Italy is the most beautiful country in Europe as well as the weakest. France is invincible when attacked on its own territory. My country doesn’t like the sea so the fleet won’t be powerful.
Reinette had said that, or she would say that in one of her letters, historically. France's Navy was far from powerful, and that was well known. They weren't an attacking nation, not since Napoleon. A navy wasn't necessary.
Which was, of course, why this small but very direct pirate ship decided to attack the wealthy-looking French vessel sailing from England back to France. The captain and sailors were more concerned for the large chunks of ice and the falling snow than the possibility of pirates in English waters. And then, there they were.
The commotion caused by the attack woke the Doctor, who had been snoozing over the captain's logs, and by the time he had his senses about him, he was huddled on deck in a fur coat that was two sizes too big with the rest of the male crewmembers. He didn't know where the females were, and therefore didn't know where Reinette was.
He remembered studying pirates in his youth. He was terrified for her safety. Even if they believed her ransomable, they might not be so delicate with her in the voyage back to France.
Snow fell in his lengthening hair, and he bundled himself tighter against the spray of the icy sea water. The pirates appeared to be searching for treasure and staying warm below, while the crew they kept alive froze on deck.
Reinette had said that, or she would say that in one of her letters, historically. France's Navy was far from powerful, and that was well known. They weren't an attacking nation, not since Napoleon. A navy wasn't necessary.
Which was, of course, why this small but very direct pirate ship decided to attack the wealthy-looking French vessel sailing from England back to France. The captain and sailors were more concerned for the large chunks of ice and the falling snow than the possibility of pirates in English waters. And then, there they were.
The commotion caused by the attack woke the Doctor, who had been snoozing over the captain's logs, and by the time he had his senses about him, he was huddled on deck in a fur coat that was two sizes too big with the rest of the male crewmembers. He didn't know where the females were, and therefore didn't know where Reinette was.
He remembered studying pirates in his youth. He was terrified for her safety. Even if they believed her ransomable, they might not be so delicate with her in the voyage back to France.
Snow fell in his lengthening hair, and he bundled himself tighter against the spray of the icy sea water. The pirates appeared to be searching for treasure and staying warm below, while the crew they kept alive froze on deck.
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She had meant her suggestion of inspection to be teasing, and very nearly tart. But he had somehow managed to turn her own words against her, and inject them with a serious tone as well. Reinette was unaccustomed to not winning her arguments.
She reached up to remove the Doctor's hand from her cheek, and then to study him through the silence. There was only the sound of the wind in her ears, the occasional shout by the crew.
Since she was without words, Reinette reached herself up in an attempt to balance their warring heights, and offered a kiss instead.
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There was something to be said for that.
She tasted like fine brandy, most likely left over from her trickery with the pirates. He kissed her back, her lips warm against his skin in sharp contrast to the cold of the air and the falling snow.
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He was not warm, but the Doctor was compelling -- both man and mouth. And in Reinette's mind that was a good thing. The occasional snowflake slipped between them, and their kiss, immediately melting between tongue and teeth. But the taste of him was never diluted.
It was a more than suitable way to pass her speechlessness. Against his mouth Reinette smiled.
"I was only teasing about inspecting my ribs, you know."
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"I wasn't." He gave her a quick, teasing tickle against her sides and smiled.
It was a strange sort of longing, but he wished, in that moment, that he were human. That way, he could hold her and their warmth could mingle and be shared. The cold might bite more at him, but it would be all right if it were a cold shared.
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And of course as she removed herself from further assault, she lacled her normal grace. Her weight as different, skirts not there, and the deck coated with ice.
She still smiled however. Then straightened, eyes narrowing as she considered retaliation.
"That was unexpected."
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He turned his gaze back to the ocean, to the edge of England slowly appearing on the horizon.
"We'll get back one day," he said, as a bit of a non-sequitor, "And I'll surprise you with everywhere we'll go. Anywhere we want to go, we'll just go. And nothing will be predictable again."
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Reinette's features remained in repose, perhaps even threaded with offense. Not a hint of smile was suggested.
"I would never make you walk it until at least June. The water is far to frigid at the moment."
And there is it. Her smile, rather pointed. And in his direction.
He saw much, and Reinette was often unsettled at just how much he knew. While she thrilved within the confines of court life? The truth was that even though she had carved a successful life out there, it was not that the palace itself that thrilled her, but her hard earned success there. It was a matter of person, not place. And the walls themselves, the people within them? Often left her cold, and bored. Unsatisfied.
Though she never spoke if it? Reinette could tell the Doctor was well aware of that fact.
"I would enjoy that," was all Reinette was willing to offer on the matter, though he smile remained.
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"Though, I'll have to warn you," he said with a grin, "Space pirates are significantly tougher!"