Work Text:
The Doctor smiled to Rose as an Antrax filled up their drinks from behind the bar. He’d specifically had to check what was in them so he wouldn’t accidentally poison his companion.. again… who would’ve guessed that harthai, an exotic spice used in cocktails, was actually highly toxic to humans, and resulted in a similar reaction as if he’d just drugged them with large amounts of hallucinogenics? Lords, that was a wild ride.
Rose sipped her drink next to him, making noises as she drank spicy/sweet concoction. She was covered in all black crew’s wear, with a mask over her face so she couldn’t be identified. They’d chosen to go to a far part of the galaxy for their night out, a place where hundreds of different “alien” races mingled in peace. Humans were much rarer in these parts, a lot of folk only knowing what they were through stories told by travellers. The Doctor had to specify that he was indeed, not a human when people asked him, which was rather annoying saying that he was a Timelord, which should be cooler than a human but apparently not.
Someone came up behind him, and tapped his shoulder. He turned to see a Gorthlax, heat resistant folk with reddish, rock-like skin.
“Hey, you’re th’ Doctor, righ’?
“That’s me.. what would you like?”
Could be trouble.. it’s not always a good sign when someone comes up to you at a bar knowing your name.. more often than not it ended in the Doctor getting kicked out or thrown into some sort of conundrum where he had to save the world or something.. the trope was honestly getting quite old.
“We ‘eard that you’re a traveler, that you go to other galaxies an’ help folk and that sort.”
“That would be me, yes.”
“Well me an’ some folk,” he gestured towards a table against the wall, where a number of other people already sat, “we wanted to see if you ‘ad any stories, anything you’d be willin’ to tell us.”
“Oh! Of course! I’d love to!”
“Thank you sir, it means a lot to us. We don’t leave the system much, and everythin’ we hear from travellers is just ‘ncredible, y’know?”
“Sure, I’ll bring my friend if that’s ok?”
“‘f course, it’s no ‘rouble.”
The three made their way over to the table while the Gorthlax told them about the folk he’d be talking to.
“Tha’s Charlie, that one’s Lizeaj, it’s name is Gurtkag, an’ that’s Hurtaz, if ‘e offers you a bet turn it down, you know how Sartrax are with their so called ‘luck’..”
The Doctor nodded, taking it all in. It wasn’t the first time someone had heard of him, saying the work he did across the galaxies, but being recognised, especially in one of his newer regenerations was strange. Not necessarily suspicious though. Rose was behind them, examining all the new species and listening intently to the Gorthax.
“An’ I’m Fareet, it’s great to meet you.”
“Back at you.”
They sat, the others at the table smiling or nodding to the Doctor. Fareet introduced him lightly, and the group started asking him questions. What his favourite lush planet was, what the coolest monster he’d fought was, the most interesting person hd met. He answered them all nicely, the group looking more and more extra with every answer.
“What planet do you spend the most time at?”
“Earth, in the solar system.”
They nodded, but Lizeaj perked up, interested.
“Issn’t that the one with Humansss?”
“Oh yes, I come across a lot of humans.”
“Really? We’ve heard cool things about them, but we don’t get to meet many over in these parts.”
Rose looked interested in that, sitting up a bit straighter and putting on a fake deep voice (not for any reason, she didn’t have to do any of that.).
“What have you heard about Humans?”
“I’ve heard that they’re really durable, able to keep fighting even with broken bones or near fatal wounds.”
“Oh yeah I’ve heard that too, I’ve also heard that they’re really loyal, and can eat a lot of things that are super poisonous.”
The Doctor nodded. He’d heard stories about other species thinking humans were like space orcs, but a lot of the stories were over-exaggerated tellings of humanoid anatomy or quirks. Still, couldn’t hurt to do just a BIT of tale-telling himself..
“Oh yes, I travel with humans all the time. Funny creatures, lead by almost pure instinct and emotions, yet still able to make incredible discoveries and societies.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes, humans have been able to tame wild animals, to the point that having vicious carnivores in their homes is a daily occurrence.”
“Incredible.. what kinds of creatures do they tame?”
“Oh all kinds, wolves, which are large, four legged creatures who travel and packs and have incredible fighting powers. They also have cats, which are slightly smaller than Yortels, but smarter, and meaner. They’ve even been able to train birds, huge flying creatures with sharp talons and even worse beaks, some of which can tear through flesh and bone like it’s nothing!”
The group gasped, and Rose seemed to giggle under her mask. The Doctor smiled, going on.
“Their biology is also incredible. They can avoid eating for up to a month if needed, but can only go a few days without water. They breathe oxygen, a gas toxic to loads of other species, and they are able to eat all kinds of weird things! Like, capsaicin, a poison that overheats and quickly kills most creatures, is completely harmless to humans, and they use it as a spice! And salt, which is incredibly toxic to a number of species, is seen as bland to humans!”
“They’re invulnerable to capsaicin?! Isn’t that what killed the seventh Forgora empire’s king?”
“Yep! Some of the plants they grow have it, and they even genetically modify their crops to make the spiciest ones!”
“Sso they can jussst… eat anything?”
“Nah, they’re actually really fragile, and get sick from loads of things. They actually have really weak immune systems compared to even Crommians.”
“Strange. I’ve heard stories of them running into danger like it’s nothing.”
The doctor’s smile dropped slightly, seemingly remembering something.
“..yes. Humans.. They’re loyal. They make bonds and will protect that person, even to the point of throwing themselves into danger for someone they barely know. I’ve seen humans run into burning buildings to save a loved one, seen them make the choice to have themselves be tortured and killed just so another doesn’t have to suffer. And even through it all, they continue to live and love and enjoy their lives, because what else can they do but just be humans.”
He stopped to take a breath, before continuing.
“That’s what makes it all the more heartbreaking. That’s what makes it destroy you when you watch them destroy themselves to save someone.”
The air was tense and sad as the Doctor finished. Rose put her hand onto his and squeezed. The Doctor looked over at her. Perfect, brave, fantastic Rose. And he knew, he just knew in his hearts that he would protect her. That he would fight for her til doomsday comes and all the evils of the worlds collided. He knew that he would destroy suns and save planets, just to see her. That he would cross universes to save her. Because what could he do? As with humans, it was his nature. And he would do anything for his family.The Doctor smiled to Rose as an Antrax filled up their drinks from behind the bar. He’d specifically had to check what was in them so he wouldn’t accidentally poison his companion.. again… who would’ve guessed that harthai, an exotic spice used in cocktails, was actually highly toxic to humans, and resulted in a similar reaction as if he’d just drugged them with large amounts of hallucinogenics? Lords, that was a wild ride.
Rose sipped her drink next to him, making noises as she drank spicy/sweet concoction. She was covered in all black crew’s wear, with a mask over her face so she couldn’t be identified. They’d chosen to go to a far part of the galaxy for their night out, a place where hundreds of different “alien” races mingled in peace. Humans were much rarer in these parts, a lot of folk only knowing what they were through stories told by travellers. The Doctor had to specify that he was indeed, not a human when people asked him, which was rather annoying saying that he was a Timelord, which should be cooler than a human but apparently not.
Someone came up behind him, and tapped his shoulder. He turned to see a Gorthlax, heat resistant folk with reddish, rock-like skin.
“Hey, you’re th’ Doctor, righ’?
“That’s me.. what would you like?”
Could be trouble.. it’s not always a good sign when someone comes up to you at a bar knowing your name.. more often than not it ended in the Doctor getting kicked out or thrown into some sort of conundrum where he had to save the world or something.. the trope was honestly getting quite old.
“We ‘eard that you’re a traveler, that you go to other galaxies an’ help folk and that sort.”
“That would be me, yes.”
“Well me an’ some folk,” he gestured towards a table against the wall, where a number of other people already sat, “we wanted to see if you ‘ad any stories, anything you’d be willin’ to tell us.”
“Oh! Of course! I’d love to!”
“Thank you sir, it means a lot to us. We don’t leave the system much, and everythin’ we hear from travellers is just ‘ncredible, y’know?”
“Sure, I’ll bring my friend if that’s ok?”
“‘f course, it’s no ‘rouble.”
The three made their way over to the table while the Gorthlax told them about the folk he’d be talking to.
“Tha’s Charlie, that one’s Lizeaj, it’s name is Gurtkag, an’ that’s Hurtaz, if ‘e offers you a bet turn it down, you know how Sartrax are with their so called ‘luck’..”
The Doctor nodded, taking it all in. It wasn’t the first time someone had heard of him, saying the work he did across the galaxies, but being recognised, especially in one of his newer regenerations was strange. Not necessarily suspicious though. Rose was behind them, examining all the new species and listening intently to the Gorthax.
“An’ I’m Fareet, it’s great to meet you.”
“Back at you.”
They sat, the others at the table smiling or nodding to the Doctor. Fareet introduced him lightly, and the group started asking him questions. What his favourite lush planet was, what the coolest monster he’d fought was, the most interesting person hd met. He answered them all nicely, the group looking more and more extra with every answer.
“What planet do you spend the most time at?”
“Earth, in the solar system.”
They nodded, but Lizeaj perked up, interested.
“Issn’t that the one with Humansss?”
“Oh yes, I come across a lot of humans.”
“Really? We’ve heard cool things about them, but we don’t get to meet many over in these parts.”
Rose looked interested in that, sitting up a bit straighter and putting on a fake deep voice (not for any reason, she didn’t have to do any of that.).
“What have you heard about Humans?”
“I’ve heard that they’re really durable, able to keep fighting even with broken bones or near fatal wounds.”
“Oh yeah I’ve heard that too, I’ve also heard that they’re really loyal, and can eat a lot of things that are super poisonous.”
The Doctor nodded. He’d heard stories about other species thinking humans were like space orcs, but a lot of the stories were over-exaggerated tellings of humanoid anatomy or quirks. Still, couldn’t hurt to do just a BIT of tale-telling himself..
“Oh yes, I travel with humans all the time. Funny creatures, lead by almost pure instinct and emotions, yet still able to make incredible discoveries and societies.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes, humans have been able to tame wild animals, to the point that having vicious carnivores in their homes is a daily occurrence.”
“Incredible.. what kinds of creatures do they tame?”
“Oh all kinds, wolves, which are large, four legged creatures who travel and packs and have incredible fighting powers. They also have cats, which are slightly smaller than Yortels, but smarter, and meaner. They’ve even been able to train birds, huge flying creatures with sharp talons and even worse beaks, some of which can tear through flesh and bone like it’s nothing!”
The group gasped, and Rose seemed to giggle under her mask. The Doctor smiled, going on.
“Their biology is also incredible. They can avoid eating for up to a month if needed, but can only go a few days without water. They breathe oxygen, a gas toxic to loads of other species, and they are able to eat all kinds of weird things! Like, capsaicin, a poison that overheats and quickly kills most creatures, is completely harmless to humans, and they use it as a spice! And salt, which is incredibly toxic to a number of species, is seen as bland to humans!”
“They’re invulnerable to capsaicin?! Isn’t that what killed the seventh Forgora empire’s king?”
“Yep! Some of the plants they grow have it, and they even genetically modify their crops to make the spiciest ones!”
“Sso they can jussst… eat anything?”
“Nah, they’re actually really fragile, and get sick from loads of things. They actually have really weak immune systems compared to even Crommians.”
“Strange. I’ve heard stories of them running into danger like it’s nothing.”
The doctor’s smile dropped slightly, seemingly remembering something.
“..yes. Humans.. They’re loyal. They make bonds and will protect that person, even to the point of throwing themselves into danger for someone they barely know. I’ve seen humans run into burning buildings to save a loved one, seen them make the choice to have themselves be tortured and killed just so another doesn’t have to suffer. And even through it all, they continue to live and love and enjoy their lives, because what else can they do but just be humans.”
He stopped to take a breath, before continuing.
“That’s what makes it all the more heartbreaking. That’s what makes it destroy you when you watch them destroy themselves to save someone.”
The air was tense and sad as the Doctor finished. Rose put her hand onto his and squeezed. The Doctor looked over at her. Perfect, brave, fantastic Rose. And he knew, he just knew in his hearts that he would protect her. That he would fight for her til doomsday comes and all the evils of the worlds collided. He knew that he would destroy suns and save planets, just to see her. That he would cross universes to save her. Because what could he do? As with humans, it was his nature. And he would do anything for his family.