Making Memories, chapter 6

Chapter 6: The Reading
"I'll get it," Martha said reassuringly, but the Doctor stood with her and walked a few feet behind her to the door.

The door was opened to reveal a Psycla holding two large golden boxes in her arms. "Doctor," the Psycla said, completely ignoring Martha, who could sense the tension that had immediately resulted between the doctor and the robed figure.

"I'm sorry, but I seem to be at a loss for your name," the Doctor said with an almost sarcastic smile.

"No pleasantries needed," the Psycla said coolly, and had her face not been covered, Martha knew her smile would've been the same. "You have both been invited to the Night Fire, a show put on every night by this resort at 11pm. Quite the honor, I assure you, considering how much it costs."

"Aw, I knew you'd warm up to me," the Doctor said, still smiling.

The Psycla did not seem amused. "I assure you, I was not the one who invited you. The invitation comes from one of our staff by the name of Bri."

"Bri," Martha repeated in a tone that indicated to the Doctor she was not so thrilled to hear the name.

"Considering the unusual nature of your visit," the Psycla continued, "she has also gone to the liberty of providing you proper attire for the event." The figure turned her attention from Martha back to the Doctor. "And don't mess them up, they are to be returned after the event. You will be billed for any damage incurred."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," the Doctor replied.

Martha could almost sense the Psycla was glaring at him as she was handed the boxes. After Martha had moved from the doorway to set the boxes down the Doctor immediately closed the doors, sparing them any further comment from the Psycla, who was a bit annoyed at having the door shut in her face so abruptly.

Martha gently lifted the lid of the box and moved it aside. She reached in and pulled out what appeared to be an article of clothing resembling the top of a bikini. It was stitched entirely out of lavender flowers. "Seems a bit revealing," Martha said, holding it up for the Doctor to see.

"Well we are on a beach, I'm sure it'll be what all the girls are wearing," the Doctor reassured her.

Martha laughed and threw the top at him.

"Hey, be careful with that. If anything happens to it we'll be washing dishes in the kitchens for the next 200 years," he joked.

Martha then pulled out a long skirt, also sewn of flowers of a darker shade of purple, satisfied that the whole ensemble was not as revealing as she initially thought.

She folded the skirt back up, set it back in the box, and moved it aside to get at the second gold box. She pushed it across the bed to the Doctor. "Time to see what you're wearing."

He pulled the lid off and tossed it gingerly aside. He then pulled out a short sleeved, button down shirt, sewn of yellow and red flowers.

"Care to trade?" Martha asked with a playful grin.

The Doctor tossed her the shirt and picked up the bikini top. He then began disrobing, much to Martha's surprise.

She stared at him in amusement and disbelief as he removed his coat and shirt and put on the top. He turned around and with a grin asked, "well, what do you think? I think it brings out the color of my eyes."

He then grabbed the skirt from the bed and proceeded into the bathroom. Martha could barely breathe, she was laughing so hard, when he came out. "You look lovely," she managed to get out between laughs.

"Well, you'd better get dressed," he said, gesturing to the shirt and the pair of shorts that still remained in the box.

"You're seriously going out like that?" she asked in disbelief.

"Why not?" he countered, as he moved to the bed and leaned against the headboard. He picked up the box and handed it to her, prodding her further.

Still laughing, she took the box, grabbed the shirt and retreated into the bathroom to change.

"What do you think?" she asked, giving a turn so he could see completely as she exited the bathroom.

"Absolutely brilliant," he said with a wide smile.

She giggled and moved to sit beside him on the bed. After a few moments of contented silence Martha finally glanced down at her hands. "I never did ask you what you thought of my nails." She held out her hand that he might take a gander.

He looked at them for a moment before furrowing his brow. "Right, the spa. Earlier." He moved his gaze from her hand to her eyes rather abruptly. "You went for a reading."

"Yes, I did," Martha said, returning her hand to her lap, a little jarred by the change of topic.

"What happened?" the Doctor asked, his voice quite serious now.

"Nothing all that interesting," Martha said with a wave of her hand. "I went in. I sat down at this stone table. The Psycla said some things I don't remember and then she held out a small vial with a moon painted on it, filled with some lavender liquid. She wanted me to smell it."

The Doctor's look suddenly turned to one of great concern which unnerved her.

"I did that," she continued, trying not to look at him now, "and the whole scene went blurry and then came back into focus, and then she told me I would..." She paused for just a second, gathering her thoughts. "She said tomorrow night, at 8pm, I will meet a tall, dark and handsome local named Risan," she said shaking her head at the ridiculousness of the whole thing. She paused for a moment before continuing somewhat more wistfully, "she said he will take me for a stroll on the beach and then give me a goodnight kiss." She turned and caught his eye for a moment but then quickly turned from him again, a feeling of complete awkwardness washing over her.

"And that's it?" he questioned.

"That's it," Martha said with a shrug, as if unsure what he had been expecting.

The two, finally relaxing on their holiday, lay there discussing their various adventures, until it was time for the Night Fire, at which point the Doctor got up, extended his elbow for Martha, and escorted her, like the gentleman he was, to the event.