assumed went under or over the kimono. Lying next to all of this was a hair ornament that looked like it was made of real cherry blossoms.
“I cheated on the kanzashi,” the Doctor said from behind her, pointing to the hair ornament. “It’s not from Kyoto. It’s not even from earth, actually. It’s from the planet Vilsegaard and before you ask, yes, it’s right next to the planet Villengard, home of the famous banana groves, and I did in fact stop off to get a bunch of bananas while I was there. If you’d like one, they’re in the kitchen. Those are real flowers, but instead of needing water to thrive they live on oxygen. It should stay good for five years or so before it starts to get brown at the edges.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said, turning to hug him around the neck.
He shrugged, picking her up to give her a little twirl. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“Nervous, but I’m ready,” Rose said with a sharp nod of her head.
“Most important thing is the investigating. The geisha stuff is second, but you’re brilliant with investigating, so you don’t need any practice in that regard.” He winked at her and went back to the control room. “We should be arriving in Kyoto in just a tic. I’m going to try to put us down in the garden behind the okiya again.”
“Just be sure to avoid landing on any coffee tables,” she called after him.
She sat on her bed to admire the kimono and to will her hands to stop shaking as she touched the painted silk. She always wondered how the Doctor came up with the kind of money he’d need to buy something like this when they were in a time that didn’t have ATMs to zap with the sonic screwdriver. It reminded her a of a story her grandmother used to tell her about fairy tricksters who would pay for something with a handful of cash, and the moment they’d vanished, the person who’d sold whatever it was would find that the cash in their hand had turned into a pile of dry leaves that crumbled and blew away in the wind. That would be just about the Doctor’s style, she imagined.
She realized her heart was racing and she was bouncing her leg up and down. She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. You can do this. You just have to get through one night, two at the most. She ran over the things Ichisumi had taught her, and wished that she had brought a fan with her to practice her tricks. There would be time for a bit of practice before going to the teahouse. She could do a quick run-through with Sumiko before getting dressed. If she could just get her stupid hands to stop shaking.
“We’re here,” the Doctor said from her doorway, entirely too soon.
Rose’s stomach did a sudden dive into her shoes as she stood up.
“Yeah,” she sighed. “Ready.”
They opened the doors and found themselves in the back garden of the okiya, almost in the exact spot where they’d parked eight years before. The trees were much larger now and a fountain had been added, and Rose marveled once again at how much things could change for the world outside the TARDIS when mere minutes had passed for her.
Sumiko was sitting on the time-worn back steps, a broom resting on her lap, a hopeful smile on her face. Rose and the Doctor bowed to her, and when the Doctor brought a packet of Jelly Babies out of his pocket, she threw the broom aside and ran to them.
“It was so difficult to pretend I did not know you!” she cried, bowing again to them. Ichisumi had explained in the course of her lessons that the Japanese culture was not quite as accustomed to hugging as western culture was, but Rose decided to go ahead and be rude as she embraced her friend. Sumiko made a surprised little noise, but after a moment lifted her arms to return the hug.
“You know what’s funny? You only saw us a few minutes ago when we left to get the TARDIS, and we only saw you moments ago back in 1940, and yet all sorts of time has passed between us. It’s kind of an unusual moment, really,” the Doctor said.
“Magic,” Sumiko said with a wink.
“Indeed,” he replied, taking a Jelly Baby before handing the packet off to her.
“So you and Rose-san will go to the Chrysanthemum tonight?” Sumiko asked.
“We will. I’m going to get ready and head straight out so I can try to get in with the Americans,” the Doctor said. “It’s odd; a teahouse that only allows American soldiers.”
“Some do not allow Americans at all,” Sumiko said. “I have never met the proprietor, but they call every couple of nights to ask if we have any available geisha. Perhaps they feel the Americans should have some place to go?”
“Well,” the Doctor said, using his American accent once again. He’d been working on it, Rose noticed. It sounded much more convincing. “Only one way to find out.”
Sumiko giggled. “You are so full of surprises, Abunai-san. Now you sound like John Wayne!”
“Oh, I do not,” he said. “All Americans sound like John Wayne to you.”
“He’s right, pilgrim,” Rose said in her best John Wayne voice, which was utter rubbish. “This is what John Wayne really sounds like.”
The Doctor sputtered with laughter. “That was appallingly bad,” he said, pulling Rose into his arms and planting a kiss on top of her head. “Really, that was the worst thing I’ve ever heard.”
Rose tried not to show how surprised she was by the casual way he’d just showed his affection, but it was hard. “So you’re going now?”
“Straight away, soon as I get changed. You’ve got lots of work to do before you’re ready to go,” he said. “I’ll see you at the teahouse tonight. Don’t let on you know me, or we’ll give the game away.”
“I know,” she teased, tugging on his tie. “I’m not thick. I’ll see you at the Chrysanthemum for Operation Time-Wimey, pilgrim.”
“Right. Don’t call me pilgrim,” he said. “Sumiko-san, I trust you’ll take care of my Rose.”
“She will be a glorious flower when I’m done with her,” Sumiko said with a little bow.
He gave Rose a hug before going into the TARDIS, and she and Sumiko went into the okiya for one final rehearsal before she began her transformation.
The Doctor peered at himself in the mirror, turning his face from side to side to get a last look at his sideburns. “I am going to miss you very much,” he said. “Got you perfect this time. But, you’ll grow back in short order. You, on the other hand,” he went on to address his spiky coif. “I’m going to miss you most of all.”
He picked up the clippers and went to work. He left a bit more in the front than he should have, but wanted to leave a good base for when it grew back in. Stupid military haircuts. There was too much paranoia among GIs in 1948 Japan for him to try and go halfway with the disguise. If he wasn’t perfectly authentic, they’d probably peg him for a Soviet spy and lock him up before he got anywhere near the teahouse.
When he’d finished, he brushed the loose hairs off his neck and out of his scalp, took another look at himself, wrinkled up his nose in disgust and stuck out his tongue. Perfect.
He was about to put on the uniform when he had a thought. He checked the computer for some reference drawings so his work would be period-accurate, and then went at himself with the sonic, gritting his teeth against the burn. He grinned as he admired the finished product. It would fade in a couple of weeks without a trace, but in the meantime he couldn’t wait to see her reaction when she saw the blooming rose tattooed on his forearm with her name written under it in flowing black script.
Once that was done, he changed into the uniform and found that he cut a dashing enough figure in it that it made up for the Norman Rockwell haircut. He tucked the sonic and the psychic paper into his newly bigger-on-the-inside pockets, and headed out of the okiya without stopping to see Rose. He wanted her to be surprised, just like he knew he would be at the sight of her. The thought of Rose in full geisha regalia made him stop for a moment and take a breath before walking on down the street.
He headed out of the hanamachi and towards the gated checkpoint that marked the entrance of the Sixth Army Headquarters. When he arrived, he flashed the psychic paper to the armed guard standing outside the gates. The guard saluted and, cringing almost imperceptibly, the Doctor returned the salute.
“Lieutenant John Tyler, Army Air Corps. I’m here to see the Colonel,” he said. Always a good fall-back line.
“Regarding?” the guard asked.
The Doctor cocked an eyebrow. It was hard to join a ballet without knowing any of the choreography or even what ballet you were joining, but if he took the right cues from the orchestra, he could fake his way until he got the steps right. His hesitation had lasted less than a second.
“The situation, of course,” he said. He narrowed his eyes at the guard and continued archly, “Would you like to be debriefed here, or would you like to join me when I meet with the Colonel so you can get the rundown then?”
“Yes, sir. No, sir. I’m sorry, sir,” the guard said, stepping aside so the Doctor could enter the post. The Doctor clasped his hands behind his back and gave the guard a pompous sniff as he passed.
“Don’t think I can’t have you busted down to KP, bucko. Don’t forget this face, so we don’t have to have this conversation again.” The Doctor’s cheeks started to burn as he walked away. He’d pronounced face in the broadest Estuary English accent his mouth could muster.
“Well done, Lieutenant,” he muttered to himself as he walked along. “Bucko? Busted to KP? That’s entirely too heavy-handed and you know it. And what was with face? You sounded like the Artful Dodger.” He shook his head at himself and walked on, following the signs to the Officer’s Club.
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no subject
Date: 2011-10-05 03:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-05 03:35 am (UTC)Update soon, please~
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Date: 2011-10-05 03:39 am (UTC)And I give my word on his hair. :D
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Date: 2011-10-05 03:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-05 07:00 am (UTC)Also, don't think I mentioned this before, but I love the Rose tattoo! She's his sweetheart :-)
no subject
Date: 2011-10-05 01:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-05 01:43 pm (UTC)*DANCES*
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Date: 2011-10-05 01:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-05 01:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-05 01:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-06 12:24 am (UTC)I loved how you wrote the beauty of the scene with the flower, am I right in thinking that there will be some beautiful symbolism to come?
also...NO THE HAIR!!!
that it all. :P
no subject
Date: 2011-10-06 03:28 am (UTC)Thank you - I like to think there will be a touch here and there of the symbolism. :) I'm glad you liked that part.
(I PROMISE the hair is going to be all right.) lol
no subject
Date: 2011-10-06 06:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-06 02:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-06 07:05 pm (UTC)Saying goodbye -- this was just... heartbreaking all around.
The cutting of the locks and sideburns (whibble!!!!)...
The purchase of the kimono and hairpiece (so romantic, it really is...)...
Getting inside the gate...
I love these lines:
“Now, you remember that trick I showed you with the fan?” Ichisumi said, ignoring her own tears and Rose’s as she forced a smile.
“Course I do,” Rose answered.
“Do not show Abunai-san that trick until you are sitting at the side of some other man in the teahouse and he has a clear view of you,” Ichisumi said. “It will drive him out of his mind.”
Rose smiled. “I won’t. I’ll make sure he’s completely barmy by the end of the night.”
no subject
Date: 2011-10-23 02:34 am (UTC)