'You can. It's just a matter of knowing which buttons and levers to push, really- but can you understand it? That's something different altogether.'

And it's something that will come with time and experience. Once she's looked into the Vortex, seen all of Time laid out before her, then it'll come easily. 'A Time Lord must move through Time and Space like a bird through the air, a fish through the water,' he quoted, before offering as explanation, 'Rasillon, our glorious founder.' His voice was heavy with sarcasm. At some point, he supposed, he would have to teach her about Gallifreyan history as well.

But certainly not at the moment. That was too dull a subject to cover just after the girl had woken up.

Sliding off the jumpseat, he bounced a little on his heels, sliding around the console, pushing- just as he'd said- levers and buttons. 'Traken,' he said, a little louder- a schoolmaster's voice- 'is an extremely enlightened planet. Pacifists, philosophers, mathematicians. Or, well-' he pulled an exaggerated little face- 'I should say it was. Doesn't exist anymore.'

He neglected to mention that it was because of him that it had been destroyed. No need for the dear girl to know that, after all.