Episode 10: Hide and Seek Part 3

The Doctor slipped a shirt on, and turned around. Georgia was staring at him, leaning casually against the doorframe.

“You look amazing,” the Doctor said, taking in Georgia’s Persian green dress.
“Thank you,” Georgia blushed. “You aren’t so bad yourself.”
“Thanks,” the Doctor grinned. “Where’s Conner? Weren’t you helping him get dressed?”
“He’s coming,” Georgia said. “He’s not bad either.”
“Was that before or after you put the clothes on him?” the Doctor teased.

Georgia’s sharp reply was halted at the arrival of Conner, in a smoky black tuxedo. Her breath was slightly taken away at his appearance; she hadn’t seen him dressed like this since he had ‘grown up’. He blushed when he caught her staring, and turned to the Doctor.

“Are you wearing exactly the same thing as me?” he asked.
“No,” the Doctor said. “But I’ll admit, they all seem the same to me.”
“They’re completely different,” Georgia sighed. “Honestly, boys.”
“You should have seen her trying to pick shoes,” Conner laughed. “She was there for about an hour.”

Georgia let out a small hmph and the Doctor hastily directed the TARDIS to their destination. Korena heard the TARDIS materialise nearby, and she headed inside. She was immediately confronted by her mother and grandmother, who were fussing over her appearance.

“Leave it mum,” Korena sighed. “I asked dad, and he said I looked fine.”
“But it’s the party of the year!” her mother Kimiko protested. “You have to look the best.”
“Your mother’s right,” her grandmother, Margaret, agreed. “I won’t have my granddaughter upstaged by anyone.”
“Is this how they dress in England?” Korena asked Margaret, pointing down to her indigo dress.

Her grandmother was completely British, having moved to Japan in 3946, when she was 20, to marry Katsuro Hashimoto. They gave birth to Kaito Hashimoto, Korena’s father, two years later.

“This is the fashion in England,” Margaret promised. “You look lovely.”
“Ahh, here are the first guests!” Kimiko said, clapping her hand once grandly. “Aimee! See the guests in!”

Korena’s personal assistant and long time friend, Aimee Wong, rushed down the marble steps and opened the large front door. Naoki stepped through it, smiling grandly.

“Announcing, Naoki Noran!” Aimee called.
“Hang this up,” Naoki ordered, throwing his coat over Aimee’s head.

Next came many of Japan’s biggest film stars, all of whom greeted Korena in a star struck fashion. They all commented on her lovely dress, and took a glass of champagne from a waiter. Yoshiro Nakamura, Japan’s most handsome male actor was talking happily to Margaret, who seemed unusually chirpy. Kimiko and Kaito greeted their daughter’s guests with small talk, and Aimee continued to announce those attending.

“Announcing, Akio Mori and Haruna Inoue!” Aimee called. “Director and makeup artist on the latest production!”
“Haruna!” Korena smiled, heading towards her. “You look lovely, how are you?”

Haruna squeaked in reply, almost knocking over the waiter carrying the champagne tray. Nervously, she took a glass and downed the champagne inside it.

“Hello,” the Doctor said. “We aren’t on the guest list, but we received a personal invite from Korena.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” Aimee asked.
“Yes, we did,” the Doctor said, confused.
“Names?” Aimee asked.
“The Doctor, Georgia Bell and Conner Bennet.”
“The Doctor?” Aimee asked. “Welcome to the party.”

She had presumably been told to look out for him. She stepped aside, and Georgia smiled gratefully as they entered.

“Announcing, the Doctor, Georgia Bennet and Conner Bell!” Aimee called.
“It’s Georgia Bell!” Georgia hissed as she was ushered inside by Conner.
“Announcing, the Doctor, Georgia Bell and Conner Bell!” Aimee called.
“No!” Georgia said. “It’s…”

But she didn’t get time to explain, as Conner had pushed her further into the guests. The Doctor strolled up to Korena, smiling.

“You look lovely,” he said.
“Thank you,” Korena smiled. “Let me introduce you to my parents.”

She led him to Kaito and Kimiko, who smiled warmly.

“This is the Doctor,” Korena announced.
“Is he working with you, on the film?” Kimiko asked as Kaito shook the Doctor’s hand.
“Film?” the Doctor said. “Are you a costume designer?”

The room fell silent, and everyone looked at the Doctor strangely.

“Was it something I said?” he asked.
“I’m an actress,” Korena told him. “Japan’s most famous. Have you not heard of me?”
“She’s Japan’s best actress,” Kaito added. “And actor as it goes.”
“No, sorry, I haven’t,” the Doctor said. “I’m sure you’re very good, being the best and all.”
“She is,” Kimiko said.

The Doctor smiled apologetically at Korena. She took his arm and led him away.

“Have you really not heard of me?” she asked.
“I travel a lot,” the Doctor shrugged.
“But… That’s fantastic!” Korena said.
“Err, why?”
“I’ve finally met someone I can be myself around,” Korena explained. “Do your friends know me?”
“Nope,” the Doctor said.
“Excellent,” Korena replied. “Now, let’s introduce you to my grandmother, she’s English too.”

Georgia and Conner, meanwhile, were talking to Naoki.

“So, you’re married,” Naoki said.
“Oh no, we aren’t married,” Conner said hastily. “The announcer just got our names wrong.”
“Oh,” Naoki said. “Well I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you, marriage isn’t for everyone.”

Petr was chatting to Yoshiro Nakamura, while Pippa slipped in between the guests, heading towards Korena.

“I just love the English,” Yoshiro said.
“I’m not English,” Petr replied, watching Pippa move through the crowds.
“Well, I love most accents really,” Yoshiro said. “Particularly English though. Shame really…”
“Who’re you?” Petr asked, finally turning to Yoshiro.
“Japan’s most handsome actor,” Yoshiro smiled. “That blonde you’re watching, you couldn’t introduce me could you?”
“Pippa?” Petr asked. “You’re not her type.”
“Then what is her type?” Yoshiro asked sullenly.
“Me,” Petr said, walking away, leaving Yoshiro looking stunned.

Margaret turned away from Akio as Korena and the Doctor approached. The Doctor smiled, and as Korena began to speak, she was tapped on the shoulder and led away by Pippa.

“Konnichiwa,” Margaret said.
“Hello,” the Doctor smiled. “I’m a friend of Korena’s. She told me you were her grandmother.”
“Hai,” Margaret responded.

The Doctor took this to mean yes. Clearly, Margaret was proud of her Japanese family, so much so that the TARDIS translator circuits weren’t able to translate for him. If anything, Margaret was the most Japanese of the family.

“Ogenki desu ka?” Margaret asked
“Fine thank you,” the Doctor replied.
“Namae wa nan desu ka?” Margaret said.
“The Doctor,” the Doctor replied.
“Kokuseki wa doko?” Margaret asked.
“English,” the Doctor said. “You are too.”
“Hai,” Margaret agreed. “Donna shigoto o shiteiru no?”
“Donna?” the Doctor asked. “Donna Noble?”
“She asked you what your job is,” Akio said, listening to their conversation. “But you seem to speak Japanese fluently otherwise.”
“Thanks,” the Doctor said. “Odorimasen ka?”
“Hai!” Margaret smiled enthusiastically.
“What…? What did I just say?” the Doctor said, as Margaret advanced on him.
“You asked her to dance with you,” Akio laughed.
“Ah,” the Doctor said, backing away. “Ki o tsukete.”

He slipped from Margaret’s clutches, and hurried away. Pippa led Korena through the crowd; until they reached Petr. Korena looked at him as he beckoned her into the corner of the room.

“I take it you’re Petr,” she said.
“Yes,” Petr said. “Have you still got the gun?”
“It’s strapped to my leg,” Korena said. “So don’t expect I’ll be getting it out in public.”
“Of course not,” Petr nodded. “I have to tell you, I haven’t been honest with you.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t want you to put a bullet in the Doctor,” Petr admitted. “That’s for protection, if the Doctor discovers we’ve been talking. It’s alright; he’s talking to your grandmother. Don’t look, he’ll notice. I want you to become the Doctor’s companion, and travel with him. He’s attracted to beautiful, powerful women like yourself.”
“Was that supposed to be a compliment?” Korena asked. “I can’t travel with him, I’ve got a career.”
“And I could take that away in an instant,” Petr growled. “Now, are you in?”
“I’m in,” Korena sighed. “As long as you leave me alone.”
“When I’ve got what I want,” Petr said, slipping off into the crowd.

Outside of Korena’s house and gardens, the small black creature sniffed the air, and let out a howl. It was joined by at least seven others, and each headed towards a door or window. The house was surrounded. And as one person’s plan fell into place, those that would be affected most took their positions; Georgia and Conner by the gardens, Korena and the Doctor by the balcony, Pippa in the centre, Petr and Aimee by the back exit, Kimiko, Kaito and Margaret on the staircase, and Yoshiro by the front door. But none of them were aware of the danger that awaited them outside, that was just about to enter.

“This is a very nice party,” the Doctor told Korena. “Most parties I go to end up – woah!”

He leapt sideways as the balcony doors smashed, and a black creature hurtled through it. Screams erupted from all over the room as several black creatures emerged onto the floor. People panicked, and began to run, scattering across the dance floor. Yoshiro turned and threw open the front door.

“Everyone out!” he cried.

He spotted Kimiko and Kaito trapped on the stairs, and ran to help them. Petr kicked open the back door, and ordered a passing Aimee to get through it. He ran back into the main room, where he helped Margaret down the stairs and urged her to get to the back door. Yoshiro took Kimiko’s hand, and along with Kaito, attempted to follow Margaret.

“Doctor, what are those things?” Korena asked. “Doctor?”

She turned, to see him rushing across the room. Georgia leapt up the stairs to Korena, and took her by the hand. Conner smashed through the glass door, and helped Georgia out into the garden. Korena followed them, hesitating.

“I’ve got to go back for the Doctor!” she cried, rushing back inside.
“She’s bloody mad!” Conner said. “Georgia, run, I’m just getting Korena, and we’ll be with you in a minute.”

Georgia nodded at Conner and ran for the gardens. She headed over a small wooden bridge, and glanced at the lilies in the water below. She passed the pond and found herself in what looked like an aquarium, with tanks of fish lining the walls and green plants all around her.

“Conner?” she called into the darkness. “Korena?”

She heard something in the undergrowth, and stepped back. She misjudged the amount of concrete underneath her, and fell backwards into the water with a scream.

“Korena?”

Conner headed back into the room, and saw Korena dragging the Doctor to the balcony. They were too far away. He headed back out into the garden. He’d look for Georgia instead. But he didn’t know that she had fallen into cold, suffocating water, and that she’d sunk, unconscious, right to the bottom of the lake.

To be continued…