Imaginary Worlds

"He wouldn't leave, he'd just get a nicer house... why would he leave?" Marnal asked with a confused frown because that made no sense to him, the Master was a nice guy who liked being around them.

So why would he just up and leave them both? He could have a castle built nearby.

"People move when they don't like their house. Same as when we moved here. And people in his new position tend to reside in the Capitol. But you don't need to worry." he assured firmly.

The Doctor didn't even want to worry about that. He didn't like the idea of accidentally losing the man.

"He likes you too much to leave," Marnal insisted, smiling playfully before he happily set his empty plate aside and got to his feet, ready to forget all the potential stress.

"Are you still going to take me to the park today or do you have loads of work?" Marnal asked because he was never quite all that sure these days and that was awkward.

Marnal didn't have a clue. The Doctor didn't think much in regard to the Master sticking around. The man said it himself. Commitments weren't his thing.

"How about I take you to just look at some dogs?" he offered softly. He had promised.

"Okay!" Like he was going to deny that. He was absolutely excited to look at dogs, he knew it wasn't likely that he'd get one but it was sort of worth a shot trying.

"Thanks!" Marnal offered before he took off upstairs to put on some clean clothes and get ready.

The Doctor headed up to get dressed himself. He couldn't complain. The only issue with dogs was Pest.

But he was willing to look and consider. A thing he'd promised to do. Hell, he might even get one.

Marnal was soon washed, dressed and very ready, sitting on the steps. He knew his dad was feeling a bit down, he could sense it, he was hoping seeing puppies would cheer him up too.

Hell even a dog might cheer him up. "Dad, are you ready yet?"

The Doctor returned soon enough with a small smile. "Let's go." he said lightly. And maybe see the Master on their way home as well.

He wanted to congratulate the man on this success, so why not? He figured that it was the least that he could do.

Marnal smiled and hurried along after the Doctor, grabbed his dinosaur toy with him just so he had something to amuse him in the car. He climbed into the back and belted himself in.

He was happy enough with todays plans, going to see dogs sounded fantastic!

He doubted the kid would actually like things much when they stopped to see the Master. Koschei tended to have that effect on the lad. A thing he needed to fix.

"So. Pet store and then I want to see Mr. Saxon. If only to say hi." the Doctor murmured as he got in.

"Okay, I'll wait in the car," Marnal offered because he didn't want Koschei to snap at him and call him names, he knew Koschei didn't like him but he didn't think he hated him that much.

"Koschei hates me," Marnal confessed and he wasn't entirely sure why but no one really liked him anyway.

"Marnal...Look. I want you to go in. Please?" the Doctor asked softly as he started off. Marnal would be just fine in this situation.

That and he hoped to get the Master to watch the lad for an hour while he dealt with his ex. His ex Marnal didn't need to be around in the least.

((Off to bed))

"Oh I have too? Okay," he offered, he was not arguing with his father again, he wanted too but he was too worried too, he would not be that rebellious again for a while.

"Why do I have to go in" he asked, unable to help but wonder about these sorts of things.

"Because I have to meet up with Iros today and am hoping that Mr. Saxon can watch you for an hour. And you could play with Sigma and everything." he assured.

He didn't want Marnal to worry. But really? It didn't help when the Doctor was worried over it all himself.

{Night}

"Do you have to see Iros?" Marnal asked, he really wanted the other man to just go off and see that horrible man. He was not someone he was happy to hear about.

"Why are you always talking to Iros when he's so horrible?" the boy asked, unable to understand.

"Because we parted on good terms. Or tried to. He's still my business partner and it's not like I'm letting him at you." the Doctor stated firmly.

That simple. He wasn't letting Iros at the kid, so it wasn't a real problem. Why would it be?

"So?? Why do you have to work with someone who isn't very nice?" Marnal asked with a look of dismay because it made no sense to him. If he was in charge of a business, he wouldn't work with nasty people.

It seemed the Doctor thought rather differently, which was sad.

"He was nice to me and he won't be around you. That's all that I can fully offer." the Doctor mumbled with a cringe.. He knew that it wasn't pleasant. But he was never good with cutting ties, no matter how horrid a person was.

Pulling up outside the pet store, the Doctor sighed softly and shook his head a bit. "Come on. Let's go take a look at the puppies." he offered.

"I wouldn't want to be friends with him," Marnal insisted, the Doctor just made n sense to him sometimes, he couldn't work out why the other man wouldn't like him.

Getting out the car, he took his dads hand and offered a tentative smile. "If we find one we really like, can we take them home?"

"No promises, Marnal. You already know that. We have to look and consider Pest in all of this." he murmured as he led the way in, seeking out the dogs to let his son have a look.

He knew this was probably a bad idea. He didn't even know why something was telling him not to get a dog. As though something else was just beyond the reach of his mind.

Marnal sighed and nodded before he got up close to the video and looked in at the dogs kennel. There was so many and how could any expect a kid not to be yearning for one.

He went right up by the pet shop window and grinned at all the squirming puppies, clearly amused.

The only thing keeping him from getting a dog was that the Master had a dog. But why did that matter to him in this? Truly? It wasn't as though it would be an issue.

"Which one is your favorite?" the Doctor asked softly. It only made sense at this point. He had no true reason to avoid it.

Marnal looked around and even though all the ones playing together were lovely, he was naturally drawn to the clear runt who was trying to join in but couldn't seem to get into the pack.

"I like that one!" Marnal declared as he smiled and tapped the glass, trying to get the pups attention. "He's like pest was!"

Lovely. A neurotic puppy to go with their cat. "Come on." the Doctor mumbled, pulling Marnal away to instead focus upon an attendant.

An attendant who wandered off briefly, returning to deliver the puppy to Marnal as the Doctor paid for the dog and various accessories. Right. This would be interesting.

Marnal couldn't of looked happier as he cuddled the dog closer to him, the little thing was licking his face and making needy whimpering noises. He didn't know its name or gender but he loved it.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Marnal chirped as he nuzzled the dog excitedly.