the healer, part two

Part Two, a walk in the woods1

Izzy found herself in a forest clearing, the twisted trunks of great trees rising on all sides, like the pillars of some mighty banquet hall. However, she was given little time to admire the scenery, as her brother was tugging on her hand and looking impatient. To her, who had seen a millennium and more, he appeared very much like an excited child and as his elder sister, she was inclined to humor him. So Izzy allowed him to lead her away from the tardis and deeper into the wood. They walked for a long time and she stumbled along, her legs were much longer than she was used to, and she often caught herself wondering why this regeneration had to be so very tall. She cursed her dress, whose flowing skirts and full sleeves hampered her, often becoming caught on brambles. In the end she gathered the heavy folds of materiel in one hand, lifting them above her knee, in what would have been considered a very unladylike manner but which Izzy thought of as practical.2

After a while, the doctor stopped, patting his pockets as if looking for something. “What’s wrong?” Izzy asked.3

“I’m an idiot, that’s what’s wrong,” the doctor replied, “I’ve gone and left my sonic screw driver in the tardis.”4

“I know you’re an idiot,” Izzy said, laughing.5

“Hey, that’s not fair!” the doctor cried, punching his sister lightly on the arm.6

“Life isn’t fair, little brother,” Izzy answered. “Now, are we going back to the tardis to get that screw driver of yours, or not?”7

“you stay here, I won’t be a minute,” the doctor said, and thrusting his bag into Izzy’s hands, he darted away between the trees.8

“I’m counting!” Izzy called after him, before settling her self, cross legged, on the leaf strewn forest floor, her back against a gnarled oak, to await her brother’s return.9