a traveler from an antique land

Barbara Manatee,
You are the one for me!
Sent from up above,
You are the one I love.


After tightening the rear valve, recalibrating the manifold intake, and sorting through one-eighth of the Wardrobe Room’s racks, the Doctor decided she’d had enough and marched off in search of her latest companion. Buffy had declared a veto on setting foot outside the TARDIS until she’d finished ‘something really important’ without explaining why or what, and it was time to put an end to this stagnation.

She found her in the lounge, surrounded by empty snack wrappers and a stack of DVDs, intently watching the television. The Doctor cleared her throat, loudly. “Hello?”

Silence.

“You know, it’s very rude to not answer someone who’s talking to y– Is that Endangered Love?”

“Shh,” Buffy said, eyes not leaving the screen. “Bill just admitted he can’t dance, and Barbara has no one to take her to the ball. It’s like my life, except with less undead and more flippers.”

“Addicted to aquatic soap operas,” the Doctor said, nodding wisely. “I ought to’ve warned you about that. They can be very – “

After a few minutes and a startling confession about manatee lipstick had passed, Buffy realised something had been said. “Very what?”

“Is this the episode where she tries on that new blue bow?” the Doctor said. “I love that one.”

Ten hours and countless bags of popcorn and chocolate bars passed before they resurfaced from the world of Manatee Love. Both agreed the marathon had been well worth it.