Valerie took the time to fix herself up while she waited. Which consisted of running her fingers through her hair a few times, mainly, to make sure it fell right. She was right behind Kitty when she got to the door, like a dog who was promised a walk. She managed to reign her ━

She glanced up, eyes sparking with curiosity. For once, new things didn't feel like being beaten over the head or being forced to swallow glass. And takeaway was food! She's always loved new food. "Uh... Yeah! Sure! I mean, um... Yes, miss!"

Valerie beamed. She started to rifle through the drawer with very obvious excitement. This was *fun.* She didn't get to have *fun* as often as people thought she did. She just faked it really well. "Thank you!"

Yes, sir! Still here!

Valerie gives her a knowing look, sliding the magazine back over to her. A playful gesture. "Well, if your *friend* leaves anything else like this, I think I'd like to see it. Seems fun."

And Valerie found herself laughing too. "Yeah, and love never really feels like a *fairytale.*" More like a horror story, she thinks but doesn't say. "But, uh, who am I to argue with..." Flipping to the cover of the magazine, showing it off. "... The professionals?"

She hums, reading through the little blurb. "No. It says, um... 'You want to find THE ONE,' that's in all capital letters, I can't shout very well. 'You want to find THE ONE, your true soulmate. Love always manages to feel like a fairytale to you and you throw yourself into it, sometimes too ━

She goes very, very, very quiet. Filling out the quiz with the seriousness of someone filling out a medical questionnaire. "It says... Romantic... idealist."

Valerie's used to that look. She pretends to be oblivious, eyes scanning the magazine. She looks deadly serious. More serious than Kitty's ever seen her. "Mmhm." A pause. "Should I tell you my result? Is it something you share?"

Instead of taking the magazine, Valerie drags over a chair and sits beside Kitty. The excitement was obvious. She was practically bouncing in place. "Thank you!"

Well, I... I just wasn't expecting...

Wait... really?!

(She almost laughs. It's so close. But she manages not to and instead walks over and grabs onto his arm. As if she's an old fashioned lady looking for an escort; hiding the fact that she needs help staying upright.) C'mon, lead the way. I won't ask anymore questions. Promise.

Uh-huh. Say, d'ya think you'd know an alien if you saw one? Like, just walking around?

... I *really* doubt that. (Giggles. She's starting to push away from the wall now. Her balance is off, she's terribly dizzy, but she's on her feet. She'll be fine.) He's a... hm... Yeah, alright. We should still find him.

"You're talking to the *queen* of keeping secrets. My lips are sealed." She made a show of locking her mouth shut and throwing away the key. The melancholy that had overwhelmed her at the thought of her friend dying, the distress at the reminder of her own ━

Dude. Dude, dude, dude, dude, dude. There are a lot of types of alien. Do you know what species? No, no, no. That's rude to ask. Let's just see if he's there.

Riiiight! C'mon! (Starts to get up, using the wall as a support.)

We should... We should go check....

. . . You didn't forget him in the freezer, did you?

The freezer sounds nice. (Attempts to sit up. Another round of dizziness. Lays her head back down.) The freezer sounds *really* nice.

The heat is getting to her. She can't lift her head without getting VERY dizzy. So she's laying down in the corner.

Well, you're taking me out. You gave me this. (Twirls the lavender around in her fingers, still beaming.) Clearly, I've done something right.

Valerie jumped to her feet, placing a hand on his arm. On the surface, it's to excitedly drag him around - something that she's well known for. Really, it's to make sure he didn't lose his balance. She saw that wobble. But she wouldn't make a big deal out of it. Nor ━

(Starts nibbling at the edges. Because when has she ever been patient when it comes to food? Especially now. Now that Del's pointed it out, her stomach's gnawing at her.) ... Forgot.

Yeah, yeah, okay! Um. Hot like spicy or hot like *hot?* Should I blow on it?

... Okay. (Little smile. Why does she suddenly feel a lump in her throat?) I like basically everything, you know that.

... No. I haven't eaten.

(Her eyes flash in distress. And then she does something that Del has never seen her do before. She *doesn't* shove the coffee into her hands. She *doesn't* get up to pour it for her. She forces herself to stay still. Even though it feels wrong. Painful, even.) Alright. If you're sure.

It's actually m... Oh, alright, you can have it. I'll get another.

(Nods sagely, sipping coffee.) She does go to therapy.

I *am* pleased with myself.

She watched as the energy faded. She wondered if it was different when you regenerated from old age - but she wouldn't ask him. It seemed too morbid for this moment. And besides, she didn't like thinking about regeneration. She only did when she absolutely had to. She got a little choked ━

Valerie took a first sip. But it's hot and she wanted to let it cool down a bit. So, she held it in her hands. "I'm just saying, you don't have to. Not for me." She realized that sounded... Not as chipper as she meant it to. She quickly fixed that when ━

It's Father's Day. This is gonna be a busy day. Hopefully, she remembers who gets what gift.

She laughed, but there wasn't any real humor in it. There are plenty of times when her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes, but it's a little more obvious right now. "I don't know. In my experience, some things are just core personality traits." She could name her father's more easily than her ━

//If I had a nickel for every time Valerie reassured somebody about regeneration even though she has a fucked up relationship with it herself, I'd have TWO nickels. Which isn't a lot. But it's weird that it's happened twice.

Valerie saw the moment he noticed. Even though her hearts were dropping into her stomach, she tilted her chin up and gave him her most reassuring smile. "It's gonna be okay. It's... It's not as terrible as you think." Had she told him that she's done it before? Twice? Probably not, she'd ━

Valerie watches him with a little smile. She makes a huffing noise that's almost a laugh but not quite there yet. "You don't have to rush, I'm not going anywhere!" She calls, although she's not sure he'd be able to hear.

"I..." Valerie gave him a little smile. She didn't like him looking worried. Not when it's about her! "I like... Peach tea sounds nice." A pause. "It's in the cabinet closest to the stove. Not with the others. The TARDIS hides it."

She's curled up in the corner. She can feel eyes on her. "Do you need something, s —" Stops. Takes a breath. "Do you need something?"

"You *are* old." She teased, helping him sit up. She's surprisingly strong for her small stature. But she's also gentle, as if she's worried about hurting him. That light scared her. Of course it did. "Very happy. Thank you."

"Nope. Not quite." She hides her distress easily, giving him a soft smile. Her tone is gentle, trying not to startle him. "If you wanna sit up, lean on me. You're looking a little pale."

Seeing this, Valerie's hearts sink a little. She walks over and sits at his side, placing a hand on his arm. She would hate it if someone let her regenerate in her *sleep.* Or at all, really, but she knows it's inevitable at a certain point... Don't think about it! Bad memories! "Wake up."

━ ❤︎ for a starter, length may vary.

I'm offering. It's okay. I should get up anyway. (Smiles. It's a VERY sleepy smile.)

It's never too much trouble. As a matter of fact, just take this one.